Andraste was a war goddess of the celtic Iceni tribe in East Anglia. Her name has been translated as meaning “indestructible” or “unconquearble”.

In AD 60 or 61 Boudicca, the queen of the Iceni, led an uprising against Roman rule. Early in the uprising Boudicca addressed her warriors before releasing a hare, sacred to Andraste, as a means of divination. The path the hare took was seen as auspicious.

Boudicca, raised her hand towards heaven, said: “I thank you, Andraste, and call upon you as woman speaking to woman … I beg you for victory and preservation of liberty.”

Boudicca and her warriors destroyed Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium (St Albans), before finally being defeated.