09-01-2022, 11:11 AM
The problem with this discussion is that we have two fundamentally differing and incompatible interpretations of the evidence. I set out below what I believe to be MonsGraupius' position, which I have culled from his various posts. I offer it without comment and, as it has been gathered piecemeal, there may be omissions or errors. If I am mistaken on any point, I will no doubt be corrected.
Upon hearing of the threat to Colchester (or, perhaps, the fall of the colony and the defeat of Cerialis. I am not sure of this.), Suetonius withdrew his campaigning army from North Wales and set off with it down Watling Street to London. As his cavalry moved faster than the infantry, which was also encumbered by a full baggage train, he travelled with the cavalry ahead of the infantry. In the meantime, Boudica and her forces, having sacked Colchester, had spread across the country and had attacked St. Albans, after which she advanced on London. Suetoonius and his cavalry passed through the enemy surrounding St. Albans and arrived in London first. His infantry, with the enemy occupying the country ahead of it, diverted down the Fosse Way to Cirencester, then branched off to Calleva and thence to London. Suetonius, having decided that he could not make London his seat of battle, withdrew south of the Thames to Calleva, detaching contingents to guard the various crossing points across the Thames. He then waited several months and then, with a force of about 10,000 men (I am not sure how many he would have had when he first withdrew), he crossed the Thames to confront the rebels. There was an earlier suggestion that Boudica may have crossed the Thames, possibly at Oxford, so that the final battle may have taken place south of the river, but I don't think that that was persisted with.
I think that that is a fair summary.
Upon hearing of the threat to Colchester (or, perhaps, the fall of the colony and the defeat of Cerialis. I am not sure of this.), Suetonius withdrew his campaigning army from North Wales and set off with it down Watling Street to London. As his cavalry moved faster than the infantry, which was also encumbered by a full baggage train, he travelled with the cavalry ahead of the infantry. In the meantime, Boudica and her forces, having sacked Colchester, had spread across the country and had attacked St. Albans, after which she advanced on London. Suetoonius and his cavalry passed through the enemy surrounding St. Albans and arrived in London first. His infantry, with the enemy occupying the country ahead of it, diverted down the Fosse Way to Cirencester, then branched off to Calleva and thence to London. Suetonius, having decided that he could not make London his seat of battle, withdrew south of the Thames to Calleva, detaching contingents to guard the various crossing points across the Thames. He then waited several months and then, with a force of about 10,000 men (I am not sure how many he would have had when he first withdrew), he crossed the Thames to confront the rebels. There was an earlier suggestion that Boudica may have crossed the Thames, possibly at Oxford, so that the final battle may have taken place south of the river, but I don't think that that was persisted with.
I think that that is a fair summary.
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)
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
