The tribe, Catuvellauni, from which our name derives ruled in Britain from before Julius Caesar's time and onward until Rome's collapse in 476 C.E. It was during Caesar's exploration of Britain that the tribe first comes into focus, led by the
power hungry king Cassivellaunos.

Cassivellaunos ('Lover of BloodshedWar' or 'Lover of Belinos') sought to control of Britain in absolute power. But being informed by Gaulish spys of Caesar's arrival Cassivellaunos sent over 10,000 men to stop and try to destroy the Romans while they march inland into Britain. On Caesar's march inland Cassivellaunos' warriors attacked by chariot and hit-and-run tactics, slaughtering countless Romans, nearly making Caesar's trip a failure until Caesar and his men reached a small crossing at the Tamesis (Thames) or 'Tafwys' (in Welsh). At this point, only a narrow, muddy, waist high level spot could give the Celts access over the river in a matter of minutes, this was Cassivellaunos' plan to withdraw his major army, leaving only 4,000 chariots to harass and pursue the confused and shocked Romans.

The point of Cassivellaunos' reduction of his army was across the Tafwys was to the north of what is now London, but another matter complicated the Britons' success, another British tribe: The Trinovantes (from Essex and Middlesex, beyond the Lea river to the Stour rivers.

The Trinovantes ('Three New Tribes') sought to place their king, Mandubrados (Black-Traitor) in charge of Britain's throne and get rid of Cassivellaunos and his tyranny once and for all, it was the Trinovantes who contacted Caesar for help in their placing of Mandubrados on the throne in the first place.

A Modern Welsh term for a traitor or backstaber descends from Mandubrados' name: Du Bradwr, and following is the reason why. Once Cassivellaunos had secured most of Britain from Caesar's bumbling and awkward army (this mission was a disater for Caesar and nearly his reputation), the Trinovantes moved in on their fellow britons seeking revenge. Reinforced by several smaller dependant tribes: Cenimagni, Segontiaci, Ancalites, Bibroci and the Cassi, the Trinovantes routed Caesar and his own armies towards the Catuvellauni's hillfort or oppida to lay seige to the tribe. Whilst Caesar and his British allies were laying seige to his hillfort or 'dunon' or 'duros', Cassivellaunos ordered three kings of the Cantiaci tribe (in modern day Kent) to assault Caesar's oceanside camp and his battered ships to try to put a stop to Caesar and strand him and his army on Britain. But this failed when the tribe was driven back and one of their leaders captured by the Romans, and once Cassivellaunos heard the news, he stopped the seige and asked for peace from Caesar and all by means of Commios the Atrebatian Gaul.

Caesar ordered hostages to be traded over and that Cassivellaunos and his Catuvellauni to not bother Mandubratos and the Trinovantes confederation. One of the most famous kings ruled over the Catuvellauni as well, his name is handed down to Shakespear and a play called 'Cymbeline'. Cunobelinos was his name, 'meaning 'Hound of Belinos' and is still used in modern Brythonic: in Cornish 'Cynvelyn' and in Welsh 'Cynfelyn.' Cunobelinoes was the son a local, powerful ruler of the Catuvellauni, TasciovanosTasciovans whose
location of power was at Verlamion. Since the dire treachery of the Trinovantes the Catuvellauni were likely very angry; they could not openly challenge the Trinovantes or Rome would be called to step in, and the throne of High king was now out of reach. Cunobelinos made the hillfort, Camulodunon the new center of his realm and ruled in harmony with not only his people but the surrounding tribes as well, earning a good reputation that lasted from Shakespearian England and onwards.

*Catu-s & *Bellaunos both mean, "Warriors of Battle" and in later times (to this very day!)is: Welsh 'Cadwallon' or 'Caswallon' or in Cornish 'Casvel' or 'Casvallon.' Stay tuned for more information on our tribe.

Gans Oll Ow Honen!
gans Awenek Caswallon Barth an Enys an Re Gallosek ha Try Enys Ogas!