Chap. VI

1. Britain, according to the most accurate and authentic accounts of the ancients, was divided into seven parts, six of which were at different times subjected to the Roman empire, and the seventh held by the uncivilized Caledonians.

2. These divisions were called Britannia Prima, Secunda, Flavia, Maxima, Valentia, and Vespasiana, which last did not long remain under the power of the Romans. Britannia Prima is separated by the river Thamesis from Flavia, and by the sea 401 from Britannia Secunda. Flavia begins from the German Ocean, is bounded by the Thamesis,402 by the Sabrina,403 on the side of the Silures and Ordovices, and trends towards the north and the region of the Brigantes.404 Maxima, beginning at the extreme boundary of Flavia, reaches to the wall,405 which traverses the whole island, and faces the north. Valentia occupies the whole space between this wall and that built by the emperor Antoninus Pius, from the estuary of the Bdora 406 to that of the Clydda.407 Vespasiana stretches from the estuary of the Bdora to the city of Alcluith,408 from whence a line drawn to the mouth of the Varar 409 shows the boundary. Britannia Secunda faces the Irish Sea to the north and west. But sufficient notice has now been taken of the provinces.

3. Before we proceed to a more minute description, let us touch upon the form of government. In remote times all Britain was divided among petty princes and states, some of whom are said to have existed after the country was occupied by the Romans; though, under the Roman domination, they retained scarcely the shadow of regal authority. A legate being appointed by the emperor over the conquered countries, Britain became a proconsular province. This form of government continued several ages, although in the meantime the island underwent many divisions, first into the Upper and Lower districts, and then, as we have before shown, into seven parts. It afterwards became the imperial residence of Carausius and those whom he admitted to a share of his power. Constantine the Great, the glory and defence of Christianity, is supposed to have raised Maxima and Valentia to consular provinces, and Prima, Secunda, and Flavia, to præsidials. But over the whole island was appointed a deputy-governor, under the authority of the prætorian prefect of Gaul. Besides whom, an ancient volume, written about that period, mentions a person of great dignity, by the title of comes, or count of the Britons, another as count of the Saxon coast, and a third as leader or duke of Britain; with many others, who, although possessed of great offices, must be passed over in silence, for want of certain information.410

4. I now commence my long journey, to examine minutely the whole island and its particular parts, and shall follow the footsteps of the best authors. I begin with the extreme part of the first province, whose coasts are opposite Gaul. This province contains three celebrated and powerful states, namely, Cantium, Belgium, and Damnonium, each of which in particular I shall carefully examine.

First of Cantium.

5. Cantium,411 situated at the extremity of Britannia Prima, was inhabited by the Cantii, and contains the cities of Durobrobis 412 and Cantiopolis,413 which was the metropolis, and the burial-place of St. Augustine, the apostle of the English; Dubræ,414 Lemanus,415 and Regulbium 416 garrisoned by the Romans; also their primary station Rhutupis,417 which was colonized and became the metropolis, and where a haven was formed capable of containing the Roman fleet which commanded the North Sea. This city was of such celebrity that it gave the name of Rhutupine to the neighbouring shores; which Lucan,

“Aut vaga quum Thetis Rhutupinaque littora fervent.”

From hence oysters of a large size and superior flavour were sent to Rome, as Juvenal observes,

“Circæis nata forent, an
Lucrinum ad saxum, Rhutupinove edita fundo
Ostrea, callebat primo deprendere morsu.”

It was the station of the second Augustan legion, under the count of the Saxon coast, a person of high distinction.

6. The kingdom of Cantium is watered by many rivers. The principal are Madus 418, Sturius,419 Dubris,420 and Lemanus,421 which last separates the Cantii from the Bibroci.

7. Among the three principal promontories of Britain, that which derives its name from Cantium 422 is most distinguished. There the ocean, being confined in an angle, according to the tradition of the ancients, gradually forced its way, and formed the strait which renders Britain an island.

8. The vast forest called by some the Anderidan, and by others the Caledonian, stretches from Cantium a hundred and fifty miles, through the countries of the Bibroci and the Segontiaci, to the confines of the Hedui. It is thus mentioned by the poet Lucan:—

“Unde Caledoniis fallit turbata Britannos.”

9. The Bibroci 423 were situated next to the Cantii, and, as some imagine, were subject to them. They were also called Rhemi, and are not unknown in record. They inhabited Bibrocum,424 Regentium,425 and Noviomagus,426 which was their metropolis. The Romans held Anderida.427

10. On their confines, and bordering on the Thames, dwelt the Atrebates,428 whose primary city was Calleba.429

11. Below them, nearer the river Kunetius,430 lived the Segontiaci,431 whose chief city was Vindonum.432

12. Below, towards the ocean, and bordering on the Bibroci, lived the Belgæ,433 whose chief cities were Clausentum,434 now called Southampton; Portus Magnus;435 Venta,436 a noble city situated upon the river Antona. Sorbiodunum 437 was garrisoned by the Romans. All the Belgæ are Allobroges, or foreigners, and derived their origin from the Belgæ and Celts. The latter, not many ages before the arrival of Cæsar, quitted their native country, Gaul, which was conquered by the Romans and Germans, and passed over to this island: the former, after crossing the Rhine, and occupying the conquered country, likewise sent out colonies, of which Cæsar has spoken more at large.438

13. All the regions south of the Thamesis 439 were, according to ancient records, occupied by the warlike nations of the Senones. These people, under the guidance of their renowned king Brennus, penetrated through Gaul, forced a passage over the Alps, hitherto deemed impracticable, and would have razed proud Rome, had not the fates, which seemed like to carry the republic in their bosom, till it reached its destined height of glory, averted the threatened calamity. By the cackle of a goose Manlius was warned of the danger, and hurled the barbarians from the capitol, in their midnight attack. The same protecting influence afterwards sent Camillus to his assistance, who, by assailing them in the rear, quenched the conflagration which they had kindled, in Senonic blood, and preserved the city from impending destruction. In consequence of this vast expedition, the land of the Senones,440 being left without inhabitants, and full of spoils, was occupied by the above-mentioned Belgæ.

14. Near the Sabrina and below the Thamesis lived the Hedui,441 whose principal cities were Ischalis 442 and Avalonia.443 The baths,444 which were also called Aquæ Solis, were made the seat of a colony, and became the perpetual residence of the Romans who possessed this part of Britain. This was a celebrated city, situated upon the river Abona, remarkable for its hot springs, which were formed into baths at a great expense. Apollo and Minerva 445 were the tutelary deities, in whose temples the perpetual fire never fell into ashes, but as it wasted away turned into globes of stone.

15. Below the Hedui are situated the Durotriges, who are sometimes called Morini. Their metropolis was Durinum,446 and their territory extended to the promontory Vindelia.447 In their country the land is gradually contracted, and seems to form an immense arm which repels the waves of the ocean.

16. In this arm was the region of the Cimbri,448 whose country was divided from that of the Hedui by the river Uxella.449 It is not ascertained whether the Cimbri gave to Wales its modern name, or whether their origin is more remote. Their chief cities were Termolus 450 and Artavia.451 From hence, according to the ancients, are seen the pillars of Hercules, and the island Herculea 452 not far distant. From the Uxella a chain of mountains called Ocrinum extends to the promontory known by the same name.

17. Beyond the Cimbri the Carnabii inhabited the extreme angle of the island,453 from whom this district probably obtained its present name of Carnubia (Cornwall). Their chief cities were Musidum 454 and Halangium.455 But as the Romans never frequented these almost desert and uncultivated parts of Britain, their cities seem to have been of little consequence, and were therefore neglected by historians; though geographers mention the promontories Bolerium and Antivestæum.456

18. Near the above-mentioned people on the sea-coast towards the south, and bordering on the Belgæ Allobroges, lived the Damnonii, the most powerful people of those parts; on which account Ptolemy assigns to them all the country extending into the sea like an arm.457 Their cities were Uxella,458 Tamara,459 Voluba,460 Cenia,461 and Isca,462 the mother of all, situated upon the Isca. Their chief rivers were the Isca,463 Durius,464 Tamarus,465 and Cenius.466 Their coasts are distinguished by three promontories, which will be hereafter mentioned. This region was much frequented by the Phœnician, Grecian, and Gallic merchants, for the metals with which it abounded, particularly for its tin. Proofs of this may be drawn from the names of the above-mentioned promontories, namely Hellenis,467 Ocrinum,468 and Κριου μετωπον 469 as well as the numerous appellations of cities, which show a Grecian or Phœnician derivation.

19. Beyond this arm are the isles called Sygdiles,470 which are also denominated Œstromenides and Cassiterides.

20. It is affirmed that the emperor Vespasian fought thirty battles with the united forces of the Damnonii and Belgæ. The ten different tribes who inhabited the south banks of the Thames and Severn being gradually subdued, their country was formed into the province of Britannia Prima, so called because it was the first fruit of victory obtained by the Romans.

21. Next in order is Britannia Secunda, which is divided from Britannia Prima by the countries already mentioned, and from the Flavian province by the Sabrina 471 and the Deva;472 and the remaining parts are bounded by the internal sea. This was the renowned region of the Silures,473 inhabited by three powerful tribes. Among these were particularly distinguished the Silures Proper, whom the turbid estuary of the Severn divides from the country we have just described. These people, according to Solinus, still retain their ancient manners, have neither markets nor money, but barter their commodities, regarding rather utility than price. They worship the gods, and both men and women are supposed to foretell future events. 22. The chief cities of the Silures were, Sariconium,474 Magna,475 Gobanium,476 and Venta 477 their capital. A Roman colony possessed the city built on the Isca,478 and called after that name, for many years the station of the second or Augustan legion, until it was transferred to the Valentian province, and Rhutupis.479 This was the primary station of the Romans in Britannia Secunda.

23. The country of the Silures was long powerful, particularly under Caractacus, who during nine years withstood the Roman arms, and frequently triumphed over them, until he was defeated by Ostorius, as he was preparing to attack the Romans. Caractacus, however, escaped from the battle, and in applying for assistance to the neighbouring chieftains was delivered up to the Romans, by the artifices of a Roman matron, Cartismandua, who had married Venutius, chief of Brigantia. After this defeat the Silures bravely defended their country till it was overrun by Veranius, and being finally conquered by Frontinus, it was reduced into a Roman province under the name of Britannia Secunda.

24. Two other tribes were subject to the Silures. First the Ordovices, who inhabited the north towards the isle of Mona;480 and secondly the Dimetiæ, who occupied the west, where the promontory Octorupium 481 is situated, and from whence is a passage of thirty miles 482 to Ireland. The cities of the Dimetiæ were Menapia 483 and Maridunum 484 the metropolis. The Romans seized upon Lovantium 485 as their station. Beyond these, and the borders of the Silures, were the Ordovices, whose cities were Mediolanum 486 and Brannogenium.487 The Sabrina, which rises in their mountains, is justly reckoned one of the three largest rivers of Britain, the Thamesis (Thames) and the Tavus (Tay) being the other two. The name of the Ordovices is first distinguished in history on account of the revenge which they took for the captivity of their renowned chief. Hence they continually harassed the Roman army, and would have succeeded in annihilating their power, had not Agricola turned hither his victorious arms, subdued the whole nation, and put the greater part to the sword.

25. The territory situated north of the Ordovices, and washed by the ocean, was formerly under their dominion. These parts were certainly inhabited by the Cangiani, whose chief city was Segontium,488 near the Cangian promontory,489 on the Minevian shore, opposite Mona,490 an island long distinguished as the residence of the druids. This island contained many towns, though it was scarcely sixty miles in circuit; and, as Pliny asserts, is distant from the colony of Camalodunum two hundred miles. The rivers of the Cangiani were Tosibus,491 called also Canovius, and the Deva,492 which was their boundary. In this region is the stupendous mountain Eriri.493 Ordovicia, together with the regions of the Cangiani and Carnabii, unless report deceives me, constituted a province called Genania, under the reign of the emperors subsequent to Trajan.

26. I now proceed to the Flavian province; but for want of authentic documents, am unable to ascertain whether it derived its name from Flavia Julia Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who was born in these parts, or from the Flavian family.

27. Towards the river Deva were situated, in the first place, the Carnabii.494 Their principal places were Benonæ,495 Etocetum,496 and Banchorium,497 the last the most celebrated monastery in the whole island, which being overthrown in the dispute with Augustine was never afterwards restored; and the mother of the rest, Uriconium,498 esteemed one of the largest cities in Britain. In the extreme angle of this country, near the Deva, was the Roman colony Deva,499 the work of the twentieth legion, which was called Victrix, and was formerly the defence of the region. This place is supposed to be what is now termed West Chester.

28. Below these people stretched the kingdom, or rather the republic, of the Cassii, called by Ptolemy Catieuchlani, which arose from the union of two nations. Those nearest the Sabrina were called the Dobuni, or, according to the annals of Dio, the Boduni.500 In their country the Thames rises, and, proceeding through the territories of the Hedui, Atrebates, Cassii, Bibroci, Trinobantes, and Cantii, after a long course flows into the German Ocean. The cities of the Dobuni were Salinæ,501 Branogena,502 on the left of the Sabrina [Severn], Alauna,503 and the most venerable of all, Corinium,504 a famous city supposed to have been built by Vespasian. But Glevum,505 situated in the extreme part of the kingdom, towards the territory of the Silures, was occupied by a Roman colony, which, according to the writers of those times, was introduced by Claudius Cæsar. Adjoining to these were the Cassii, whose chief cities were Forum Dianæ 506 and Verulamium.507 But when the last was raised by the Romans to the municipal rank, it obtained the pre-eminence over the other cities. St. Alban the martyr was here born. This city was involved in the ruin of Camalodunum 508 and Londinium,509 in the insurrection of Bonduica, which is related by Tacitus. The Cassii were conspicuous above the other nations of the island; and Cæsar in his second invasion had the severest conflicts with their renowned chief Cassibellinus, to whom many people were tributary; and was repulsed by the Cassii in league with the Silures; to which Lucan alludes:—“Territa quæsitis ostendit terga Britannis.” But on the coming of Claudius, they, with the neighbouring people, were subdued, and their country reduced to a Roman province, first called Cæsariensis, and afterwards Flavia.

29. Near the Cassii, where the river Thamesis approaches the ocean, was the region of the Trinobantes,510 who not only entered into alliance with the Romans, but resigned to them Londinium their metropolis, and Camalodunum situated near the sea, for the purpose of establishing colonies. In this city was supposed to be born Flavia Julia Helena, the pious wife of Constantine Chlorus and mother of Constantine the Great, who was descended from the blood of the British kings. It was the chief colony of the Romans in Britain, and distinguished by a temple of Claudius, an image of Victory, with many ornaments.511 But Londinium was and ever will be a city of great eminence. It was first named Trinovantum, then Londinium, afterwards Augusta, and now again Londona. According to the chronicles it is more ancient than Rome. It is situated upon the banks of the Thamesis, and is the great emporium of many nations trading by land or sea. This city was surrounded with a wall by the empress Helena, the discoverer of the Holy Cross; and, if reliance may be placed on tradition, which is not always erroneous, was called Augusta, as Britain was distinguished by the name of the Roman Island.

30. The boundary of this people towards the north was the river Surius,512 beyond which lived the Iceni, a famous people divided into two tribes. The first of these, the Cenomanni, dwelt to the north towards the Trinobantes and Cassii, and bordered on the ocean towards the east. Their cities were Durnomagus,513 and their metropolis Venta.514 Camboricum 515 was a Roman colony. A tongue of land stretching into the sea towards the east was called Flavia Extrema.516 Their most remarkable rivers are the Garion,517 the Surius,518 and the Aufona 519 which falls into the bay of Metaris.520 Beyond the Aufona, bordering on the Carnabii, Brigantes, and the ocean, lived the Coitani,521 in a tract of country overspread with woods, which, like all the woods of Britain, was called Caledonia.522 This is mentioned by the historian Florus.523 The chief city of the Coitani was Ragæ.524 Besides this was Lindum,525 a Roman colony, on the eastern extremity of the province. The river Trivona 526 divides the whole country into two parts. The nation of the Iceni, being of a warlike character, neglected husbandry as well as the civil arts; they voluntarily joined the Romans; but, revolting, and exciting others to follow their example, were first subdued by Ostorius. A few years afterwards, Præsutagus their king, at his decease, made Cæsar and his descendants his heirs. But the Romans, abusing the friendship of these people and giving themselves up to every species of debauchery, excited their resentment, and the Iceni with their allies, under the warlike Bonduica, widow of Præsutagus, destroyed their colonies, and massacred eighty thousand Roman citizens. They were afterwards reduced by the legate Suetonius, a man highly esteemed for prudence.

31. On the northern part of this region is the river Abus,527 which falls into the ocean, and was one of the boundaries of the province Maxima, as Seteja 528 was the other. This province was also called the kingdom of Brigantia, because it comprehended the region of that name inhabited by three nations. At the eastern point,529 where the promontories of Oxellum 530 and of the Brigantes 531 stretch into the sea, lived the Parisii, whose cities were Petuaria 532 and Portus Felix.533

32. Above, but on the side of the Parisii, are the proper Brigantes,534 a numerous people who once gave law to the whole province. Their towns were Epiacum,535 Vinovium,536 Cambodunum,537 Cataracton,538 Galacum,539 Olicana,540 and the chief city Isurium.541 Eboracum,542 on the Urus,543 was the metropolis, first a colony of the Romans, called Sexta, from being the station of the sixth legion, termed the Victorious, and afterwards distinguished by the presence of many emperors, and raised to the privileges of a municipal city.

33. This province is divided into two equal parts by a chain of mountains called the Pennine Alps, which rising on the confines of the Iceni and Carnabii, near the river Trivona,544 extend towards the north in a continued series of fifty miles.

34. The people to the west of this chain 545 are the Voluntii and Sistuntii, who are united in a close confederacy.546 Their cities are Rerigonium,547 Coccium,548 and Lugubalium.549 The two last were occupied by Roman garrisons.

35. The northern frontier of this province was protected by a wall 550 of stupendous magnitude built by the Romans across the Isthmus, eighty miles in length, twelve feet high and (nine) thick, strengthened with towers.

36. We collect from history, that these people were first attacked by the emperor Claudius, then overrun by the legate Ostorius, and finally defeated by Cerealis. By their voluntary submission to Agricola they obtained peace. The actions and unheard-of perfidy of their queen have disgraced their name in history. These people were descended from those powerful nations, who in search of new habitations quitted their country, which was situated between the Danube, the Alps, and the Rhone.551 Some of them afterwards emigrated into Ireland, as appears from authentic documents.

37. Further north were situated those powerful nations, who in former times were known under the name of Mæatæ, and from whom that fratricide Bassianus,552 after the death of his father, basely purchased peace. They possessed Ottadinia towards the east, Gadenia, Selgovia, Novantia, and further north Damnia.

38. Nearest the wall dwelt the Gadeni,553 whose metropolis was Curia.554 The Ottadini 555 were situated nearer the sea. Their chief city was Bremenium,556 and their rivers Tueda,557 Alauna,558 and the two Tinas,559 which ran within the wall.

39. The Selgovæ 560 inhabited the country to the west. Their cities were Corbantorigum,561 Uxellum,562 and Trimontium,563 which, according to ancient documents, was a long time occupied by a Roman garrison. The principal rivers of this region were Novius,564 Deva,565 and partly the Ituna.566

40. The Novantes 567 dwell beyond the Deva, in the extreme part of the island, near the sea, and opposite Ireland. In their country was the famous Novantum Chersonesus,568 distant twenty-eight miles from Ireland, and esteemed by the ancients the most northern promontory of Britain,569 though without sufficient reason. Their metropolis was Lucophibia, or Casæ Candidæ;570 their rivers Abrasuanus,571 Jena,572 and Deva,573 which was the boundary towards the east.

41. The Damnii 574 dwelt to the north of the Novantes, the Selgovæ, and the Gadeni, and were separated from them by the chain of the Uxellan mountains.575 They were a very powerful people, but lost a considerable portion of their territory when the wall was built, being subdued and spoiled by the Caledonians. Besides which, a Roman garrison occupied Vanduarium 576 to defend the wall.

42. In this part, Britain, as if again delighted with the embraces of the sea, becomes narrower than elsewhere, in consequence of the rapid influx of the two estuaries, Bodotria and Clotta.577 Agricola first secured this isthmus with fortifications, and the emperor Antoninus 578 erected another wall celebrated in history, which extended nearly five and thirty miles, in order to check the incursions of the barbarians. It was repaired, and strengthened with eleven towers, by the general Ætius. These regions probably constituted that province, which, being recovered by the victorious arms of the Romans under Theodosius, was supposed to have been named Valentia, in honour of the family from whom the reigning emperor was descended.

43. Beyond the wall lay the province Vespasiana. This is the Caledonian region so much coveted by the Romans, and so bravely defended by the natives, facts which the Roman historians, generally too silent in regard to such things, have amply detailed. In these districts may be seen the river Tavus,579 which appears to separate the country into two parts. There are also found the steep and horrid Grampian hills, which divide the province. In this region was fought that famous battle between Agricola and Galgacus, which was so decisive in favour of the Romans.580 The magnitude of the works at this day displays the power of the Romans, and the ancient mode of castrametation; for, in the place where the battle was fought, certain persons of our order, who passed that way, affirmed that they saw immense camps, and other proofs which corroborated the relation of Tacitus.

44. The nations which were subject to the Romans shall now follow in their order. Beyond the Isthmus, as far as the Tavus, lived the Horestii.581 Their cities, which before the building of the wall belonged to the Damnii, were Alauna,582 Lindum,583 and Victoria,584 the last not less glorious in reality than in name. It was built by Agricola on the Tavus, twenty miles above its mouth.

45. Above these, beyond the Tavus, which formed the boundary, lived the Vecturones or Venricones,585 whose chief city was Orrea,586 and their rivers Æsica 587 and Tina.588

46. The Taixali 589 inhabited the coast beyond the boundaries of the Vecturones. Their principal city was Devana,590 and their rivers the Deva 591 and Ituna.592 A part of the Grampian hills, which extends like a promontory into the sea, as it were to meet Germany, borrows its name from them.593

47. To the west of these, beyond the Grampian hills, lived the Vacomagi,594 who possessed an extensive tract of country. Their cities were Tuessis,595 Tamea,596 and Banatia.597 Ptoroton,598 situated at the mouth of the Varar,599 on the coast, was at the same time a Roman station, and the chief city of the province. The most remarkable rivers of this region, after the Varar, which formed the boundary, were the Tuessis 600 and Celnius.601

48. Within the Vacomagi, and the Tavus, lived the Damnii Albani,602 a people little known, being wholly secluded among lakes and mountains.

49. Lower down, to the banks of the Clotta, inhabited the Attacotti,603 a people once formidable to all Britain. In this part is situated the great lake formerly called Lyncalidor,604 at the mouth of which the city of Alcluith 605 was built by the Romans, and not long afterwards received its name from Theodosius, who recovered that province from the barbarians. These people deserved high praise for having sustained the attacks of the enemy after the subjugation of the neighbouring provinces.

50. This province was named Vespasiana, in honour of the Flavian family, to which the emperor Domitian owed his origin, and under whom it was conquered. If I am not mistaken, it was called under the later emperors Thule, which Claudian mentions in these lines:

“Incaluit Pictorum sanguine Thule,
Scotorum cumulos flevit glacialis Hierne.”

But this country was so short a time under the power of the Romans, that posterity cannot ascertain its appellations or subjugation. We have now examined in a cursory manner the state of Britain under the Romans; we shall next as briefly treat of the country of the Caledonians.

Concerning Caledonia

51. Although all the parts of Britain lying beyond the Isthmus may be termed Caledonia, yet the proper Caledonians dwelt beyond the Varar, from which a line drawn accurately points out the boundary of the Roman empire in Britain. The hithermost part of the island was at different times in their possession, and the remainder, as we have related, was occupied by barbarous Britons. The ancient documents of history afford some information thus far; but beyond the Varar the light is extinct, and we are enveloped in darkness.606 Although we know that the Romans erected altars there to mark the limits of their empire, and that Ulysses, tossed by a violent tempest, here fulfilled his vows; yet the thick woods and a continued chain of rugged mountains forbid all further research. We must therefore be satisfied with the following information, gleaned from the wandering merchants of the Britons, which we leave for the use of posterity.

52. The Caledonians,607 properly so called, inhabited the country to the westward of the Varar, and part of their territory was covered by the extensive forest called the Caledonian wood.

53. Less considerable people dwelt near the coast. Of these the Cantæ 608 were situated beyond the Varar, and the above-mentioned altars, to the river Loxa,609 and in their territory was the promontory Penoxullum.610

54. Next in order is the river Abona,611 and the inhabitants near it, the Logi.612 Then the river Ila,613 near which lived the Carnabii,614 the most remote of the Britons. These people being subdued by the proprætor Ostorius, and impatiently bearing the Roman yoke, joined the Cantæ, as tradition relates, and, crossing the sea, here fixed their residence. Britain in these parts branches out into many promontories, the chief of which, the extremity of Caledonia, was called by the ancients Vinvedrum, and afterwards Verubium.615

55. After these people were placed the Catini,616 and the Mertæ 617 further inland near the Logi. In these regions was the promontory of the Orcades,618 contiguous to which are the islands of that name. Beyond this part flowed the Nabæus,619 which bounded the territory of the Carnabii.

56. In the lower part of this region were situated the Carnonacæ,620 in whose territories was the promontory Ebudum,621 beyond which the ocean forms a large bay, formerly called Volsas.622 The lower coast of this bay was inhabited by the Cerones;623 and beyond the Itys,624 the territory of the Creones extended as far as the Longus.625 The promontory stretching from thence, and washed by the ocean and the bay Lelanus,626 is named after the inhabitants the Epidii.627

57. I cannot repass the Varar without expressing my wonder that the Romans, in other respects so much distinguished for judgment and investigation, should have entertained the absurd notion, that the remainder of Britain exceeded in length and breadth the regions which they had subdued and occupied. There is, however, sufficient evidence that such was their opinion; for whoever attentively considers their insatiable desire of rule, and reflects on the labour employed in the erection of those stupendous works which excite the wonder of the world, in order to exclude an enemy scarcely worthy of their notice or resentment, must in this respect, as in all others, adore the providence of the Divine Being, to whom all kingdoms are subject, and perpetual glory is due, now and for ever. Amen!

Footnotes

401 Rather by the estuary of the Severn.

402 Thames.

403 Severn.

404 Here some word is evidently omitted in the original. We would supply it by comparing this description with that of Britannia Secunda in the second section, and read “Sabrina et Deva,” &c., by the Severn and the Dee from the Silures and Ordovices.

405 The wall or vallum erected by Severus between the Solway Frith and the mouth of the Tyne.

406 Bodora and Bodotria, Frith of Forth.

407 Clotta. Clyde.

408 Dumbarton.

409 Murray Frith.

410 These remarks seem to have been drawn from the Notitia Imperii, and consequently refer to a late period of the empire.

411 Cantium contained the present county of Kent, as far as the Rother, except a small district in which Holwood Hill is situated, and which belonged to the Rhemi.

412 Rochester.

413 Canterbury.

414 Dover.

415 Situated on the Lymne.

416 Reculver.

417 Richborough.

418 The Medway.

419 The Stour.

420 A rivulet at Dover.

421 The Rother.

422 The North Foreland.

423 The Bibroci, Rhemi, or Regni, inhabited part of Hants, and of Berks, Sussex, Surrey, and a small portion of Kent.

424 Uncertain. Stukeley calls it Bibrox, Bibrax, or the Bibracte of the Itinerary.

425 Chichester.

426 Holwood Hill.

427 Pevensey.

428 Part of Hants, and Berks.

429 Silchester. For the proofs that this place was the site of Calleva see the Commentary on the Itinerary.

430 Kennet.

431 Part of Hants, and Berks.

432 Probably Egbury Camp.

433 The Belgæ occupied those parts of Hants and Wilts not held by the Segontiaci.

434 This is an error: the ancient Clausentum was at Bittern, on the Itchin, opposite Northam.

435 Portchester.

436 Winchester.

437 Old Sarum.

438 This passage as printed in the original is very obscure; but the meaning is supplied by Cæsar, from whom it is taken, and a subsequent page where Richard mentions the same fact.—Vide the Chronology in b. ii. c. i. sect. 9.

439 Thames.

440 There was a tribe of Celts called Senones seated on the banks of the Seine as late as the time of Cæsar, and this was one of the tribes who marched with Brennus against Rome. But we cannot discover from whence Richard drew his information that these Senones originally emigrated from Britain, leaving their country to be occupied by the Belgæ.

441 Nearly all Somersetshire.

442 Ilchester.

443 Glastonbury.

444 Bath.

445 This is drawn from Solinus, who speaks of Britain in general. We know not on what authority it was applied by Richard to Bath.

446 Maiden Castle, near Dorchester.

447 Isle of Portland.

448 Part of Somerset and Devon.

449 The Parret.

450 Uncertain,—probably in Devonshire.

451 Ibid.

452 Lundy Island.

453 Part of Cornwall.

454 Near Stratton.

455 Carnbre.

456 Land’s End, and Lizard Point.

457 Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and part of Somerset.

458 Probably near Bridgewater.

459 On the Tamar.

460 On the Fowey.

461 On the Fal.

462 Exeter.

463 Ex.

464 The Dart.

465 Tamar.

466 The Fal.

467 Probably Berry Head.

468 Lizard Point.

469 Ram Head.

470 Scilly Isles.

471 Severn.

472 Dee.

473 The Silures, with their two dependent tribes, the Dimetiæ and the Ordovices, possessed all the country to the west of the Severn and the Dee, together with the island of Anglesey.
“Of these territories the Dimetiæ had the counties of Pembroke, Cardigan, and Caermarthen; while the Silures possessed all the rest of South Wales, as well as such parts of England as lay to the west of the Severn and to the South of the Teme: while the Ordovices occupied all North Wales, as well as all the country to the North of the Teme, and to the West of the Severn and the Dee, except a small tract to the West of Bangor and Penmorvay, which together with the isle of Anglesey belonged to their subordinate clan the Cangani.”

474 Rose or Berry Hill, in Weston.

475 Kentchester.

476 Abergavenny.

477 Caerwent.

478 Caerleon on Usk.

479 Richborough in Kent.

480 Anglesey.

481 St. David’s Head.

482 XXX milliarium.

483 St. David’s.

484 Caermarthen.

485 Llanio Issau on the Teivi.

486 On the bank of the Tanat.

487 Near Lentwardine.

488 Caer Segont.

489 Brach y Pwyl Point.

490 Anglesey.

491 The Conway.

492 Dee.

493 Snowdon.

494 The territory of the Carnabii was bounded on the north by the Mersey, west by the Severn, east by part of the Watling Street, and to the south by Staffordshire.

495 Benonis; High Cross.

496 Wall.

497 Banchor.

498 Wroxeter.

499 Chester.

500 The Dobuni were bounded on the west by the Severn, on the south by the Thames, on the east by the Charwell, and on the north by the Carnabii.
The Cassii, bounded on the south by the Thames, on the west by the Dobuni, on the east by the Trent, and on the north by the Iceni.

501 Droitwich.

502 Near Lentwardine.

503 Alcester.

504 Cirencester in Gloucestershire.

505 Gloucester.

506 Dunstable.

507 Old St. Albans.

508 Colchester.

509 London.

510 It stretched from the Thames to the Stour on the north, and on the west to the Brent and the Ouse.

511 This temple with its ornaments is mentioned in Tacitus.

512 Sturius, the Stour.

513 Castor near Chesterton.

514 Castor near Norwich.

515 Cambridge.

516 Part of the Suffolk Coast.

517 The Yar.

518 The Stour.

519 The Nen.

520 Boston Deep.

521 In the map given by Bertram these people are called the Coritani. They seem to have inhabited Lincoln, Leicester, and Nottingham.

522 Calyddon means coverts or thickets.

523 B. iii. ch. 10, where, speaking of Cæsar, he says, “Caledonias sequutus in sylvas.”

524 Leicester.

525 Lincoln.

526 Trent.

527 The Humber.

528 The Mersey.

529 Part of the East Riding of York.

530 Spurn Head.

531 Flamborough Head.

532 Broughton on Humber.

533 Near Bridlington Bay.

534 Their territory stretched from the bounds of the Parisii northward to the Tine, and from the Humber and Don to the mountains of Lancashire, Westmoreland and Cumberland.

535 Lanchester.

536 Binchester.

537 Slack.

538 Catteric.

539 Galgacum, uncertain.

540 Ilkley.

541 Aldborough.

542 York.

543 Probably from the Ure, which receives the name of Ouse above York, on its junction with the Nid.

544 Trent.

545 To the Voluntii belonged the western part of Lancashire; and to the Sistuntii, the west of Westmoreland and Cumberland as far as the wall.

546 Hence, in § 31, they are called one people.

547 Ribchester.

548 Blackrode.

549 Carlisle.

550 The wall of Severus. The exact site of the barrier erected by Severus against the northern tribes, has furnished matter of dispute to many of our antiquaries. The researches of others, particularly Horsley, have, however, set this question at rest. From their information, joined to the scanty evidence of history, it has been proved that three walls or ramparts were erected by the Romans at different times, to secure the northern frontier of their dominions in Britain.
The first was a rampart of earth, from the Solway Frith to the Tine, raised by Hadrian about the year 120; but its form and construction have not been satisfactorily ascertained. It was, however, evidently nothing more than a line intended to obstruct the passage of an enemy between the stations which constituted the real defences of the frontier.
The second was raised by Lollius Urbicus under the reign of Antoninus Pius, about 140, between the Friths of Forth and Clyde. This was likewise of earth, though perhaps faced with stone, and, like that of Hadrian, seems to have been intended as a line connecting the chain of stations, which formed a new barrier on the advance of the Roman arms. In the course of both these was a military road communicating from station to station.
The last and most important is that begun by Severus, after his expedition against the Caledonians, about 208. It runs nearly over the same ground as that of Hadrian; but is a complete and well combined system of fortification. From an examination of its remains it appears to have been built of stone, fifteen feet high and nine thick. It had parapet and ditch, a military road, and was defended by eighteen greater stations placed at intervals of three to six miles; eighty-three castles at intervals of six to eight furlongs, and, as it is imagined, a considerable number of turrets placed at shorter distances.
Either from superior sagacity or superior information, Richard clearly distinguishes these three walls, which so much puzzled later writers, though it must be confessed that in other places he has suffered himself to be led into some errors in regard to their situation, and the persons by whom they were erected.—See b. ii. ch. 1, sect. 22, 27, 36, 37; ch. 2, sect. 17, 23. For a detailed account of these works the reader is referred to Horsley’s Britannia Romana; Warburton’s Account of the Roman Wall; Hutchinson’s Northumberland; Roy’s Military Antiquities; Hutton’s Account of the Roman Wall.

551 These were the Helvetii, whose emigration is mentioned in Cæs. Comm. de Bell. Gal. lib. i. We have not discovered from what authority Richard draws his account of their emigration to Ireland.

552 Caracalla.

553 The Gadeni appear to have occupied the midland parts from the wall probably as far as the Forth.

554 Uncertain.

555 The Ottadini stretched along the eastern coast, from the wall as far as the Frith of Forth, and were bounded on the west by the Gadeni.

556 Ribchester.

557 Tweed.

558 The Coquet.

559 The North and South Tine.

560 The Selgovæ appear to have occupied all the shire of Dumfries, and part of Kirkudbright.

561 Drumlanrig, or Kirkudbright.

562 Uncertain.

563 Birrenswork Hill.

564 Nith.

565 The Dee.

566 The Eden.

567 The Novantes held the south-western district of Scotland, from the Dee to the Mull of Galloway; that is, the west of Kirkudbright and Wigtown, and part of the Carrick division of Ayr.

568 Rens of Galloway. It is not, however, more than eighteen miles from the nearest part of Ireland.

569 By an error in the geographical or astronomical observations preserved by Ptolemy, the latitudes north of this point appear to have been mistaken for the longitudes, and consequently this part of Britain is thrown to the east.

570 Wigtown, Horsley. Whithern, Stukeley, Roy.

571 The Luce.

572 Cree, Roy.

573 Dee.

574 The Lothers.

575 Paisley, or Renfrew, Roy.

576 Friths of Forth and Clyde.

577 These people inhabited the principal part of what are called the Lowlands. Their territories beyond the Isthmus evidently stretched as far as the Grampians, consisting of great part of Ayr, all Renfrew and Lanark, a considerable part of Stirling, and perhaps Linlithgow.

578 See page 448.

579 Tay.

580 It may perhaps appear superfluous to refer the antiquary to Roy’s masterly Commentary on the campaigns of Agricola in this part of Britain; but it will scarcely be deemed so to observe, that we see few instances in which military and local knowledge are so well applied to the elucidation of antiquities.

581 The Horestii occupied Clackmannan and Kinross, and part of Perth as far as the Tay. To them belonged likewise all the country stretching from the Grampians to Loch Lomond.

582 Uncertain.

583 Ardoch.

584 Dealgin Ross.

585 The Vecturones occupied the eastern part of Perth, Forfar, Kincardin, and part of Aberdeen.

586 Bertha, or Old Perth.

587 South Esk.

588 Tine.

589 The Taixali held the eastern coast of Aberdeen, apparently as far as Kinnaird Head.

590 Probably Old Aberdeen.

591 Dee.

592 Ithan.

593 Kinnaird Head.

594 The Vacomagi were spread over an extensive region west of the Taixali and north of the Grampians, comprising a considerable part of Aberdeen, all Banff, Murray, Elgin, and Nairn, with the north-east of Inverness.

595 On the Spey.

596 Brae Mar Castle.

597 Uncertain, but near the Ness; perhaps Inverness or Bonness.

598 Burgh Head.

599 Murray Frith.

600 Spey.

601 Dovern.

602 The Damnii Albani may have been a remnant of the Damnii, who, after the erection of the wall, being cut off from the rest of their tribe, were gradually circumscribed by the neighbouring people, to Braidalbane, and a small part of the west of Perth and east of Argyle.

603 The Attacotti occupied a considerable part of Argyle, as far as Lochfyn.

604 Loch Lomond.

605 Dumbarton. It was afterwards called Theodosia.

606 It must be confessed that the information preserved by Richard, in regard to this remote part of our island, is extremely obscure, and that his descriptions will only assist us in guessing at the situation of the different tribes. Perhaps this can scarcely be deemed extraordinary, when we consider how imperfectly the interior of this country is known even at present.

607 The country of the proper Caledonians was the central part of Inverness and Ross.

608 The Cantæ seem to have held Cromarty and East Ross.

609 Frith of Cromartie, Stukeley. Loth R. Roy.

610 Tarbet Ness, Stukeley. Ord Head, Caithness, Roy.

611 Frith of Dornoch, Stukeley.

612 The Logi seem to have held the south-east of Strathnavern, and north-east of Sutherland.

613 All, Stukeley. Shiel, Roy.

614 The Carnabii inhabited part of Caithness, the north of Ross, and central part of Sutherland.

615 Ness or Noss Head, Stukeley.

616 The Catini held part of Caithness and the east of Sutherland.

617 The Mertæ held the country comprised between the Catini and Carnabii.

618 Dunnet Head, Stukeley. Duncansby Head, Roy.

619 Navern.

620 The Carnonacæ seem to have held the detached portion of Cromarty, situated near Loch Broom, and a small part on the border of Sutherland.

621 Cape Wrath.

622 Loch Broom.

623 The Cerones held the north-west part of Ross;—the Creones south-west of Ross and Inverness, and a part of Argyle.

624 Shiel, Roy.

625 Loch Loch, Stukeley. Linnhe Loch, Roy.

626 Lochfyn.

627 The Epidii probably occupied the Western part of Argyle, as far as the Mull of Cantyr, and were bounded on one side by the sea and on the other by Lochfyn.

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