Thread Rating:
  • 4 Vote(s) - 5 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica's Last Stand.
This discussion of the merits and demerits of the various sites is all very interesting but it seems to me that it is essential first to consider why either side should be at any of those locations. So, at risk of going over old ground, let me offer a few thoughts.

I think that we are probably all agreed that Suetonius was withdrawing in the hope of linking up with reinforcements and that the Britons were moving in the same direction. The motivation of the Britons is more problematical but Tacitus states that they were interested only in plunder.

Taking the western route and Cunetio first, it is fairly clear that Suetonius would move in that direction with a view to linking with the Second Legion and other troops in the West Country. For the Britons, Silchester and the lands of the Atrebates would be possible targets but I ask what there was west of Silchester to attract them and to draw them to the vicinity of Cunetio (this is a genuine, not a rhetorical, question).

Considering the northern route, Suetonius could have summoned troops from North Wales and was withdrawing north to meet them, although the sources say nothing of this. If he still entertained hopes of linking with the Second Legion, he could have ordered them to proceed straight up the Fosse Way to rendezvous at High Cross (still south of Mancetter) or to branch off along Akeman Street to join Watling Street north of Verulamium. Of course, if the Iceni had come along the Icknield Way and advanced on London down Watling Street, sacking Verulamium on the way, as has been suggested, this would have precluded any withdrawal northwards. From the Britons' point of view, they might have decided that they had enough plunder and were returning to their homelands for the autumn planting. If, as I believe Nathan has suggested, this would take them up Watling Street and then along the Icknield Way, this would rule out any site north of Dunstable.

I think that it is only after taking full account of the motivation and strategic objectives of both sides and the direction in which those considerations would take them can we go on the evaluate the characteristics of any particular site.
Michael King Macdona

And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
Reply


Messages In This Thread
Re: Calling all armchair generals! - by Ensifer - 03-11-2010, 03:13 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-18-2012, 06:26 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 12:02 AM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 02:50 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 05:40 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 11:26 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-24-2012, 05:11 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-24-2012, 09:42 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-24-2012, 10:10 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-25-2012, 03:11 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-25-2012, 03:25 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-25-2012, 08:36 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-26-2012, 02:57 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-27-2012, 01:50 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 08-05-2012, 02:24 PM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Renatus - 09-17-2012, 03:17 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-07-2014, 02:18 PM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-08-2014, 01:50 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-11-2014, 02:03 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-18-2014, 07:54 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-20-2014, 02:37 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-25-2014, 08:29 AM

Possibly Related Threads…
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Armchair Wall walking mcbishop 3 3,479 01-11-2012, 03:22 AM
Last Post: Vindex

Forum Jump: