Ancient Leaders

This page contains details of those leaders that were around during the late period of the Brigantes and whom may have had an impact on Brigantia.

Agricola

In a series of annual military campaigns Agricola put down revolts in north Wales, subdued the Brigantes tribe in the north, extended Roman control over the Scottish lowlands, where he established a string of forts between the Forth and the Clyde, sent troops into Galloway, and made inroads into the eastern Highlands. During the latter campaign his vessels were the first to circumnavigate the islands.

Cartimandua

Yorkshire, and much of northern Britain was also ruled by a queen, the most powerful ruler in Britain in fact. Her name was Cartimandua (c. 43 to c. 70 AD), and she ruled over an association of clans and tribes called the Brigantes.

Caratacus

Caratacus was highly influenced by the Druids, and both he and his brother Togodumnus were among the leading lights of the British anti-Roman faction, supported by the Druidical order.

Cerialis Petillius

Quintus Petillius Cerialis Caesius Rufus was the son-in-law of Vespasian Cerialis and became Governor of Britain in AD.71; his instructions were plainly to move the conquest forward, and he brought with him a new legion, II Adiutrix, which had recently been recruited from members of the fleet at Ravenna.

Julius Caesar

Ask anyone to name a famous Roman character, and the name of Julius Caesar is sure to be the most popular answer. Although he failed twice to conquer Britain, he still became an icon of Rome. So how did this man manage to become a legend?

Vespasian

Born in the year 9 at Reate, north of Rome, Vespasian was the son of a tax collector, Flavius Sabinus and his wife, Vespasia Polla. He joined the military and achieved the rank of legionary commander, serving under Claudius during the invasion of Britain in 43AD.

Augustus

Suetonius wrote of him: He was very handsome and most graceful at all stages of his life, although he cared nothing for any sort of refinery. He was so uninterested in how his hair was dressed that he would set several barbers to work at once in a hurry, and he would have his beard clipped at one time and shaved at another, and while the barbers were working he would read or even write something.

Claudius

Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus was born Lugunum in 10 BC, the youngest son of Nero Drusus, brother of Tiberius. He was a strange child and prone to constant illness, not only of the body, but also the mind.

Monmouth’s Kings of Britain

Geoffrey of Monmouth's Kings of Britain includes a number of unknown potential kings, as well as some recognised as existing, including King Lear from Shakespeare.

The Scrope family

The Scrope family, of Norman origin, first rose to prominence in 14th-century England. The story begins with Robert le Scrope, the earliest documented ancestor, who established the family's connection to the noble Gant family in the 12th century.

The Nevilles

The Nevilles were a powerful family, who held substantial estates and titles, including the Earldom of Westmorland.

The Latimer Family

The Latimer family name, has its origins tracing back to the Old French term "latinier," denoting a clerk or a scribe who was proficient in Latin, the lingua franca of medieval Europe's educated elite.

The Danby Family

The Danby family, with its roots deeply embedded in the rich soil of English history, is a name that arose among the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in Danby, a name associated with parishes in Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

Katherine Parr

Katherine Parr, known for her role as the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII, was a significant figure in the Tudor period, not just for her royal marriage but also for her impact on Yorkshire, a region she influenced through her marriage to John Neville, Lord Latimer.

The Percy Family

The Percy family, Earls of Northumberland, were influential figures, with their ancestral seat at Alnwick Castle providing a power base in the north.

Venutius

Venutius was a notable figure in the 1st-century history of northern Britain, known primarily as the king of the Brigantes during the Roman conquest. The following text summarises what we can potentially understand about him, and tries to tie him to places and other possibilities that are not supported by the historical record. At the end of the section, what records to exist are explained.

Hadrian

Emperor Hadrian, born as Publius Aelius Hadrianus in 76 CE, was a Roman emperor renowned for his substantial contributions to the architectural and cultural heritage of the Roman Empire.

Archbishop Lanfranc

Archbishop Lanfranc was a prominent figure in the 11th century, renowned for his role as a scholar, teacher, and ecclesiastical statesman.

William Malet

William Malet was a notable figure in 11th-century Norman England, holding significant positions within the Norman forces that occupied England after the 1066 conquest.

Pope Gregory the Great

Pope Gregory the Great, born around 540 AD as Gregorius Anicius in Rome, was a pivotal figure in the early medieval church, ascending to the papacy in 590 AD

Boadicea

Boadicea, also known as Boudica, was a queen of the Iceni tribe, a Celtic tribe that lived in what is now Eastern England.

Noble or Royal Houses and the House of Hauteville

This article introduces the concept of houses that embody a dynasty of influence and control, driven by feudal and familial responsibilities and agreements. It explores how houses worked during this period and examines the response by the Brigantian people to this increase in control by the Normans.

The Lawson-Tancred family

The Lawson-Tancred family, with its roots deeply embedded in English history, boasts several notable figures who have made significant contributions to their fields and society. The lineage of the family can be traced back to the Norman Conquest, with Richard Tankard, who owned lands at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire shortly after this pivotal event in English history.