CARTIMANDUA'S STORY

Cartimandua was ruler of the powerful Brigantes tribe. She lived in the north of Britain. She'd heard of the Romans and their battles with the southern tribes - the Roman army always seemed to win! She had seen the fine pottery and glass that came from Rome, and heard from spies and traders stories of grand buildings made of stone with roofs of slate and tile, of fountains magically spraying into the sunlight and rich banquets eaten on soft cushions. These people were not just great warriors; they obviously enjoyed a rich life.

Cartimandua liked being queen. Her father had been king before her and now it was her right to rule the tribe and she didn't want to lose her power. How was she to prevent the mighty Romans from taking it away? Maybe the gods would show her.

King Caratacus, whose tribe lived in the West, tried to fight against the Roman armies and lost. Desperate to escape, he and his family fled north to Cartimandua. He begged her to protect him and his wife and children. Cartimandua saw her chance - the gods had indeed heard her prayers. Secretly, she sent messages to the Roman Caesar, Claudius, who captured Caratacus and his family. Claudius was very grateful to Cartimandua for the important prisoner he had taken. He gave her the beautiful pottery, glass and jewellery she desired and she started to dream of the fine house she and her husband, Venutius, would live in.

Cartimandua was safe - the Romans wouldn't attack her now she was their friend - and she still had her power. But this was not enough for Cartimandua. Free now from attack by the Romans Venutius became idle. He enjoyed his new comfortable life. He didn't have to fight anymore so he spent his days hunting and his nights feasting. Cartimandua got fed up with him. She wanted a new man, someone young and full of bravery. She looked at Venutius' armour-bearer, Vellocatus, he was young and good looking and brave! She divorced Venutius and made Vellocatus her husband instead!

The tribe was furious with Cartimandua. Vellocatus was only a teenager and she was a middle-aged woman - what was she doing! Venutius was angry. He liked being a prince and he liked the rich lifestyle, although he’d never been that keen on the Romans. He gathered together some angry tribes people and they attacked Cartimandua and Vellocatus. Cartimandua had to send a message to her Roman friends to come and protect her. It took several attempts but, luckily for her, the Roman army rescued her.

What happens next?
We don’t know. Did Cartimandua and Vellocatus live happily into old age or did she get bored with him as well? Did Venutius live on to rule the tribe or was he killed in battle? What we do know is that by the end of the First Century AD the Romans had finally subdued the Brigantes. The people got used to being part of the Roman Empire, just as the southern tribes had done.