What weapons did Boudicca use to fight?

Answer 1

The main weaponry used by the Celtic armies during Boudicca's rebellion were heavy double-sided swords, bows & arrows, daggers, spears, sling-shots, and a form of metal-tipped javelin. Flaming barrels of tar were also used to set fire to buildings, being ignited and then rolled into Roman military structures; also battering-rams were used to break down town or fortress doors. Celtic war-chariots had double-bladed swords or long spikes set into their wheel-hubs, which were designed to slice the legs from Roman infantry.

The traditional Celtic shield was round, made of bronze or leather-covered wood studded with brass roundels, and sometimes with spikes in the middle.

It is possible, however, that Boudicca's armies also used captured Roman armour and weaponry, turning them against their former owners. They would certainly have found the superior design of the Roman infantry shield very useful. They may also have captured and learned how to use Roman 'artillery'- that is, the heavy catapults and javelin-hurling ballista's used by the Roman military engineers.

Answer 2

Boudicca used no tactics. Her so-called army consisted of mobs of tribesmen with little or no discipline. They were able to overwhelm the poorly defended or defenseless cities that they rampaged through due to their superior numbers. However when they faced a real army at the Battle of Watling Street, they were slaughtered even though they vastly outnumbered the Roman forces. The battle of Watling Street clearly showed the difference between an army and a mob.