Last edited Tue Jun 24, 2014, 06:59 AM - Edit history (1)
There are three things that I'd add to these:
First, when the Romans invaded Britain, 1/3 of the tribal chiefs for whom we know their names were women, so it seems likely that women really did wield power pretty frequently.
Second, Tacitus wrote about the Roman attack on Mona, which is modern day Anglesey, and which is where the center of Druid administration was. When the Romans landed on the island, this happened:
with women flitting between the ranks. In the style of Furies, in robes of deathly black and with dishevelled hair, they brandished their torches; while a circle of Druids, lifting their hands to heaven and showering imprecations, struck the troops with such an awe at the extraordinary spectacle that, as though their limbs were paralysed, they exposed their bodies to wounds without an attempt at movement. Then, reassured by their general, and inciting each other never to flinch before a band of females and fanatics, they charged behind the standards, cut down all who met them, and enveloped the enemy in his own flames
Tacitus assumed that the women were not priests, but there is really no reason for him to have made that assumption.
And third, the rape of Boudicca's daughters while she was forced to watch was a very deliberate act to tell her that the Romans would not tolerate this Celtic custom of having women rule tribes and get in the Romans' way. ETA: And it wasn't just Boudicca that was forced to watch. It was the whole tribe. It was meant as an insult to the whole tribe.
These are terrific sources you found here.
= new reply since forum marked as read