Willie's Lady Martin Carthy. 1976

 

Susan picked me up a book called an Introduction to Celtic Mythology from our friendly neighbourhood charity shop and it talks about this song. I didn't know it but I found it. It deals with the concept of witchcraft.  Willie's Lady - Wikipedia

Crown of Horn - Wikipedia

Aurochs

 The last one of these was sometime in the 1600s I think. (1627 I checked).  Aurochs - Wikipedia

Life restoration of aurochs in a temperate forested landscape in Europe during the Eemian interglacial (130–115,000 years ago)

From here. When Did the Aurochs Go Extinct? Causes and History - Biology Insights

The last known aurochs died in 1627 in the Jaktorów Forest of Poland, marking a significant moment as one of the first documented extinctions. This final individual was a lone female, surviving after the last male aurochs had perished in 1620. Records indicate her death was due to natural causes.

The population of aurochs had been in decline for centuries, with a relic herd in the Polish royal forests being the last to persist. In the mid-16th century, this herd numbered around 50 individuals, but by 1601, only four remained. Despite efforts to protect them within this royal reserve, their numbers continued to dwindle, culminating in their extinction.

The herd of aurochs in a former military area in Milovice, about 30 kilometers from Prague (the capital of the Czech Republic). A huge bull, several cows and a group of calves inhabit worldwide unique nature reserve of large herbivores, along with wild horses and european bisons. The project started in 2015. It is the first herd of backbreeding aurochs in Central and Eastern Europe. Backbreeding wild cattle come from the program of the Taurus Foundation from the Netherlands.

Boadicea and her racing charioteers

 Susan went to an exhibition of posters at the Victoria Art Gallery Bath.

Warrior Simon Scarrow

This is the novel from 2022 I am reading currently. Set in the Roman era it tells the tale of Caratacus. Audiobook preview here;

Romans v Britons: Warrior: The epic story of Caratacus, warrior… by Simon Scarrow · Audiobook preview
 

Don't forget to visit my new blog

 Romans v Britons

Romans v Britons

 New blog from me. Romans v Britons

Elephants in Britain 43 AD

 It is a debated fact that Claudius brought elephants with the invasion of 43. Elephants in Europe wiki

Roam War Elephants wiki

The Romans supposedly used war elephant in the invasion of Britain. Polyaenus reports that during the Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain in 55 BC "Caesar had one large elephant, which was equipped with armor and carried archers and slingers in its tower. When this unknown creature entered the river, the Britons and their horses fled and the Roman army crossed over,"^[8] However, this claim has been considered historically unreliable and probably untrue due to any other corroborating evidence from other sources, including Caesar's own writings.^[9] The claim by Cassius Dio, writing over 150 years after the events, that the emperor Claudius brought elephants to Britain during his invasion in 43 AD has also been doubted due to a lack of other sources mentioning the use of elephants, and logistical issues making their use in the campaign highly impractical.^[9] His use of the term "elephant" may actually refer to a kind of military machine, perhaps a siege tower.^[10]

Butser Ancient Farm

 Are you ready for this weekend's Super Wolf Moon?

No matter where we are in the world - or even in history - we all see the same moon. The lunar cycle has been important to many people for thousands of years, whether for gardening, stargazing, wellness, spirituality or something else entirely.

Interested to learn more? We've put together a guide to all the Full Moons of 2026 on the Butser blog - including three Super Moons and a Blue Moon in May!

Find it here: http://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/.../full-moon-calendar...

Iron Age chariot by Samara Parc Archeolgique

 (5) Facebook

Their mode of fighting with their chariots is this: firstly, they drive about in all directions and throw their weapons and generally break the ranks of the enemy with the very dread of their horses and the noise of their wheels; and when they have worked themselves in between the troops of horse, leap from their chariots and engage on foot. The charioteers in the meantime withdraw some little distance from the battle, and so place themselves with the chariots that, if their masters are overpowered by the number of the enemy, they may have a ready retreat to their own troops. Thus they display in battle the speed of horse, [together with] the firmness of infantry; and by daily practice and exercise attain to such expertness that they are accustomed, even on a declining and steep place, to check their horses at full speed, and manage and turn them in an instant and run along the pole, and stand on the yoke, and thence betake themselves with the greatest celerity to their chariots again.^[41]

Hillforts

 A short video discussing the ancient monuments within the British landscape known as Hillforts. A basic overview of these Iron Age enclosures is provided for a quick understanding of the archaeological subject, with a bibliography at the end for further information.

Iron Age chariot

 

Profile view of a British Celtic chariot in action. It was with these weapons that the Celts of Britain faced off against the Roman legions of Caesar in 55 BC. Note the y shaped suspension straps at the side of the chariot.

Julius Caesar: This is their manner of fighting from chariots. At first the charioteers ride in all directions, usually throwing the ranks into confusion by the very terror caused by the horses, as well as the noise of the wheels; then as soon as they have come between the squads of horsemen, they leap from the chariots and fight on foot. The drivers of the chariots then withdraw a little from the battle and place the chariots together, so that if the warriors are hard pressed by the number of the enemy, they have a safe retreat to their own. Their horsemen possess such activity and their foot soldiers such steadfastness in battle and they accomplish so much by daily training that on steep and even precipitous ground they are accustomed to check their excited horses, to control and turn them about quickly, to run out on the pole, to stand on the yoke, and then swiftly to return to the chariot.

Brigantia, the Iron-Age Celtic Reenactment Society

 

Brigantia Celtic Reenactment | Facebook in the files section are pdfs of their kit guide.

Brigantia, the Iron-Age Celtic Reenactment Society, offers a unique experience for those interested in the re-enactment of the late Iron Age Celts of Southern Britain. The society focuses on combat re-enactment and living history displays, capturing the essence of the Celtic way of life during the Iron Age. Brigantia aims to provide a comprehensive re-enactment of the Brigantes, a tribe known for their resistance against Roman conquest. The society's activities include historical role-play, storytelling, and participation in traditional Celtic customs and architecture. Brigantia is not just a historical reenactment; it is a living community that invites interaction and participation in the Celtic heritage

Boudica (2023)

 We watched this (see below). It was the first film we have watched on Netflix. It was the last day to see it so we went for it. Not very good. Surprisingly low budget but I wanted to see it to check it out.

Units of History - War Chariots of Britannia DOCUMENTARY

 I watched this to the end - pretty interesting.

BOUDICA (2023) | Official Trailer - Olga Kurylenko, Peter Franzén, Clive Standen, Lucy Martin

 Anyone see this\? I heard it was bad but I still want to see it. Boudica - Wikipedia

Centurion trailer 2010

 My son got me a book on Roman Britain for Christmas and so I fancied watching this again and Susan had not seen it. I like it. Olga Kurylenko steals the show as a mute Pict. Centurion (film) - Wikipedia

Filming began towards the end of February 2009.^[6] Filming locations included the Scottish locations Badenoch, Strathspey,^[4] and Glenfeshie Estate in the Cairngorms. Filming also took place at Ealing Studios in London and in Surrey locations,^[7] such as Alice Holt Forest and Hurtwood Forest in the Surrey Hills.^[8] Historical re-enactment groups were enlisted to play Britions and Roman soldiers in the practical filming at Badenoch and Strathspey.^[4] Filming was completed in March, after seven weeks.^[9][10] Production design was by Simon Bowles, with art direction by Jason Knox-Johnston. The sets were built by DRS Construction.^[11]

Angus MacBride British chariot

 Pinterest

Warrior Women: Boudica

 My son and myself were in this. Great fun.

Roman Britain a new history

 My son gave me this. Below is an image of an Iron Age warrior I did through AI.

Hillforts of England and Wales

 This is a good little book.