Mott stopped his pacing by placing her hands on his shoulders, he stared at her anger flaring in his eyes. She was considerably shorter than him with fair long brown hair tied in a ponytail at the back. They had known each other since they were children and had always been close even before their relationship blossomed as teenagers.
“Caratacus that’s what they do, that’s why they have swept all other opponents aside. They don’t hide,” his stare hardened, “they are wise in their way of war whilst we throw our people onto their shields to die even when we outnumber them they are victorious.”
He broke free of her and turned away, “At the fort we didn’t throw ourselves at them, we were close to achieving success but those fools of the Dobunni gave up too easily as soon as they began to take heavy injuries.” He ground his teeth and clenched his fists in frustration. “I will not submit or surrender to these Romans. Their Emperor has betrayed the trust of my father and the generations before him and I will hold him personally responsible for my brother’s death. I will now dedicate my life to fighting him and his legions and anyone who sides with them.” He still paced. “Go and tell the chieftains and elders to gather. I will outline my plans to them and the people, all able bodied warriors who wish to come with me can, anyone who wishes to stay here and put their fate in the hands of Rome can do as they wish, I will not hold it against them.” Mott smiled faintly and left leaving Caratacus to pace once more.
A short time later many chieftains and warriors were gathered to hear his words as he surveyed the crowd from the settlement wall.
“Loyal people of the Catuvellauni,” he began struggling to control his emotions, “a great dark menace has come to our land and now threatens to destroy all that we have come to know. Many of you will have seen the devastation wreaked upon our warriors in battle. At this moment the enemy will be massing ready to advance again.” He paused letting the words sink in, his audience silent.
“This time it’s different, this time they advance on our home and if we chose to stand and fight…..we not only risk defeat but we risked total destruction. These people have no honour and they will utterly destroy our people if we stand and fight and if we chose to now, we will almost certainly lose.” Those gathered below muttered and mumbled amongst themselves at his words.
“My family has always led the people of the Catuvellaunia as you know. I believe we have always had the interests of the people at heart. With that in mind I cannot risk this great place, the home of our forefathers being turned to dust and ash along with you and your families.”
The audience had stopped mumbling to each other now and looks of confusion were exchanged, he continued, “I plan to leave and take as many warriors with me who want to continue to fight. The Trinovantes are a day’s march away and have said they will join us but only their young, the strong, those able to join the struggle. I will take those from here, those who wish to fight and get away from this place.”
“What about those you leave behind?” An old woman shouted.
“The Romans will kill every single living thing if we stay and fight here. If the warriors leave, those who are left will be at their mercy but even they will not kill just for the sake of killing. I will not abandon you I swear and I will return one day but I have to find another way to fight them. I have to gather more people for that fight and I cannot and will not witness the death of my entire people and place of birth, the place where I have so many memories.”
A total silence now met his words.
“Those who are able and those who are willing to follow me must now make a choice and that choice is this….leave and fight but leave behind what you have known or stay and await their Legions.” He looked around at the faces staring up at him and saw sadness, desperation and confusion.
“I go now to prepare for the journey. Any who wish to join me are welcome but I warn you it will be hard and difficult and I cannot guarantee when you will return. I can only guarantee you this……” His vice raised as he shouted, “I will not rest and I will give my last breath to fight these invaders and so must those who choose to join me.” He punched his fist into the air. “I will go to the end of the land but will never give up, never, never, never.”
Cheers rose up from the crowds as he turned and walked quickly away to prepare for the journey ahead.
It was a full six weeks later when the massed Roman army approached Camulodunum. The advance had surprised both sides involved in the war but not Plautius as he had decided to inform the Emperor of his progress after the battle of the Tamesa. It gave him and his troops the opportunity to secure their territorial gains and to ensure that harbours were properly established for re-enforcements and supplies. The wounded were treated and men rested, whilst the defences were made more substantial during the pause in fighting.
Claudius himself had sent word back to his headquarters that he would personally take the surrender of Camulodunum, it was something he thought would never actually happen. The intervening weeks had guaranteed that his army was at its strongest and in the best possible condition for the Emperor’s arrival and in order to continue the conflict against the Britons. He made good use of his time and had negotiated the peaceful surrender of the enemy’s capital. Local chieftains had assured him of their compliance after the battles they had already witnessed and so now waited to be subdued under the terms of the treaty and peace was promised.
Claudius with a taste for the dramatic had brought with him eleven elephants in order to demonstrate to the Britons, Rome’s power. He now rode the largest of the great beasts at the centre of a long line of the huge animals that were ridden by members of his elite Praetorian guard with columns of heavy infantry behind, flanked by cavalry. The watching faces of Britons could be seen peering out from the settlements walls as the vast army approached.
Despite assurances that the Britons would not resist, Claudius had decided it wise not to take the chance and believe their words. If the Britons attacked the leading formations, which included him and his beloved elephants, the plan was for him to fall back and allow the battle hardened veterans to assault the vast settlement, which in turn would be reduced to smouldering ash along with every inhabitant.
With the large animals waving their long trunks around and walking slowly, the army got to within bow range and sharp eyes watched the walls but nothing changed from the people standing on them, they just watched eyes wide. As it turned out, the Britons were true to their word and Claudius, Emperor of Rome, entered the gates of Camulodunum without a drop of blood being spilt.
He had expected a hero’s welcome from the people that he believed he was freeing from the tyranny of their barbaric ruler but instead of cheers and waving, the people of Camulodunum just stood and stared. A few ran at the sight of the huge animals but most simply watched as he entered their great settlement. Flanked by members of the Praetorian Guard with cavalry and heavy infantry close by he rode beyond the gates and then stopped to take in his victory, silence greeted him.
Over the coming days he took the surrender of the regional tribal Kings, eleven in total and various lower chieftains and pronounced that Britannia was now a part of the Roman Empire. He gave little thought to other regions or territories and believed that they would fall in line now that Caratacus had been defeated and Camulodunum was his. He ordered the construction of a temple in his honour and a triumphant arch. A great Roman City would grow on the grounds that had once been Camulodunum and he kept his previous promise that the people would be spared.