VIA DEVANA, an ancient Roman road across the centre of England; from Colchester in Essex north-westward, past Cambridge, Godmanchester, Leicester, Branston, and Chesterton, to Chester. It crossed Ermine-street at Godmanchester, the Fosse way at Leicester, and Ryknield-street at Branston; and it can be easily traced through Staffordshire.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))