Well, after much deliberation, and god only knows how much money in international phone calls, I think we've thrashed out a long ranging and far reaching storyline for the main time period at The Barbarian Queen, folks. We'll be creating a fictional storyline, but it will be intertwined with events that really happened, and using characters that actually existed, as well as fictional ones. Obviously, we have to bend a few rules of history, for instance, Gwalchmai was NOT the Decurion of Camulodunum, nor was Miranda the Matrona of Verulamium, and Aonghais wasn't Speculator of Verulamium, either. Hopefully though, we can weave our plots and stories without making things too far fetched.

Ok, the plan goes something like this:

The year is 81AD, Agricola is in the north, campaigning against the northern Celtic and Pictish tribes, following the Flavian policy of conquering the whole island. In the south, Javolenus Priscus, a Juridicus (who holds command while the Governor is away) is in the process of instituting the set of political and administrative codes and policies that will hold forth until the end of Roman rule in Britain. Things are looking good for the future of the province. The lowlands and the south are now fully committed to the Roman way of life, and it is not uncommon to see Toga wearing nobles and aristocratic native Britons that have been granted Roman citizenship. The children of these nobles and wealthy landowners and merchants are being taught to read and write both greek and latin, these children will be the men who drive the province forward into the second century by bearing the cost of public building and entertainments, the second part of the Flavian policy.

Enter our fictional aspect.

Corvinus is Legatus of Legio IX Hispana, which is heading up the east coast of the island with Agricola. Unfortunately, Corvinus has stayed behind while he recovers from some illness or other. Or at least that is his excuse. In reality, the man is busily seeking the ears of the leading British nobles and the Decurions of the city states and towns of the south. He is spreading the rumour that Agricola has gone north under the pretence of pacifying the island, when in fact his real objective is to win over the northern tribes to his side, so that he can sweep down on the south, and smash the remaining Auxillia and Alae left to guard the province, and in doing so make for himself his own kingdom. Corvinus knows this is a lie, for it is he himself would would be king, and seeks to gain the manpower and support of the city states and their leaders. Not all of whom trust or believe him. He has spoken of his fears for Agricola's duplicity to the Emperor Domitian himself, who keeps a wary on on his northern province, but for the moment waits to see how things turn out, nursing his distrust and resentment of the unknowing Agricola.

Corvinus is a patient man. His plans for discrediting and disposing of his commander and governor will take several years to come to fruition, but in the meantime, while Agricola immerses himself in campaigns both warlike and civil, he himself will spend his time gaining the trust of the nobles of the south, the auxilliary battalions stationed in the province, key leaders among his own and the other Legions, and more importantly, consolidating his postition with the Emperor. Along the way, there will be several battles, usually disguised as rebellions by some of the more recently conquered peoples, never comiting Roman units to a major confrontation until the time is right.

The years roll by, and while Corvinus' plot, to himself, seems almost run, an unexpected twist will ruin everything for him. Domitian takes a hand in 84AD, suddenly recalling Agricola, giving no real reason. The General is fated to disappear into obscurity. meanwhile, Corvinus, preening himself for what he believes is the inevitable, has his goal snatched from him at the end. Domitian overlooks him for the post of Governor. Clearly, all these years he has worked for his own ends, one or some of the native leaders have played him. Miranda is a childhood friend of Domitian, perhaps it was her, perhaps she was passing along Corvinus' plans straight to the man he thought he could manipulate.

As to his fate... Well... That remains to be seen.


There are lots of opportunities with this scenario. If your thing is politics and intrigue, or war and strategy, or everyday life, it's all here. Fight with Agricola in the north, or manouver for position as one of Corvinus' men, perhaps you are a native city magistrate or noble, either helping or hindering the plot. There again, you could be a craftsman, making your money in the rebuilding of the cities......Or a young student, following the histories of the Empire.....Or a merchant, gaining your wealth in the ever enlarging London......Or an auxilliary leader....The choice is yours......


Questions/comments? Post them here, or contact myself or Miranda and we'll answer you as soon as we can.