Physical condition of the country-Misrepresented by Roman orators-State

under Agricola, the Plantagenets and Elizabeth-Absence of genuine early descrip-

tions-Sources of the statements of Bede and his school-Notice of British

pearl-fisheries-Comparison of the accounts of Ireland-The picture of Britain

by Gildas-True sources of information-Special records-Allusions of writers on

general history-Giraldus, Aneurin, Pliny-The Celtic races of Northern and

Western Britain-Little affected by the English invasions-The evidence from

language of uncertain value-The tribes of the South-West-Their superior culture

-Their foreign trade-Description of their ships-The tribes of the West of low

civilization and mixed blood-The Silures-The Dobuni of the Cotswolds-

The Cornavians-The Ordovices of North Wales-Their mixed descent-The

Central Tribes--The name "Coritavi" applied to several distinct races-Notices

by Strabo and Cæsar --The ruder tribes migratory-The confederated tribes of the

North-Their success in war-The story of Queen Cartismandua-Rules a

Brigantian tribe-Commands the Brigantian army-The Brigantians compared with

the Irish by Tacitus-Their life at home and in the field......

...page 222

CHAPTER X.

RELIGION.

Religion of the British tribes-Its influence on the literature of romance—

Theories about Druidism-The Welsh Triads-Their date and authority-Legend

of Hugh the Mighty-Mythological poems of the bards-Taliesin-Nature of the

poems written under his name-

-Religion of the Gauls-Its nature-The greater

gods-Dis Pater-The mode of reckoning by nights-The Gaulish Mercury and

Minerva- The worship of Belenus--Adoration of plants-Esus-Teutates-

Camulus-Taranis-Goddesses and helpmates of gods- Local deities-The Mothers

- Giants-Inferior gods-Origin of Druidism-Druidism in Britain-Scottish and

Irish Druids-The nature of their ceremonies-Their magic-Position of the Druids

in Gaul-Their philosophy-Human sacrifices-Relics of the practice-Its traces

in Britain and Ireland-Slaughter of hostages-Sacrifices for stability of buildings

-Doctrines of the Druids-Their astronomy-Metempsychosis-Disappearance of

Druidism-From the Roman provinces-From Ireland and Scotland-Other

remains of British religions-How preserved-In legends of saints-In romance-

General character of the religion-Nature of the idols-Superstitions about natural

phenomena - Mirage-Sunset - Mineral springs-Laughing wells-Worship of

elements-The Irish gods-The Dagda-Moon-worship-Degradation of British

gods-Their appearance as kings and chiefs-In the fabulous history-In the heroic

songs-Principal families of gods-Children of Don-of Nudd-of Lir-Legends

of Cordelia-Bran the Blessed-Manannan Mac Lir-Ritual-Relics of Sun-

worship Of fire-worship-Rustic sacrifices-Offerings of animals to saints-Sacred

animals-Prohibition of certain kinds of food-Connected with claims of descent

from animals-Origin of these superstitions

...page 248

THE ROMAN PROVINCE OF BRITAIN.

Character of the Roman Conquest-The century of peace after Cæsar's invasion

-Increase of commerce with Gaul-Fresh settlements of Gauls in Britain-The

Artrebates-The Belgæ-The Parisii-Prosperity of the native states-Metallurgy—

List of exports-End of the peace-The capture of Camulodunum-The triumph

of Claudius-Massacre of the captives-Enrolment of British regiments-Conquest

of the Southern Districts-The colony of Camulodunum-Tyrannical measures-

Revolt of the Iceni-Victory of Paullinus-The province constituted-Agricola's

beneficial government-The visit of Hadrian-The four legions-Description of

Caerleon-Growth of towns-Hadrian's Wall-Description of its remains-The

Wall of Antoninus-Tablets erected by the soldiers-Their worship and superstitions

-The expedition of Severus-Death of the Emperor at York-The revolt of

Carausius-Influence of the Franks-Diocletian's scheme of government-Reigns

of Constantius and Constantine the Great-A new system of administration✈The

military roads-Whether identical with the medieval highways-Course of Watling

Street-The Roman system of communications-Three lines from north to south-

Transverse routes in the North-Connections with roads in the South and West-

The district of the Saxon Shore-Course of the Ikenild Way-The routes in the

Antonine Itinerary-The Peutingerian Table-The effect on Britain of the new

constitution-Increase of taxation-Establishment of Christianity in Briain—

Gradual decay of paganism-Pantheistic religions-State of the frontiers-The

Picts and Scots-The Franks and Saxons-Victories of Theodosius-The Revolt

of Maximus-The successes of Stilicho-Usurpation of Constantine-The treason

of Gerontius-The independence of Britain

..page 302

CHAPTER XII.

THE ENGLISH CONQUEST.

Troubles of the independent Britons-Fresh invasions of Picts and Scots-The

Saxon Pirates-The Halleluia Victory-The appeal to Aetius-Beginnings of the

English Conquest-Character of the authorities-Early Welsh poems-Nennius-

Romances of Arthur-The history of Gildas-Its dramatic nature-Its imitation of the

Vulgate The story of Vortigern-His war with the mercenaries-The victory of

Ambrosius-The Mons Badonicus-English accounts of the Conquest-The Anglo-

Saxon Chronicle-Influence of ancient ballads-Description of the invasion-The

three kindreds-Their continental home-Relative positions of Saxons Angles and

Jutes-Theories as to other invading tribes-The Frisians-Argument from local

names-The Conquest of Kent-Welsh traditions-Horsa's Tomb-Legends of

Hengist The Conquest of Sussex-Destruction of Anderida-Fate of the Roman

towns-Rise of the House of Cerdic-Conquest of Wessex-Victories of Cerdic

and Cynric-The fate of Ceaulin-Genealogies of the Kings-The Conquest of

Northumbria-Reign of Ida-Welsh traditions-Reign of Ælle-Of Edwin-Of

Ethelfrith-General description of the conquest-Ancient poems-The sea-kings

described by Sidonius-Their ships and crews-The lord and his companions—

Gradual degradation of the peasantry-Life in free townships-Co-operative hus-

bandry-Community of ownership-Village customs-Heathen survivals-Festivals

-Sacrifices-Character of English paganism-The gradual conversion of the English

Kingdoms.

page 358

APPENDIX I.'

Knowledge of the ancients as to the Geography of Northern and Western

Europe......
page 417

APPENDIX II.

Chronological List of Greek and Latin writers to which references have been

made

..page 442

INDEX

page 449

LIST OF MAPS.

1. SPAIN, (from the Latin Ptolemy, printed at Rome in 1478). 2. THE WORLD OF THE ANCIENTS (from the Latin Ptolemy

of 1478).

3. EASTERN EUROPE (from the Latin Ptolemy, printed at

Strasburg in 1525).

4. NORTHERN EUROPE (from the Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus of Olaus Magnus, printed at Basel in 1567).

5. GAUL (from the Latin Ptolemy of 1478).

6. THE BRITISH ISLES (from the Latin Ptolemy of 1478).

7. SOUTH-EASTERN BRITAIN (from the Tabula Peutingeriana).

8. GERMANY (from the Latin Ptolemy of 1478).

9. THE ISLE OF THANET (from Dugdale's Monasticon, edition

IO.

of 1655-73).

THE BRITISH ISLES (from the Latin Ptolemy of 1525).