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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.) |
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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. |
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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 Troops are withdrawn from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.
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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
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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. |
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In the
fourth century, the territory, which by now has a sprinkling of Roman
villas, is incorporated into the new kingdom of
Gwynedd. |
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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.) |
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AD 51 |
The
Romans
seem to subdue this area of Wales relatively easily with the defeat of
High King
Caratacus. |
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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. |
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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.) |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.) |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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