Boudicca - Boudica - Boadicea - Buduica - Bonduca
Boudicca was the queen of the Iceni tribe of Ancient Britons in East Anglia. She fought the Romans and put up an incredibly strong fight. She and the ancient Britons burned down Roman settlements including Colchester, St Albans, and Londinium (the new town of London!). They also ruthlessly attacked tribes that sided with the Romans. Some 70000-80000 people may have died in these attacks - a serious assault. The Romans were in the West at the time, but fought back in a major way once they realised what was going on... but suffered terrible losses.
Needless to say the Romans won, but their rule was less brutal from that point onwards. Boudicca lived nearly 2000 years ago (dying in AD 60/61/62 or so) and ended her own life after defeat by drinking a poisoned chalice. Very little has been officially documented about this very famous Briton. Rumours abound, such as the incredible rumour that she is buried under a platform at King's Cross Station (possibly 9 or 10!).... hmmm seems implausible to me.... (remember Harry Potter boarding the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross platform 9 and three quarters?)
However, one cannot deny the incredible strength and drive of this remarkable woman.
Boudicca was largely forgotten until the time of the Victorians when she regained legendary status. Victoria herself was seen as a modern day Boudicca and Prince Albert had a statue commisioned in honour of Boudicca. Also, Tennyson wrote a famous poem `Boadicea'. Allegedly the restless spirit of Boudicca haunts Lincolnshire in the East Midlands of the UK, and people have claimed to see Boudicca riding her chariot to somewhere unknown.
The story of Boudicca / Boadicea is told in schools in the UK from an early age...
