“Boudica the honoured Celtic warrior princess who resisted Roman rule in Ancient Britain.”
The Early Life of Boudica
There is relatively little known about the heroine Boudica’s early life. She was born into a noble family residing in Camulodunum, modern day Colchester around A.D. 30.
She married Prasutagas at the age of eighteen. Prasutagas was the king of the Iceni tribe. A tribe located in modern day East Anglia, who were well acquainted with the ancient Celtic way of living. As the Roman imperium advanced, the vast majority of native British tribes were defeated and subjugated. The Iceni tribe however were an exception. Rome permitted Prasutagas to remain King, in exchange for his loyalty.
Death of the King
Prasutagas died without an heir. Therefore the Roman rulers decided this was their time to exert total control over the natives. The onslaught began when the Romans annexed the Kingdom of Prasutagas, confiscating his land and property. In a final show of power and control, Boudica was flogged and her two daughters raped.
Boudica’s Pledge
“Nothing is safe from Roman pride and arrogance. They will deface the sacred and will deflower our virgins. Win the battle or perish, that is what I, a woman, will do”.
Revenge of Boudica
Boudica previously trained in the warrior way which possessed her with the skills necessary to launch an assault on the unwelcome invaders. She would then rally the Iceni and members of the neighbouring tribes against the Roman Ninth Legion. The Britons were victorious, they ransacked the Roman capital Camulodunum and massacred the inhabitants. They marched on, replicating their victories in London and Verulamium, modern day St Albans.
The Inevitable
Inevitably the strength of the continental war machine would prevail. The Roman legion would march on the rebels and win the battle. Boudica and her daughters retreated. Aware of the oncoming defeat, the three escapees in one last stand poisoned themselves, relinquishing the Romans satisfaction of capture.
Legacy
Boudica has left a long lasting legacy upon the people of Britain and Ireland. A Celtic princess who resisted a superpower. An enlightening account of defiance from a woman of noble character who decided that courage and honour can mean more than one’s own life.