"Wot did the Britons ever do for us...?"

[m300572]

I think the Strabo list was wheat, cattle, gold, silver, iron, hides, slaves, and hunting dogs.

I have a vague memory of a theory that one factor in the decision to invade was that the land would upport the army without having to ship supplies across from Gaul

[Brochfael]

Richard Hattatt suggests that penannular brooches probably originated in Britain before becoming popular with the Romans and getting exported as far as Persia. The Eye make up grinder and applicator I've heard mentioned as a British invention and then there's the famous (and mysterious) Birrus Britanicus, a kind of heavy, waterproof cloak so I'm told.

Singer of dodgy songs, teller of tall stories, maker of pretty things and prehistoric performer.

[RedEarth]

quote:Originally posted by amiable drudge

"Celtic beer" and waterproofs...Tennents Super and Barbour jackets?
an unbeatable combination...

It's not just that it's beer, bling, vicious dogs, and waterproof jackets. Not to mention the fondness for tatoos.

Did we also send the Romans Burberry caps?

Brittunculi? Chavunculi more like.

[Wibblehead]

RE the enamel...

i've read a number of sources that say that the clever Brits were the only ones at the time able to produce a bright red enamel, which made it rather popular.

Interestingly enough, i went into a tile shop recently and asked about red enamel tiles, and the chap behind the counter said 'ooh, we don't have any like that i'm afraid. It's quite difficult to get hold of them as it's tricky to get the colour right.'

Things never really change, do they?


~~~~~
Thunder rolled. ... It rolled a six.

[Bier Keller]

These days the tiles would be produced half way aroud the world - somewhere like China, Krasnodar or Inverness maybe.

This is all really good stuff. Perhaps those maps we see in books should also have arrows going back the other way? Thanks to you all

Beer is your friend