DBA Armies

This list covers British armies of tribes from the area south of the Forth-Clyde line from their first appearance in Julius Caesar’s memoirs until their final pacification. The prestige arm was the 2 horse, 2 crew light chariotry, described by Caesar as hurling javelins and disordering opponents, by Tacitus as indulging in noisy manoeuvring and by Cassius Dio as breaking up enemy groups by running into them. The effect of crew dismounting in support of the cavalry is already included in the combat factors. The Romans agree that British strength lay in the fierce charges of warbands that emphasised impetus and mobility in bad going, rather than dense formation like the Gauls. Warband warriors were armed with javelins, long cutting swords and long shields decorated with personalised Celtic patterns. They were clean shaven except for moustaches, but some washed their hair in lime to produce a sort of white Afro. They wore trousers or knee breeches and usually a shirt worn outside them. Stripes and tartans were popular, but these had no clan significance. The tribes of the southwest were especially fond of the sling and should have the maximum number. In the north, documents found in the Roman fort of Vindolanda dismiss the pony-riding cavalry as “contemptible little Britons”. Their BUA will usually be an Iron-age hill fort whose remains survive in all but the flattest parts of Britain. The most famous British war leader was Caradoc/Caractacus of the Catevellauni who led resistance to the Roman invasion by Claudius 44-50 BC. In 61 AD, Suetonius’ invasion of Anglesey (an island Druid base off northern Wales) was opposed by sacrificing Druids and screaming women, giving an opportunity for modellers. Almost at the same time Boudicca’s Iceni rebels (of modern East Anglia) successfully ambushed a legionary relief force hurrying incautiously by road to Colchester. In the final battle (probably near Wall in Staffordshire) British chariots were countered by archery, their foot broken up by aggressive legionary column thrusts and then hindered in their rout by their families in wagons drawn up to watch the battle (offering an unusual variation on the-camp). A Roman force once intervened on behalf of Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes in modern Yorkshire (a competent redhead who seduced 2 Roman governors) against rebels led by a discarded husband. References: Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome P. Barker, Histories & Annals Tacitus, The Mark of the Horse Lord R. Sutcliff (novel), Imperial Governor G. Shipway (novel), The Provincial Governor J. Scott (novel).