Calling all armchair generals! Boudica's Last Stand.

[Nathan Ross]

Tacitus writes (open to interpretation):

He chose a position approached by a narrow defile…

I really hoped we'd got to the bottom of the defile after all this time!

This literal translation by Michael clears things up - there was only one 'defile', the Romans were in it, the plain was in front of it and the woods behind it.

I don't know where this 'tongue' idea comes from! I did suggest 'throat' as a simile for defile a while ago. 'Straits' / 'narrows' / 'jaws' might work, but sound less like terrain features.

the difficulties Boudicca must have faced trying to keep her 'army' in the field and united during the campaign... The blood rush of the chasers when they think you are running away to escape them takes over their caution, and they don't realize you are taking them to a place of your choice.

I think you've answered your own point there! I've said before that command and cohesion might have been an issue in the rebel army. The problems would increase with every day they spent on the road. This 'chasing' idea is basically the same thing as the 'parade' that John kept going on about.

The prospect of fighting a battle with a disciplined Roman force - rather than attacking and plundering a tempting target like London or Colchester - is not likely to have the Britons eagerly marching across the countryside for days on end, particularly not with their families in tow...