"News had reached Gnaeus Julius Agricola, a commander in the Roman army, of an attack on a small fort in North Wales that had almost wiped out the cavalry regiment stationed there. Agricola knew that the situation with the Ordovices tribes needed to be settled once and for all. After defeating the Ordovices of North Wales, Agricola turned his attention to Anglesey.
However, he had the same old problems as his predecessor, commander Paulinus 15 years ealier - how to get across the treacherous waters of the Menai Strait. The Roman historian Tacitus suggests that he used local auxiliaries to swim across the Strait and take the brunt of the fighting in the initial assault on the islanders. Many historians have said that the crossing of the main body of the legion was made via the Lavan Sands, which, at low tide, almost span the Menai Strait from the mainland. This is feasible, as the sands can dry enough to provide a firm surface for movement - but only if you know the area. They shift, being changed by the strong tides, and there is never a guarantee that what was once a safe crossing will remain so. It is my belief that Agricola used locals, recruited expressly for the purpose, to show him the routes used by the Ordovices and others to access Anglesey.
A definite assault point is hard to find, although my own knowledge of the area leads me to believe that the staging point would have been just south of Llanfairfechan and Lower Bangor.
The battle to defend the island from the Romans must have been fought the way many had been fought before. On foot, with chariots and mounted horsemen. The families of the Celtic tribesmen would also have been nearby, camped out to watch the battle and to tend to the many wounded who would come their way as the day progressed.
The battle resulted in the end of Anglesey as an anti-Roman stronghold. Tacitus says that the island tribes were taken by surprise, and the Romans would have then undertaken the wholesale slaughter of the remaining tribes, followed by a tactical policy akin to the scorched earth methods used in later years by many other armies of invasion and occupation. Agricola would have wished the islanders rendered unable to rise against him, becoming no more of a threat. We must not forget that these tribes had been a thorn in the side of the Romans for many years.
Many tribes surrendered rather than fight as his reputation and policies of fear against opponents (and advantages for those who co-operated) went before him. He had, it appears, the judgement to strike the best balance between pressure and persuasion and to ensure that it was delivered in equal measure."
Read about the Romans' initial invasion of Anglesey, and the remains of their presence on the island.
your comments
John Griffiths (author of article)
To Sue Ann Miller - No, Wales was seen as a thorn in the side of the Romans for a long time. The decision to end its reign as the 'powerhouse' of rebellion was centred on Anglesey as this was the Druid stronghold - and the Druids held great sway. Also, the thrust of the legions through Wales had forced many indigenous tribes to use Anglesey as a base. Once Anglesey was crushed, then the message that resistance was futile would get through - after all, destroying the Druid centre sent the message that even the Gods could not escape the fury of Rome.By the way, England was not England at this time. That name comes from much later - Angleoland - when the Angles and Saxons came to light! The name for the UK then was Brittania and it ws 'on the very edge' of the Roman world.
Mon Jul 2 09:48:37 2007
Steve Mackenzie (Manchester)
Inspiring tales. Anyone who has been to Anglesey with its rugged coastline, sandy beaches, prehistoric settlements, monuments, burial mounds and standing stones cannot help but be caught up with the atmosphere and history of the island. For those who have asked about historical fiction based on the anglesey and the Roman Invasions, try Wilbur Smith's Arthur series and Manda Scott's Boudicca saga. These are of course fictional but appear to be extremely well researched.
Fri May 25 15:46:24 2007
Sue ann miller fromAmerica via Cardiff
Not all natives cooperated with Rome. What about the rebels who sympathized neither with England or Rome. I think I researched the existence of these Welshmen well. I see no mention of them---is it only Angsley that was coopted?
Mon Dec 11 10:15:06 2006
Martin Davies St Louis MO
John - great work! As a youngster aged 11 to 13 (63 thru 65) I lived in NE Anglesey near Glan-yr-Afon with a bedroom view of Red Wharf Bay and Moelfre...incredible. I agree with you that the Menai looks very crossable in the Beaumaris-Bangor section, especially when you consider the alternatives. I recall the river at Castell Aberlleiniog near Llangoed, currently a trickle of a stream, but in the tenth century large enough for sea-going boats to dock there! Is this true? If yes, then it's a testament to the dynamic changes of the sea and tides, and gives us pause to consider what else might have been very different from how things are now in the Menai and surrounding coastal areas. As an aside, my friends and I used to play knights and Vikings there at Aberlleiniog - I know, private property! Do you have any information on Castell Aberlleiniog 1090ish? I would appreciate hearing anything you have on this. And finally...know anything about the Witches of Llanddona? Diolch and regards.
Wed Mar 1 05:04:25 2006
John Morris Williams Porthmadog (Thailand)
I have tried to find information in regards to Porthmadog the Traeth Mawr and the Roman settlement there. Moel y Gest has two very interesting features, a fortification on the top that has been hidden for many years from us, and the Tower on Pen y Clogwyn Farm where we used to play as kids, it's in rubble now, but the shape is all there. Across from Moel y Gest are the Tremadog Rocks, and signs and indications of rings on the rocks and the famous Roman stairs leading up to the cliffs and beyond.
Porthmadog area would have been a very safe haven to hide and shelter ships. There also newly-discovered Roman fortifications in Bala.
Mon Dec 26 07:18:31 2005
John Thomas from New Mexico
Your accounts of the two Roman invasions were fascinating! Thank you. My family comes from Moelfre originally, but I am interested in the history because of research for a writing project. Has anyone heard the story of women - apparently part of a religious community - raising a storm that delayed one or the other of the invasions for several days in order to allow the escape of the older members of the group and their young accolytes? (It's almost too good a story, so it may be fiction entirely. I heard it last time I was in Anglesey.) Hwyl nawr!
Thu Mar 25 18:31:58 2004
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John Griffiths looks at the Romans' second invasion of Anglesey as they tried to defeat the Celts once and for all.
