Ancalites

Ancalites refers to a Celtic tribe living in and around the Thames Valley area. There is little evidence for their ever having existed, beyond the writings of Julius Caesar's "De Bello Gallico" (The Gallic War)[1]. There is some small evidence that the Ancalites inhabited the area around Henley, Oxfordshire;[2], and the Wiltshire tourist board claim them amongst Wiltshire's own ethnic ancestry, which would significantly increase their territory, but without archeaological evidence, none of this can really be quantified.

Invasion and Surrender

Julius Caesar made his second invasion of Britannia in 54bc, although seen as a success, the Roman army only reached as far as modern day Greater London and did not really impose their authority. The Roman army had invaded on a pretext of offering aide to their ally, King Mandubracius of the Trinovantes, after King Cassivellaunus had deposed him. King Cassivellaunos of the Catuvellauni was the main opposition to Roman occupation, organising guerilla raids and open battles. This split the Thames Valley in two, as Caesar records.

Five emissaries arrived at the Roman camp with proposals of peace, though how much of a distinction the Romans made between peace and surrender is unclear. The Romans did demand hostages, this would ensure the loyalty of the tribes, but the Ancalites are recorded as providing none.

Julius Caesar notes the other tribes as Cenimagni (later identified with the Iceni), Segontiaci (identifiable with a Welsh tribe), Cassi (thought to be a rebel constituent of the Catuvellauni; which may have originally been named the Cassi) and the Bibroci, who are as yet unknown. These tribes all surrendered at the same time as the Ancalites, which displays the factionalism inherent in Celtic Britain.

Absorption

When the Romans left Britannia after defeating the Cattuvallauni around present Central London, the Ancalites would have found themselves without allies. Their homeland was on the border with Catevaullauni, Trinovantes and Atrebates' territories; arguably three of the most powerful Celtic kingdoms in Britain and it is highly likely that they were absorbed by one of them, probably the Cattuvellauni after Cassivellaunos great drive for exapansion after 55bc. After this time there is certainly no mention of them.

Name

The Ancalites' name is interesting and, like many other names, may shed light on them as a people. It possibly refers to the preferred type of defensive shield for the people of the south-east in particular, perhaps especially noticed in the emissaries of this tribe. Ancali refers to a small, round buckler.

See also

List of Celtic tribes