GROUP NAME

USS Iceni

The group name comes in two parts, the first part being the USS part -

A lot of Star Trek or ( Star Trek / Sci-fi ) groups, fictionally, like to model their group around a ship, starbase, shuttlecraft, space station etc, like the ones seen in the Star Trek world (in tv shows, movies and books). This group was modelled after a federation starship, so naturally it was only fitting to have USS at the front of the name (NB we could have chosen to be a non- federation vessel if we really wanted).

As for what USS stood / stands for - Real-life explanation: Gene Roddenberry (the creator of Star Trek and a former serviceman) was a fan of WWII aircraft carriers (most people of the time were), after whom most of the original set of "starship class" vessels were named. They all started with USS for United States Ship. They didn't actually invent The Federation until Season 2, so the assumption was that they were Earth (and primarily American by implication) ships.

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The second part is the name Iceni -

A quick backstory / history about Boudica and the Iceni tribe -

Back in 43 AD the Romans (with a large army) came to invade Britain and along the way some tribes (such as the Iceni) decided to make friends with the Romans.

Boudica was married to the King of the Iceni tribe Prasutagus and together they had two daughters. When Prasutagus died in 60 AD, he left half his wealth to his wife, and the other half to the Roman Emperor Nero.

Not satisfied with just half the wealth, the Romans decided to take it all, but when Boudica protested she was flogged and made to watch while her daughters were abused and the Romans had their wicked way with them.

Outraged, Boudica gathered an army, comprised of the Iceni and a neighbouring tribe, the Trinovantes. With their help she destroyed Colchester (which at the time was seen as the capital of Roman Britain), London & St Albans, killing 80,000 people.

In 61 AD the Roman governor marched his army back from Wales and chose a place for battle in the Midlands.

Despite the size of Boudica's army, she was defeated by the better Roman soldiers, and 80,000 were killed. Boudica and her daughters allegedly took poison in order not to be captured alive by the Romans who ended up sticking around for another 350 years.

The name Iceni was chosen for this Intrepid class starship to honour the tribe of the Iceni and their inspirational leader Queen Boudica, whose courage still lives on today. Like a Klingon warrior from Star Trek, Boudica was fierce, strong, loyal , and prepared to stand up for what she believed was the right thing to do.