Pre-Roman Celtic Kingdoms

Tribe of the Trinovantes

This Iron Age Celtic tribe held sway over the northern Thames Estuary, from pre-Roman London to the east coast. London itself was founded as a settlement in circa 500 BC, but, legendarily at least, its name seems to date to Llud Llaw Ereint of the Silures, High King, in the form of 'Lud Dun'.

No written records exist to detail any but the last of its rulers. (Additional information taken from The Oxford History of England: Roman Britain, Peter Salway.)

? - 54 BC

Imanuentius

54 BC

Imanuentius' successor, Mandubracius, is exiled from Britain by Cassivellaunus, High King and king of the Catuvellauni. He goes to Julius Caesar in Gaul and wins support. He is reinstated following the Roman victories over Cassivellaunus.

54 - c.30 BC

Mandubracius

c.30 - c.20 BC

Addedomaros

Possibly subservient to the Catuvellauni.

c.20 - c.5 BC

Dumnovellaunos

King of the Coritani & Cantii (15 BC-AD 5).

fl AD 1

Diras

c.1 - c.10

Cunobelinus (Cymbeline)

High King. Became king of the Catuvellauni in AD 10.

c.1 - 41

Cunobelinus appears to rule the subject Trinovantes as a sub-kingdom from their capital at Colchester until he succeeds to the Catuvellauni crown.

41 - 43

The succession is disputed.

43

The Trinovantes are conquered by the invading Romans as their Catuvellauni overlords are defeated and pushed out of the east coast. Camulodunum (modern Colchester) becomes the Roman capital until AD 61.

They retain their identity and re-emerge as a kingdom based on Caer Colun.