Boudicca was the queen of the Iceni tribe who led a major rebellion against Roman rule in AD 61 after the Romans demanded taxes and her throne following her husband's death. She gathered a large army from the Iceni and other Celtic tribes and sacked the Roman settlements of Colchester, London, and other towns, killing thousands. However, the Roman army eventually defeated Boudicca's forces in a decisive battle, and rather than be captured, Boudicca took poison and died to avoid living under Roman rule.

1. Boudicca’s Revolt

2. Who was Boudicca? In AD 61 the Romans faced their most serious problem. The Celts were rebelling. This happened because Prasutagus, the King of the Iceni tribe had died. Prasutagus had always been friendly with the Romans, but his wife Boudicca did not agree with him. The Romans wanted Boudicca to pay lots of taxes and give up her throne, but she decided to fight back!

3. Where did she come from?

4. Why did she rebel against the Romans? The Romans were demanding to be paid taxes and they wanted her to give up her throne. Boudicca decided to fight back! Soon other tribes joined the Iceni army and they marched to Colchester - this was the capital of Roman Britain. Boudicca and her army then attacked the town. They even burnt down a temple where elderly soldiers and families had been taking shelter. Next Boudicca led her army to London. Here, they burned down the city and killed hundreds of the people living there.

5. Was her rebellion a success? The Roman army was away in Devon and North Wales when they heard about the rebellion. The Roman General in Devon was too scared to do anything about it and the General in Wales had to march all the way back down to London. It took a long time for him to reach London. Boudicca had lots of soldiers but the Roman army were very organised and well trained. After a long, hard battle the Britons were defeated.

6. What happened to Boudicca? The Roman army was well trained and very organised. After a blood thirsty battle against Boudicca’s men, the Romans were victorious. Boudicca refused to be captured and live under Roman rule so she drank poison and died.