Boudica: Freedom Fighter or Psychopath?

Boudica, the legendary British queen of the Iceni who led a revolt against the Romans in Ad 60/61, destroying 3 Roman towns (including London) and massacred all the inhabitants inside.
Responsible for thousands of deaths was she a freedom fighter or a psychopath?
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Other videos mentioned in this episode
The Roman Invasion of Britain (43AD)
• The Battle of Medway ...
The Real Dick Turpin (no romantic highwayman!)
• Who Was The Real Dick ...
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:56 Roman Invasion of Britain
2:51 Druids Massacred
4:48 The Seeds of the Revolt
7:06 Boudica's Revolt
9:11 Colchester destroyed
10:15 Boudica destroys London & Verulanium
11:53 How many did Boudica kill?
13:24 Battle of Watling Street
18:07 Death of Boudica
18:44 Revolt crushed
20:21 Boudica's Legacy
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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or KZbin animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@jeeperspeepers8323]

Now this is the real “History Channel”!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@TheRunereaper]

Fascinating stuff. What I find so strange is that as far as I know, nobody has been able to locate the site of the battle of Watling Street. Perhaps not so strange, Richard III has only relatively recently been found under a car park!. Thanks for posting.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting comment.

[@TheRunereaper]

@@TheHistoryChap My pleasure Chris. I really enjoy your balanced approach to history, keep it up. I know that you only do British history, one of your best IMHO was Noel Chavasse VC, a truly selfless human being. If you know of any aspiring young YT historians looking for a subject, I would really like to see the inspiring story of Nikolai Vavilov and his team. The problem is he was a Russian and so a bit persona non grata in today's divided world but a great human being nevertheless. You are very positive, with a great sense of humour. "Strength and Honour!" Paul

[@MelanieMaguire]

When I was at school she was called Boadicea. At what point did her name change to Boudicca and why? Thanks very much for this thrilling account, I don't think the terms Freedom Fighter and Psychopath are necessarily mutually exclusive.

[@user-xh3lz9xt4l]

I agree her statue is as far as I recall is at Westminster Bridge

[@aledcharles16]

Iirc I think it was something to do with a medieval history recorder named Bede who changed it to Boadicea because it sounded nicer (more feminine 🤔). I think I read that in a Horrible Histories book so like I said I may be incorrect.

[@paulmilligan2657]

I'm of the understanding Boudicca is an ancient British word meaning "Victory"..."Victoria" ( I may be incorrect )

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

Given what the Roman Historians tell us she and her daughters underwent at the hands of the "Pax Romana", I'm not surprised if she got a bit....well, tetchy. "They make a desert, and call it peace".

[@krixpop]

The "Roman Historians" were all very critical about Nero's government, to say the least. And they depicted most, if not all, of his actions as failure. In a way what we are reading today is actually "Nazies" writing about "Commies", Roman style ... Thus imho, Boudica was an absolute evil and physico, shown in favorabile ways to fit the negative political narrative of Nero's failures. ... Nero was the last "julian" direct descendant of Caesar and Augustus, thus it "had" to be very, VERY bad to justify his demise in Romans' public eyes.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@ludwigderzanker9767]

Dear Chris, this story was extremely interesting and helpful, I recommend The Eagle and the Raven by Caroline Gedge again. We have a similar figure in our history Vileda, a German wise woman who leads the Batavian uprising 70/71,similar too in the number of Romans vs Germans slain by Boudicca. I believe, the Germans like the Celts on the island were just deeply used to be fighting and killing their neighbors. They feel for the clan and family and not to be a People. Waiting for Prasatugas, nicely done again. Ludwig

[@ConradAinger]

The Romans valued the Batavi, and the Tungri, as auxiliary troops didn't they? When Claudius invaded Britain, they actually did most of the fighting!

[@ludwigderzanker9767]

@@ConradAinger that's right but the Batavia theirselves thought the Romans looked at them as a kind of costly livestock to breed many auxiliaries. Civilis had never started the uprising without a true reason. Best regards.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for sharing the details of the book

[@markjames6669]

Great video ! I love listening to these interesting snippets of history while at work

[@ProfessorM-he9rl]

Great post Chris, thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.

[@keithhamilton4422]

Another great presentation, Chris. Well done! I'm looking forward to your take on Venutius and his revolt(s). Being Lancashire born-and-bred I always feel a certain modest pride when I read about how the Brigantes kept the Romans at bay for what was it - nearly a century? - with the Romans reportedly still fighting the Brigantes in the first half of the second century. And there's some speculation that the Brigantes may have been responsible for the mysterious disappearance of the mighty Legion IX Hispana. Such a pity that there are almost no surviving contemporary records of these events. Keep up the good work!

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@jamesgarman4788]

Very well done Chris!!!! Many thanks for posting!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.

[@karlsenula9495]

Different times ... different mentalities and attitudes ... In those days death was omnipresent and always just around the corner ... Perhaps as a result people were more inured to death and as a result the death of OTHERS meant little ... Whereas the death of a personal loved one always was treated with reverence.

[@leddielive]

I imagine mob mentality must kick in as the blood began to flow & the red mist of rage descended during those massacres.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for your feedback.

[@maxreed2343]

YEEEESSSS, AT LAST, the Roman video we've been awaiting from ya for a while, Chris old chap, the one about Boudica. And once again, I really HAVE to thank ya so much for giving me yet again massive facts I'd never known about this woman ever since my primary school days, cos I HAVE known full well about Boudica all this time, but certainly hardly any, if any at all really, of the facts that YOU, our great British military history KZbinr, have now just delivered. Hero or psychopath, you want us to ask ourselves about her? Well, in terms of hero, Boudica certainly has been a big symbol in the fight for freedom from enslavement by a ruling empire's forces, but on the other hand, the fact that the many thousands her tribal forces slaughtered and wiped out in their revolt against Rome's forces were actually her own people, the Britons, rather than actual Roman people and soldiers... That certainly is what a psychopathical tyrant would do. Whatever though, I now HAVE to get such a damn move on FINALLY seeing the 2003 movie about Boudica, which between it and the Netflix movie about her looks to be the better of the two, AND it features our old friend River Song from Doctor Who aka Alex Kingston as the warrior woman herself, and now that you've done today's video, THAT is now even more motivation for me to FINALLY see that. And btw, I at last watched the movie of 'The Cockleshell Heroes' this morning, after watching your history video on the real brave men of that heroic bunch and Operation Frankton enough times beforehand, and BOY did I certainly love it indeed, NOW I see why it was a big hit the year it came out, and yes, it does differ quite a lot from the real Operation Frankton, the reasons you said of which in your video a couple of months ago, but it sure does shed light on the REAL Cockleshell Heroes indeed and keeps their memories alive, so it sure was well worth seeing the movie at last. And I've also found the 2011 documentary about it I believe you mentioned about in your video also, which I also now plan to look at

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@philipopperman7570]

Awesome video, thanks for the history Chris

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@ianlawrie919]

Fascinating and revealing with an equally interesting dilemma posed in the thumbnail. It has shifted my perception indeed. Though I will refrain from commenting on my school teachings.👏👍👌

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed my video.

[@FranciscoPreira]

Fascinating stories indeed, thanks for sharing keep up the excellent work.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@Thurnmourer]

Freedom Fighter or Psychopath? I'd argue neither seeing as her revolt is comparable to a revenge killing.

[@rayw3294]

The winners get the history.

[@pistonburner6448]

I see absolutely no evidence or logic supporting the claim of Boudicca targeting British civilians. It makes zero sense, so hooking up your wagons to this nonsensical, irrational theory supported by nothing is questionable. The 120,000 number mentioned was that of Roman soldiers and their families alone. We know that they had very little interest in keeping records of other Romans arriving eg. for commerce and services and who were jot directly connected to Roman armies. We also know that masses of such civilian Romans arrived right from the start of Roman conquest. Not to mention how Britons could be very strong allies of Romans and thus considered legitimate enemies...at least as much so as the daughters of an heiress.

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@colbygordon6936]

​@@rayw3294 Tell that to the Nazis who got to write their own version of WW2 that the common idiot regards as fact.

[@lawriemay9714]

Revenge on a large scale​@@TheHistoryChap

[@LucHywel-xw5tw]

Hi, thanks for your video. Not sure it's the right niche but if anyone's very much into Brythonic and Celtic warfare in general I strongly recommend Schwerpunkt's content. I'd love to see a co-op. Keep up with the great work

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@leddielive]

Is that a KZbin channel?

[@kevinstreet5709]

Thanks Chris, great video

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@davidwoods7720]

Thanks so much for this Chris

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@brendanmallon1479]

Amazing content and channel ❤❤ please more

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jeningle8288]

Another great story well narrated. Thanks Chris. Cartimandua next perhaps?

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@QALibrary]

very interesting story and use of artwork to tell the story

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@karlsenula9495]

If you are not with me then you are against me - seems like the prevailing line of thougut at the time.

[@PapaKilo1975]

Only a Sith deals in absolutes 😁

[@karlsenula9495]

@@PapaKilo1975 ... Damn you found me out ...

[@PapaKilo1975]

@@karlsenula9495 😂

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Chris,Very interesting story and really well narrated. Although I know the name I confess to knowing absolutely more about her until recently. Only a few weeks ago Paul Whitewick presented a story about where the final battle took place. This was based on a book by Duncan Mackay and a paper by Steve Kaye. This paper is an amazing piece of work. I've been back to the UK a couple of times over the last few weeks unfortunately sad news as my father passed away. Anyway I took some time to visit some old haunts where he took me as a little boy one of which was Fort Purbrook high up on the hill overlooking Portsmouth Harbour (A Palmerston Follie) and nextdoor far less known, Dead Mans Wood, planted to act as a beacon to Portsmouth airport in 1930. Later several war memorials were installed, three of which remain. They were planted by a group known as The Men of the Trees which later evolved into The International Tree Foundation. I’m sure there will be some material there for a story or two. Both are easy to get to when you visit Portsmouth, it might be hard to get your wife to visit Dead Mans Wood!! Hope to catch your live event this evening if I can. All the best!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@carlfrederickbowers]

Great channel detail is key

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

brillian tas always chris. loved it. cant wait for more.

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@johnforrester9120]

Brilliant thank you from Australia

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@kaoskronostyche9939]

Another great story. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@billevans7936]

Excellent....

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks.

[@shakeypudding6563]

Given the fact that she got virtually all her people slaughtered, I’d say she falls into the psychopath category.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@philipmarsden7104]

Great video! Thanks Chris! Just one point, Paulinus' army contained the whole of the 14th Legion and vexillations from the 20th, not the 12th which was probably based in Syria.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it & noted your comment.

[@wadoryujujutsukempo6289]

I have always loved this story, great

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@brianspendelow840]

Thank you Chris for this excellent video. A lot more even handed than other accounts I have seen over the years. I would love to see you do something similar for Aethelflaed. That would be of the real daughter of Alfred the Great, not the rather strange version depicted in The Last Kingdom

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@user-pi5kt4ox3g]

Excellent and well-balanced work, Chris. This insurrescion shows, in my opinion, the Roman Empire at is worst ( the causes ) and at his best ( the reaction ). But who was really Boudica? Perhaps a person prisoner of his ( initial ) succes. The revol tbegan well for the Britons but the development was poor. To exterminate almost all the Romans and their " friends " in Britain wasn' t a wise strategy nor the decision to decide the war in one pitched battle against one of the best army in ancient world.Perhaps the queen and her captains had lost the control of the army or became oveconfident. Vice versa Paolinus was take off guard by the insurrection but not lose his nerve and reacted well. The battle was well planned by the general and the roman soldiers did the remainder. Ancient battles were usually decided, if weren' t encirclements or so, by the fight of the first lines of warriors ( this is in general the opinion of the scolars ) and the Britons were brave but less armend and drillled. But these are considerations based on hindsight. P. S.: please excuse my little English.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting feedback.

[@revgurley]

Named a pet Boudica. Fit her personality.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@annehersey9895]

I think that all the death, massacre etc sounds so harsh to us because she is a woman. So in order to really judge her ruthlessness we must ask the question: Did she act any differently than a man would? One problem we have today in our ‘cancel culture’ is that non-Historians judge historical figures by what is acceptable today and that isn’t fair to the person being judged! I’ve always wondered about Boudicca and here it is! Thank you my good man, I really enjoyed this!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to comment.

[@guycalabrese4040]

What's up with YT? I'm a subscriber but didn't get any notification! This also happened on other history channels that I'm subscribing. Very strange...

[@TheHistoryChap]

Strange indeed. best way to keep up to date is to sign up for my weekly newsletter at www.thehistorychap.com

[@formerlydistantorigins6972]

I wouldn't say she was a psychopath. IMO, she was blinded by rage and handicapped by a lack of military understanding. Great video again 👏 👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@dougearnest7590]

I was hoping for a few more details pertaining to Caractacus' uniform.

[@TheHistoryChap]

A nice red tunic maybe? -:)

[@beachboy0505]

Excellent video 📹 UK 🇬🇧 ' Indian Mutiny The people of ancient Britain is alive and well in Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and Brittany and maybe Northern Spain.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Yes, you are correct, although DNA from archeological digs is now suggesting that a lot of what he assumed as Germanic English actually had Briton heritage. In other words a lot more inter-marrying than traditional history suspected.

[@Alfonzridesagain]

I think it's plausible that one of the dynamics that led to the revolt was tribal rivalry among the Britons, or perhaps a backlash against those who had collaborated with the invaders. Unsurprisingly, those dynamics are not really captured in the Roman sources

[@kevwhufc8640]

I don't think we'll ever know the real reason, the details why the Iceni fell out with the Romans. Before the invasion 20 years earlier they chose to allie themselves with Rome, which is evident as they remained on their own land instead of choosing to join the tribes who fought against the Roman's hoping to repel the invaders. Maybe the Iceni hated their southern neighbours, the trinovantes and their western neighbours the Catuvellauni more than the Romans, both those tribes among others did fight , but as we know the Romans won. The archaeology indicates within a year or two the south east had accepted Roman rule , they must have feared the worst, death, sold into slavery etc , but instead members of the previous ruling families were treated well and given positions of status, to the regular tribespeople, the farmers labourers they continued working, they were already used to a coinage currency based system ,they has Gold and silver but also smaller denominations, small silver coins and copper coins, ( small change so to speak) so swapping to Roman coins was no problem, they would have paid taxes before the Romans invaded, so that wasn't anything new. The fact that by 60 ad no Roman military forts ,bases camps,remained in middle Britain ( what became England) Can only mean the people were no threat, they were getting on with life.. But the Iceni, whatever bargain they made they obviously felt cheated, it wasn't a case of Prasutagus dying and Catus taking advantage etc , because before that there had already been two smaller uprisings that were stamped out by the Romans, but it shows they were already unhappy about the way things were going. The third and last uprising I believe was for the same reasons as the others, but instead of grumbling or pleading to officials they behaved long enough to convince the Romans they would tow the line, but planned revenge They knew they didn't have the numbers to go north to attack the forts fight the legions, and destroy new towns some of which also had temples like the one in colchester. But they chose to go south, first they invaded trinovante land and attacked their ancient capital, Camulodunum killing destroying everything and everyone ,the temple and new Roman style city was just a small part of the whole settlement, and excavations show the whole settlement had layers of burning. 99% of the people in colchester were ordinary Celts, The Iceni then continued killing destroying every farm or small village along the roads/trackways towards London and then verulamium. The people in London and verulamium knew the Iceni were on their way and would have left to cross south of the thames or like the population of verulamium hide in the deep woodland above the new city and ancient settlement. The Iceni would have found them deserted. But I think your right about old rivalries being one of the reasons they chose to destroy their neighbours, because the Iceni being a small tribe, Results of some recent work, archaeological, soil analysis , results, estimate a population less than 2000 people, Over the decades before the roman invasion they would've been threatened & paid tribute to the trinovantes & catuvellauni , they knew they had no chance of winning any fight against them. They wanted to hurt Rome, they went from allies to haters It was about revenge, it was personal. Essex, London, Hertfordshire, was undefended , they could rob rape destroy kill without any problems. Taking revenge on old advisories, enemies and destroying disrupting the Roman work . Colchester, at the time had no real defences, no walls or gatehouses, London was small village with no protection Verulamium the Roman city was half the size of the 3rd century walled city with its defensive gatehouses that are usually shown on documentaries . The numbers, historians give , the the wildly over exaggerated numbers of rebels and people killed , are easily disproven by any archaeologist who have worked on colchester or verulamium, and studied the evidence of the population not just of those citys but that whole part of England. It's a Victorian story a Hollywood history , they talk about huge numbers and about people joining the Iceni But dont give facts, they don't say where or rho these other rebels were or explain how so many people were killed in deserted citys , citys that at their largest wouldn't be able to accommodate more than a couple of thousand, If interested, Google the work of kris Lockyear, the results of his GPR , you can see the majority of the people lived in a small area, hardly any outside the 155 ditch .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@dokkenratt]

I never tire of hearing about Boudicca and this one definitely does not disappoint. I've got it playing while I'm doing the barbecue. Fantastic work as usual my friend!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed my video.

[@stevetaylor8298]

Very easy to ask a question like that a couple of thousand years later. So what were the thousands of people who also revolted, psychopaths too? Did they consider the then romanised Britons traitors?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting feedback.

[@gerardhogan3]

Nice job Chris. I suppose if Boudicea had of won, Rome probably would have come back to save face and maybe just go nuts with a scorched earth policy. Who knows

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.

[@gazza2933]

Sorry Chris. 'Old School' Bo- da - see - her. Great video! Thank you. 👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@DJTheTrainmanWalker]

Answering the opening claim: Er... I'm now thinking to myself about the relationship the Roman emperor of the time Nero had with his mother who he killed. Nero of course being the last of the Julio-Claudians, all of whom were pretty sociopathic. And let's face it, the Romans used crucifixion as a torture/execution/terror punishment which seems pretty psychopathic. And Rome had used crucifixion* from long before Octavian made himself Emperor and changed his name to Augustus. Not forgetting that Octavian's wife Livia reputedly had a Poison chest that later came into the Possession of Lucretia Borgia... 'Bunch of psychopaths' springs to mind. So do we need a 'scale'? Is Bodica say 2 Nero's or the other way round? Or... are both combined equal to one Caligula? *Not claiming they invented it, Romans didn't invent that much, but they just loved to appropriate.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your interesting feedback.

[@tashatsu_vachel4477]

Good video. I would tend to rely on Tacitus as he has been proven reliable on many different details and seems to have made an effort to get accurate information, far more so than many ancient authors. As to the numbers, probably at least 60,000 Britons, maybe as high as 90,000, who were combat capable, and likely as many followers given what we are told of such tribes on the move. How many died? Well, given Roman actions of the period and the numbers involved on the Roman side, the number of 80,000 dead is not unlikely, the lack of cavalry and lengthy pursuit would have localised the killing somewhat but I imagine everyone trapped by the wagons would have been killed on the spot.

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@leddielive]

I think it's about time that the Italians apologised for all the slaves they created & make the necessary reparations for their countrymens actions. As a Briton who's ancestors suffered invasion & enslavement I'll be invoicing the Government in Rome 10 million euros as a starting point or do you think this amount too low? 🤔

[@leddielive]

Also, Italy will have to apply for retrospective planning permission for Hadrians Wall or face the costs incurred for demolition of said Wall.😂🤣😂

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting feedback.

[@foxcell]

another great insight into Boudica’s revenge which I could not blame her but all that pointless slaughter of man women children babes at the breast a bloody road but as my dad would say when people have there blood up it’s very very hard to calm them down there’d see enemies everywhere tragic indeed But what’s happens to her daughters who were with her in her last battle ?

[@lorriebrady4956]

Yeah I was wondering what happened to her daughters as well. Love from America 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to comment.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to comment.

[@johnlongford1734]

No different than what the Romans did to Carthage. She was a product of those times

[@foxcell]

@@johnlongford1734 alas yes 😢

[@paultyson4389]

You do an excellent job always. Thanks. As you point out, Victorian Britain elevated Boudica to heroine status when their own country was an imperialistic power around the world, imposing and maintaining its rule with violence when needed, just like the Romans. As you also say, Paulinus ordered his front row to form into a series of wedges that proved to be very effective. I have never heard of a Roman army fighting in that configuration before. Tacitus I think, went into great detail on the atrocities Boudica's army inflicted mainly on Britons. Women had their breasts cut off and then sewn on their faces is one I seem to remember.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@paultyson4389]

@@TheHistoryChap I love your stuff on Sudan too. When I saw that 1930's movie, "The Four Feathers" (?) a long time ago, I was very impressed by the battle scenes and by the final scene which was really touching and sad.

[@Lassisvulgaris]

Yet another good one. However, if crime fighters fight crime, and fire fighters fight fire; what do freedom fighters fight...?

[@ronmaximilian6953]

Oppression

[@Lassisvulgaris]

@@ronmaximilian6953 That makes no sence, according to my question. That would have been oppression fighters.....

[@paulgibbons2320]

What about Ty fighters ?

[@PapaKilo1975]

​@@paulgibbons2320 Rebel scum, obviously 😆

[@Lassisvulgaris]

@@paulgibbons2320 Good question.....

[@user-nh3ob4so4w]

you are great tv show must be your next step

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.

[@philiphumphrey1548]

At Watling Street, her best military strategy would have been to simply do nothing, stop the Roman legions from foraging for food, and wait until they were forced to move. She could have easily destroyed them while they were stretched out on the road by a series of hit and run attacks. But the fact that she took her baggage train and a lot of the tribe to watch the battle suggests that she wanted to make the destruction of the Romans into a spectator event. And it went horribly wrong. I think it was the greatest military blunder in British history.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to comment.

[@kooringagnd]

Boudicca was very similar to Yahya Sinwar in drag. What was committed by Boudicca's and the Roman's attacks against each other wete worse than the 10/7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@j.dejong3590]

A real Queen, fighting where she stands for.

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@michaelmalone9062]

Thanks for confirming my notion that the statistics were exaggerated. But even so it was terrible.

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@jockster5525]

Awesome stuff thanks for your efforts 💯🙂❤

[@TheHistoryChap]

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[@davidcoleman757]

I'm guessing what we know about her comes almost exclusively from Roman writers with some archaeological evidence. I think the missing information is what makes this period so fascinating. We are free to imagine; and it's possible to imagine Boudica's actions were the result of the wrongs visited on her and her family.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.

[@harryshriver6223]

I think she was one of the most pinnacle women in early British history. She was responsible for many deaths of her fellow countrymen, I wonder what her opinion of them was at the time of her uprising. I think you should do a video on the English Jerry Springer, it would be so interesting! 😂😅 Chris I will make sure to bring my popcorn for that! Very well done, amigo and I look forward to your next installment of British history.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Hi Harry, thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and I will try to work one up about Caractacus, maybe just for my members

[@samrodian919]

I think she was a bit of both Chris. Freedom fighter certainly to free her tribe from the Roman yolk, after her and her daughter's rape. I also think that yes she wanted revenge, and I don't blame her. As for being a psychopath, mmmmmm. .maybe a little, but of her thinking about Britons who had accepted Roman rule, it was more that " if you're not with us, then you're against us" mentality with her. Perhaps these days we have become far too squeamish . The Romans had to die, and those Britons who lived in Roman settlements had to die along side with them. Total war and total victory, seems to be what she was about, with a side helping of revenge to go with it. She was a hard headed freedom fighter in my eyes! Thanks for another great story Chris!

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

@@TheHistoryChap boudica probably would have kicked neros butt lol.

[@spudgunn8695]

What "countrymen?" There wasn't a country, just a bunch of separate tribes sharing an island and occasionally having wars with each other. She would have felt no Kinship with the people of Londinium, for instance, they were just a "foreign" tribe and lickspittle lackeys of the Romans.

[@ColonelBummleigh]

I'd like to make a sign with my thumb like Caesar in a gladiator battle. Firmly GP Paulinus's side on this one. Terrible Roman administration and vile actions led to stab in the back insurrection. This was IMO a terrible genocide against women and children until the revolt met a decisive defeat at Watling street and were anhilated in battle despite some 10:1 numerical advantage against a tired ,hungry and hastily assembled Roman force under GPP ( and friends) I'm intrigued to look into this a bit more. I had the opportunity to visit a museum near Stonehenge many years ago,and left with the firm belief that whatever the Romans discovered in this fortified settlement,it warranted being raised to the ground.Interesting that the Romans left very little historical accounts.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for the interesting feedback.

[@rcoleman235]

Could anyone explain why the battle of Towton is considered the bloodiest battle in British history when the amount of dead within this battle is surly higher?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for the comment.

[@travhammer]

Contrary to history. Boudicca gave the single greatest attack on roman authority of Legions. She. And her heroin's have always inspired. Even chewing ground finger triggered, I thought of her. When thinking of her these days, I feel she brought me home as i watch this. Vinr deepwr forever

[@TheHistoryChap]

Contrary to history?

[@travhammer]

@@TheHistoryChap I've read many accounts to say she didn't sac Londenium, she never gave a speach stating men could remain chained like dogs, and so on

[@shannonfox3351]

As a woman and a Mother I would follow Boudicca. I think maybe she did not have people advising her on Roman warfare and that is what failed her. in hindsight they can call afreedom fighter and they would be right.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to comment

[@deanstuart8012]

Studying O-Level History in 1985 we had to spend a week at a field study centre in Middleton In Teesdale, in County Durham. There we were taught that the Romans never occupied Upper Teesdale, despite it being well south of Hadrian's Wall. The lead in Teesdale has the highest silver content in the United Kingdom and Teesdale is quite easy to travel through. Yet the Romans bypassed the area and didn't enter it. We were given the impression that it was the Roman equivalent of the Panshir Valley in Afghanistan, where the local tribes were able to hold off the foreign occupiers. How much of this is true, I don't know.

[@philiprufus4427]

The Romans got as far as modern Aberdeen. They fought a battle near there and The Auxiliaries Gubbed The Scotti. The Legions stood and watched were not needed apparently. Scotland ls full of Roman remains. They built a wall between the Forth and Clyde,part of The Forth and Clyde Canal is incorporated in it. Glasgow University found evidence of Syrian auxiliaries garrisoning part of the wall in The Kelvin Valley. The auxies who gubbed The Scotti at Mons Graupus came from modern Germany, Holland and Belgium, Germanicus and Batavians. THE ROMANS NEVER GOT TO SCOTLAND,- YEAH RIGHT !

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your interesting story.

[@richardh615]

Good vid but? Do you think that she was more a figure head than the leader. In fact could this have been more of a very large mob out for revenge.Like a forest fire out of control?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very good point. Would also explain why they failed so badly when they met an organised Roman army.

[@richardh615]

@@richardh615 yep Caesar explains that the celts were more frightening than skill full in a massed battle.

[@andrewegan7011]

You said that the way her name is pronounced is not known; were we correct with our childhood pronouncing it as Bodacea?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Linguists doubt it, but quite frankly who really knows?

[@terryalford6864]

did the romans go any further south than exeter, i have never seen or heard of anything roman past exeter,

[@TheHistoryChap]

Yes, they occupied all of modern-day Cornwall.

[@coolhand4114]

What happen to Boudica daughters?

[@TheHistoryChap]

No one knows precisely.

[@colinb8103]

When did Boadicea change her name

[@TheHistoryChap]

Look at all the modern historians spellings and tell me why you think that you are 100% right?

[@oldgitsknowstuff]

Nautius Maximus. You know what's coming.....

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@anselmdanker9519]

What the Iceni did in Londinium and Colchester is similar to the Russian army at Bucha .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@jon9021]

Pretty much par for the course in those days. “Atrocities” like this were committed all the time..

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@colrhodes377]

Fascinating ! Dio went on to sing with Rainbow, Black Sabbath and his own band called Dio 🤘

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@stephenbesley3177]

Clearly, there was an undercurrent of discontent with the Romans for some time and Boudicca fanned the flames as it were. I only know what I have read but the Romans didn't help the situation much which is not unusual for Rome at that time.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I think you might be right.

[@DJRockford83]

I don't think she was a freedom fighter as such, her primary motivation was revenge, it just happened to be a byproduct many could attach themselves to. The slaughter of native Britons was simply her army attacking perceived traitors and was not unusual for the time period. I think if Paulinus was in Colchester with his army they would have attacked anyway, I suppose some would call it blood rage or something similar, where killing as many of the enemy as quickly as possible is the base instinct. Boudicca: Queen of Vengeance would be a fitting title

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting comment.

[@WayneVeck-yb3ul]

Where is she buried

[@TheHistoryChap]

No one knows.

[@TimoMomo]

Typical Essex bird, really

[@TheHistoryChap]

You make me chuckle on Sunday afternoon😊

[@TimoMomo]

@TheHistoryChap very good. 😁

[@user-gd3xy2vl1s]

Both, as are many other "freedom fighters"

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@thomascondon9549]

Lovely bit on Boudicca…but as we used to say in journalism, it needs more art. Hard to come across the visuals, eh?😊

[@thomascondon9549]

But very well written!👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@oldgitsknowstuff]

Watch out for the blades on the wheels of her chariot.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@oldgitsknowstuff]

@TheHistoryChap A sort of Hysterical History. My ladyfreind drives like Bodecia. She's a Psychopath.

[@airstripone2419]

Freedom fighter, obviously. All men's necessary are justified to defend your home from invaders.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@tolik5929]

How bout that Roman wedge formation lol

[@TheHistoryChap]

-:)

[@charliemanson4808]

I think she was a woman scorned.... So possibly she viewed the Britons living with the Romans as collaborators and therefore legitimate targets. To be honest she sounds like a chilled version of my Glaswegian mother 😂

[@neilmorrison7356]

How United the Britons were is probably open to debate. The tribes might have been bitter enemies and the Iceni were putting the boot in!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Ha ha, love that last line.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting point. Thanks for taking time to share.

[@novallasuter5265]

The real story is that she was a Warrior Queen who stood for freedom when the men tucked their tails and bowed to the invaders.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@kbbarton1]

I tend to think of Boudica more as a freedom fighter, defending her home from a brutal occupier. I suspect that she considered any Britons in Colchester, London, St. Albans as collaborators and therefore fair game.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your interesting comment.

[@user-fi2qg4rv2q]

What did she achieve in the end?? Nothing...

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@evilstorm5954]

Traitors were dealt with, she still lost. A man should have been in charge if they wanted to really win. Too much “feelings” not enough thought went into her battle plans.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@carlosvillar-gosalvez6392]

I would say neither, both, something else? A psychopath is a psychiatric diagnosis, and it is always tricky to diagnose people whom you have never met, whom you have never examined, and whose story may be partially mythical. So I would argue you can't really say that she's a psychopath to begin with. Also, you can't really judge a first century Icenii by the standards of 21st century Western culture...

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@patricktracey7424]

came within a whisker of defeating the Romans my ass, she mopped up disparate parts of a legion, a few unprotected colonies of veterans, when she came up against a full front line legion she got trounced and a massacre ensued despite her 70,000 tribesmen.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.

[@kennethmaney914]

Don't make a deal then break it to suit yourself LADY. ROMANS DON'T MESS AROUND.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@SquawkingSnail]

Bit of a false dichotomy there. Never underestimate an enraged mother! 😂

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@harryjulien-el5lg]

The rapt of her daugthers got her mad

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@DarrenMalin]

they were not really her country men as the England was not a united county at that time. she would see them as enemy tribes.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting point, although various tribes saw Caractacus as on the same side.

[@kennethmorgan6516]

This video and some of the comments seem to forget who was the occupier and who was the occupied, and that occupied people have a right to resist foreign occupation.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I disagree, I think the video asks a legitimate question which is to what extent can you justify killing civilians whether they support you or not.

[@kennethmorgan6516]

@@TheHistoryChap you don’t think the Roman’s killed any civilians?

[@kennydalglish8072]

Perhaps the celts killed in this uprising were lebeled as traitors for having accepted roman rule.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I think that is a strong possibility

[@tomtaylor6163]

All of this could have been avoided had the Britons stopped putting pineapple on their pizzas

[@TheHistoryChap]

Oh, now you opening up a whole new can of worms 🤣

[@baka-oni8358]

stop using AI, not because ethics or whatever it just looks ugly, lazy and unprofessional. soulless even.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Sorry you don’t like them. Not many pictures of Boudicca kicking around.

[@GaryHynes-im5di]

I thought her name was bo deeca...not boo dica...

[@TheHistoryChap]

And why do you think that?

[@GaryHynes-im5di]

@@TheHistoryChap the previous spelling year's ago had it at Boadicea not Boudicca

[@GaryHynes-im5di]

@@TheHistoryChap in fact if you Google up stories of London they spell her name as Boadicea

[@invisibleray6987]

Don't think I like her anymore 😮

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@WayneVeck-yb3ul]

Maybe she is both

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@jurgschupbach3059]

Henna gefärbte Hühner immer wieder gerne

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video