Boudicca’s Speech (ca. 61 A.D.)
Tacitus the Roman historian provides an account of Boudicca’s
rebellion 60-61 AD in The Annals, Book XIV, Chapters 29-35.
Tacitus’ account was written between 110-120 ad. It provides a
summary of the military campaign of Paulinus Suetonius, an
ambitious general reversed previous Roman policy of
consolidating rather than extending their rule in Britain. His
campaign in Wales, particular on the Isle of Mona was vicious
and brutal. Prasutagus, king of the Iceni tried secure peace and
stability for his kingdom by bequeathing half in prosperous
kingdom to the Roman governor. However, Roman troops
‘ravaged the kingdom, raping his wife and daughters and
enslaving the royal family. Boudicca, with the help of neighboring
tribes, sought to rectify the wrong. Tacitus characterizes their motivation as “the neighboring states,
not as yet taught to crouch in bondage, pledged themselves, in secret councils, to stand forth in the
cause of liberty.” Boudicca’s speech to his troops before the final battle with the Roman’s recorded
by Tacitus certainly characterizes the reason for the revolt as one of protecting traditional freedom
and a protest against the injustices that Roman inflicted on the Britons.
"This is not the first time that the Britons have been led to
battle by a woman. But now she did not come to boast the pride
of a long line of ancestry, nor even to recover her kingdom and
the plundered wealth of her family. She took the field, like the
meanest among them, to assert the cause of public liberty, and
to seek revenge for her body seamed with ignominious stripes,
and her two daughters infamously ravished. . . . Behold the
proud display of warlike spirits, and consider the motives for
which we draw the avenging sword. On this spot we must either
conquer, or die with glory. There is no alternative. Though a
woman, my resolution is fixed: the men, if they please, may
survive with infamy, and live in bondage."
Elizabeth I
Speech to the Troops at Tilbury
1
Elizabeth delivered this speech to her troops at Tilbury (Essex) who were assembled to oppose a Spanish invasion of
England (1588). She was dressed in full amour and armed. The speech is famous for its “I have the stomach and heart
of a man” metaphor. However, Elizabeth is also affirming that she identifies completely with the people – the nation
and people are one. She as monarch is resolved to their fate whatever it might be.
My loving people,
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we
commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not
desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear, I have always so
behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the
loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you
see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and
heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my
kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the
body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of
a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe,
should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall
grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and
rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, for your forwardness
you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince,
they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant general2 shall be in my stead,
than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by
your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field,
we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom,
and of my people.
Notes:
1. Delivered by Elizabeth to the land forces assembled at Tilbury
(Essex) to repel the anticipated invasion of the Spanish Armada.
2. Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester; he was the queen's favorite,
once rumored to be her lover.
Source:
The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 6th Edition. Vol 1.
New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1993. 999.