Chap. VII
The different parts of Britain having been cursorily examined according to my original design, it seems necessary, before I proceed to a description of the islands, to attend to a doubt suggested by a certain person.628 “Where,” asks he, “are the vestiges of those cities and names which you commemorate? There are none.” This question may be answered by another: Where are now the Assyrians, Parthians, Sarmatians, Celtiberians? None will be bold enough to deny the existence of those nations. Are there not also at this time many countries and cities bearing the same names as they did two or three thousand years ago? Judea, Italy, Gaul, Britain, are as clearly known now as in former times; Londinium is still styled in the common language, with a slight change of sound, London. The negligence and inattention of our ancestors in omitting to collect and preserve such documents as might have been serviceable in this particular, are not deserving of heavy censure, for scarcely any but those in holy orders employed themselves in writing books, and such even esteemed it inconsistent with their sacred office to engage in such profane labours. I rather think I may without danger, and without offence, transmit to posterity that information which I have drawn from a careful examination and accurate scrutiny of ancient records concerning the state of this kingdom in former periods. The good abbat, indeed, had nearly inspired me with other sentiments, by thus seeming to address me: Are you ignorant how short a time is allotted us in this world; that the greatest exertions cannot exempt us from the appellation of unprofitable servants; and that all our studies should be directed to the purpose of being useful to others? Of what service are these things, but to delude the world with unmeaning trifles? To these remarks I answer with propriety. Is then every honest gratification forbidden? Do not such narratives exhibit proofs of Divine Providence? Does it not hence appear, that an evangelical sermon concerning the death and merits of Christ enlightened and subdued a world overrun with Gentile superstitions? To the reply, that such things are properly treated of in systems of chronology, I rejoin: Nor is it too much to know that our ancestors were not, as some assert, Autochthones, sprung from the earth; but that God opened the book of nature to display his omnipotence, such as it is described in the writings of Moses. When the abbat answered, that works which were intended merely to acquire reputation for their authors from posterity, should be committed to the flames, I confess with gratitude that I repented of this undertaking. The remainder of the work is therefore only a chronological abridgment, which I present to the reader, whom I commend to the goodness and protection of God; and at the same time request, that he will pray for me to our holy Father, who is merciful and inclined to forgiveness.
The following Itinerary is collected from certain fragments left by a Roman general. The order is changed in some instances, according to Ptolemy and others, and it is hoped, with improvement.
Among the Britons were formerly ninety-two cities, of which thirty-three were more celebrated and conspicuous. Two municipal,629 Verolamium;630 and Eboracum.631 Nine colonial;632 namely, Londinium633 Augusta, Camalodunum634 Geminæ Martiæ, Rhutupis,635 ***** Thermæ636 Aquæ Solis, Isca637 Secunda, Deva638 Getica, Glevum639 Claudia, Lindum,640 **** Camboricum641. **** Ten cities under the Latian law:642 namely, Durnomagus,643 Cataracton,644 Cambodunum,645 Coccium,646 Lugubalia,647 Ptoroton,648 Victoria,649 Theodosia,650 Corinum,651 Sorbiodunum.652 Twelve stipendiary653 and of lesser consequence; Venta Silurum,654 Venta Belgarum,655 Venta Icenorum,656 Segontium,657 Maridunum,658 Ragæ,659 Cantiopolis,660 Durinum,661 Isca,662 Bremenium,663 Vindonum,664 and Durobrivæ.665 But let no one lightly imagine that the Romans had not many others besides those above-mentioned. I have only commemorated the more celebrated. For who can doubt that they who, as conquerors of the world, were at liberty to choose, did not select places fitted for their purposes? They for the most part took up their abode in fortresses which they constructed for themselves.
(The Itinerary, which follows here in the original Latin, being a dry list of names, is omitted. See the Appendix, No. I.)
Footnotes
628 These remarks prove how much Richard rose superior to the prejudices of his age and his profession. From the tone which he assumes, it is however, evident that he found it advisable to yield to the remonstrances of his superior.
629 Municipia were towns whose inhabitants possessed in general all the rights of Roman citizens, except those which could not be enjoyed without an actual residence at Rome. They followed their own laws and customs, and had the option of adopting or rejecting those of Rome.—Rosini Antiq. Rom. b. x. c. 23.
630 St. Alban’s.
631 York.
632 There were different kinds of colonies, each entitled to different rights and privileges; but we have no criterion to ascertain the rank occupied by those in Britain.
633 London.
634 Colchester.
635 Richborough in Kent.
636 Bath.
637 Caerleon.
638 Chester.
639 Gloucester.
640 Lincoln.
641 Cambridge.
642 The Latian law consisted of the privileges granted to the ancient inhabitants of Latium. These are not distinctly known; but appear principally to have been the right of following their own laws, an exemption from the edicts of the Roman prætor, and the option of adopting the laws and customs of Rome.—Rosini.
643 Castor on Nen.
644 Catteric.
645 Slack.
646 Blackrode.
647 Carlisle.
648 Burgh Head, Elgin, Scotland.
649 Dealgin Ross.
650 Dumbarton.
651 Cirencester, Gloc.
652 Old Sarum.
653 The stipendiary were those who paid their taxes in money, in contradistinction from those who gave a certain portion of the produce of the soil, and were called Vectigales.—Rosini.
654 Caerwent, Monmouth.
655 Winchester.
656 Castor, near Norwich.
657 Caer Segont.
658 Caermarthen.
659 Leicester.
660 Canterbury.
661 Dorchester.
662 Exeter.
663 Riechester, Northumberland.
664 Possibly Egbury camp, Hants.
665 Rochester.