10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Cartimandua, Britain's Forgotten Queen

Submitted by Nicki Howarth P... on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 20:29

Some very specific images spring to mind when we think about Britain’s female rulers. Boudica - a fiery warrior spanking the Ninth Legion’s bottoms for calling her ‘ginger’. Mary I - fond of vodka, tomato juice and using Protestants for firewood. Elizabeth I (or the very ‘wet’ Bella in the latest Twilight films) - deathly white and surrounded by men she could not sleep with.

However, ask the average British person to give their thoughts on Cartimandua and you will most likely get a blank look or the description of a nasty illness. In case you're wondering, Cartimandua was the first British queen that we know about, ruling an area spanning much of the north of England during the mid first-century AD – and yet most people have never heard of her. Why?

History is written by the victors and we only have the accounts of the ‘Roman’ authors to describe the events of the Conquest of Britain in AD 43. Like Darth Vader writing the only surviving history of Princess Leia, Tacitus was probably not terribly keen to extol the virtues of the ‘barbarian’ queen the Empire was forced to deal with, but we do have to thank him for writing anything about her at all, however unflattering and contradictory. But she can now take her rightful place in our collective history and force her contemporary Boudica to share some of the limelight.

Meet Cartimandua, Britain’s forgotten queen...

1: Who Was She?

As far as we know, Cartimandua was the first hereditary queen to rule any part of Britain. Unlike Boudica, she was born to rule and her husbands were merely consorts. It is likely that she was already an established monarch and married to her first husband, the troublesome Venutius, before the Conquest in AD 43.

2: Where Did She Rule?

The Brigantes were assumed to be a federation of smaller tribal units, banded together under a single leader. It has been argued that Brigantia (the name of their lands and their goddess) stretched from Birrens in Dumfriesshire as far south as Little Chester, near Derby, and occupied most of this area from east to west. The reality is that territory was probably much more fluid than ancient sources suggest, and tribal borders could have changed because of inter-marriage, treaty, trade or conflict.

3: Stanwick – Cartimandua’s Pad?

Excavations of the fortified site of Stanwick in North Yorkshire suggest that this was once an immense structure designed to impress (with its 5m tall earthworks and a complex spanning almost 3 sq km). The finds of high-status imports (or diplomatic gifts?) such as rare forms of Samian pottery and volcanic glass show that this was the seat of someone who had achieved great importance and was able to command a significant amount of manpower and resources in building such a palatial dwelling during the mid first century AD. A fitting showcase for Cartimandua’s Roman guests, perhaps?

4: The Romans Needed Her to Help Protect Them

Despite the might of Rome and the impressiveness of the Roman legions, they still needed Cartimandua’s help to accomplish their goals in expanding the province. In return for providing occasional bodyguard duties, the Roman advance was protected by the co-operation of Brigantia’s queen. As the legions marched south-west, their flank could not be attacked by any sympathetic northern tribes sending reinforcements, areas of possible retreat were blocked and thus they avoided fighting on several fronts. Cartimandua literally ‘had their back’. An unpatriotic act? Not at all. Britain was not a united kingdom at that time and there is no evidence that Brigantia had any relationship with the neighbouring tribes. It was every woman for herself and her people benefited enormously from Cartimandua’s shrewd decision to exploit the Roman need for her help.

5: She Kept Her Lands Free From Roman Invasion

From the time that the legions came over from Rome with a job-lot of rotting fish paste in AD 43, until she was deposed by her nightmare ex-husband in AD 69, Cartimandua kept Brigantia independent and free from Roman occupation whilst the rest of England was either surrendering or being conquered.

6: Unlike Boudica, She Stood up to The Romans and Won

As a number of rebels were to find out the hard way, Rome was rarely beaten in a pitched battle but there were other ways to take on the Empire. Cartimandua was powerful, shrewd and successful in skilfully playing off potential enemies against each other, surviving during the chaos of conquest for some three decades on the throne. Her people did not lose their lands, their lives or their liberty whilst she was queen.

7: Freedom Fighters... but Whose Freedom?

Cartimandua has been unfavourably compared to various so-called ‘freedom fighters’: the rebel prince Caratacus, her contemporary Boudica and her ex-husband Venutius, but whose freedom were these individuals fighting for? Freedom for the people or freedom to rule as they saw fit? These three had much in common: they all had status because of their relationship to someone else who wielded power – Caratacus’ father, Boudica’s husband and Venutius’ wife. Far from being life-long opponents of Rome, the three rebels enjoyed the wealth and power that their relative’s friendship with the Empire provided for many years and only rebelled once these privileges and riches were taken away. The people they led suffered greatly as a result of their attempts to get them back, but Boudica at least had personal grievances to avenge in addition. Freedom may eventually have been sought at any cost but who was footing the bill?

8: You Don't Mess With a Northern Lass

Like readers of modern-day ‘trashy’ magazines, her people really needed to stop being obsessed with celebrity weddings.

It is said that Northerners do not suffer fools gladly and Cartimandua as their queen was no exception. Two men tried to take her throne and suffered the consequences. After leaving his own people and then abandoning the two other tribes he had led into battle against Rome, Caratacus fled to Brigantia, most likely to try to gain further reinforcements. Like Elizabeth I after her, Cartimandua was not about to lose her throne to a scheming and opportunistic royal. With her own position and the safety and prosperity of her people at stake, she captured Caratacus and handed him over to the Romans in AD 51 – a decision for which she has been universally condemned ever since.

However, this is to judge her by modern standards and not by those of the time. She was Queen of the Brigantes and not of Britain – her duty was to protect herself and her subjects from this dangerous and fickle invader who wanted to jeopardise everything she had worked so hard to achieve. It was a necessary act, if not a popular one.

Her second threat came from closer to home. After Cartimandua divorced him, her ex Venutius tried to provoke a rebellion in the 50s AD, forcing her to seize his relatives. Undaunted, he tried to attack the kingdom but was sent packing by Roman ‘doormen’ brought in to aid the queen – his name was not down and he was not coming in.

9: The Ex Factor

Like most of the ‘barbarian’ queens in the ancient sources, Cartimandua’s accomplishments as monarch were totally ignored in favour of gossip about her personal life. Despite ruling successfully and with peace in her lands for the best part of 30 years, the only trouble in Brigantia was linked to Cartimandua changing husbands. The First Brigantian Rebellion in the 50s AD happened after she divorced Venutius; the Second Brigantian Rebellion occurred after she remarried in AD 69. Like readers of modern-day ‘trashy’ magazines, her people really needed to stop being obsessed with celebrity weddings.

Despite having been divorced for at least 12 years when she remarried her ex-husband’s armour-bearer, Vellocatus, the sources describe her as an adulteress (work that one out). Her first husband clearly had issues about ‘moving on’ and he again timed an attack on her kingdom to coincide with an internal revolt provoked by the ‘scandal’ of her new marriage.

This time Venutius was successful in taking the throne and the Roman ‘doormen’ regretted telling him on their first meeting to ‘come back here if you think you are hard enough’.

Cartimandua was rescued from danger by her Roman allies but lost her throne after decades in power. This was a move her subjects swiftly regretted as their ancestral lands, their freedom, their independence and their prosperity disappeared as soon as their queen did. Venutius, like Caratacus before him, abandoned the people and fled north, leaving Brigantia to be swallowed up into the Empire.

10. Cartimandua as Guinevere?

Much as the fiction of her adultery makes no sense in the light of her earlier divorce, it is for this falsehood that Cartimandua may have been remembered by posterity. Modern sources have suggested that the love triangle of Cartimandua, Venutius and Vellocatus may have inspired the legend of the famous adulteress Guinevere, as told by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Hardly an accurate or satisfactory memorial for such an independent queen, but she at least did not end her days – as Guinevere did – in a convent.

Read 17 comments, or leave your own

About The Author

Nicki Howarth Pollard (follow me:

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I'm the author of Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes (2008) – the only work about Britain’s forgotten queen. My life-long passion for history, an early addiction to Sherlock Holmes, and a love of forensic science dramas combined into a desire to uncover areas of the past previously ignored or hidden.

Comments

Ann:

Her tribe (or collection of tribes) instantly reminded me of the 'Brigands' who fought Napoleon. So I thought the etymology of the word would be 'freedom fighters' or something, derived from Cartimundua's tribe. A quick online etymological consult though, says the original from +- 1400AD means a 'lightly armed foot soldier', and that it is derived from the Italian 'brigante' (which would be 'trooper or skirmisher'). The pillaging and plunder aspect wasn't added until in 1421. So far for 'Brigands' being born under Napolean rule solely.

A further look on 'briga' does give: "briga "strife, quarrel," perhaps of Celt. (cf. Gael. brigh, Welsh bri "power") or Gmc. origin." So would the tribe be named the 'powerful' or 'the fighting'? (Both would make sense if I read your article, as their queen was powerful and they did kick some various ass! ;))

Thu, 07-01-2010 15:57

Nicki Howarth P...:

Interesting idea, Ann but the truth is we will never know for certain what their name meant or even if they would actually refer to themselves as Brigantes, as we only know of the name from the Roman sources anyway. They were not known for their fighting prowess in the same way, for example, that the Silures were but who knows? The following passage from my book is as far as I could explain it:

"The root of the tribal name has been given several origins but whether linked to the Sanskrit ‘brihati’, the Gallic ‘bri’ or the Irish ‘brig’, it is generally accepted that the word means ‘high’ or ‘exalted’. This could pertain to their geographical location in the hills and upland areas, or it may have referred to the goddess they worshipped, Brigantia. As such, Brigantia could have been a title, ‘Exalted One’, rather than the actual name of their goddess and so they may have been ‘the people of the high one’ " (Howarth, 2008).

Fri, 08-01-2010 11:20

Terry McIntee:

Nicki Howarth, thank you for your book 'Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes' which I really enjoyed. As you say, it's amazing that so few people have heard of this great leader, whereas most will have heard of Boudica (but will probably say 'Boadicea'!) I'm leading a discussion on the Brigantes later in the year for our U3A Local History Group. Any idea where I can get the most up-to-date archaeological info.?
Best wishes,
Terry

Thu, 06-05-2010 13:18

Nicki Howarth P...:

Thanks, Terry - glad you liked it. Professor Colin Haselgrove is writing another report on the Stanwick excavations but I'm not sure when it will be published. I have e-mailed him and asked him for you, so will let you know if I hear anything. Good luck with the discussion. Best, Nicki Howarth Pollard

Mon, 10-05-2010 09:55

Kiera:

I'm 13 and pretty shocked that my history teachers have never mentioned her. Cartimandua and Boudica are probaby two of the most powerful Queens we have had... :) Well, you learn something new every day...

Sat, 09-10-2010 17:18

Jeanm:

I bought your book at the book signing in York when it was first published and found it fascinating. So much so that I spent a lot of time exploring the Stanwick site and doing my own research. I now have the privilege of working for English Heritage on the site at Isurium Brigantum, or Aldborough as it is now know, in North Yorkshire. I am working on developing an education centre to help our visitors to understand the site, not only as a Roman town, but as an important Celtic settlement. It is about time that Cartimandua Queen of the Brigantes was appreciated as a great leader.

Wed, 24-11-2010 20:15

Nicki Howarth P...:

Yes, Kiera - I totally agree as I had never heard of her either when I was at school. So, you're ahead of me already - I expect great things from your book in the future. ;-)
Best,
Nicki Howarth Pollard

Wed, 24-11-2010 20:43

Nicki Howarth P...:

Hi Jean, I'm glad my book inspired you in some small way and what a fabulous job to have. I am very envious and am sure that you will in turn help many more people to appreciate Cartimandua as something much more than the tired stereotype of a 'quisling queen'. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance on the education side of things. You can contact me on my website.
Best,
Nicki Howarth Pollard

Wed, 24-11-2010 20:48

Mike Kirby:

Hi Nicki, working my way through your fascinating book this week. I am a 'very' mature History student at the University of Huddersfield and have fought for space at this year's exhibition which is on the subject of Royalty and West Yorkshire. It was a tough fight, but the rest of the group have relented and allowed me to introduce the exhibition with our first hereditary Queen, Cartimandua. I shall be citing your work ruthlessly.

So, thank you for the inspiration, hope our publicity sells you a few more books!

Mike Kirby, Barnsley

Sun, 16-01-2011 22:07

Nicki Howarth P...:

Hi Mike,

Sorry for the delayed response but I have been having a few problems with my log-in. I'm very glad that you're enjoying my book and good luck with the exhibition.
Let me know if I can help in any way.

Regards,

Nicki Howarth Pollard

Sun, 20-02-2011 14:22

Mary Clarke:

Dear Nicki

I have just bought your book and already finding it fascinating. I have been aware of Cartimandua for many years now but was distressed to find so little information about her and what there was made her out as being a bit of a trollop. I have had arguments with some people who believed her to be the Celtic 'Judas' I have always held that she was doing the best for her people and suffered from bad publicity and misogynistic opinions. I am delighted to find a book that is accessible and yet academic which upholds this view that I have of her

thank you so much

Mary

Mon, 21-03-2011 14:26

David Anson:

I have not read your book but if you are taking the position that she was a hereditary queen in whom the power of the land was invested, I believe that would be historically correct for most of the northern Celtic tribes which had not come under Roman influence or example. Whilst we cannot know this for certain, Cartimandua is some contemporary proof of it. There is much evidence to suggest the Brigante were linguistically and culturally different from the other British tribes to the south. The work of the American historian Christopher Snyder offers some evidence of this as well as that surviving north/south divide we have two thousand years later. The position of the aristocratic woman in Celtic societies if viewed from an anthropological position as opposed to a poorly recorded historical account, sets a much clearer record of them............and for the record a memorial to Cartimandua is being erected on Wincobank Hill in Sheffield by the Friends of Wincobank Hill. A British fort is located on the Hill and you can get a link to the Friends web site via mine at www.brunanburgh.org I shall obtain your book asap.

Thu, 31-03-2011 09:57

Nicki Howarth P...:

Hi David. Yes, I am aware of the Wincobank project as I was contacted by one of the artists (Ana Lucia Ospina) a year or so ago after she had read my book and when the monument was first being planned. I believe it has recently opened (or was meant to) and I'm sure it looks great.
Looking at Cartimandua from any view, whether historical or anthropological is a definite bonus as she has been largely ignored for too many years.
I hope you enjoy the book.
Best,
Nicki Howarth Pollard

Thu, 31-03-2011 13:00

David Anson:

Nicki, I bought your book via Amazon for my wife as a mother's day present. She likes books about the strong women of history, ever since I bought her one about Henry VIII's wives. Some might have met a grisly fate but none were doormats. She has begun to read your book and is impressed. Take this as a compliment. She is not really a reader of history and only has a passing interest to some extent in the subject, but she'll be recommending your book.

From my own point of view I think our own history is in need of re-assessment. My own education put the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans as the founders of knowledge and civilisation for the rest of the world. We know this to be a simple view of a complex problem, compounded by the sudents of the Classics running the education system as well as the country. It's really time Northern Europe took its place in history. I have no idea if you have made other contributions to other parts of this historical revival, keep up the good work if you have.

David

Thu, 07-04-2011 12:14

Nicki Howarth P...:

Hi David,

I'm glad your wife is enjoying my book and will indeed take the compliment. My second book will not be released until 2012, but she may well enjoy that one too as it also looks at other 'strong women of history'. It will be called 'Resisting Rome: The Women Who Defied An Empire' and focuses on at least ten royal women from various parts of the world. I plan to keep doing my bit to chip away at the 'old attitudes', so it's always nice to have my efforts appreciated.

Best,

Nicki Howarth Pollard

Thu, 07-04-2011 12:34

Guides:

i Saw your picture and thought it was a picture of queen Cartimandua !! hahah i had to look at the article becuas eit hought how lifelike the portait was!! haha anyhow,.. liked the article it seems women have alway got a raw deal when it comes to accusations of adultry even years ago..

Fri, 08-04-2011 09:27

Roz Ditchfield:

<p>Never heard of Cartimandua until this week when I read a Barbara Erskine novel called "Daughters of Fire" about a research historian who became "possessed" by her.  I am now fascinated to find ou more about the real queen and wonder if more facts have been discovered recently</p>
<p>Roz</p>

Sun, 31-07-2011 08:03

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