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This story is a fictional account of a factual event.
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Copyright © Ron Aberdeen 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4659-4535-8
Please note: This eBook was adapted from the screenplay
“Boudicca, the birth of a Nation.”
WGA registation number: 1054467
CHAPTER ONE
On the edge of a lake in Eastern Britain in the year 67, a low morning mist hung over hundreds of mourners, as they stood silently listening to the slow beat of a drum. It was the only sound that carried through the dawn shroud.
A funeral barge appeared through the mist as it headed for the shore. When it beached, six bearers walked into the water and lifted the body of a man, dressed in Celtic royal robes and carried the corpse from the barge onto the land. The mourners followed the bearers to a large mound of earth ready for the funeral; in its center was a prepared grave.
The body was placed respectfully into the earth. A young, blond Celtic Warrior placed a sword into the grave as another Celtic Warrior placed a shield with the body. The drummer stopped as all eyes turned to look at Queen Boudicca. A tall woman in her late thirties, her long flowing flaxen hair danced in the first hint of a breeze as she stepped forward with a regal presence.
Her head was held high as she knelt down and took a handful of soil and threw it onto the body. Her daughters, Victoria and Eugene, aged sixteen and twelve, followed her and knelt besides her as they each took a handful of soil and threw it onto their father’s body. All three rose together and stepped back, the two girls holding hands.
Other mourners filed past the grave, picked handfuls of soil and threw them into the grave. There were no tears at the funeral, just an air of strength and acceptance. A silence reigned as the mourners filed past.
King Gweirydd, an elderly man, who oozed sincerity and charm, dressed in flowing robes befitting a King walked from the grave and stopped in front of Boudicca. He nodded respectfully as she indicated he could join her.
***
A few miles away in the gardens of the Roman Governor’s Palace, Governor Suetonius Paulinus, a powerfully built man in his late forties, dressed in full military uniform walked from the Palace entrance into the gardens. Behind him were six Roman officers in attendance.
Suetonius Paulinus called out, “Catus, Catus.” He became calmer when he saw Catus approaching him, “Catus, there you are. Is my horse ready?”
Catus Decianus, a man in his early thirties, sly and unkempt, dressed in a flowing toga, scurried from the palace. “Yes, Sire.”
A Roman soldier brought Suetonius his horse; the Governor stepped into the soldier’s cupped hands and used them as a platform to mount his horse.
Catus groveled as he asked, “Sire, did you hear, King Prasutagus is dead? The barbarians buried him today.” Suetonius nodded as he replied, “Yes. That’s what I want you to do for me. Sort his estate out, Cicero has the details.”
Suetonius acknowledged the Roman soldier who held the reins of his horse. “Where do we go, Sire?” The soldier asked.
“The Isle of Mona. We are going to show these Druid priests the Gods of Rome,” laughed Suetonius as he encouraged his horse forward.
Outside the palace grounds the Fourteenth Legion slowly moved as Suetonius rode to the head of the column.
***
The funeral party stood in small groups, some people talked, others laughed, and a few had tears in their eyes. King Gweirydd, held court with the Royal party and took Boudicca’s arm. “Have you met my Grandson, Meurig, over there?” The King indicated Meurig, a muscular, athletic man in his early twenties. Boudicca watched him move away from Victoria as he acknowledged his Grandfather’s look.
He brushed his long blond hair from his face and walked towards King Gweirydd and Boudicca. “I see he has met my daughter.” Boudicca observed.
“Is she spoken for?” The King asked.
“She will speak for herself,” was all that Boudicca would admit to as she moved away before Meurig reached them.
She walked towards her uncles; Afallach and Casner, both middle aged, well-built warriors. She greeted her relatives, “Uncles, people have traveled so far to be here today. Prasutagus would have been pleased, particularly to know his good friend King Gweirydd of The Ordovices has traveled from Gwynedd.”
Afallach smiled in response. “Your husband was a great King, one of the first to make real peace with the Romans.”
His brother, Casner completed the praise, “He showed us a way to live with the Romans.”
Boudicca nodded in agreement, “He stood up to them. Showed them we are not slaves, I think he earned their respect.”
CHAPTER TWO
Catus, walked into a small room in the Governor’s Palace where Cicero worked at his desk. Cicero was a small man in his mid thirties, who walked with a limp. His face was badly pockmarked, his toga sleeves soiled with ink. Catus spoke with authority, “Cicero, the Governor tells me you know of the arrangements he made with Prasutagus.”
Cicero rose from his desk. “Three years ago, Prasutagus gave Rome half his estate, with the understanding that his daughters would inherit the other half, on his death.” Cicero informed Catus.
“How can he give something, which is not his to give? Rome already owns this miserable wet, flea-ridden hell.” Catus thought aloud.
They were interrupted by Pious, a Captain of the garrison, in his late thirties and every inch the soldier with the scars on his face and arms reflecting his battle honors. Pious faced Catus as he spoke, “My spies tell me the Iceniens will be on their own by tomorrow evening, Sir. Many of the guests will leave tonight and the rest in the morning.”
“Good, then we will visit them the next day.” Catus informed Pious as he faced Cicero before he smiled and added, “We wouldn’t want to spoil their grief.” Pious left the room as Catus and Cicero walked to another room where a low table was set for dinner.
***
At Queen Boudicca’s settlement the night was still young as King Gweirydd, Meurig and Victoria joined Boudicca, Casner and Afallach.
Boudicca faced Meurig as she asked, “Have you met Queen Cantimandua and her new lover Vellocatus?”
“He’s not the warrior her husband was.” Meurig replied.
“I remember Caradog and how Cantimandua bought peace with my cousin’s death?” King Gweirydd recollected.
“I was twelve when we were taken to Rome.” Meurig added.
“That’s right, they took you to Rome.” Boudicca recalled.
“I returned with my father, and his Roman wife two years ago, when he was taken ill.” Meurig informed them.
King Gweirydd laughed as he added, “He recovered, once he stopped drinking their wine.”
Boudicca responded with a smile, “That will do it, every time. Is it right that his wife was the daughter of Emperor Claudius and is very beautiful?”
“She was the Great Granddaughter of King Ludd.” King Gweirydd remarked.
“King Ludd was my Great Grandfather, on my mother’s side. So I’m related to a Roman Emperor?” Boudicca questioned.
“Not really,” Meurig injected, “Genuissa was Emperor Claudius’s adopted daughter. But she is charming, I like her and yes, she is very beautiful.” He drifted a moment before adding, “She makes my father happy and as you know, he was alone after my mother’s death, for nearly ten years.”
“Interesting. There must be some years between them?” Boudicca observed.
“Some twenty, I would say, about the same as between you and your late husband.” Meurig clarified.
A young girl refilled their goblets as Afallach contributed, “Cantimandua intends to divorce Venutius.”
“That will be a big mistake he is loved by his people,” commented King Gweirydd.
Boudicca and King Gweirydd left the group and walked towards the lake, as the King continued, “I noticed your Father was not here, today. Have you not made peace with him?”
“He still blames me for my Mother’s death.” Boudicca explained.
“That was five years ago and accidents happen in chariot races.” King Gweirydd contemplated.
***
It was no accident that Catus and Cicero were planning as they ate their dinner, but a series of events that would change the lives of the Iceniens forever.
Cicero looked at the young woman, Anna, serving the wine as he said, “All these tribes of Britannia are the same.”
Catus grabbed the free hand of Anna as she poured his wine, and placed it on his groin. “Dessert?” He laughed.
Cicero joined in the joke as Anna smiled weakly as she continued to pour the wine. She glanced at the Romans with a look that could kill as she pulled her hand free. Cicero continued, “The trouble is they are all related, cousins marrying cousins.”
Catus laughed more as he thought aloud, “It is a bit like Rome with its Emperors.” Before he changed the subject, “What do you think of our new Governor, Suetonius Paulinus?”
Anna stood behind the men as she waited to be of service, ensuring she over heard the conversation.
“He has an impressive record as a soldier, but I think he is now more concerned with politics and how to be seen as a great Governor in Nero’s eyes.” Cicero commented.
“He seems a fair man.” Catus commented.
“He can be.” Cicero said from experience, before adding, “He’s a thinking man, with the right connections in the Senate. He likes to get things done quickly.”
Catus faced Anna as he waved his arm dismissively, “Leave us.” After Anna and the other servants left the room, Catus continued, “Well we can speed things up. And gain some land at the same time.”
***
In Queen Boudicca’s settlement Meurig stood beside his horse as he prepared to leave. Victoria was deep in conversation with him when she heard her mother call out, “Victoria.”
Victoria looked towards Boudicca’s lodge. Meurig placed his hand softly on Victoria’s face as he said, “Go. I will return as soon as I can. Talk to her, tell her.”
Victoria smiled as she replied, “I don’t have to. She can see.” Before she pulled Meurig closer and kissed him with the passion of a lover.
“You are the daughter of a Queen, I am the son of a King. Our destiny will not be our own, unless we make it so.”
“We will.” Victoria assured him as she studied his body for a moment before she gave him one more kiss, turned on her heels and ran towards Boudicca’s lodge. Meurig mounted his horse and slowly rode away from the settlement.
In Boudicca’s Lodge, Victoria walked in and joined her mother and other members of the family, who sat in front of a large fire in the center of the hut. Purposely Victoria sat next to her mother.
Boudicca wagged her finger at her daughter as she warned her, “Be careful. Meurig will inherit Silures, a troublesome kingdom not at peace with Rome or its neighbors.”
“As you said, Mother. I will speak for myself.”
***
The following morning, King Gweirydd, Casner and Afallach with their entourages all left Boudicca’s compound and made their way home.
Boudicca and her daughters spent the day quietly, adapting to life without Prasutagus.
CHAPTER THREE
Early the next day, Catus, Cicero and Pious led a column of twenty cavalry followed by 200 infantry. Cicero faced Catus as he asked for confirmation “I hear this woman has a temper.”
“Not as bad as mine.” Smiled Catus.
Dawn was breaking the night sky into fragments of scarlet and blue as the Roman cavalry rode into the compound. On entering the fenced area they cut down the guards. A few early risers scattered in response to the intrusion as others rushed from their huts in reaction to the screams and commotion.