Pre-Roman Celtic Kingdoms

Tribe of the Deceangli / Decangi / Gangani

Situated in the extreme north of modern Wales, where tribal boundaries are more uncertain than in England, comprising north-west and north-east Clwyd and northern Gwynedd. This appears to have been a tribe which was split between Ireland and Britain. In the former it was called the Concani or Gangani, while directly across the Irish Sea their cousins were the Gangani or Deceangli.

(Additional information taken from The Oxford History of England: Roman Britain, Peter Salway, and by Edward Dawson.)

AD 47

The second Roman governor of Britannia, Publius Ostorius Scapula, conducts a campaign against the Deceangli, ravaging their territory and collecting extensive quantities of booty. Only an outbreak of violence among the Brigantes forces the Roman governor to break off his campaign.

79

The Roman governor, Julius Agricola, continues his campaign from the territory of the Ordovices and breaks the Deceangli in Anglesey. Troops are withdrawn from Dumnonia to support the campaign. A string of forts are built throughout the territory to ensure the Britons remain pacified, with Trawscoed Fort in modern Ceredigion perhaps being one of the southernmost of these.

By the time the Roman wall had been built around the fort in Holyhead which was later replaced by St Cybi's Church, the Deceangli had long since been defeated

c.130

After an apparent period of abandonment at the end of the previous century, Trawscoed Fort is permanently abandoned by the Romans, probably no longer needed now that the region is at peace.

In the fourth century, the territory, which by now has a sprinkling of Roman villas, is incorporated into the new kingdom of Gwynedd.

Tribe of the Demetae

Spread over south-western Dyfed in modern Wales, where tribal boundaries are more uncertain than in England. There were plenty of hill forts here, and they showed an affinity with those found in south-western England.

(Additional information taken from The Oxford History of England: Roman Britain, Peter Salway.)

AD 51

The Romans seem to subdue this area of Wales relatively easily with the defeat of High King Caratacus.

70 - 74

Roman authority is stamped on the region with the building of forts and roads.

When Roman authority has faded in the fifth century, the former Demetae territory is turned into a kingdom named Demetia.

Tribe of the Ordovices

Chiefly situated in southern Gwynedd and central Wales, where tribal boundaries are more uncertain than in England. The Ordovices were a hard-fighting bunch who were almost wiped out by the Romans before they were subdued.

(Additional information taken from The Oxford History of England: Roman Britain, Peter Salway.)

AD 49

Caratacus, former king of the Catuvellauni and still apparently recognised as High King, moves his base of operations from the territory of the Silures to lead a general coalition against Rome from the territory of the Ordovices.

49 - 51

Caratacus

High King. Former king of the Catuvellauni & Cantii.

51

The site of Caratacus' largescale battle against the Romans is unknown, other than that it was somewhere on the Severn. Roman tactics and equipment produce an overwhelming superiority against the Britons, and Caratacus' wife and daughter are captured, and his brother surrenders. Caratacus flees to the comparative safety of the Brigantes.

74 -75

The new Roman governor, Julius Frontinus, establishes auxiliary forts from the territory of the subdued Silures right into the territory of the Ordovices, but the tribe make it clear they have not been subdued by destroying a Roman cavalry squadron.

79

The next Roman governor, Julius Agricola, strikes as soon as he assumes his post. Troops are withdrawn from Dumnonia to support the campaign he launches here. His determination to break the tribe results in its near annihilation. The settlements in the area do not recover until the third century. Agricola continues his campaign into Deceangli territory.

In the fourth century, much of the territory is incorporated into the new kingdoms of Gwynedd and Powys.

Tribe of the Silures

The Silures were settled in the Glamorgans and Gwent, and perhaps extended into southern Powys in modern Wales, where tribal boundaries are more uncertain than in England. There were plenty of hill forts here, and they showed an affinity with those found in south-western England.

(Additional information taken from The Oxford History of England: Roman Britain, Peter Salway.)

AD 47/48

Following the Roman campaign against the Deceangli, Caratacus, former king of the Catuvellauni and still apparently recognised as High King, re-emerges to lead the Silures against Rome. There is reason to believe that he had been sheltering with the anti-Roman part of the Dobunni.

47 - 49

Caratacus

High King. Former king of the Catuvellauni & Cantii.

49

The Romans face a difficult campaign against the Silures, but to secure their conquest they establish a legionary fortress in the territory. Caratacus has no trouble in switching his centre of operations to the territory of the Ordovices.

50 - 52

The Silures fight on against the Romans, continually harrying Roman forces and cutting off legionaries under a camp commandant who is engaged in building forts in Silurian territory. The force is rescued with great difficulty and nine losses, including the commandant, a considerable defeat. Further losses, some heavy, and the death of the Roman governor in office forces Rome to appoint Aulus Didius Gallus, who manages to bring the situation under control.

61

During the Iceni-led revolt in the east, the Silures are probably pinned down by the Roman Second Legion and are unable to join Boudicca.

74 -75

A new Roman governor, Julius Frontinus, uses the II Augusta Legion to finally pacify the awkward Silures.

A new legionary fortress is constructed at Caerleon and auxiliary forts seem to be established right into the territory of the Ordovices at this time. The movement of the centre of the Silures from their fortress at Llanmelin Wood to a new Roman town at Caerwent is also thought to have taken place under Frontinus' governorship.

74 - 125

Marius / Meric/ Merius / Meurig

High King.

3rd century

The territory is known as Ewyas by the third century, but when this name is first used is unknown. Ewyas later evolves into Gwent.