Origins of English History - Charles Isaac Elton - Google Books

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CONTENTS.

Object of the work-Prehistoric inhabitants of Britain-The Welsh bards on the

first settlement-The ancient Fauna of the island-Commencement of authentic

history-The Hyperborean legends-The travels of Pytheas in Britain-Fragments

of his writings-Marseilles in the age of Alexander the Great-Her commerce-

Rivalry with Carthage-Mineral riches of Spain-Extensive deposits of tin-Manu-

facture of bronze-The Phoenician commerce-The visit of Scipio to Marseilles-

Plans for interfering with trade of Carthage-Voyage of discovery proposed-The

scientific discoveries of Pytheas-He is chosen as leader of an expedition-His

writings-Course of the expedition-Gadeira -The Tagus-Erroneous notions of

Spanish geography-Havens of the Artabri-Situation of the Cassiterides on

Spanish coast-Description of the inhabitants-Visit of Publius Crassus-Theory

that the Cassiterides were the Scilly Islands discussed-Carthagenian discoveries--

The voyages of Hanno and Himilco-Course of Himilco's voyage-The tin-

districts-The Sargasso Sea-Teneriffe-Pytheas at Finisterre-Religious rites

of natives-The Pyrenees-The Ligurian shore-The Loire and Island of Amnis

-Barbarous ritual-The Morbihan and Celtic Islands-The College of Druidesses

-Voyage to Britain-Albion and Ierne-Pytheas travels in Britain-His obser-

vations-Erroneous measurements-Ancient ideas of the extent of the world-

State of Kent and Southern Britain-Wheat-cultivation-Metheglin and beer-

Agriculture-Mode of dressing corn-Pytheas did not visit Ireland, or the West

of Britain-Traditions of Stonehenge-British trade in tin-British coins from

Greek models-Districts where tin is found-The Island of Mictis or Ictis-Its

situation-Probably to be identified with Thanet-Visit of Posidonius-Descrip.

tion of tin-works-Portus Itius—Thanet formerly an island-St. Michael's Mount

formerly situated inland

Visit of Pytheas to Germany and the Baltic-Criticism by Strabo-Summary of

route-Pliny's northern geography-Description of Germany by Tacitus-The

Gothones and Suiones-The Northern Ocean-The Amber Coast-The Sitones-

Obligations of Tacitus to Greek writers-Route of Pytheas-Passage to Celtica-

The Ostians or Ostiones-Their mode of living--The Cimbri-The Chauci-

North Germany-The Hercynian Forest-Its Fauna in the time of Pytheas-The

reindeer-The elk-The urus-The aurochs-The country of the Cimbri-The

Guttones-The Amber Islands-Extent of commerce in amber-Voyage to Thule

-Discoveries in the Arctic Circle-Return to Britain-Return to Marseilles-

Character of Pytheas........

EARLY GREEK ROMANCES ABOUT BRITAIN.

Imaginary travels based on discoveries of Pytheas-Their confusion with records

of real travel-Beginning of Scepticism on the subject-Criticism by Dicæarchus

-The acceptance of Pytheas by Eratosthenes-Euhemerus the rationalist : his

account of Panchaia-Argument based on his fictions-Reply of Eratosthenes-

Criticisms by Polybius and Strabo—Geographical romances-Plato's use of the

Carthaginian traditions-Atlantis-Origin of the stories of monstrous men-"The

wonders beyond Thule "-The epitome of Photius-Plot of the romance-Stories

of Thule-of the Germans and the Hercynian Forest-Stories about Britain-The

legend of Saturn and Briareus-Demetrius the Grammarian-Story preserved by

Procopius-Island of Brittia-The conductors of the dead-The communism of

Thule The King of the Hebrides-His legend-Modern variations-Evan the

Third and his law-Medieval use of the legend-The romance of "The Hyper-

boreans "Description by Lelewel-Stories of the Arctic Ocean-Britain described

as "Elixoia"-The Circular Temple-The Boread kings-Solar legends-A de-

scription of the Hyperborean customs-The suicides of the old men-Historical

weight of the legend-Family-cliffs and family-clubs—Barbarous practices of

northern nations-Mention of other romances-"The Attacosi "--The description

of the Fortunate Islands by Jamblulus-His accounts of strange kinds of men-

Fictions rejected by Tacitus....
page 78

Recapitulation-Later Greek travellers-Artemidorus-Posidonius the Stoic-

His travels in Western Europe-Condition of the Celts in Britain-Difficulty of

framing general rules-Division of population into three stocks-British Gauls-

Insular Britons-Præ-Celtic tribes-Methods of finding their ancient settlements

-Antiquarian research-Philological method-Division of the Celtic languages—

Living forms in Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Man, Brittany-Dead forms: Welsh

of Strathclyde, Pictish, Cornish, Gaulish, Celtic of Thrace and Galatia, Celtiberian

--Originals from which the groups are derived-Lingua Britannica-Affinities of

Old Welsh-Whether more related to the Irish or the Gaulish-Theory of the

division of the Celtic stock, Gael and Cymry-Origin of the Theory-Similarity

of Welsh and Gaulish languages-The likeness explained-Arose from independent

causes-The languages not similar at the same time-Likeness between old forms

of Welsh and Irish-Welsh and Irish at one time united-Occupation of Britain

by one Celtic horde-Separation of Welsh and Irish languages-British language

distinct from Gaulish-Practical result of accepting the theory
page 94

THE GAULS IN BRITAIN.

Invasion by the King of Soissons-Older settlements—Kingdoms of Kent—

Forest of Anderida-The Trinobantes-Extent of their dominions-The Iceni—

The Catuvellaunian Confederacy-Civilization of the Gaulish settlers-Physical

appearance-Dress-Ornaments - Equipments in peace and in war-Scythed

chariots-Agricultural knowledge-Cattle-Domestic life.....

The population outside the Gaulish settlements-Insular Celts-Pre-Celtic tribes

-How classified-The Stone Age-Bronze Age-Iron Age-Evidence of sequence

in use of metals-Special evidence as to Britain-Remains of Paleolithic Age-

Britons of the Later Stone Age-Tombs of the kings-Cromlechs-Rites and

superstitions connected with them-Examples-Stories of Wayland's Smithy-

Trous des Nutons-Classification of barrows-Chambered and unchambered

varieties-Their contents-Physical characteristics of the Tomb-builders--The

nature of their society-Lake dwellings-Survival of the neolithic race-Legends

of Irish bards-The Firbolgs-Black Celts-The Silures-Their character and

habits-Commencement of Bronze Age-On the Continent-In Britain-Tribes

of Finnish type-Contents of their barrows-Implements-Ornaments-Their

agriculture Nature of their society

Beginning of the Historical period-Theories of British Ethnology-Fair and

dark races-Iberian theory-Aquitanians-Diversity of Iberian customs-Basques

-Origin of Milesian legends-Mr. Skene's view as to the Silures-Ethnological

table-Survivals of the pre-Celtic stocks-Evidence from language and manners

-Comparison of Aryan customs-Local names-Personal names-Abnormal

words and constructions-Classical notices-Vitruvius, Tacitus, Herodian, Dion

Cassius-Caledonians and Picts-Rock-carvings and sculptured stones-Customs

of succession-Coronation-rites-Relics of barbarism in medieval Connaught and

CUSTOMS OF INHERITANCE AND FAMILY RELIGION.

Customs foreign to Celtic and Teutonic usage-Anomalous laws of inheritance—

Borough-English-Maineté-Jüngsten-Recht-Various theories of their origin-

Their wide extent-Primitive forms in Wales and Shetland-In Cornwall and

Brittany-Distribution of Junior-right in England-South-eastern district-Danish

towns-Customs of Kent-Of Sussex-Neighbourhood of London-Manor of

Taunton-Deane-Distribution on the Continent-North-western France and

Flanders-" Theel-boors" of East Friesland-Germany-Bornholm-Russia-

Attempts to explain the custom-Comparison with early forms of primogeniture

-"Principals or Préciput - Eldest daughter-The Law of the Sword-

Glanville-Bracton-Old primogeniture customs in the Pays de Caux-Ireland-

Norway-Athens-Religious origin-Priesthood of the eldest-Laws of Manu-

The domestic religion and its survivals-The fire-The remembrance-bowl-

Household spirits-Feast of All Souls-“ Brande Erbe "-Theory of analogous

origin of the Junior-right-Priesthood of the youngest-Early extension of Altaic

peoples-Mongolian and Ugrian junior-right-Tchudic household superstitions—

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.....

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

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