Sub-Roman Britain

Geoffrey of Monmouth was a English Bishop and author that wrote the Historia regum Britanniæ (History of the Kings of Britain). His works combine the earlier single tales into one grandiose one. Although all the key features of earlier stories are there, the components are sometimes not the same. For instance, Geoffrey states around book VIII chapter one “To your own ruin did you prove a traitor to their father, and invite the Saxons into the island. You invited them for your safeguard; but they came for a punishment to you”. This excerpt from his writing suggest that Geoffrey thought that the Anglo-Saxon invasion wasn’t an invasion at all. It was because Vortigern, then ruler of the land, invited the foreigners to Britain. Per Gildas and Bede in earlier works Aurelius Ambrosius, as Geoffrey calls him, was the mysterious figure that became known as Arthur. But Geoffrey writes in his History of the Kings of Britain that Aurelius Ambrosius was Arthur’s Uncle. Writing about Aurelius Ambrosius, Geoffrey states in book VIII chapter one that Ambrosius and his brother Uther, Arthur’s father, would invade Britain from the continent of Europe to kill Vortigern. Although in his account Ambrosius was a different character altogether, he still did unite the Celtic people against the “invading” Anglo Saxon tribes and was this fearless leader that…

Arthur transcends time The name King Arthur evokes images of mythical legends and elements that still exist today. The legend of King Arthur effects directors, writers, and even toy makers. But what is it about this legend that fuels our imagination and creativity? Perhaps it is humans desire to see good overcome evil. Some are enthralled with the magical elements. Others love the adaptability of the legend. I believe it is the mixture of good versus evil, magic, and adaptability that…

Myth and Arthurian Romance. New York: Columbia UP, 1927. Print. Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, and C. H. Firth. The History of England from the Accession of James the Second. London: Macmillan, 1913. Print. Oman, Charles. A History of England: Before the Norman Conquest. London: Studio Editions, 1993. Print. Petrie, W. M. Flinders. Neglected British History. London: Pub. for the British Academy by H. Milford, Oxford UP, 1918. Print. Phillips, Graham, and Martin Keatman. King…

Arthur tries to be as honest as possible but, as a politician or king that is not always the case. That being said, Arthur is not honest to the people of Cadbury when he holds the sword pulling contest just so that he can pull it out of the rock because of Merlinnus’s spell on the sword. This is an example of lying because Arthur and Merlinnus are the only ones who know that the sword had magical abilities. Arthur also displays an act of honesty by marrying Gwen because he said on,“ Tell me who…

rather to serve Roman interests. The physical image of Boudica that is known today emerged from these Classical writings, but the intention behind her as a symbol has changed from the Classical stereotype used by the Roman writers. Over time different leaders and groups in British society have drawn on the image of Boudica to stand…

was a Celtic female best known as the queen who led a revolt against the Roman empire in the year 60 or 61 CE. Most of what is known about Boudicca was recounted by two Roman historians known as Tacitus and Cassius Dio. While not much is known about her childhood and upbringing, it is generally agreed that she was born of royal descent. She was the wife of Prasutagus, king of the Iceni tribe, who ruled as an ally of the Roman Empire after the Roman conquest that took place in the year 43 CE. In…

everything in his/her power to fulfill their dream-- that dream being what is best for mankind as a whole or for a certain people. During the rule of Emperor Nero, Boudicca was the queen of the Iceni tribe in Southeastern Britain, ruling alongside her husband, the king, Prasutagus. She did everything in her power to ward off Roman imperialism and led the largest British revolt against Roman rule in history. She is a hero because of her courage and determination and symbolizes of feminine…

Its start date comes from a coin of Claudius. Claudius ruled Rome as emperor from 41-54 CE, so an estimated date of the making of the coin is 43 CE, the start date of Stratum 600. Southern Gaulish terra sigillata was found in this Stratum, and it solidifies the fact that the civilization that used to be in this layer was Roman. Boudica’s Rebellion took place in this stratum. The ash that made up this layer points to this, as well as the lack of precious items found in this layer. That means this…

Macedonia. In the process of doing so, they took down Rome and Delphi as well. They were known to be fierce, courageous, and fearless warriors. The Romans treated the Celts with a lot of respect because of this. "They are very tall in stature, with rippling muscles under clear white skin. Their hair is blond, but not naturally so: they bleach it, to this day, artificially, washing it in lime and combing it back from their foreheads. They look like wood-demons, their hair thick and shaggy…

In Londinium, Boudicca battled, killing everyone that was around her. All the torches the Iceni held were flaming red, orange, and yellow. Her red hair was whipping in the wind as she fought to make things right for her people. She faced a certain harsh death, but her spirit of courage still lives on with us today. Boudicca was born around 25 A.D. in Celtic, Britain. Her mother and father are unknown, but she did have a brother named Ban. Her education is unknown to us today. She did not have…