\'The myth of Celtic and Roman Britain\'

[Matthew Amt]

Weren't these leaders hereditary? The ruler's son becomes the next ruler. UNLESS some other (reasonably) close relative is stronger-willed and has built up his own base of loyal followers and usurps power. Boudica led because she was married to the late king, and was VERY strong-willed! Obviously charisma played a large role in influence over other tribes, and we know that there were some strong rulers and some weak ones. But my understanding was that it was basically arranged by heredity (though I seem to remember some passage about elections among nobles or something, help!).

Matthew