In three years Caesar had subjugated the enemy in a succession of
victories, and a great part of Europe lay helpless at his feet. Late
in the summer of 55 B.C. he reached Boulogne on the coast of Gaul.
Standing there, he could see the gleaming chalk cliffs of Britain, so
vividly described in Shakespeare's "King Lear."[1]
[1] Shakespeare's "King Lear," Act IV, scene vi.
While encamped on the shore he "resolved," he says, "to pass over into
Britain, having had trustworthy information that in all his wars with
the Gauls the enemies of the Roman commonwealth had constantly
received help from thence."[2]
[2] Caesar's "Gallic War," Book IV.
Embarking with a force of between eight and ten thousand men[3] in
eighty small vessels, Caesar crossed the Channel and landed not far
from Dover, where he overcame the Britons (S2), who made a desperate
resistance. After a stay of a few weeks, during which he did not
leave the coast, he returned to Gaul.
[3] Caesar probably sailed about the 25th of August, 55 B.C. His
force consisted of two legions, the 7th and 10th. A legion varied at
different times from 3000 foot and 200 horse soldiers to 6000 foot and
400 horse.