RAMBLING THE ROMAN ROADS

I have been spending the last several years extensively studying the historical Roman writings about the Celtic women. Not only reading the writings but also traveling around the landscape in the UK and feeling into the history. It is an amazing and epic personal journey. I am always struck by how completely their history has been obliterated by first the Roman's and then the church... Unearthing their stories, especially the stories of the women, feels important and critical to the times.

Overview

Perhaps one of the best known, and maybe even best beloved, women of Celtic history is Boudica (Buddug in Welsh). She has been described as a formidable Queen of the Iceni tribes. So formidable that she was able to gather the Celtic tribes and lead them to battle against the Romans. Were it not for a betrayal, today's Britain could be very, very different. In Colchester, we walk the very roads that she reduced to rubble... I can feel the fierce feminine rumbling beneath my feet.

The landscape of Wales is otherworldly, evocative and mysterious. At times it feels like I am standing on the edge of the world, certain that the bones of dragons lie beneath my feet.

Who was Boudica? Who were the Banduri? And what of Cartamandua? Maybe we can never really know, but as I travel the land and listen deeply, there are secrets to be heard.

Authors Info

Dr. Stephanie Shelburne is a Food/Mood Doctor and an Integrative Health Educator, Writer, and Researcher. She provides scientifically supported and intuitively implemented protocols for Optimal Well-Being. She is passionate about food and eating for health, wellness, and enjoyment. Dr. Stephanie travels, teaches, speaks, and works with clients internationally....always excited to share experiences with pure, simple, and life-enhancing tastes and flavors.

ALUN REES

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Alun Rees was born in Wales where he began his award-winning career as a journalist on the South Wales Echo before joining the Daily Mail then the Daily Express. He covered assignments around the world before taking up the role of West Country correspondent for the Daily Express. For the past ten years, he’s been a freelance journalist and co-author of best selling military non-fiction including Highway to Hell, Spearhead Assault. He also co-wrote the Be a Hero: The Essential Survival Guide to Active-Shooter Events.

He lives on the banks of the River Kennet near Marlborough, Wiltshire and is a keen amateur naturalist and his winter pastime is working his three gundogs on local shoots.

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DR. STEPHANIE SHELBURNE

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More about Dr. Stephanie www.stephanieshelburne.com

Latest blog: Fighting the Flu from Your Kitchen

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MARK WILSHER

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Mark Wilsher lives and works in the beautiful countryside of the west of England. He draws his characters and plots from his love of that region.

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ALEX MERRY

Illustrator Alex Merry lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, and studied Illustration at the University of the West of England. She has worked for Damien Hirst at his studios near Stroud and lately produced a number of illustrations for Gucci Interiors, which were translated into giant murals on the walls of buildings in Hong Kong, Milan, Shanghai, New York, and London. Alex also completed the stunning series of archway murals for the Gucci Garden project featured in Vogue International.

Besides her love of art, Alex’s passion is Morris Dancing and she’s a member of the flamboyant, cutting edge group Boss Morris who perform at festivals and with top bands. Her father is a retired Vicar and her mother, brother, and sister are all successful artists.

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