Boudica

Boudica, also known as Boudicca and Boadicea, was a queen of the Iceni tribe which was based in the modern county of East Anglia in England (Watch the Ancient World in London video about Boudicca).

VIDEO: Episode 6: Boudicca, Warrior Queen

Her husband, Prasutagus, was king of Iceni and was an ally of the Roman occupiers of Britain. When he died, his will stipulated that his kingdom should be divided between his daughters and the Roman empire. The Romans flouted this completed by raping the king's daughters and whipping his wife, while also making monetary claims on the Iceni.

In response, Boudica famously led a revolt of several tribes (the Trinovantes, Iceni and others) against the Romans between 60 and 61 AD. The Roman governor, Suetonius, was away on a campaign on the island of Anglesey in north Wales when Boudica struck, destroying the Roman town of Camulodunum (Colchester) before pushing south and attacking Verulamium (St Albans) and Londinium (London). About 70,000-80,000 people were killed in the three cities, Suetonius having withdrawn from Verulanium and Londinium, abandoning them to the rebels.

He took the opportunity to gather his forces - possibly in the West Midlands - where he defeated Boudica in the Battle of Watling Street. The exact location of this battle is still a matter of debate among archaeologists and historians. Following Suetonius's victory, Rome was able to secure stability in Britannia.

Interesting sites

St Albans Roman Ruins

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Colchester/Camulodunum

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Alternative names

Boudicca, Boudicea

Interesting Publications

Architecture in Roman Britain

Shire Publications Ltd (2009)

by Guy de la Bédoyère

Britain BC: Life in Britain and Ireland Before the Romans

HarperPerennial (6 Sep 2004)

by Francis Pryor

Celts: Britain Through the Ages

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by Hazel Mary Martell

Images

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