The Roman occupation of Britain lasted over 350 years. Seventeen years after the Romans arrived in force in AD43, Queen Boudica led an uprising which resulted in the destruction of Colchester, London and St Albans. The rebellion was short lived and resulted in a harsh crackdown. Yet, in later years Roman rule was interrupted by several uprisings and incursions by the 'natives'. Two hundred years after Boudica's death part of the occupying Roman Army mutinied. One hundred years later the Roman Commander, Marcus Aurelius Carausius, proclaimed himself Emperor of an independent Britain. However, the insurrections were supressed, the mutiny put down, the usurper overthrown and Roman rule returned to more or less normal. Despite all the upheavals in the British Isles during Rome's long tenure, we find it is only Boudica who is especially remembered. The Riddle of Boudica explores the 'facts' of the rebellion as known and examines the resultant heritage, legacy and mythology grown up around it and poses an intriguing What if? question.
Reprinted 2024

Andrew Summers was born within the sound of Bow Bells (on a quiet day) and after a spell in North Kent has lived in Hadleigh in Essex for the last 35 years and been married to Glenis for over 50 years. Andrew has bought books, sold books, printed books and now writes and publishes books too! Andrew has edited The Numbers Had to Tally, a Second World War survival story and Once Upon a Time in Southend (and District). He has also penned They Did Their Duty, Essex Farm, a book which tells the story of Essex Farm in Belgium and its connections with the Essex Regiment. Along with his colleague John Debenham, Andrew has co- authored several books in the Essex Hundred series such as The Essex Hundred Histories, The Essex Hundred, (The History of Essex in 100 poems), Battlefield Essex and Magna Carta in Essex. Andrew is still busy writing and pandemics permitting tours the county giving talks on a variety of Essex topics.