* vexillationes:  Roman bodies of troops under a military standard or banner.                                                                                                                             

After invading and occupying the British Isles, the Roman governor negotiated with King Prasutagus, leader of the Iceni tribes (living in land that became Suffolk and Norfolk counties, in southeast England).  Boudicca (alternate spellings: Boadicea, Bonduca, Boudica) was his wife.  After Prasutagus’ death, his will was ignored by the Romans, along with attempts at compromise and peaceful reconciliation with the invaders.  Iceni land was taken. Boudicca was stripped and flogged, and made to watch the raping of her daughters. 

 Her life is recorded on the pages of Western history because of her fierce refusal to remain subjugated. She rallied her people and led an amazingly powerful rebellion; defeating Rome’s famous Ninth Legion, destroying the occupying capital of Roman Britain (then, Colchester), London and Verulamium (St. Albans).  Boudicca’s army was so successful that Tacitus records Rome lost 70,000 soldiers and Boudicca was never captured. 

 One Webster Dictionary meaning of the word Britannia is: “A female personification of Great Britain.” I can think of no woman more worthy of the title than Boudicca.  This Timeless Woman tried everything in her considerable power to right the wrongs of her family and her people.   She ended her life as a free woman when her army was ultimately defeated by united Rome forces, possibly drinking poison as the battle turned.  Neither dishonor nor death tarnished her name.