Beric the Briton : a Story of the Roman InvasionHenty, G. A. (George Alfred)
History
Beric the Briton : a Story of the Roman Invasion
Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)
Britons -- Fiction; Great Britain -- History -- Roman period, 55 B.C.-449 A.D. -- Fiction; Historical fiction
"These arguments had weight with the emperor, who, as you see, has
been pleased to appoint me governor of the province that my people
occupied, together with that adjoining on the south, formerly belonging
to the Trinobantes, and on the north occupied by a portion of the
Brigantes."
"I think the emperor has done well, and I look for great results
from your appointment, Beric. I am convinced that it is the best
policy to content a conquered people by placing over them men of
their own race and tongue, instead of filling every post by strangers
who are ignorant of their ways and customs, and whose presence
and dress constantly remind them that they are governed by their
conquerors. Where do you think of establishing yourself--at
Camalodunum?"
"No. Camalodunum is a Roman town; the people would not so freely
come to me there to arbitrate in their disputes. I shall fix it
at Norwich, which lies midway between Camalodunum and the northern
boundary of the province, and through which, as I hear, one of your
roads has now been made."
After staying three days in London as the guest of Celsius, Beric
started for the seat of his government, attended by his own bodyguard
and a centurion with a company of Roman soldiers. The news that a
British governor had been appointed to the province spread rapidly,
and at Verulamium, where he stopped for two days, crowds of the
country people assembled and greeted him with shouts of welcome.
Beric assured them that he had been sent by the emperor Galba,
who desired to see peace and contentment reign in Britain, and had
therefore appointed a countryman of their own as governor of their
province, and that, though he should make Norwich the place of his
government, he should journey about throughout the country, listen
to all complaints and grievances, and administer justice against
offenders, whatever their rank and station.
Above all he exhorted them to tranquillity and obedience. "Rome
wishes you well," he said, "and would fain see you as contented
beneath her sway as is Gaul, and as are the other countries she
has conquered and occupied. We form part of the Roman Empire now,
that is as fixed and irrevocable as the rising and setting of the
sun. To struggle against Rome is as great a folly as for an infant
to wrestle with a giant. But once forming a part of the empire we
shall share in its greatness. Towns will rise over the land and
wealth increase, and all will benefit by the civilization that Rome
will bring to us."
He addressed similar speeches to the people at each halting
place, and was everywhere applauded, for the Trinobantes had felt
most heavily the power of Rome, and all thought of resistance had
faded out since the terrible slaughter that followed the defeat of
Boadicea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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