The Legend of the Iceni Queen
Written history tells us that" Boadicea" was a warrior queen during the Roman rule of Britain in or about A.D 60. Following the death of her mate King Prasutagas of the Iceni, her destiny became clear. She was to lead a great revolt against the most powerful military force of the age. The Roman army and all its splendor was to suffer a humiliating defeat at her hands. Boadicea like most Celtic women of that era were well versed in the use of deadly weapons and the art of war.
Most of what is known about this period comes from the early Roman scholars, like Tacitus and Cassius Dio. Sadly, there is not much information available regarding her early life or her youth in Camulodunum. What we do know about "Boadicea" or "Boadica" as she is sometimes called, is that she was born into an elite tribal family around 30 A.D. At the age of 18, she became the chosen woman of Prasutagas, the king of the Iceni tribe. The area in which they lived is now known as East Anglia.
Boadicea as shown on a engraving from the 19th century held at the Trust Photo Library/Art Resource, NY
The Roman historian Cassius Dio described the Celtic queen in this way, "In stature she was very tall, in appearance most terrifying, in the glance of her eye most fierce, and her voice was harsh; a great mass of the tawniest hair fell to her hips, around her neck was a large golden necklace and she wore a tunic of many colors."
Following the Roman defeat the Celtic tribes were forced to submit to the Roman Empires will. Prasutagas was allowed to continue as king and warlord in exchange for cooperation with the Romans oppressive rule. If the king had not agreed to the terms he and his people would have been slaughtered.
Queen Boadicea had 2 daughters from a previous liaison prior to being the warlords chosen woman. Unfortunately they had no natural children together. The king being without a male heir after his death provided the Romans with a good excuse to take his kingdom, his family’s land and all their property. To add insult to injury it is said the Romans beat Boadicea in public and following her humiliation the soldiers were told to rape her daughters in front of her.
Tacitus documented her promise of vengeance, "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.”
It was after this outrage that Boadicea led her tribe in revolt against the Roman Empire's formidable army. Guias Paulinas was the governor of the province at the time and was responsible for carrying out the interests of Rome. The defeat of the Roman 9th Legion fell upon his watch and so did the consequences. Queen Boadicea and her followers went on to destroy Camulodunum the capital of Roman Britain. A great battle then ensued as Boadicea and her army traveled on to London and Verulamium in an attempt to destroy and drive out the current rulers.
Route of the great battle
The Roman commander gathered his army to confront Boadicea and her followers in a battle to the death. From London to Northamptonshire the Roman army raged to defeat Queen Boadicea. Most of her followers were massacred. It is thought Boadicea and her 2 daughters killed themselves by taking poison rather then to endure certain torture and eventual death at the hands of the Romans. No one really knows their fate, but that is part of the mystique surrounding the Queen of the Iceni.
Queen Boudica statue near Westminster Pier in London
Queen Boadicea and her tribal army massacred many thousands of the Roman soldiers and loyalist Britons. An amazing feat considering how well armed and skilled the soldiers were during that period in history. Although her revolt was unsuccessful Boadicea's name and legend is held reverently in the hearts and minds of many as a symbol of courage and freedom. She is certainly one of my heroines.
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Awesome post! Thanks for sharing! I used to work with a girl named Boadicea I wonder if her mother named her after this Queen. I had never heard that name before and always thought it was so strange. She absolutely HATED her name and just went by Bo. I found out by accident and she was so embarrassed. I remember thinking how sad to be that embarrassed by your name.
Maybe no one told her about the legendary woman she was named after. A great movie about that time period and her heroism is called "The Warrior Queen" .
I definitely will if I run into her again! Thanks again 💕
As what always happened with the Celts/Scots/Irish, their inter-clan feuds prevented them from keeping the island. The Romans could not advance any further north than what is the border of Scotland today. If the tribes/clans had worked together at the initial invasion, they could have fought back the Romans, the Anglos and the Saxons.
But, I guess it was for the better in the long run to be melded with those and the Germanic tribes.
Thanks for the info. You know your stuff. Didn't the Queen Victoria come from the Germanic linage?🐓
That's the complaint.
Victoria's Mother and Paternal Grandmother were both of German lines. And her grandfather, George III was of a German line as well.
Yup, us Brits have a proud history of generally fighting amongst ourselves when we're not being invaded!
I love history, my roots are British and Scot Irish. So many fascinating events took place in your neck of the woods. Thanks for coming by🐓
I'm embarrassed to say I had never heard of this heroine! This queens story is amazing to say the least! I love reading about royalty, knights, castles and the likes (Marie Antoinette and Josephine the Empress being some of my faves) yet I never delved into the Celtic side (which I should as my paternal grandmother was French, Irish, German)
Thank you for teaching us something new!🎀
You're most welcome!
The Iceni Revolts are an amazing part of Roman history.
They were indeed! What got me interested in this subject matter was a movie I saw "The Warrior Queen." I was so impressed with the history I began to read about this period of time.🐓
She's one of my heroines too! We watched an amazing historical recreation of barbarian leaders a few months ago and one of the episodes featured her. An amazing life. Thanks for sharing her powerful story during South Africa's Women's Month. 😘😘
Hi Kiligirl she was also in a movie called "The Warrior Queen." She was one tough Queen to lead so many against the Roman's. Your friend 🐓🐓 Ellie Mae