Reigned fl 60 BC-ca 48 BC “Catuvellauni and High King”

Caswallon or Cassivelaunos Catuvellaunt, fl 60-ca 48 BC. The earliest known historical British king, Caswallon (known to Romans as Cassivelaunos) was ruler of the Catuvellauni tribe who dominated the lands to the north of the Thames, and most of what is now Bedfordwhire, hertfordshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and into Wiltshire. His stronghold was at what is now Wheathamstead. We known nothing of Caswallon’s background, other than that he was alledgedly the son of Beli and brother of Lud. He was evidently a powerful warrior king able to establish himself as the high-king of the British tribes as, before Caesar’s invasion of Britain in 55 BC, Caswallon had already attacked the tribe of the Trinovantes in Essex and killed their king (see Imanuentius). Other, smaller tribes looked to Caswallon as their overlord and, more importantly, protector, as Caesar prepared for his invasion. It is recorded that Caswallon had an army of over 4,000 charioteers let along infantry. Even these, though, were no match for the Romans. After a series of battles and sorties, the British were forced into an encampment guarded by stakes along the north side of the Thames. Realising the strength of the Roman armyu. Caswallon negotiated with Caesar via Commius. Caesar succeeded in exacting tribute and hostages, and returned to Gaul, fearing an uprising of the Gallic tribes. The fact that Caesar was unable to conquer Britain outright says something for the power and determination of the British tribes and of Caswallon as leader. We do not know how much longer Caswallon remained in power. Evidence suggests that he continued to expand his influence during the next ten or twenty years. At some stage around 50 or 45 BC he was succeeded by his son Andoco with whom he perhaps showed part of his territory, and subsequently by Tasciovanus, who may have been his son or nephew.540