Venutius

Venutius was a Briton chief of the Brigantes tribe who led his people to against the Roman emperor Claudius during the 1st century.

Biography

Husband to the female chieftain Cartimandua, Venutius initially followed his wife's lead and did not oppose the Roman incursions. When the Britonnic warrior Caratacus went to the Brigantes for sanctuary, Cartimandua betrayed him and delivered Caratacus to the Romans against Venutius' counsel.

Venutius opposed her actions and his wife then took his standard-bearer Vellocatus as her lover. Venutius turned on her Roman patrons and soon became one of Rome's fiercest opponents, waging war across northern England and into Wales for years. Eventually, Venutius took complete command of the Brigantes, who became a thorn in the side of Rome. After years of attacking the Romans, Venutius was decapitated for his crimes.

Legacy

The Britons commended Venutius' efforts against the Romans, and buried his body in an Isu vault in what became southern Eurvicscire, near Anlaf's Lookout.

His tomb, along with those of fellow Briton leaders Boudicca and Cassivellaunus were later visited by the Roman engineer Manius Calvisius who, under the orders of Roman Emperor Nero, installed a number of traps and puzzles across the tomb to prevent future visitors from entering and claiming the artifacts within.

Roughly eight centuries later, Venutius' tomb was visited by the Viking shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir, who managed to bypass the traps and reach the burial chamber.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (mentioned only)