The Roman Invasion of Anglesey

Mr Brian Perrett                      25 February 2013

 

Anglesey was the edge of the world – the last stronghold of the druids who were hated by the Romans – but also good agricultural land and a source of rich copper deposits.

Suetonius Paulinus was in charge of the invasion and they crossed the straits in flat bottomed boats from Caernarvon harbour. They chose a moonless night and slack water  – the crossing taking eight minutes, but the Celts had been warned by the mainland welsh and were massed on the shore screaming and shouting. The Celts ran out of ammunition against the organised army and were overcome by the Romans who slaughtered the Druids and destroyed the sacred groves. Indications of the horror are the place names Field of Bitter Lamentation and Field of the Long Battle.

Suetonius was recalled to deal with a revolt in East Anglia and years later Agricola recaptured Anglesey, crossing near Beaumaris and defeating the enemy without a fight