Boudicca's Boutique

Boudicca’s tale is one of heartache and shows Roman brutality at its worst. The Iceni were a British tribe based in East Anglia. King Prasutagus was the client king who, as Tacitus puts it, was ‘famed for his long prosperity’ (Tac. Ann. 14.31.2). Following his death in AD 60, Prasutagus named in his will, the Emperor Nero and his two daughters joint heirs of his kingdom (Tac. Ann. 14.31.2). The king evidently believed that by doing this, he secured his family’s safety and continued power. This, however, was not to be as the procurator of Britain, Decianus Catus took the whole estate and kingdom away from the deceased king’s family. Prasutagus’ wife, Boudicca, contested the Romans over this but it was to lead to serious consequences. Tacitus tells us that the Romans were deeply insulted by this act of betrayal and had the queen stripped and lashed. (Tac. Ann. 14.31.4). 

It was this act of Roman brutality that led Queen Boudicca to rebel. This was to be the start of one of the toughest conflicts that the Romans faced in Britain. Boudicca led her people to a revolt in Camulodunum (Colchester) where the Romans were annihilated by her tribe. The Iceni had a few more victories as well as causing the burning down of Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium. However, as time passed the Britons became more and more complacent which ultimately led to their defeat at the Battle of Watling.

Boudicca was clearly an exceptional woman that took on the Romans. She wielded considerable authority. Boudicca became a heroic figure in British history and is still admired by many today. There is no doubting the courage and bravery this woman had. She was the warrior queen of the Iceni who rallied and led her troops into one of the greatest rebellion’s Rome ever faced.