10 facts about queen boudicca

BOUDICA:I am Boudica, Queen of the Iceni. When my husband died he left his kingdom both to me and the Roman Emperor Nero, to share. It was meant to keep the peace between us.

NARRATOR:It is 60 AD; the Romans have invaded and taken over much of Southern Britain. Some of the native British tribes have agreed to support and work with the Romans, but others are not so happy.

NARRATOR:The Roman army is heading to North Wales, but elsewhere trouble is brewing

NARRATOR:

BOUDICA:But the Romans want it all! Nero had me whipped in front of my people. He demands we pay taxes on land that belongs to us.

BERETTA:She is magnificent.

BOUDICA:Fight with us.

ROMAN SOLDIER:Welcome to Britannia.

ROMAN GENERAL:Do you know why we’re here son?

ROMAN SOLDIER:The glory of Rome sir?

ROMAN GENERAL:Yes, the glory of Rome. But this land is rich, rich…

ROMAN SOLDIER:Erm.

ROMAN GENERAL:…the gold, silver, tin and wood for building to send back to Rome …for the Empire.

ROMAN SOLDIER:But I hear the Britons are heading to Colchester, they mean to fight back.

ROMAN GENERAL:With a woman in charge! What chance do they have?

BERETTA:I want to fight too; I want to be like Boudica.

BERETTA’S FATHER:No Beretta.

BERETTA:You named me Beretta, Beretta means strong.

BERETTA’S FATHER:Yeah that was a mistake.

NARRATOR:Beretta and her father follow Boudica and her army, they head for Colchester, an important Roman town, and burn it to the ground.

BOUDICA:What’s your name?

BERETTA:Beretta.

BOUDICA:You live up to your name.

BOUDICA:And now, onto Londinium.

NARRATOR:After burning down Colchester, Boudica’s army destroyed the Roman town of [London], before heading north to St Albans.

NARRATOR:Meanwhile, the Roman army is busy conquering Wales. But messengers soon bring them news of Boudica’s campaign - and their plans are changed.

ROMAN GENERAL:The Britons have done too much damage. If we don’t defeat them now, we will have to leave these islands and all the riches they contain. We must end their revolt once and for all.

NARRATOR:But the Britons won’t give up without a fight.

BRITON MOTHER:Hurry up; I don’t want to miss seeing the Romans being defeated.

BRITON BOY:I’m just finishing packing the supplies.

BRITON LADY:Those Romans don’t stand a chance against us. Our army is much bigger than theirs.

NARRATOR:Native British warriors blow war horns, known as [carnices], to put fear into the Romans and are experts at driving two wheeled chariots.

NARRATOR:They use iron tipped spears and long slashing swords, but wear little armour. They don’t fear death; believing they will come back braver and stronger in their next life.

BOUDICA:Charge!

NARRATOR:Roman soldiers are put into groups of around 6000 men known as legions.

NARRATOR:The Roman army is well armed, very skilled at working together, and heavily protected by armour.

NARRATOR:Britons outnumber the Romans by up to twenty to one, but the Roman soldiers are highly trained.

NARRATOR:Boudica and the Britons are defeated. Around 80,000 Britons are killed.

NARRATOR:Rome will control most of Britain for the next 350 years.

ROMAN GENERAL:Welcome men, this is Roman Britain.