Our heroine, Tia, comes from a tribe known as the Dumnonii, in Britannia. Britannia is a Latinization of the native Brittonic word for the island, Pritanni. (In Freedom, I use Britannia for both the Latin and Brittonic name for simplicity’s sake.)
For the Romans, Britannia was a hugely attractive target. This was a land rich in metals (especially iron, tin, lead, and gold), cattle, grain—and people, for slaves.
At the time of the invasion, Britannia was a fragmented land, with multiple tribes each led by a chief, king or queen. Collectively, these tribes are now known as the Celts, but it is not a term they used for themselves. They often warred with each another. Some tribes actively traded with peoples beyond the island, exchanging resources for wine, olive oil, glassware, and pottery. Many actively resisted any kind of Roman interference, while others supported the Roman advance. They were well rewarded.
After the battle following the initial invasion, the Second Augusta Legion, commanded by the future emperor Vespasian, was sent across the south and southwest coast of the island. They subdued the coastal tribes. Although details are sketchy, it appears that after heavy fighting with the tribe directly to the east, Vespasian chose not to engage the Dumnonii, turning north toward Wales instead.
The tribes shared a language—Britonnic or Brythonic, lived in roundhouses, and farmed. Roman historians describe them as tall, with long fair or reddish hair. They also report the people loved bright colors. Their metal working skills were highly developed; bronze urns, bowls, and torques. They also introduced coinage to Britain.
Iron Age torque found in England. Photo by Johnbod
Like Tia in the book, women wielded political and military power in Britannianalong with the men. Roman generals tell us—though not as a compliment—that there were strong and capable women in the tribal armies. Roman historian Tacitus claims that the women frequently fought alongside their men. It makes sense that when the survival of a kingdom, a family or a home was at stake, women would fight if they had to, especially when slavery or death was the option.
The Roman conquest of the island began in AD 43 and though it lasted for decades, the Romans never successfully conquered the whole island, building Hadrian’s Wall to keep the fierce inhabitants of what is now Scotland at bay.
Though the Romans never militarily conquered the island, their effect on the people cannot be underestimated. Even though they kept their local dialects, by AD 300, almost everyone in ‘Britannia’ was Roman, legally and culturally.