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THE CELTIC CONNECTION « OCTOBER 1995
4556 West 10th. Avenue - 224-1912
The Diner
Kst. 1958
WE PUT OUR SOLE INTO OUR FISH & CHIPS
• Steak & Kidney Pie • Shepherd's Pie • • • Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding (Sunday) • This is Just a Few Items from our Menu
Weekdays 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sundays Noon - 7 p.m. Prices to Fit Students Pocket • Phone for Take-Out Orders Just 1 Block East of U.B.C. Gates.
THE AULD SCOTTISH LARDER
4022 East Hastings Street Burnaby, B.C. V5C 2H9 (604) 294-6616
Bakery In Store
• Oatcakes • Biscuits • Scones • and a variety of pies
Smokehouse In Store
Large Selection of UK Food Items All other product made on the premises
Sausaqes
No additives, no preservatives, natural casing
Lome slices and bangers available Ham and Bacon
Ayrshier and Belfast • Smoked • Double Smoked
Internationally Known Haggis
ITS CEILIDH TIME
at Scottish Hall 73rd & Hudson
no
owes ?
November 4th Inverglenn Dancers Vocals — Kent MacFarlane
December 2nd Piper Albert Duncan Cabaret! Mod Entertainers
, Courageous Warrior Queen Led Celts Into Battle
By ALICIA MARTIN
Nearly two millennia ago, in what we now call Britain, the conquering Romans were temporarily stopped in their tracks by an avenging warrior. This warrior has withstood the test of time and remains a hero until this day.
This fighter managed to rally a chaotic mix of Britons, numbering around 210,000, into one menacing force. Men and women, who had spent their days fighting each other, came together under this unique general's war cries and occupied towns.
What's more, this warrior was not a fighter but an aristocrat and most impressively and amazingly — a woman.
Boudica (or Boadiccea) was made ruling Queen of the Iceni people around 60 AD, following the death of her husband Prasutagus. She was born into one of the royal families of her people, a group of Celts known for their warrior characteristics and their horsemanship.
Before Prasutagus died, he had left a will which divided his wealth between his wife and the Roman emperor. It was not, however, the pacification move he had hoped.
The local Roman officials felt it wasn't enough and in the name of Procurator Catus Decanus, the chief financial administrator of the British province, seized all of his estates and treasures. To make sure the Roman way was truly understood, they flogged Boudica and raped her two daughters.
It was following these acts of insult, humiliation and savagery, that the Queen of the Iceni became the Warrior Queen. Leading the Britons in an uprising against the Romans was as much to avenge her and her daughters, as it was a protest against Roman rule.
The melangerie of Celtic tribes and in-fighting Britons turned towards Boudica and joined her in the fight against their common oppressor. With her inspiring speech, release of a good omen and a prayer to the Goddess of War, they were off.
Their first victim was the town of Camuldunum (Colchester), which they sacked and burned to the ground. Stunned by their defeat and humiliated by the sex of the ennemy's leader, the Romans were defenceless as the Celts went on to destroy Londinium. There too, nothing was left standing in their wake.
Word spread across the country-side and when the Britons reached Verulmium (St. Albans) it was to be their final battle, although not before they decimated that town as well.
By now, a group of Roman soldiers had gathered and although outnumbered by the Britons, their carefully laid out battle plans, weaponry and armour greatly exceeded their enemy's strength.
According to one account, 80,000 Britons died, while only 400 Ro-
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mans met the same fate. The remaining Iceni were probably reduced to slave labour and Britain became an unquestioned Roman province.
Whether or not Boudica died in that battle or killed herself and her two daughters shortly afterwards is unknown. Many of the details surrounding these events are sketchy at best and are open to interpretation, however, one thing rings clear.
boudica's legendary status comes from her triumph as a woman. She was someone who realized even 2000 years ago that her gender could work against her. According to one account, she was reputed to have cried out " I am descended from mighty men," as she led her troops into battle.
Her courage has been the inspiration for countless warriors and others after her.
Her missing tomb is a symbol of all those who have wanted to claim her as their own, for she is said to be buried in at least a dozen places around Britain, including Stonehenge.
Her fame and exploits have been written about, sculpted, poeticized, painted, dramatized and can even be found in children's literature!
Her prowess is the stuff of legends, however, her feats are entirely of reality. Queen Victoria, Catherine the Great, Queen Jinga, Golda Meir, Ram of Jansi and Margaret Thatcher (to name but a few) have all had their leadership compared to Boudica's. Boudica typified the Celtic goddess of war and the protective mother.
She is a heroine whose story has been an inspiration to many and continues to invoke admiration in the hearts of many.
Croagh Patrick: Excavating a Legend
Where Saint Patrick battled the pagan god Cromdubh, an exciting new excavation has been started. On the summit of Croagh Patrick, archaeologists have unearthed a Bronze Age or early Christian collapsed rampart.
The rampart once enclosed a prehistoric fort and hut sites, where flint scrapers, soaps tone leavings and evidence of early gold working have been found. At 2,500 above sea level, it is the highest recorded human settlement in Ireland.
Long held in ritual respect, Croagh Patrick is the site of a mystical event every April and August, when the sun appears to set on its summit, then roll down the mountainside.
grimage route from Murrisk to Ballintubber, which echoes earlier pagan routes. In the area of Saint Patrick's Chair, decorated rock art, perhaps 5,000 years old or more, has been discovered along the ancient pilgrims' route on the east side of the summit.
As very little excavation work has been done, it seemed that Croagh Patrick attracted pilgrims more by legend than historical fact. This led to the Archbishop of Tuam, Doctor Michael Neary, Mayo County Council and local people to sponsor the excavations. It was felt, the sooner it was investigated archaeolo-
fically and protected, the better, o this end, a group called the "Friends of Croagh Patrick" has and a conference
been formed and a In recent times, Croagh Patrick called In the Footsteps of Patrick, is visited by 100,000 pilgrims a will be held next year, year, a part of an historical pil- —/. Wannamaker
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