BOUDICA ... the warrior queen

 Salam and good day,

I came across Queen Boudica while watching Expedition Unknown, S6 ep16. This programme is hosted by Joshua Gates, an archeologist, explorer and adventurer, like a 21st century Indiana Jones, minus the , err... arse kicking.He travels around the world, trying to solve ancient mysteries, digging tombs, looking for buried treasure etc. Like I said... Indiana Jones.

In this episode, he was trying to locate the last battleground of Queen Boudica which was also believed to be her burial site. As was the custom then, this would be where her people would have given offerings of silver and gold to honour their leader. 

In London, he visited the monument of Boudica which is situated next to the House of Parliament, on the embankment of the Thames. The monument is a bronze statue of Queen Boudica in her chariot, with her two daughters, designed byThomas Thorneycroft in 1902.

Josh Gates mentioned that, he has been to London countless times and have stood on that very spot more than a few times, but he has never noticed the monument until that day. Yes, now that he mentioned it, I have also stood on that very spot more than 30 years ago, and I also did not notice the monument. Apparently, not many people know who the monument is for because not many know about Queen Boudica. So, who is she, and why have I not heard of her before while studying about the British history?

the monument of Queen Boudica

First, lets find out who she is. We go back to the time of the Roman conquest in AD43.  Queen Boudica was married to King Prasutagus who ruled the Iceni tribe of East Anglia, which was the wealthiest and most powerful of the Celtic tribes. They had two daughters.

When Rome arrived in Britain, the Iceni made a treaty with the Romans, allowing individual kings or rulers to stay in power, keeping their tribal lands and their way of lives. They, however, would be ruling on behalf of Rome.

When King Prasutagus died in AD 60/61, he left half of his estate to emperor Nero for Rome and the other half for his daughters. This did not go well with the Romans as they expect everything to be handed back to them once the king is dead. 

So, the Romans raided and destroyed the place. Boudica was publicly flogged and her daughters were taken out and raped by the Romans. Big mistake Romans!!!!!!

Pissed off and hungry for revenge, Boudica rose and led the Icenic army against the Romans. She torched Roman cities and was described by Roman historians as a merciless foe, responsible for barbaric acts of torture.. Seen as one of the most fearsome warrior and history's fiercest woman, the warrior Queen fought the might of Rome and got her revenge. 

Most of the stories about Boudica came from Roman historians because at that time, ancient Britain did not have a written language, hence, the lack of record. So, what we get is Boudica from the Romans point of view. Of course, they saw her as merciless and barbaric. I don't think the Romans can handle women with power... LOL

Even though she was not English, (she was Celt, the Anglo Saxons did not arrive in Britain until much later in history. That, plus living in a land without writing, was probably why I did not come across her when learning about British history.) she is today, considered as a British folk hero and a righteous freedom fighter. 

Boudica - mother, wife, killer or Boudica - mother, leader, freedom fighter. Depending on which side of the Roman empire you stood. 

I choose both - Boudica - mother, wife, killer, leader, freedom fighter. I'm a sucker for badass warrior queens, and Queen Boudica is definitely one. Lady, you rock!

It might not be very relevant, but, reading about Boudica reminds me of this song. 

March of the Black Queen - Queen

REFERENCES:

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Boudica/

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel4QnA46xPBavfoa8EVS41CrnCj6Yqde71yWzOdRmdfFXgl8BydAjhw5T5lPkTPXAeQa9DwyZZmokPEilVCkUx5-xTTPiUdRqAAnyHiuJDxdzJtNownvJZgU3mJyx74Czy1OF_ftyOo8v/s1600/boudica.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8usNj4x9NA

Discovery Channel ; Expedition Unknown, S6 ep16