Boudica

Have you heard of Boudica? She was queen of the Iceni, a tribe of 

people who lived in eastern England, in Britain, almost 2,000 years 

ago.

Boudica was tall, with very long red hair, and wore a gold necklace 

and a beautiful brooch. She was very intelligent, and had probably 

been to ‘warrior school’ so she knew how to fight.

By AD 43, the Romans had conquered southern England. At first, they allowed Boudica and her 

husband to continue to rule. But when Boudica’s husband died, the Romans took all his land and 

property. They decided to rule the Iceni and they treated them very badly. So, in AD 60 or 61, Boudica 

and the Iceni rebelled against the Romans, together with other tribes who were also treated badly 

by the Romans.

Boudica and her large army defeated one Roman army and destroyed the capital of Roman Britain, 

Colchester. In Colchester she destroyed the temple built for Emperor Claudius. They also destroyed 

two more cities. Many people died.

‘Now I am fighting for my freedom. We must win this battle or die. Let the men live as slaves if they 

want. I will not!’

Finally, Boudica and her army were defeated. The surviving Iceni people ran away, or were turned 

into slaves. Boudica probably killed herself with poison – her body has never been found.

The rebellion was so shocking to Emperor Nero, the ruler of the Roman Empire, that he wanted to 

withdraw from Britain!

In the end, the Romans occupied Britain for over 350 years more. But they also treated the British 

people more fairly and introduced lower taxes.

Boudica has been an inspiration to other female leaders such as Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria. Her 

rebellion was one of the most significant against the Roman Empire. Now, Boudica is remembered as 

one of Britain’s greatest heroines.

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