Celtic Kingdoms of the British Isles

Caer Baddan

This late Romano-British city and the possible territory it commanded seems to have begun as a constituent part of the territory of Caer Gloui, which also encompassed the city of Caer Ceri. Caer Gloui emerged from the fading central administration of Roman Britain as an indirect continuation of the former Dobunni tribe. In the mid-sixth century the territory was divided, possibly following the traditional practice of granting each son of the ruler territory of his own.

The name of the territory, which became a kingdom in its later days, was not recorded but it was certainly based upon its capital of Caer Baddan (Roman Aquae Sulis, which was otherwise known as Aquae Calidae and which seems initially to have been part of the territory of the Belgae people). The city had been founded by the Romans in AD 43, soon after the surrender of the north-eastern Dobunni, but it appears to have been based on earlier roots. Traditionally, the baths were founded by High King Bladud, after he was guided to the water's healing properties by the goddess Sul. Whatever the veracity of the oral tradition that passed on that story, it is likely that the Britons were making use of the spa waters before the Conquest.

It was mentioned at the date of its conquest by the West Saxons in The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Typically, they retained the city's name, albeit with a Saxon pronunciation; Baddan became Bathanceaster (modern Bath), which was remarkably close to the Romano-British name when compared to the transition process for many other British place names.

The Saxons appear to have had a superstitious horror of Roman ruins in Britain, perhaps fearful of ghosts, so they would often 'curse' the ruins with ritual objects, sometimes throwing them down wells to ensure the city could not be re-used. The latter is certainly true of Caer Celemion. Despite this fear, the Saxons also seem to have been very impressed with Roman ruins. There is even an eighth century Saxon poem called The Ruin which appears to describe Bath.

(Additional information by Edward Dawson.)

409 - 440

It seems that initially, the city of Caer Baddan remains under British central administration following the ejection of Roman authority in 409. It is only later, in the 430s, as two power factions begin to emerge, that it appears to fall under the administrative control of the magistrate at Caer Gloui.

During this period, while there is probably some attempt to maintain normal, Romanised urban life, there is some contraction in the city's lifestyle and standard of living. The great bath complex gradually falls into disuse, although the hot springs continue to be taken by the locals.

441 - 446

In the early 440s, in conjunction with Caer Ceri, the city's Roman defences are repaired. But in 446 serious plague hits southern Britain and Saxon mercenaries across the country revolt. Caer Baddan presents a scene of chaos with raiding parties attacking the few citizens who remain resident. A Roman house of this precise period (located by archaeologists in Abbeygate Street) contains the severed head of a young girl which had been thrust into an oven.

An artist's impression of Roman Aquae Sulis, later known as Caer Baddan to the Romano-British and which retains that name in an altered fashion today (Bath)

c.496

It has long been theorised that the pivotal encounter between Britons and Saxons, Mons Badonicus, or the siege of Mount Badon, is fought at or near Caer Baddan. There is a former Iron Age hill fort at Little Solsbury Hill, just to the north-east of the city which had been fortified and occupied until the first century BC. Although there is no archaeological evidence to support a proper reoccupation of this site, it seems plausible to suggest its re-use in this period, if only as a lookout post. Caer Baddan is defended to the south-east by the West Wansdyke, so the natural route into the west country would be to the north of this.

It is probably this route that the Saxon army under the Bretwalda, Ælle, takes. With it likely being known in advance that this force is on its way, the Britons could use Little Solsbury Hill as their battleground, giving them command of the approach to the city, and the high ground against their enemy. The position is probably lightly fortified, with staves, creating a position that could be besieged by the Saxons over the course of a day or two, and from which the British cavalry could then thunder into their ranks, slicing up the Saxons and causing the great slaughter remembered by later chroniclers.

c.550

Around this time, either upon the death of Aurelius Caninus or his successor in Caer Gloui, the single kingdom that is commanded from there is split three ways, into Caer Baddan, Caer Ceri & Caer Gloui. This is probably a result of the kingdom being divided between sons, an act that is based on traditional Celtic practise. The act suggests that a true kingship is being practised by this time, rather than the previous Romanised role of magistrate.

? - 577

Farinmail / Ffernfael

Last British king. Killed fighting the West Seaxe.

577

In a campaign that is identical to that probably adopted by Bretwalda Ælle almost a century before, the West Seaxe king, Ceawlin, thrusts south-westwards from the Upper Thames towards the Bristol Channel. The blow is delivered against the western Britons and is a complete success. The Brito-Welsh are defeated at the Battle of Deorham (Dyrham, or Hinton Hill, eight miles north of Caer Baddan), and all three of their kings are killed. Their cities fall to the Saxons.

Caer Baddan appears to fall first, as the British may hurriedly erect an addition to the West Wansdyke where it seems to block the Fosse Way. Such last ditch efforts prove fruitless and Caer Ceri and Caer Gloui also fall. With this collapse, the territory of Caer Celemion to the east is now totally isolated and Pengwern and Gwent are now on the front line. Cadbury Castle is also abandoned around this time, perhaps suggesting an evacuation of its occupants.

However, it appears that the Britons behind the West Wansdyke hold out. It seems possible that the three cities had been receiving military support from Glastenning or Dumnonia, and that these kingdoms hold onto what they can of Caer Baddan's territory after the city's fall. The Hwicce soon migrate into the remainder of the territory. The city is inhabited by Saxons who retain the name, but pronounce it as Bathanceaster (the city or fort of Bathan). In time it becomes the city of Bath.