Iceni

the long version

Boudicca - Queen, Priestess, mother, woman ... Emerging from her recent widowhood, Boudicca (Boadicea) is unwillingly plunged into a maelstrom of intrigue between the Celtoi tribes and the conquering Romani. Victim of her own still raw emotions and Romani greed, Boudicca is approached by an elusive Druid to lead the Celtoi in rebellion. But there have been Celtoi rebellions before, what will make this one so different? As the rebellion unfolds it gathers a momentum of its own, sweeping Boudicca along with it. But she finds that she must make many sacrifices in order to fulfil the role demanded of her. As the sacrifices increase, so does Boudicca's descent into madness. Will too much be asked of her? This dark historical fantasy draws on known Iron Age archaeology, Roman history, elements from Celtic mythology, paganism, Goddess-spirituality, and witchcraft. (141000 words)