11-07-2012, 12:30 AM
Vindex wrote:
I think perhaps if you were to consider the immediate ground rather than just the water you could perhaps see why there are those of us (Tacitus apart) who have a problem with a river in the equation.
Chalky ground may not get quite as boggy as more clayey ground; you are not, for example, going to disappear up to your knees in wet chalky ground, but it presents its own problems of footing and being able to walk on it unencumbered by arms and armour; not to mention horses, wagons etc etc etc.
Wet chalky ground churns up very quickly and the numbers we are looking at for this particular battle would soon make it virtually unpassable.
Why would any General choose a site which gave him an avoidable hazard unless it was entirely in his favour?
Amongst all the theory and debate, one should bear in mind the practicalities.
If only you did......
ad:
Could you please explain why this site is not in SP's favour as you consistently say?
What is the disadvantage for him?
If the river was shallow which it would be in the summer and still is most years even now, the land nearest the river would be dry. The few feet nearest the river might get churned up when the Brythons crossed but the Roman Army would have been drawn up 300 yards away. The main battle site would have been dry.
The disadvantage was always with Boudica and her army and especially in defeat.
Kind Regards - Deryk
I think perhaps if you were to consider the immediate ground rather than just the water you could perhaps see why there are those of us (Tacitus apart) who have a problem with a river in the equation.
Chalky ground may not get quite as boggy as more clayey ground; you are not, for example, going to disappear up to your knees in wet chalky ground, but it presents its own problems of footing and being able to walk on it unencumbered by arms and armour; not to mention horses, wagons etc etc etc.
Wet chalky ground churns up very quickly and the numbers we are looking at for this particular battle would soon make it virtually unpassable.
Why would any General choose a site which gave him an avoidable hazard unless it was entirely in his favour?
Amongst all the theory and debate, one should bear in mind the practicalities.
If only you did......
ad:Could you please explain why this site is not in SP's favour as you consistently say?
What is the disadvantage for him?
If the river was shallow which it would be in the summer and still is most years even now, the land nearest the river would be dry. The few feet nearest the river might get churned up when the Brythons crossed but the Roman Army would have been drawn up 300 yards away. The main battle site would have been dry.
The disadvantage was always with Boudica and her army and especially in defeat.
Kind Regards - Deryk
Deryk
