1st century in Roman Britain facts for kids

The 1st Century in Roman Britain

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Prehistory | 1st century | 2nd century

Welcome to the exciting story of the 1st century in Roman Britain! This was a time when the powerful Roman Empire began to take over parts of Britain, changing life forever. You'll learn about brave kings, mighty emperors, and big battles that shaped the future of Britain.

Key Moments in the 1st Century

Early British Kings

• 7 CE
  • A powerful British king named Cunobeline of the Catuvellauni tribe defeated the Trinovantes. He made Colchester his main city.
• 9 CE
  • Cunobeline officially became king of the Catuvellauni.
• 39/40 CE
  • There was a problem in Cunobeline's family. His younger son, Adminius, had to leave Britain. He went to the court of Emperor Caligula in Rome.
• 40 CE
  • Emperor Caligula thought about invading Britain. But he changed his mind before even reaching the coast of Gaul (modern France).
• 42 CE
  • Around this time, King Cunobeline died. His sons, Caratacus and Togodumnus, expanded their tribe's land. They pushed out King Verica of the Atrebates tribe.
  • King Verica traveled all the way to Rome. He asked Emperor Claudius for help to get his kingdom back.

The Roman Invasion of Britain

• 43 CE
  • The Roman conquest of Britain began!
    • May – A Roman general named Aulus Plautius landed in Britain. He brought four Roman legions (about 20,000 soldiers) and many helpers. They landed at Rutupiae (likely modern Richborough) in Kent.
    • A famous general, who would later become Emperor Vespasian, helped defeat the Celtic Britons. The Britons were led by the brothers Caratacus and Togodumnus.
    • The Romans fought a big battle, probably near the River Medway. They pushed the Britons back across the River Thames. Togodumnus died soon after.
    • Plautius stopped at the Thames and sent for Emperor Claudius to join them.
    • September – Emperor Claudius arrived with more soldiers and even war elephants! He led the march to Camulodunum (modern Colchester).
    • Eleven British kings, including those from the Iceni and Brigantes tribes, gave up without a fight. Plautius became the first Governor of Roman Britain.
    • The Romans took over a British settlement in Kent. They renamed it Durovernum Cantiacorum (modern Canterbury). They built a fort there to guard the River Stour.
    • The city of Roman London (Londinium) was started on the Thames.
    • The Romans began building forts, like one near Peterborough. They also planned roads, including one that later became Ermine Street.
    • General Vespasian went to conquer the south-west of Britain.
  • Around this time, Cartimandua became queen of the Brigantes tribe in the north.

Building Roman Britain

• 44 CE
  • The Romans started building major roads. These included Watling Street, Ermine Street, Stane Street, and Fosse Way.
  • The conquest of south-western Britain and the Isle of Wight began. Vespasian captured the hill forts in Dorset.
• 47 CE
  • Aulus Plautius was celebrated as a hero back in Rome.
  • The new Roman Governor, Ostorius Scapula, ordered the Iceni tribe (Roman allies in East Anglia) to give up their weapons. Some Iceni fought back but were quickly defeated. Prasutagus became king of the Iceni around this time.
• 48 CE
  • The Romans defeated the Deceangli tribe in north-eastern Wales.
• 49 CE
  • The Silures tribe of southern Wales attacked the Romans. But new forts built by the Romans helped hold them back.
  • A Roman citizen-colony was founded at Camulodunum (Colchester).
• 51 CE
  • Caratacus led the Ordovices tribe of north-western Wales against the Romans. But he was defeated and captured.
  • The town of Verulamium (St Albans) was founded.
• 52 CE
  • Governor Aulus Didius Gallus built a large Roman army base at Wroxeter.
• 58 CE
  • Governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus started an invasion of Wales.

Boudica's Rebellion

• 60 or 61 CE
  • Paulinus captured Anglesey, which was the last strong place for the druids (Celtic priests).
  • Prasutagus, the king of the Iceni, died. He left his kingdom to his two daughters and Emperor Nero. However, the Roman army took over the kingdom as if they had conquered it. They took land from the nobles and stole from the people.
  • A brave queen named Boudica led a huge rebellion against Roman rule. Her tribe, the Iceni, joined with others like the Trinovantes.
  • The rebels first destroyed the Roman capital, Camulodunum (Colchester). They wiped out a Roman army group there.
  • Then, they burned Londinium (London) and Verulamium (St Albans). Thousands of people were killed in these attacks.
  • Paulinus finally defeated the rebels at the Battle of Watling Street. He used a special battle formation.
  • After the rebellion, Paulinus punished the Britons very harshly. He was later removed from his job. The Romanization of Britain continued. Boudica either poisoned herself or died from illness.

Further Roman Conquests

• 68 CE
  • Governor Marcus Vettius Bolanus tried to attack the lands of the Brigantes tribe but was not successful.
• 69 CE (Year of the Four Emperors)
  • Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes, was forced to leave her kingdom. Her ex-husband, Venutius, who was fighting against Rome, took it over.
• 71 CE
  • Governor Quintus Petillius Cerialis conquered the Parisii and Brigantes tribes in the north-east.
• 74 CE
  • Governor Sextus Julius Frontinus finished conquering the Silures tribe. He built a fort at Caerleon.
• 78 CE
  • General (and later Governor) Gnaeus Julius Agricola completed the conquest of the Ordovices tribe.
• 79 CE
  • A large Roman army base was built at Deva Victrix (Chester). This finished the conquest of the north-west.
  • A grand opening was held for the new town center in St Albans.
  • Roman leaders encouraged British nobles to give up their old British ways and adopt Roman culture.
• 80 CE
  • Agricola moved his army north to the River Tay. He built forts at Carlisle and Corstopitum.
• 82 CE
  • Agricola took over and controlled Galloway in Scotland.
• 83 CE
  • The Roman army campaigned against the Caledonii tribes in the north. They built a base at Inchtuthil.
• 84 CE
  • At the Battle of Mons Graupius, the Romans defeated the Caledonii. They advanced as far as the Moray Firth.
• 85 CE
  • Agricola was called back to Rome.
  • The building of Dere Street and Stanegate roads began.