The current Civitas was created on the death of King Cogidunus, when three civitae were created [Noviomagus Regnensium, Calleva Atrebatum and Venta Belgarum]. Prior to this the, proud Belgae had fought the Romans both in Gaul (France) and in Britain, and had suffered harshly in defeat, with the eastern lands falling under the client king Cogidunus, a descendant of Tincommius who’s kingdom was split by the rebellion of his brother Eppilus. On the death of Cogidunus, with the new Civitas being created, a certain amount of reconciliation occurred, and Belgae pride was partly restored. Many Belgae moved back into this land, to take advantage of the higher status so achieved.
The proud Belgae see the end of the Roman Empire in the West as their chance to recoup ancient glory, and the search is on for a new King, of ancient Belgae Royal Blood to rule them, and take them to greatness. In the meantime the city is run by a Roman, with the title Praetor.
The Brigantes are proud to be the largest and most powerful Tribe in Britain. So large a Kingdom that at times they were divided in their attitudes to Rome, yet even with half of the Kingdom at peace, the other half managed to cause Rome much trouble for many, many years.
Queen Cartimandua represents the legendary ideal of the Eastern half of the Tribe, her Rome-friendly stance has lead to the establishment of the Civitas at Isurium. Meanwhile her consort, Venutius represents the Western half of the Tribe, hostile to Rome, leading to strings of Roman forts across the Pennines.
A King who can command even half of this great manpower resource will be powerful indeed, elsewhere the kingdom will be the epitome of a Brigand kingdom, being the very source of the name Brigand!
First ‘Kingdom’ to be allowed to operate as a Civitas in Britain, the kingdom was formed from various smaller Kingdoms, and a part of the large Belgae tribe. This enabled rapid Romanisation.
Currently the people of this region are heavily dependant upon the Comes Litoris Saxionicae for defence from the marauding Saxon pirates. They have also employed foreign mercenaries to bolster their defenses. Little wish to re-establish this as a kingdom can be detected.
The people of the Catuvellani, also called the Catuvellauni, eagerly welcomed the Romans when they came, and Christianity likewise. King Adminius, son of Cunobelin, is the Legendary ideal. The people prospered under the Romans, and their city (a Civitas ) is already being called St.Albans by many, after a local saint. Others prefer the older name, Verlamion. The current King is Verulus, Rex Catuvellani.
The kingdom remains prosperous, and civilized, and
its citizens are afraid now that Rome no longer stands in defence.
Ratae, the capital, is so called because of its bank of ramparts. After the tribe welcomed the Romans as conquerors of the Belgae tyrants, the city was chosen as a site for a Roman fort, and the city prospered and grew and became more Roman.
Now it is a prosperous Roman town, and the people have no appetite for a Coritanian King.
However the tribe has wilder territory, where Rome and Christ are denied, and a Coritanian King is said to exist.
Long occupied by the Romans, this area was the base for
Roman operations against the Ordovices. When
that war was settled the area reverted to civilian rule, and Virconium became
the capital. It prospered from its
position, trading on the edge of the Empire.
Never fully Romanised, this land harks back to days of pre-Roman glory with a fair degree of exaggeration. A King of the Cornovii might exist, and find favour and support amongst the people.
The people of the Demetae long survived outside of Roman Britain, watching the Silures fighting for many years. When the Silures were defeated the Demetae resolved to accept Roman rule. They were rewarded with peaceful incorporation into the Empire.
The Demetae have little love for Rome, or their Cymric neighbours. A King of Demetae Royal Blood might find them supportive of him, but should not expect fanatical energy and devotion to the idea of conquest.
King Corio welcomed the Romans into Britain, and as a reward was given support in driving the Dubunni out of his Kingdom. A roman fortress near his ancient capital, called Corinium in his honour, grew to surpass this capital, and later became the tribal capital. Indeed the town did so well it became a City, and capital of the roman province of Britannia Prima, one of five sub-divisions of Britain under the Romans.
Thus the people of this tribe have little regard for the institution of King of the Dubunni, and more for the Roman institutions of Praetor, Comes Brittanicus and Vicarius.
When this tribe rose up in revolt against Rome in support of the Dumnonii, the result was brutal suppression and division. Lindiniensis and Durnovaria became the two centers of these new divisions.
The result of division is two minor states, unification of which might result in a rebirth of pride.
The Dumnonii have never had a strong central authority, and this was both a boon and a problem for the Romans. Boon because the individually warlike Dumnonii were not united against them, problem because they were unable to establish a puppet kingdom.
Isca Dumnoniorum was established to defend the rest of Britain from raids from this part of Britain, and to gradually coax the tribesmen into peaceful acceptance of Rome. Only now, with the collapse of the Empire of Rome has this plan worked, and powerful claimants, and acceptance of the idea of, a King of the Dumnonii emerged.
The current King of the Dumnonii is Gwarddur.
The Iceni, under King Antedios, welcomed the Romans when they came, and became allied to them, against the Catuvellani with whom they had long standing warfare. However he misunderstood his alliance, and attempted rebellion, and was removed as King by Rome, and replaced with his brother-in-law Prasutagus, who was very pro-Roman.
When Prasutagus died, his widow, Boudicca, sister of Antedios, raised the tribe in revolt, and burnt Londinium, and other important centers of Roman occupation. The rebellion was brutally crushed and the Iceni have hardly recovered, relying upon the Comes Litoris Saxionicae for defense.
The Ordovices .remain wild and free in the mountains of the homeland. They are said to acknowledge as King only a man of sufficient power to command their united respect, and savagely destroy any who dare trespass. This respect is represented as a legendary magical crown.
The Romans kept them relatively quiet with a war of attrition, and well placed forts to pen them in. Without these they are free to roam, but although unequalled in mountain warfare are weak in the open.
The Parisi welcomed the Romans when they moved North, as they had long suffered from Brigantes aggression. They are now fearful and will welcome almost any strong defender against Saxons and the Brigantes. The current king is Magnunus.
King Verica was an old man when the Romans came, and he welcomed them for they saved his kingdom from destruction. Upon his death the kingship fell to Cogidubnus, and lapsed thereafter.
The citizens of the Regninses tribe might be expected to support any stabilizing force, or strong leader in these days of trouble.
The Silures fought the Romans under Caratacus, and continued long after his defeat, using the hilly terrain of their lands to full advantage. After conquest and long military occupation the area reverted to civilian authority, and the settlement of Venta became the capital.
In fact the Silures still cling to the hills and dream of killing Romans, while the City is occupied by the descendants of the Roman occupation. A Silures King may indeed exist, yet only a foolish one would initiate aggressive policies.
King Eppillus continued to rule the Trebates, despite the rebellion of his brother Tincommius, who held sway over the Southern Trebates. During the Roman conquest the Trebates welcomed them, as saviours from Catuvellani aggression. Cogidudnus, a descendant of Eppillus became a major client king of the Romans.
The people of the Trinovantes suffered under the Roman occupation, and then again during the revolt of the Iceni, under Boudicca. The City of Camulodunum is one of the largest in Britain, and was settled largely by veterans of the Roman Army. The city is under the jurisdiction of the Comes Litoris Saxionicae.
Thus although a land with strong potentials, little appetite exists for recognition of a King of ancient Trinovantes blood.