BOUDICA QUEEN OF THE ICENI

HOME   CUISINE   ENVIRONMENT   INSURANCE  HORSES  LEGENDS   LAW    NEWS   PRODUCE   RIGHTS    SITE INDEX  TRANSPORT   WHISTLEBLOWING

 

The Romans bit off a bit more than they cared to chew when they raped Boudica's daughters - the final straw.  In every folk hero story, there is always one distinct action out of many wrongs, which finally proves too much for the victim(s).

 

Boudica

What do we really know of this great British Queen of ancient Britain? She was married to Prasutagus, and with him she ruled over the Iceni - the tribe occupying East Anglia - but under Roman authority. Like many other rulers in Britain at this time, Boudicca witnessed the suffering caused to her people by the heavy taxes, conscription and other indignities generated by the Roman Emperor Nero. The final outrage came when her husband Prasutagus died, and the Romans plundered her chief tribesmen and brutally annexed her dominions. This was too much for the Queen and she determined to take on Nero and his Legions. In this she was not alone, for tradition tells that all of south east Britain came to her side, ready to die for the Queen who was fierce enough to take on the Roman Empire. It's noteworthy that tribes which remained loyal to the Romans, (like the Catuvellauni) were not spared Boudicca's wrath.

Boudicca's opportunity came when the Roman Governor General Seutonius Paulinus and his troops were stationed in Anglesey and North Wales. By the time Paulinus got back, the Roman municipalities of St Albans and Colchester had been burned to the ground by the Britons. Boudicca's warriors were more than a little intimidating. They virtually routed the Ninth Legion that had been marching from Lincoln to help Paulinus, and without additional support from Rome there was little he could do against the determination of these people. Eventually they marched on London and it was here at last that Paulinus faced Boudicca and her army of Britons in the field. We don't know where, (possibly the Midlands) but we do know that a desperate battle was fought, and although the Romans were the victors, they regained the province at great price.

Many thousands of Britons fell in battle and those who lived were hunted down by Roman soldiers. But it would seem that Boudicca's actions had shocked the Roman world into adopting policies that were a little kinder. Some historians believe that the relative lack of Romano-British remains in Norfolk is testimony to the severity with which the Roman Empire crushed Boudicca and the Iceni peoples.

Finally, faced with defeat, the proud warrior Queen took her own life, by drinking from a poisoned chalice. This much is well known; the challenge is to separate fact from the many legends. For instance, is she really buried under Platform 10 at London's King's Cross Station? We'll probably never know, because for centuries people have been claiming their own local sites as her final resting place.

 

Boudica's of the World

Robin Hood is often considered the archetypal outlaw hero. As a result, many cultural heroes are referred to as the Robin Hoods of their respective countries.

These sites are about Robin Hood-like characters from different countries. These heroes and villains can be real, legendary and completely fictional. It should also be noted that these legends are in no way inferior or subordinate to the Robin Hood legend. Some of these tales predate Robin's adventures.  Boudica is real history and a message to tyrants the world over, whcih for some reason tyrants always seem to ignore - until it's to late.


William Wallace Scotland's national hero and the basis of Braveheart , starring Mel Gibson. Some believe Wallace's adventures influenced the Robin Hood legend.
Rob Roy Another -- albeit much later -- Scottish hero. He also inspired films and novels.
Robin Hood His father's lands confiscated - Robin determines revenge against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
Ned Kelly: Australian Iron Outlaw Australia's "Robin Hood".
Juraj Janosik "The Slavic Robin Hood".
William Tell The legendary Swiss archer.
Louis Riel An important and controversial figure in Canadian history.
Billy the Kid A real-life outlaw and murderer from the "Old West" of the United States. His legend has some Robin Hood elements.
The Phoolan Devi India's late real-life Bandit Queen.
Zorro This Spanish Californian hero is the fictional creation of Johnston McCulley.
Shuihu Zhuan / Suidoken -- The Outlaws of the Marsh Also known as the legend of the Water Margin, Shuihu Zhuan is a classic of Chinese literature set in the 10th century and stars "Robin Hood-like" men and women. It's also popular in Japan, where it's known as Suikoden.