The end of Iron Age Britain
Britain had been a frequent target for possession before the main British invasion happened. Celts, who ruled Britain before, were divided up into different tribes ruled by Kings who lived in hill forts. The quarrel of neighbouring tribes sometimes led to vicious battles by sending fierce warriors riding huge chariots to attack each other. Because of the trading links between British and Romans, the economic and cultural aspect of Britain significantly influenced invasion.
Roman General Julius Caesar visited Britain in 55 BC and found the soil to be good there and there were plenty of people to be used as slaves, although he did not have a large enough army to conquer Britain. He taught Britons a lesson that helped Gaul (France today) to fight against him. It was 43 AD under Emperor Claudius when the Romans were ready enough to occupy Britain and make it their own colony. They set up bases at Richborough, composed of many legions to conquer different parts of Southern Britain, after crossing the channel from Bolougne. King Caratacus was defeated and escaped to Wales whilst eleven British Kings surrendered to Claudius immediately. Half of the country had been conquered by 47AD but Caratacus still resisted the Romans and reportedly escaped again and hid in the camp of Brigantes tribe after he lost again in a battle. However, he was betrayed by the Queen of Brigantes and sent to Rome as a slave after his captivation.
In 60 AD, one king had signed a peace treaty to remain friends with Romans even after his death. His name is King Prastagus. Not content and unhappy, the Romans possessed all Prastagus's land and took his two daughters. On the other hand, Queen Boudicca, wife of Prastagus planned revenge on the Romans. She joined forces with the Trinovantes and together they raised an army to fight back against the Romans which resulted in the burning of London, Colchester, and St. Alban. Romans killed anyone who had fought them and were forced to build the largest army to defeat Boudicca but it was too late. To prevent the Romans from capturing them, she poisoned herself.
Some Britons decided to make peace with the Romans just to keep and retain their kingdom but they had to agree that once they died the Romans would take over their lands and jurisdiction. Fierce battles in some parts of Britain still existed, where skeletons of young men with cut marks and swords on their bones was buried.
Penetration of Romans in the latter part of the Britain's invasion has been limited to expeditions that developed the walls, trading contracts, the barter of goods and products from the natives and even the spread of Christianity. Even though they now ruled Britain they had not yet reached the Midlands and their knowledge was too limited to force Plautius to take his full force northwards. It was his task to bring the whole country into Roman rule and have respectable citizens. Invasion still continued from South to West, also on the South East portion of Britain.
The Romans now had an abundant supply of silver, lead, ore, iron and minerals that could be of use.
Original Authors: Phil Post
Edit Update Authors: M.Harris
Updated On: 12/05/2008
