Superwoman with a chariot, Essex girl with attitude, Celtic madonna with a spear, Maggie Thatcher with dreads, Braveheart with a bra: these are just some of the images that have been dug up to explain why Hollywood has suddenly gone ape about Boudicca or Boadicea, an British glamourpuss from the dark ages who is a writer’s dream.

Doubts surround her real name (it is supposed to be Old Welsh for “Victory”), little is known about this warrior queen’s life story, there are legends galore and some pretty dodgy historical facts, but she clearly satisfies some deep-seated cinematic need at the heart of Tinseltown. Four films are in the offing, one of which is being produced by Mel Gibson, fresh from his bloody recreation of the torment and execution of Jesus Christ. Boudicca is set to be big bucks.

The Iron Lady Is Returning