Cartimandua

Cartimandua (ruled ca.43 - ca.70) was a queen of the Brigantes tribe of northern England who fought against the Roman Empire's occupation of Britain in the 1st century.

Cartimandua's rule over Brigantia was already established when emperor Claudius began the organized conquest of Britain. With her husband and warlord Venutius of the Carvetii tribe, Cartimandua forged an alliance with the Romans. Some sources refer the Brigantes as a client kingdom of Rome, suggesting the pro-Roman views of their queen. Cartimandua went as far as to capture Caratacus, the most ferocious Celtic resistant and offered him to Claudius, who exibited him in his triumph. The loyalty was acknowledged in 53 when Venutius attempt for sole power was dominated by Roman intervention. The couple reconciled but problems were brewing. The Roman alliance was further confirmed during the Icenii rebellion of 60, when Cartimandua declined alliance with Boudicca.

However, in 69, Cartimandua apparently changed both her husband and her mind about the Roman occupation. Her former husband, Venutius, left her court (or was banished) and Vellocatus, a former servant became her consort. Venutius was seemingly not happy with the "divorce" and levied an army to fight for power with his ex-wife. He invaded the Brigantes' lands and deposed Cartimandua. Tacitus infers that she was saved from imprisonment by Roman soldiers. After this event, Cartimandua disappears from the sources.