CELTIC BRITAIN - Catuvellauni -Tasciovanos

The Catuvellauni, 'men good in battle': were one of the two main tribes north of the Thames, concentrated in Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. They were probably the most powerful tribe in Britain when their king, Cassivellaunos, commanded the British coalition against Caesar in 54 B.C. Caesar stormed his stronghold, probably near Wheathampstead, resulting in a stalemate between the two sides.

Tasciovanus came from the north-east of Cassivellaunus’ area. He was the contemporary of Addedomaros, ruler of the Trinovantes circa 25 - 5 BC, to whom he may have been related. Equally, he may have been a descendant of Cassivellaunos. When he gained power, he lost no time in seizing a slice of the Trinovantian kingdom. He made his capital at the newly settled town of Verulamium (St Albans).

Shortly after acceding to his throne, circa 25 BC, Addedomaros moved his capital from Braughing to Camulodunum (Colchester), out of reach of the Catuvellauni. He may have been succeeded by Dubnovellaunus, a chieftain who is thought to have ruled over an area of north-east Kent before being ousted by Eppillus, a son of Commius, some time around AD 1. However, there is some evidence that Tasciovanus ruled at Camulodunum first. The rule of Dubnovellaunus was shortlived; he was removed within a decade by Cunobelin, a self-declared son of Tasciovanus, and by the year 7 A.D., fled to seek refuge at Rome.