09-07-2016, 06:32 PM
(09-07-2016, 03:01 PM)John1 Wrote: Otherwise I can't fault the logic...
Heh heh...
However, if Paulinus withdrew anywhere very far north-west of the Iknield Way, he'd be surrendering his strategic advantage. By remaining in the vicinity of the Iknield he could manoeuvre to intercept or threaten the rebels' route back to their own lands. Move any further and he'd be leaving them a clear road home.
We'd also have to ask why, if Paulinus withdrew into the Midlands, he was not reinforced by elements of his army in North Wales. If he marched all the way back to Church Stowe he would surely have been joined there by units heading south, and so would have had a lot more than ten thousand men at the last battle? (Or perhaps the druids were keeping them busy up there? )
Nathan Ross