Holkham Camp the Site of the Iceni Last Stand 47AD

It is not generally remembered that the Iceni of Norfolk rose against the Roman Invaders, not just once under Boudica but twice.

In 43AD when the Romans invaded the Iceni had become their allies - on the principal of my enemy's enemy is my friend; since the Romans key target was the Trinovantes and Catuvellauni centred on the oppidum around Colchester.

In 47AD the second Roman governor, Ostorius Scapula, decided to disarm the tribes inside the temporary Fosse Way frontier. The Iceni who had neither surrendered nor been defeated refused to give up their arms, and Tacitus describes how the tribe were forcibly disarmed with a last stand taking place at a defended camp.

Two sites have been advanced as where the Iceni final stand took place in 47AD. One is Stonea Camp in Cambridgeshire, which I have always thought was unlikely as being far from the known centres of Icenian territory. The other is Holkham Camp on the North Norfolk coast which was situated in salt mash with a single causeway approach.

This seems more likely to me since it is close to the magnificent Warham Camp - subject of a previous blip by me - and also the North West corner of Norfolk where the Snetiisham torcs and many other Icenian treasures have been discovered.

This picture looks from the edge of the former salt marsh, which is now reclaimed as pasture, towards the site of the Holkham Camp. The belt of trees on the horizon is on the sea defences, beyond which is the magnificent Holkham beach and the sea. Although much changed the terrain is very atmospheric.

It is interesting to note that the Romans set up as leader of the Iceni, Prasutagas whose wife was Boudica who revolted in 60AD.