In the quiet and fertile lands of East Anglia, where the seas kissed the shores and rolling plains stretched out under an open sky, there thrived a proud Celtic tribe known as the Iceni. Their people were skilled in metalwork, agriculture, and trade, a society that valued independence, autonomy, and loyalty to their own. The Iceni, though smaller than some neighbouring tribes, were wealthy and fiercely independent, minting their own coins and standing firm against external threats. Life was hard but fair, until the arrival of a new and insidious power---Rome.
An Uneasy Intersection
The Romans first arrived in Britain in AD 43, sweeping across the land like a tide of steel and discipline. They brought with them roads, legions, and an insatiable hunger for expansion. The Iceni, led by their King Prasutagus, initially chose the path of diplomacy, becoming a client kingdom of Rome. In exchange for autonomy, they paid tribute to the Roman Empire and hoped for peace. But peace with Rome was fragile, and it shattered with Prasutagus' death.
Prasutagus had attempted to secure the future of his people by willing his kingdom to both his daughters and the Roman emperor. The Romans, however, saw this as an opportunity to fully annex the Iceni lands. They confiscated property, enslaved nobles, and, in a brutal display of dominance, flogged Boudica, the queen, and raped her daughters. This egregious mistreatment ignited a fire within the hearts of the Iceni---a fire that would lead to one of the most famous revolts in Roman Britain.
A map of Iceni lands in Norfolk. (Amitchell125 - Own work)
The Call to War
Boudica, a queen scorned and enraged, rose to lead her people. But this was not just a personal vendetta. The Iceni had suffered under the yoke of Roman oppression for too long, and Boudica's rebellion quickly became a rallying point for other tribes, most notably the Trinovantes, whose own lands had been swallowed by Roman colonisation. This was a war for freedom, for revenge, and for survival.
The rebellion began with the sacking of Camulodunum (Colchester), the first Roman colonia in Britain and a symbol of Roman authority. Boudica's forces stormed the city, overwhelmed its defences, and destroyed the Roman temple to Claudius. This first strike was a statement, a declaration of war against the might of Rome. Next, the rebels marched on Londinium (London), another key Roman settlement, and burned it to the ground, killing thousands. Finally, Verulamium (St. Albans) fell, with Boudica's forces leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The Long Journey
Why did Boudica and her forces take this long and dangerous journey away from their homeland in Norwich, all the way to London and beyond? It was not just about territory. These cities represented the heart of Roman power in Britain. By attacking them, Boudica struck at the symbols of Roman authority, aiming to dismantle their control over the island. Each sack of a Roman city was both a tactical victory and a psychological blow to the empire.