Warrior Queen Boudica (Boadicea)

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Boadicea's legacy is one of bravery and standing up to oppression against almost all odds. Boudica, also known as Boadicea, Voadicia and even Bunduca. Historians have concluded her name probably comes from the Prot-Celtic feminine adjective "boudika", translated as Victorious. There is much about Boadicea that historians disagree upon as actual direct history is scarce and much of the original history of Boadicea was written by the Romans, not the English, which were nearer to her origins.

One thing historians do primarily agree upon is that she was born of royal descent.  She was described as highly intelligent, tall, long hair, a piercing-fierce expression and a strong, if not harsh voice.  She married Prasutagus, a king of Iceni who are the descendents of what is now Norfolk.  The Iceni were allies of Rome at the time she was married to her husband.  When Prasutagus died his will was ignored.  He had chosen to divide his estate and power among his two daughters and Rome.  However, Rome saw otherwise and took everything.  History states that when Boadicea tried to intervene she was tortured and her daughters were raped. The hope of the Romans was that this humiliation would end any additional form of rebellion. In fact, it only served to inspire Boadicea to attack and declare extreme vengeance against the Romans.

For the next year Boadicea regrouped an army of Icenians and other tribes and began an assault on the Romans that could have ultimately destroyed their empire.  She is credited for having a brilliant military strategic mind.  Her guerilla style assaults on at least 3 large Roman strongholds left upwards of 80,000 dead and caused Nero, the emperor of Rome to nearly abandon his hold in what would later be greater English territories.  It was only when Boadicea abandoned the guerilla tactics that had been so successful for her and attacked a stronger Roman army head on that she was ultimately defeated.    

Her legacy was forgotten all through the middle ages and was only rediscovered upon the discovery of the works of the Roman senator and historian Tacitus. After that point her name and legacy began appearing in plays, chronicles and poems.  It was in the Victorian era that Boudica was elevated to legendary status as Queen Victoria came to be seen by many as the "namesake" of Boudica.  Victoria and Boudicea both have their names in the origin of the word for Victory.