Of Boudicca and Tourism
The past few days have been taken over by working on the bulk of our research projects. We have been tucked away in one of the classrooms at Hyde Park Chapel. In the morning we generally will have a more formal lecture but come afternoon, we are brainstorming ideas on how to create our experiments. We have been running over and generally spend 4-6 hours a day in discussions. The first two weeks of the program are structured this way because we are working against a deadline to get our experiments sent off for official approval. In between discussion sessions the other day, we took a moment to head to Westminster to see the statue of an ancient Queen who rebelled against the Romans.
Boudicca is a British folk hero. According to history, she was the queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe (a name given to the tribe by the occupying Romans). Her husband ruled pretty independently as an ally to the Romans, but when he died they didn't listen to his will which gave the kingdom to his daughters and advisor. Boudicca was whipped and her daughters raped after everything was taken from them. Not long after, a roman governor began campaigning to take over the Isle of Anglesey. Boudicca rallied the Iceni and led a revolt against the campaign. They destroyed multiple strongholds, and eventually took Londiunui (what is now London). The war came to a head at the battle known as the Battle of Watling Street where the Britons were defeated. Not long after the battle, Boudicca died, with myth saying she poisoned herself to avoid capture. In modern-day London, among the bustle of government workers, businessmen and tourists, a statue to her legacy stands on the north side of Westminster bridge, across from Big Ben. Unless you know what it is, it doesn't seem very significant. In fact, most visitors are more interested in the view of the Eye of London across the Thames or are distracted by the souvenir shack that is up for business right at its base.
Just up the road from the Boudicca monument is Parliament Square. Various statues that celebrate great people in history, such as Churchill, Lloyd George, even Abraham Lincoln stand facing parliament. Recently a very historic statue became the newest addition to the square. A statue of Millicent Faucett, one of the leading suffragettes who helped give women the vote at the turn of the 20th century, became the first woman to join the many men. The statue was also designed by a woman. An ode to feminism, Faucett is holding a banner that says "Courage calls to courage everywhere." It was awe-inspiring to see, and a great pick me up in between classes. It has been interesting to see how there are hidden gems in London that many visitors overlook. It's been fun to see a different side of this amazing city. There is so much history here, thousands of years worth, and it all comes together in a kaleidoscope of ages.
I think that the Boudicca statue and the legend itself reflects the way that the UK has viewed itself in the past. The British identity is very proud, especially in the modern day, of being able to stand up to an enemy, or bullies. Boudicca did just that, she stood against a great power that threatened her and her people and she won! This would turn out to be an instrupental part of creating the British identity, or what we know it to be today.
Slightly east of Parliament Square lies 10 Downing Street, the equivalent to the American Whitehouse. This is the residence and office of the Prime Minister. There's not much to see though because the huge War Ministry building is right next to it and the narrow road leading to the front door is blocked off by a large iron fence, complete with police to guard it. Unlike the White House, it isn't anything particularly spectacular as it isn't as out in the open and there isn't much to see. Our group seemed rather disappointed at the lack of grandeur.
After a very long day in the classroom, my friend and I ventured to go shopping and grab "tea." We found a Lebanese restaurant that had some of the best food I've ever had. We also met two very nice women who gave us a list of affordable places to eat around Kensington (which has been expensive). After window shopping, we ventured home and learned that late at night it's better to trust the bus system than the trains. All in all, it was another successful adventurous day.
The Stark differences between the "real" Boudicca and what tourists see.
Boudicca is a British folk hero. According to history, she was the queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe (a name given to the tribe by the occupying Romans). Her husband ruled pretty independently as an ally to the Romans, but when he died they didn't listen to his will which gave the kingdom to his daughters and advisor. Boudicca was whipped and her daughters raped after everything was taken from them. Not long after, a roman governor began campaigning to take over the Isle of Anglesey. Boudicca rallied the Iceni and led a revolt against the campaign. They destroyed multiple strongholds, and eventually took Londiunui (what is now London). The war came to a head at the battle known as the Battle of Watling Street where the Britons were defeated. Not long after the battle, Boudicca died, with myth saying she poisoned herself to avoid capture. In modern-day London, among the bustle of government workers, businessmen and tourists, a statue to her legacy stands on the north side of Westminster bridge, across from Big Ben. Unless you know what it is, it doesn't seem very significant. In fact, most visitors are more interested in the view of the Eye of London across the Thames or are distracted by the souvenir shack that is up for business right at its base.
Just up the road from the Boudicca monument is Parliament Square. Various statues that celebrate great people in history, such as Churchill, Lloyd George, even Abraham Lincoln stand facing parliament. Recently a very historic statue became the newest addition to the square. A statue of Millicent Faucett, one of the leading suffragettes who helped give women the vote at the turn of the 20th century, became the first woman to join the many men. The statue was also designed by a woman. An ode to feminism, Faucett is holding a banner that says "Courage calls to courage everywhere." It was awe-inspiring to see, and a great pick me up in between classes. It has been interesting to see how there are hidden gems in London that many visitors overlook. It's been fun to see a different side of this amazing city. There is so much history here, thousands of years worth, and it all comes together in a kaleidoscope of ages.
I think that the Boudicca statue and the legend itself reflects the way that the UK has viewed itself in the past. The British identity is very proud, especially in the modern day, of being able to stand up to an enemy, or bullies. Boudicca did just that, she stood against a great power that threatened her and her people and she won! This would turn out to be an instrupental part of creating the British identity, or what we know it to be today.
Slightly east of Parliament Square lies 10 Downing Street, the equivalent to the American Whitehouse. This is the residence and office of the Prime Minister. There's not much to see though because the huge War Ministry building is right next to it and the narrow road leading to the front door is blocked off by a large iron fence, complete with police to guard it. Unlike the White House, it isn't anything particularly spectacular as it isn't as out in the open and there isn't much to see. Our group seemed rather disappointed at the lack of grandeur.
After a very long day in the classroom, my friend and I ventured to go shopping and grab "tea." We found a Lebanese restaurant that had some of the best food I've ever had. We also met two very nice women who gave us a list of affordable places to eat around Kensington (which has been expensive). After window shopping, we ventured home and learned that late at night it's better to trust the bus system than the trains. All in all, it was another successful adventurous day.
The Stark differences between the "real" Boudicca and what tourists see.
Big Ben under construction. The famous bell is not currently ringing, and the famous tower can't be seen throughs scaffolding.
The iconic London Eye from the Boudicca statue.
The infamous British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.
The brand new statue of Millicent Faucett.
A monument remembering the women who fought in World War Two.
The dinner my friend and I found.
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