***
As the last of his people crossed the river, Caratacus saw that the tide had already swollen the quick flowing water. A handful of carts had to be helped across as the level grew higher and the speed of the water increased. Most of the Catuvellauni were already safely over and had or were still setting up their tents well away from the water’s edge. He prayed that it was enough to form a big enough barrier between them and the Romans to keep them at bay. He didn’t have long to wait to find out.
After the Romans had crossed the river further downstream over the Medway, he had ordered some of his men to patrol the rivers length inland in the event that they did the same again. If they did this again at least he would be prepared this time and would send re-enforcements to engage them. As he was talking to some of his senior leaders a warrior ran towards them carrying just a spear shouting a warning.
“Romans” he cried, “The Romans are here already.”
Caratacus looked passed and beyond the young man and sure enough he saw four men of the legions looking at them sat on horses. He knew that the battle of the Medway and the surrounding area had to have taken a toll on their men, not as many lives as their own but surely enough to make them think again about mounting another attack so soon. He gestured for his horse to be brought forward as other men got their mounts. Together they rode towards the river’s edge.
The Romans didn’t move they just sat watching the group of Britons on horseback now numbering fifteen. They were too far away to be hit by a spear but an arrow could easily reach them. One of the Britons pulled his bow from over his shoulder but Caratacus signalled him to stop.
“Let’s just see what our friends are doing shall we?” He said. “There’s been enough blood shed for one day or so I would hope.”
“Is the Tamesa big enough to hold them?” One of his warriors asked. He turned to look at him an expression of puzzlement on his face.
“I really don’t know Cunilis. If you had asked me the same question of the Medway I would have answered yes but these men are good at getting around obstacles as well as fighting. They showed that and got to our war chariots and horses by crossing the river further south so I’m afraid I have little doubt they could do it again here given time.” The young man looked nervous, so he tried to calm him.
“If I were their General however, I would question whether I wanted to face so many brave warriors again so quickly.” He smiled trying to encourage Cunilis.
“Their great General lost a lot of men today and yesterday and if I were he, I would either try and make peace with the men on the other side of yet another river or at least have a rest and fill my belly.” He looked out to the Romans again. “After all, how many men does anyone want to see die in a day?”
He wasn’t sure if Cunilis felt any better or not but it made him quite certain that the enemy wouldn’t try and cross the river immediately. Like his people, the Romans had to be tired and in need of rest and food. He looked at the sky and realised that they were only half way through the day. The soldiers of the legions had a river that was wider, faster and deeper to cross, he was sure he had time. He was wrong.
Varro and his men watched quietly from the safety of the far shoreline as the Britons made their camp. He couldn’t believe that they were content to stop directly on the other side of the Tamesa especially after the battle at the Medway. He watched as a group of Britons rode towards them and stopped and stared, gauging them. They didn’t try to re-cross the water as he thought was their original intention but stood talking animatedly to each other.
He watched the water current and realised it was much quicker than that of the Medway and it was wider and no doubt deeper. He followed its current with his eyes and decided that it was still crossable even with the high tide but only by those trained for such a task. Did the Britons think they were safe where they camped he wondered but it was a question only they could answer.
As other mounted troops reached them, Varro spoke to an Optio and told him to send a runner back to Plautius and inform him of the situation. With the countryside clear of the enemy all the way up to the Tamesa, the General had no obstacles to hinder their advance. It was merely a question of when they crossed the river, not if.
Within hours Caratacus looked out at a totally different scene across the great stretch of water. Where previously there had been grass, scrub land and the occasional tree, there was now a vast army arrayed waiting to attack. He couldn’t believe the Romans were willing to enter into another conflict so quickly but they were here.
He watched as they drew up the flat small boats in a line that they had used so effectively to cross the Medway. Rows of soldiers covered their approach from the front carrying their large square shields as cover. Cavalry carrying oval shields waited behind them at a safe distance, out of arrow shot. The Romans had already set up their artillery pieces, some on carts and some standing alone but none had fired yet, he knew they must be in range at the river’s edge.
From his position on a slight rise about thirty paces from the water, he considered his options and realised there were few open to him. The men across the river were readying themselves for action and there was little he could do about it.
“Bring the archers and slingers forward.” He ordered. “And have the spear men advance beyond the tents. As soon as those dogs are in the river, I want the water to run red with their blood. If they reach our side I want the warriors to attack them straight away and push them back. If we let them get across there will be nothing to stop them reaching Camulodunum.”
As his orders were carried out he looked up at the sky praying for divine intervention. His people were tired and exhausted and now had to somehow summon the strength to fight again. He watched as the boats were carried to the far shore hidden behind a wall of shields. Men peered out from the rectangular defences clearly expecting incoming arrows.
A trumpet sounded and very soon after things started to happen very quickly. As soon as the boats were pushed into the water, some of their occupants unshielded because of their efforts, Caratacus gave the signal for his archers to open fire. The Romans now struggled with the fast current and the arrows as the airborne dots grew larger and began to fall. Seconds later they were landing and injuring men and taking the lives of those on-board the small craft.
He saw their cavalry advance to the water’s edge and the men dismount. They urged their horses forward clinging to the sides as they attempted to cross the river. Some riders bravely remained mounted and leaned back as their animals entered the water and began swimming. Caratacus was shocked as he watched the unbelievable sight before him, he had no idea that men and horses could swim together as if they were one, especially in such a dangerous current. Suddenly the large artillery pieces came to life and huge bolts were fired over the water indiscriminately punching into flesh as did their own arrows.
He waited for the horsemen and the boats to come within slinger range and then gave the signal to open fire. Men and horses were now hit by both arrows and stones as the noise of battle grew louder. Unable to buck and run the horses were easy and large fairly immobile targets for both slingers and archers and they whinnied and snorted as their flesh was bruised and pierced. As he watched he didn’t know if his counter attack would be enough to stop them. He called his spearmen forward as the enemy got to within range and they now joined the fight hurling their javelins down at multiple targets. Men fell from horses and boats and the dead and injured were caught in the water current, taken away from the bedlam downstream. Screams rang out across the river of death as the water ran red with blood but the tide of men, horses and boats kept coming.