I heard/read an alternative in the last few days in the new Northants book. The new theory was that Paulinus sped to London by boat. Then presumably having made his assessment legged it north to join his legions who were moving southward along Watling Street. Not a theory that had occurred to me before but interesting and less saddle sore. In order to take on Mona he must have had some good floatie boatie stuff at his disposal and it puts a spanner in the timeline stuff.
"Dio states that he sailed from Mona, which may explain how he got to Londinium safely when most of the surrounding area was ravaged by Boudicca's forces." The Battles and Battlefields of Northamptonshire Ingram & Evans. 2020.
"Now it chanced that Paulinus had already brought Mona to terms, and so on learning of the disaster in Britain he at once set sail thither from Mona. " Cassius Dio Epitome of Book LXII 8
Seems odd we haven't discussed this before .... any thoughts on Roman naval speed around the south coast?
240 mile march or 680 mile sail to London ????
6 knots = 7 mph = 4 days sailing to London?
Legion 18 miles per day = 13 days to London?
horseback 40 miles per day = 6 days to London (Cavalry Dash)?
Dio and his boat is starting to look plausible to me....
London to Church Stowe on horse 64 miles = 1 day full tilt. = 5 days total including the 4 day sailing option
Mona to Church Stowe at Legion pace = 180/18 = 10 days for legion
Mona to Church Stowe at Cavalry pace = 180/40 =4.5 days
So cavalry from Mona and Paulinus from London via Boat and fast horse to Church Stowe= same timeline.....
"Dio states that he sailed from Mona, which may explain how he got to Londinium safely when most of the surrounding area was ravaged by Boudicca's forces." The Battles and Battlefields of Northamptonshire Ingram & Evans. 2020.
"Now it chanced that Paulinus had already brought Mona to terms, and so on learning of the disaster in Britain he at once set sail thither from Mona. " Cassius Dio Epitome of Book LXII 8
Seems odd we haven't discussed this before .... any thoughts on Roman naval speed around the south coast?
240 mile march or 680 mile sail to London ????
6 knots = 7 mph = 4 days sailing to London?
Legion 18 miles per day = 13 days to London?
horseback 40 miles per day = 6 days to London (Cavalry Dash)?
Dio and his boat is starting to look plausible to me....
London to Church Stowe on horse 64 miles = 1 day full tilt. = 5 days total including the 4 day sailing option
Mona to Church Stowe at Legion pace = 180/18 = 10 days for legion
Mona to Church Stowe at Cavalry pace = 180/40 =4.5 days
So cavalry from Mona and Paulinus from London via Boat and fast horse to Church Stowe= same timeline.....
