AD43

In 43 AD, Claudius mounts an invasion force to reinstate Verica, an exiled king of the Atrebates.  Aulus Plautius, a distinguished senator, is given overall charge of four legions, totalling about 20,000 men, plus about the same number of auxiliaries. The legions were:  Legio II Augusta, Legio IX Hispana, Legio XIV Gemina, Legio XX Valeria Victrix

The II Augusta is commanded by the future emperor Vespasian.

The main invasion force under Aulus Plautius crosses in three divisions. The port of departure is Boulogne, and the main landing at Rutupiae. 

British resistance was led by Togodumnus and Caratacus, sons of the late king of the Catuvellauni, Cunobelinus. A substantial British force met the Romans at a river crossing on the River Medway. The battle raged for two days.  A Cohort of Batavians and Leg II execute a flank maneuver on which the battle turns.

The British ware pushed back to the Thames. The Romans pursue them across the river causing them to lose men in the marshes of Essex. At least one cohort of auxiliary Batavian troops under the command of Gaius Calvus (formerly a Primi Ordines of Leg II) swam across the river as a separate force.

Togodumnus died shortly after the battle on the Thames. Plautius halted and sent word for Claudius to join him for the final push. Cassius Dio presents this as Plautius needing the emperor's assistance to defeat the resurgent British, who were determined to avenge Togodumnus. However, Claudius was no military man. Claudius's arch says he received the surrender of eleven kings without any loss, and Suetonius says that Claudius received the surrender of the Britons without battle or bloodshed. The Catuvellauni were already as good as beaten, allowing the emperor to appear as conqueror on the final march on Camulodunum. The Romans established their new capital at Camulodunum and Claudius returned to Rome to celebrate his victory.  Caratacus escaped and would continue the resistance further west.

The new capital established, the Legions settled into camp for the coming winter.  A series of forts and fortlets were established to protect the supply lines leading to the legions.  During the course of winter, a series of guerilla actions by the rebels under Caratacus led to an unusual number of lost skirmishes involving weapons and armor being sent to the Legions to re-equip them.  Many of these weapons and armor have been turning up in the hands of the enemy… too many for it to be an accident.  Concerned with the success of the guerilla tactics and fearing betrayal within the ranks, Plautius appeals to the Emporer for a special envoy to investigate the possibility of treason.

The Emporer dispatches a former Legate of Leg XIIII who had participated in the invasion and subsequently returned to assume command of Gaul with the Emporer’s entourage after the Capture of Camulodunum.  Legatus Julianius is granted the title Protectores Augusti Nostri, and charged to find the traitors and eliminate them by any means necessary.  Dispatched to Brittania Julianus is perhaps the most powerful man in Brittania and Gaul.  Even Legate Plautius fears the power he now wields over his own Gallic Legions, and the Legions in Brittania.

On arrival at Rutupaie, Legatus Julianus is met at Rutapaie by the Lataclavian Tribune of the XIIII Legion,  Germanicus Flavius Maximos.  Appointing him Questionarius Tribunus,  Germanicus has been tasked to assist Julianus in his investigation. 

Century II, Coh I, Leg II under Primi Ordines Centurio Justus Rustius Longinus participated in all the summer battles, and was nearly decimated in the final assaults.  Tasked with selecting replacements for Leg II, they have been sent to Rutupaie for the winter.  It is an easy duty in a safe area, a reward for a job well done.  They are just settling into comfortable quarters when Julianus arrives.

Julianus decides the best thing to do is to visit the supply lines that have been attacked, and invokes his Imperium to demand an escort.  He selects the newly reconstituted Second Century and orders them to accompany him because, as Julius says, only the II Legion did not participate in the mutiny before the invasion, and only they can be trusted.  The rumors of a traitor selling weapons and armor to the Britons has spread throughout the army and trouble is brewing.  There are whispers and distrust.  Julianus begins his tour of the supply lines, sending out Tribune Germanicus Flavius Maximos as his emmissary, he meets with tribal leaders along the way.  These defeated Britons have an air of arrogance about them, and the men of the century trust none of them.

Finally Germanicus returns with information that excites the Legate.  Julianus announces that a Britannic Chieftan who has led many of the guerilla attacks will surrender to him personnally and provide the name of the Roman traitor.  They will meet at a small fortlet garrisoned by Batavian Auxiliaries under the command of a former Primi Ordines Centurio of Legio II currently serving as prefect of a distinguished Batavian Cohort, Centurio Gaius Calvus, the Same Centurio who led the Batavians in their attack on the North flank at the Medway, and who swam the river Thames.  His men have fought with the Sixth Century before, and the troops know and trust their commanders.  They faced iron and have shed blood together, and by their actions, the Battle of the Medway was won. 

They will meet near a little known crossroads that every military convoy must pass.  It is known as Lafe…