Boudica was the Celtic warrior queen, most known for leading a rebellion against the Romans. She was one of the first individuals documented in British history, and her legacy inspired hundreds of feminist campaigners. Boudica was a member of the Iceni tribe, yet Romans used the death of her husband, King Prasutagus, to steal land from the Iceni whilst stripping Boudica of her queenship. Boudica and the Iceni revolted against such Roman brutalities by starting a revolt in 61AD; her main motives were the revenge she sought for cruel acts such as the rape of her daughters, and the enslavement of her family members. Although the rebellion ended in her death, Boudica’s legacy stood the test of time, and she can be labelled as a pivotal figure of feminist resistance.
Boudica’s strong legacy is proven by the parallels drawn between herself and Queen Elizabeth I who successfully lead Britain to Armada success. Using the image of Boudica proved useful for Elizabeth to portray herself as a stark ruler whose gender had no impact on her ruling ability. Much later down the line, Boudica’s legacy had a strong presence in the Victorian era. She was perceived as a valiant fighter of oppression, and a statue of her and her daughters was commissioned in the 1850s. The statue can be seen today at Westminster Bridge, and it depicts Boudica as a warrior queen leading her army into battle. Victorian citizens drew parallels between Boudica and Queen Victoria, both in their parenting and leadership styles. The fact Boudica’s legacy was used to strengthen the rule of two British Queens emphasises the extent to which she was – and still is – hailed a symbol of female power.
Boudica’s legacy extended into 20th century suffrage movements, where she became an emblem of protest movements and the right to rebel. During this period she featured in banners, plays, and many works of art. The Boudica statue commissioned in the 1850s was put on public display in 1902, and became a widely recognised expression of female power due to its location outside the Houses of Parliament. Many suffragettes attempted to replicate Boudica’s persona, and there are similarities between the fierce approaches of Boudica and Christabel Pankhurst who famously stated “we are fighting for a revolution”. Yet alongside being an inspiration for militant suffragettes, peaceful protesters were also inspired by Boudica, and her name and face featured on banners and posters. Boudica’s legacy still lives on today, and she is a pioneer of the fight against gender inequality.