09-14-2016, 03:03 PM
(09-12-2016, 10:14 AM)Alecto Wrote: possibly there was a loyalist Regni army
Nic Fuentes suggested that some of Paulinus's troops at the final battle could have been sent by Cogidubnus. It's possible, but not necessary, I think - as I said above, one legion plus a vexillation and attendant auxiliaries would make up the ten thousand.
We know that Cogidubnus remained loyal during the revolt, but I still think it would been risky to withdraw into his territory: not only are the nearest possible battle sites beyond Virginia Water some distance away, but Paulinus would be trusting to the King and his people to support them, while a huge rebel army poured across their borders...
(09-12-2016, 10:14 AM)Alecto Wrote: withdrawing south/west was easily the best thing PS could do, he would engage on a site of his own choice, one that would be unfamiliar to the rebels
Possibly unfamiliar to Paulinus too! He'd spent most of his two years as governor campaigning in north Wales, and may have had little reason to visit the pacified southern districts. The only ground that we know he knew was the south coast district, London, and the line of Watling Street up to Wroxeter.
Nathan Ross