The last eighteen months has been the hardest period in my life, with prolonged ill-health, the early arrival of my son and the premature death of my young sister-in-law, Sheona, whose bravery was an inspiration to everyone around her. The fact that this book was completed at all is therefore down to the support of a wide range of people – and these thank-yous barely plumb the depth of my appreciation.
Firstly, I am profoundly grateful for the encouragement and assistance given to me by both professional and amateur archaeologists and historians who have given so freely of both their time and experience in interviews, conversations, emails and sometimes even some extensive guided tours. Very special thanks must go to Colchester Archaeology Trust’s Philip Crummy; John Davies, chief curator at Norfolk Museums who runs the superb Boudica Gallery and who has been a constant source of information, contacts and advice; Jenny Hall from the Museum of London; J D Hill – Iron Age guru at the British Museum (who also generously let me read his work in progress); Bill Hanson at Glasgow University; Richard Hingley at Durham University; Philip de Jersey from Oxford University – Celtic coin supremo and much-valued friend and sounding-board; Verulamium expert Rosalind Niblett; Paul Sealey at Colchester Museum; and finally to Alison Sheridan at the National Museums of Scotland for her boundless enthusiasm and suggestions.
I am also hugely grateful to the amateurs who have contributed so knowledgably not just to my research but the wider field of archaeology, particularly Trevor Austin, John Talbot, John and Pat Wells and Eflyn Owen-Jones, daughter of the late William Roberts of Anglesey. Historical researcher Ruth Boreham kept my papers in logical order and gathered materials from far and wide, while Margaret Sweenie and the team at Lochwinnoch Library also provided unswerving service in tracking down reams of obscure texts through the inter-library loan scheme. Thanks, too, must go to Prof. Barry Cunliffe, Sir Bernard Ingham – former chief press secretary to Margaret Thatcher, the sculptor Philip Nathan, Druid priestess Emma Restall Orr, the novelist Manda Scott and Toyah Willcox for generously giving interviews for this book.
A collective thank-you must go to my friends and family in Scotland and England who have kept me afloat over the last year and a half. Donna and Eric Watt have scooped up their grandson at a moment’s notice whenever they were needed, while my own parents Gordon and Irene have not only helped with childcare but also driven round southern England visiting sites I couldn’t reach. If only he could talk, Archie would like to say his own thanks to Michelle McNeillie and now the wonderful Charlotte McGuiness for their loving care. And to my “Cally Girls” and amazing female friends, thank you for keeping me included despite being absent in brain and/or body for large periods of time.
Two remaining sets of people have made fundamental contributions to the production of this book: my agents, Vicki McIvor and Sara Cameron at Take 3 Management, have as usual gone beyond the call of duty in their friendship, expertise – and occasional baby-sitting services – while Hannah MacDonald and fantastic publishing team at Ebury Press have been a constant source of ideas, encouragement and passionate commitment since we first began the project. Profound thanks to you all for your professionalism and your humanity.
Finally to my beloved partner, Al, who at times felt like he’d not only lost his sister but his partner, too: Til a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, and the rocks melt wi’ the sun…
Ness Collingridge
March 2005