The English historical library, or, A short view and character of most of the writers now extant, either in print or manuscript which may be serviceable to the undertakers of a general history of this kingdom / by William Nicholson ...

CHAP. IV. (Book 4)

Of the Histories, and other Monu∣ments, that relate to the Times of the Saxons and Danes. (Book 4)

THe Dispatch that Sir William Temple makes of the Saxon times is very short and pithy; and the Cha∣racter he gives of their Writers is so full of Contempt, that (if we were sure it came from a proper Judge) 'twould save an Antiquary a great deal of trouble and pains. The Authors (hea 1.1 says) of those barbarous and illi∣terate Ages are few and mean: and per∣haps the rough course of those Lawless Times and Actions would have been too ignoble a subject for a good Historian. The times were not so lawless, nor the Authors so few and mean, as he imagines. A great many of the Re∣cords of those days, we own, are lost: but there are still more remaining, than any of our Neighbour-Nations

can pretend to shew, relating to the Transactions of those Ages. We know not what's become of the Book King b 1.2 Aelfred wrote against Corrupt Judges; of his Collection of the old Saxon Sonnets; of St. Aldhelm's Hymns, and other Musical Composures, &c. And yet we have a pretty good stock of their Laws and Historical Treatises; and those that have been conversant in 'em do not think they have thrown away their time upon so ignoble a Sub∣ject as some may fansie it.

Before a just Sentence could be pass'd in this case,* 1.3 the Judge ought to have had the leisure and patience to have made himself a perfect Master of the Saxon Language; which he might do either in the method prescrib'd by c 1.4 Mr. Lambard ord 1.5 Dr. Hickes. To this purpose, it had been conve∣nient that he had furnish'd himself, in the first place, with a Saxon Gram∣mar, since our Tongue is now very much alter'd in the Construction and Termination of such words as we still retain, from that of our Ancestors.

Whether the Monks of Tavistoke (who, ase 1.6 Camden tells us, had a Saxon Lecture in their Monastery) ever com∣pil'd any thing of this kind, is not known; tho it has been latelyf 1.7 re∣ported, that, in the beginning of the Civil Wars, there was such a Grammar there printed. The first attempt to∣wards it, that we hear of, was by Mr. John Josseline, Archbishop Parker's Secretary; who drew up a Specimen, which is now hardly to be met with. Mr. Somner prefix'd some short Gram∣matical Rules to his Dictionary: but Mr. Junius did not (as far as I could ever learn) bend his thoughts that way. Bishop Fell was earnest with Dr Marshall (late Rector of Lincoln-College) to draw up a Grammar; and he devolv'd the work upon one much more unfit for the employment, who had made some Collections to that purpose. His endeavours were super∣seded by the excellent performance of Dr. Hickes, who has publish'd his Institutionesg 1.8 Grammaticae Anglo-Saxonicae, &c. The Book discovers an Accuracy in this Language beyond

the Attainments of any that had gone before him in that Study; and will be of most necessary use to such as shall apply themselves to the right under∣standing of the ancient History and Laws of this Kingdom. But, as all first Draughts of any sort are usually Imperfect, so there seem to be some Defects in this that may be supply'd. For Example, There wants a Chapter of the variety of Dialects; which might have been had out of the Nor∣thern Interlineary Versions of the Gospel mention'd by Doctorh 1.9 Mar∣shall: One whereof is peremptorily affirm'd to have belong'd to St. Cuth∣bert, as the other (in all likelihood) did to Venerable Bede.

After the Grammar is well and carefully perus'd,* 1.10 the next Enquiry ought to be after such Dictionaries as have been written in the Saxon Tongue; whereof we shall meet with as great plenty as we did in the Bri∣tish. We find, that even in those Barbarous Ages, they had some few men of Learning, who collected se∣veral Vocabularies, in Saxon and La∣tin,

for the use of their School-boys. Some of these are still remaining, ha∣ving been carefully pick'd up and transcrib'd by Mr. Junius. The chief of them are the two that bear the Name of the learned Aelfric: where∣of the worse was printed, with his Grammar, in the end of Mr. Somner's Dictionary; the better still continu∣ing in Manuscript (notwithstanding i 1.11 Mr. Wharton's Remark to the con∣trary) both in Cotton's Library, and in that of St. John's College in Ox∣ford, as well as amongst Junius's Tran∣scripts. Out of these, and other helps, the most Industrious of our English Antiquaries have compil'd their Saxon Dictionaries; very serviceable towards the carrying on of these intricate and useful Studies. All that I have heard of in this kind, are: 1. That which was drawn up by Laur. Noel, Dean of Litchfield, in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign: whose Original Manuscript fell into the hands of Mr. Selden, and is now in Bodley's Li∣brary; as a fair Copy of it is amongst Junius's MSS. 2. John Josseline's;

said to be ink 1.12 Cotton's Library, tho Dr. Hickes does not mention it in his Catalogue. 3. Will. Somner's; which wasl 1.13 publish'd at the Earnest Request and Charges of some of the most Learned Men in this Kingdom. The chief Additions he made, to what was done to his hand by the two fore∣mentioned Gentlemen, were out of Caedmon's Paraphrase, and the Medici∣nal MS. in the King's Library; toge∣ther with two old Glossaries in Sir John Cotton's. 4. That most elaborate one of Fr. Junius, who has infinitely outdone all that went before him. His large Glossary or Lexicon of the five old Northern Languages (where∣of the Saxon has the preference) may be seen in the Author's own MS. in Bodley's Library; and a fair Transcript of it (in Eleven Volumes, at the charge of the late pious Bishop Fell) in the Musaeum Ashmoleanum. It was design'd for the Press by that most excellent Prelate; and may be yet hoped for, as soon as it shall please God to restore to us the Blessing of Peace, together with (one of its certain Consequences)

the Encouragement of Industry and good Learning. We may likewise then expect the same Author's Etymo∣logicum Anglicanum, a work complete∣ly finish'd in two Volumes; which will be also of singular use to our En∣glish Antiquary. After these I can hardly think it worth the while to take notice of the Imperfect Collecti∣ons made by Sir William Dugdale in Saxon and English; nor of two Ano∣nymous Fragments, of the like kind, in the Libraries of Sir Thomas Bodley and Bennet-College.

To these Dictionaries ought to be added the Glossaries of Sir Henry Spel∣man* 1.14 and Mr. Somner; which explain the hard and obsolete Words fre∣quently occurring in our ancient Histo∣ries and Laws The former of these was firstm 1.15 publish'd Imperfect: but in then 1.16 Second and Third Editions that Defect is supply'd. That the whole is the true Genuine Work of its pretended Author, appears from the uniformity of the Style in both parts; from the Quotations of the same Manuscripts; References in both

to the Readings of his Grandfather Sir John Spelman, &c. 'Twas a great misfortune that the late publisher of it was not made acquainted with the Notes and Enlargements upon the whole amongst Somner's Manuscripts in the Library at Canterbury. The other Glossary was long after compil'd by W. Somner, and annex'd to theo 1.17 De∣cem Scriptores, publish'd by Sir Roger Twisden; who acknowledges, that without it that work had been a very dry and useless performance. Out of these two Du Fresne usually tran∣scribes whatever he has, in hisp 1.18 great work, which relates to the dif∣ficult passages in our old Laws, &c. Dr. Wats has added a Glossary to his Edition of M. Paris; which may be very serviceable to a young English Antiquary: Andq 1.19 Mr Wheloc pro∣mis'd one of his Composure.

There's not much to be learn'd* 1.20 from any Coins we have of our Saxon Kings, their Silver ones being all of the same Size, and generally very slovenly minted. In this Metal they

coin'd only Pennies, worth about three pence of our present Money. But they had also (as appears from the Saxonr 1.21 Gospels Halfpennies and Farthings; which perhaps were of a baser Matter. They had also Half Farthings (eight to a Penny, like the Liards de France) which they call'ds 1.22 Sticas: Of which kind I take those Brass pices to be which were lately found near Rippon in Yorkshire, and by Sir Edward Black••t (into whose possession they first came) kindly communicated to several cu∣rious Antiquaries in that County. The rest of their Money-Terms are Names of Accounts and Weight; which are thus stated byt 1.23 Camden.

	l.	s.	d.
1. Their Shilling was 5 of their Pennies; in our Money	0	1	3
2. Their Pound was their 48 s. our	3	0	0
3. Manca, Mancusa or Mar∣ca, about	0	1	0
4. Manca of Gold, their 30 d. our	0	7	6

This computation (tho not exact) comes near the truth; and is as much, or more, than we have occasion for at present. Camden here omits their Thrimsa; which Sir Henry Spelman takes to have been three Shillings; Mr. Selden thinks it was the third part of a Shilling; and Mr. Somner mo∣destly owns he knows not what it was. As far as I am able to judge, Kingu 1.24 Aethelstan's Laws make the Thrimsa, Peninga and Sceat, all one thing. They tell us a King's Weregild was thirty thousand Thrimsa's: that is (say they) one hundred and twen∣ty pounds. Now, one of their pounds being allow'd to be about three times the weight of ours, this Summ will amount to about three hundred and sixty pounds of our Money; and, there being eighty six thousand and four hundred pence in our three hundred and sixty Pounds, it follows that a Thrimsa is somewhat less than our three pence; which is the same with their Peninga or Sceat.

In severalw 1.25 Libraries,* 1.26 and in many Register-Books of our oldest

Monasteries, we have a deal of Char∣ters granted (and pretended to be granted) by our Saxon Kings: but they are very cautiously to be ad∣mitted and allow'd on. The most an∣cient that we meet with are those that are said to have been granted byx 1.27 Ethelbert King of Kent, about the Year 605. and they have such Marks of Forgery upon them, as would make a Man jealous of medling with any others of the like kind. The Re∣cords of the very Chuch of Canter∣bury, to which these Grants are said to have been made, assure us that King Withered (who reign••d almost a whole Century after Ethelbert) was the first that gave out Charters in Writing; his Predecessors thinking their bare word sufficient to secure any of their Gifts and Benefactions. Nay, one of their owny 1.28 Monks acquaints us, that his Brethren were eminent Artists at coining of Char∣ters: and we have all the reason in the world to take his Word for it. The Cheat may commonly be disco∣ver'd by a strict Enquiry after, and

comparing of, their Dates and the Times of such Witnesses (Bishops, Abbots, &c.) as are brought in to at∣test their Truth. Mr. Whartonz 1.29 says, he could rarely observe one Saxon Charter, penn'd in their own Tongue, to have been counterfeited: and the reason he assigns, is, because all the Forgery came in after the Con∣quest; when the hungry Normans put the Monks and others upon pro∣ving their Titles to their Lands and Houses, or otherwise made bold to seize them into their own hands. Now, what was written in the Saxon Tongue being generally slighted, it was necessary they should produce their Grants in Latin, if they expect∣ed that their new Masters would ever∣regard or cast an Eye on them. Ano∣ther occasion was afterwards taken of feigning Charters, upon William the Conqueror's extraordinary one to his new erected Monastery at Battle-Ab∣bey; whereby he exempted the Ab∣bot there, and his Monks, from all Episcopal Jurisdiction. This set the Religious, in other parts of the King∣dom,

upon grasping at the like Im∣munities; and, to that end, they fre∣quently framed the like Grants from former Kings. R. Fabiana 1.30 will tell us, that the first Charter the Citizens of London ever had was granted by King William the First; which (not∣withstanding the great Antipathy which he is said to have against it) is written in the Saxon Tongue, seal'd with green Wax, and exprest in eight or nine Lines.

A great many of their Laws have been publisht;* 1.31 and we are not with∣out hopes but that a good deal more, which hitherto have lain in private hands, will shortly appear abroad. The first attempt towards so good a service to the Kingdom was made by A. Nowel, who collected all he could find, and left them to be translated by his Friend W. Lambard. He ac∣cordingly made themb 1.32 publick: but his Translation is so false and af∣fected, that the best Judges of such a performance have not been satisfy'd with it. For which reasonc 1.33 Mr. Ju∣nius

recommends the old Translation in John Brompton's History, as much more correct, and better to be rely'd on. Mr. Somner took the pains to re∣view the Book, and to correct his Errors; adding several Laws omitted by Lambard, and giving ad 1.34 dou∣ble Translation, in Latin and English, to the whole. These are now, with what else of that kind was left un∣publish'd by that industrious person, in the Custody of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury. Mr. Junius took the like pains with the Book; and his Emendations are to be had at Oxford. But still there are several Saxon Laws in Manuscript; which we have good hopes will e're long be publisht. At least, those of 'em that relate to the Affairs of the Church, will be given us in a better Edition of Sir Henry Spelman's Councils: Of which more hereafter.

By the way,* 1.35 I am not satisfy'd with the Opinion of Camden, Lambard, Spelman, (and, generally, all our English Antiquaries and Historians who have treated of these matters)

that there were in this Kingdom, be∣fore the Conquest, three Codes or Digests of Laws: which, from the several Countries wherein they first prevail'd, were rightly named the West-Saxon, Mercian and Danish Laws. This conceit is deriv'd down, with∣out Contradiction or due Examina∣tion, from the most early Translators of our Saxon Records; who took it for granted that Laga (in Westsexena laga, Myrcena laga and Dene laga) was a word of the same Import and Signi∣fication with the Norman Ley. Where∣as, in truth, Laga or Lage is properly a Country or District: and so, 'tis very evident, it ought to have been translated in the Laws ofe 1.36 Ethel∣bert, f 1.37 Cnute, andg 1.38 Edward the Confessor; even in those very parts of 'em which have occasion'd all these mistakes.

It appears there were some Histori∣ans* 1.39 who wrote of the Saxon Affairs before Venerableh 1.40 Bede's time; and I am inclinable to think that a part of their old Chronicle (which has had soi 1.41 much honour of late done to it by Mr. Gibson) is of that Age. The first Publisher of this No∣ble Monument was Ab. Wheloc; who translated it, and caus'd it to be print∣ed in the end of hisk 1.42 Saxon Bede. He made use only of two Manuscript Copies; one in Cotton's Library, the other in that of Bennet College: whereof the former ended with the year 1001, and the latter with 1070. Cotton's, he says, had been compar'd with a Third; which the Collater (whom he supposes to have been Mr. Josseline) calls the Book of Peter∣burgh. Mr. Gibson had the advantage of three Copies more: 1. Laud: A fair one in Vellum, given by Arch∣bishop Laud to the University of Ox∣ford; which corrects those that Whe∣loc had seen, and continues the Histo∣ry down to the year 1154. This, he fansies, did anciently belong to the

Monastery of Peterburgh; because it often largely insists upon the Affairs of that place. But, if it did so, 'tis plain it cannot be the same where∣with Mr. Wheloc's Cottonian MS. had been compar'd, tho its variations from it are not very considerable, being mostly in words, and not in sence. 2. Cant. Another Gift of the same Archbishop to the publick Li∣brary at Oxford. 'Tis a Paper-tran∣script of some Copy (now lost) dif∣fering from all the rest; and some∣times explaining their dark passages, and supplying their defects. It ends with the year 977. 3. Cot. A better Copy than it had been Mr. Wheloc's Fortune to meet with in them 1.43 Cot∣ton-Library: which was accurately compared with Wheloc's Edition by ••r. Junius, and ends A. D. 1057. Out of all these we have the Text made up as entire and compleat as 'twas possible to give it us; with an ele∣gant and propern 1.44 Translation, void of all affected Strains, and un∣lucky Mistakes, which used to abound in Works of this kind. If some few

passages have a little puzzl'd the In∣genious publisher, let it be consider'd, that in these, Florence of Worcester and Matthew of Westminster (who li∣ved nearer the times wherein they were penn'd) were much more lamen∣tably gravell'd. Perhaps, some further Enlargements and Additions might yet be made to this Work, out of such MSS. as came not early enough to Mr. Gibson's View and Knowledge. Of this Number I take to be, 1. The Saxon Chronicle from Julius Caesar down to the Reign of King Edward the Martyr, ino 1.45 Sir John Cotton's Library: For (if it ends, as Mr. Whar∣ton p 1.46 says it does, A. D. 975.) it must be different from what was per∣us'd by A. Wheloc. 2. Another, in the sameq 1.47 Library, from Iulius Caesar down to the Conquest; which was transcrib'd by Somner, and is now (under the Title of the Chronicle of Abingdon) amongst his MSS. at Canter∣bury. 3. A Third, in Latin and Saxon, at the samer 1.48 place; which is fre∣quently referr'd to bys 1.49 Mr. Whar∣ton,

and seems to have recorded ma∣ny particulars of Note not mention'd by any of the rest. This Book was given to Sir Robert Cotton by Mr. Cam∣den, sayst 1.50 Archbishop Vsher; who also mentions au 1.51 Copy of his own, worth the enquiring after. 4. The Book of Peterburgh, which was never tho∣roughly compar'd with any Copy, hi∣therto publisht, andw 1.52 differs from them all. May we not also bring into this List those hinted at byx 1.53 Mr. Kennet; and that whichy 1.54 Mr. Som∣ner had from Mr. Lambard? I think we may.

The History that is written by Bede* 1.55 is so purely Ecclesiastical that it will not fall under our consideration in this Chapter: But some of his Cotem∣poraries are said to have recorded the Civil Transactions of their Times. Thus Cimbert (first Monk, and after∣wards Bishop, of Lincoln) is thez 1.56 reputed Author of the Annals of his own time; and Daniel Bishop of the West Saxons isa 1.57 said to have writ∣ten

four or five Historical Treatises. I suppose there was no other grounds for dubbing these men Historians, save only Bede's grateful Acknowledg∣ments of his being indebted to both of 'em for the Informations and As∣sistances they gave him towards the compiling his Ecclesiastical History: and, if he quotes them in twenty particulars, 'tis enough for either Bale or Pits to make them Authors of as many Books.

To W. Caxton,* 1.58 I suppose, good Mr. Fox was oblig'd for the Account he gives us of Kingb 1.59 Aelfred's com∣piling a Story in the Saxon Speech, &c. But Bale and Pits have bravelyc 1.60 enlarg'd upon the matter; assuring us that he did not only write Collectiones Chronicorum, but also Acta suorum Ma∣stratuum. The Mirroir des Justices (written in the days of Edward the First) would incline us to believe the latter part of the story; giving so very punctual and 1.61 Account of forty and four of his Judges executed, in one year, for corrupt Practices. But all that now remains of that great Mo∣narch's

Works (which relates to Hi∣story) is only his paraphrastical Tran∣slation of Bede, and a short Genealo∣gy of the Kings of the West Saxons. The former of these will be treated one 1.62 hereafter, and the other may be seen among the Appendices to the Oxford Edition of his Life.

The earliest Account we have of* 1.63 the Reign of this excellent Prince is owing to Asserius Menevensis; who lived in his Court, and is said to ha••e been promoted by him to the Bishop∣rick of Sherburn. This Treatise was first publisht by A. B. Parker, in the old Saxon Character, at the end of his Edition off 1.64 Th••. Walsingham's History. This he did to invite his English Readers, and to draw them in unawares, to an Acquaintance with the Hand writing of their Ancestors, in hopes to beget in 'em (by degrees) a Love for the Antiquities of their own Country. Asserius wrote his So∣veraign's Life no further than the 45th year of his Age, which, accord∣ing to his computation, fell in the year of our Lord••893. So that, tho

the Book (as 'tis publisht) continue his Story to his Death, yet that part is borrowed from Authors of a later time; particularly, the Copy of Verses, by way of Epitaph, is Henry of Huntingdon's. He shows, through the whole, a great deal of Modesty, especially in the Account he gives of his own being call'd to Court, and his Reception there. He mentions no∣thing of the Visionary Dialogue 'twixt King Aelfred and St. Cuthbert; which all the rest of our Historians largely insist on, together with the good ef∣fects it had upon the Diocess of Lin∣disfern. He is exactly copy'd by Flo∣rence of Worcester, and others; when they come to treat of the great things of this Reign. As to what relates to the Truth or Falshood of that Memo∣rable Passage in this Book, mightily asserting the Antiquity of the Uni∣versity of Oxford, I shall not meddle at present; that matter having been sufficiently canvass'd byg 1.65 those whose proper business led them to it. The best thing this Contest could do for us was the putting Sir John Spel∣man

upon writing a Newh 1.66 Life of this King; which he seems to have undertaken chiefly upon a Design to vindicate the University of Cambridge from the Reflections which he appre∣hended were cast upon it by the use that had been made of that passage. The most elaborate piece in his whole * 1.67 Book is on this Subject; and his zealous Management has afforded us some good Remarks of his own, and others of the learned Translator and Publisher of his Work. Whether St. Neot ever wrote (as some have reported) the Life of King Aelfred, Sir John Spelman justlyi 1.68 doubts; and I am not able to resolve him, unless the next Paragraph will unravel the matter.

Another piece has been lately pub••lisht,* 1.69 under the Title ofk 1.70 Asserius's Annals, by Dr. Gale; who tells us that the Manuscript Copy, which he used, is now in the Library of Trinity College in Cambridge. Jo Brompton l 1.71 indeed cites several things, rela∣ting to the Story of King Offa, out of

Asserius's Writings, which are not in his Life of Aelfred. Hence some have concluded that he might possibly have been impos'd upon by those that had given the Name of that Author to such Anonymous Collections as they knew not how truly to Father; and the Jealousy may still continue for any thing which this Book disco∣ver••••o the contrary. For King Offa is hardly named in it; and therefore Brompton must have hit upon am 1.72 spurious piece, how genuine soever this may prove. The learned Pub∣lisher does notn 1.73 question but 'tis the true Off-spring of Asserius; and its insisting chiefly on the Fortunes of King Aelfred seems to countenance his Opinion. Leland calls it the Chro∣nicle of St. Neot's; because he found it in that Monastery. Marianus Scotus had also met with it somewhere, for he transcribes it by whole Sale.

The next Saxon Historian now ex∣tant,* 1.74 is Ethelwerd or Elward Patricius, descended (as himselfo 1.75 attests) of the Blood Royal; who liv'd till the year 1090, but did not continue his

Chronicle so far. His work consists of four Books; which are publish'd byp 1.76 Sir H. Savil. The whole is a Translation of a very false and imper∣fect Copy of the Saxon Chronicle: and therefore William of Malmesbury has modestly (out of Deference to his Family)q 1.77 declin'd the giving a Cha∣racter of this Writer's performance. If he had done it truly, he ought to have told us that his Style is boiste∣rous; and that several parts of his History are not so much as hardly sence. It appears from what we have noted above, that bothr 1.78 Malmes∣bury ands 1.79 Camden are mistaken, when they affirm him to be our most ancient Historian after Bede. J. Pits t 1.80 will tell you that we had two other Ethelwerds of the same Royal Extraction, who, long before this Man's time, wrote each of 'em a Chronicle or History of our English Affairs. The Elder of these he makes Son to King Aelfred, and the other his Grandson. Nay, and St. Ethel∣wold (Bishop of Winchester) was like∣wise

most certainly Senior to this Ethelwerd Patricius, dying in the year 984. Now, he (says the same u 1.81 Author) wrote two Books De Re∣gibus, &c. totius Angliae, and De Tem∣pore Regum Britannorum: for Copies of both which he sends to the pub∣lic Library at Cambridge.

Many things relating to the Civil* 1.82 Government of these Times are dis∣pers'd in some particular Lives of their Saints and Kings; the latter whereof may be here mention'd, tho the former will fall under ano∣ther Head. The Life of Offa (fre∣quently referr'd to byw 1.83 Sir Hen. Spelman) has been publisht byx 1.84 Dr. Watts: That of King Oswin was somewhere met with byy 1.85 John Leland: King Ethelwolph's is said to have been written byz 1.86 VVolstan, a famous Monk of VVinchester, much commended by VVilliam of Malmes∣bury: Edward the Confessor's, written by Abbot Ealred, has hada 1.87 several

Editions: and Queen Emma's En∣comium is also madeb 1.88 publick.

After the Conquest, J. Pike isc 1.89* 1.90 said to have written De Regibus Anglo-Saxonum, and De Danis in Anglia dominantibus: but it seems to be a d 1.91 mistake. Upon the same Credit we are assured thate 1.92 John Mercius, under the Reign of King Stephen, pub∣lisht an Historical Account of the Mercian Kings, which got him his Surname: Thatf 1.93 Colman the wise (John Harding's great Friend) wrote most copiously and clearly of the Saxon Heptarchy, their uniting after∣wards into a Monarchy, the Danish Incursions and Cruelties, &c. And thatg 1.94 Gyraldus Cambrensis penn'd the Story of the West Saxon Kings.

R. Verstegan'sh 1.95* 1.96 Restitution of decayed Intelligence in Antiquities does especially relate to the Language, Re∣ligion, Manners and Government of the ancient English Saxons. This Writer being of Low Dutch Extracti∣on,

a Romanist, and something of an Artist in Painting, had several advan∣tages for the making of some special Discoveries on the Subject whereon he treats; which is handled so plau∣sibly, and so well illustrated with handsome Cuts, that the Book has taken and sold very well. But a great many Mistakes have escap'd him: Some whereof have been noted by Mr. Sheringham; As, his fancy of the i 1.97 Vitae being the ancient Inhabitants of the Isle of Wight; Of thek 1.98 Saxons being in Germany, before they came in the more Northern Countries; Of l 1.99 Tuisco's coming from Babel, his giving Name tom 1.100 Tuesday, &c. The rest have been carefully corrected by Mr. Somner, who has left large Mar∣ginal n 1.101 Notes upon the whole.

Mr. Selden* 1.102 was a person of vast In∣dustry, and his Attainments in most parts of Learning were so extraordi∣nary, that every thing that came from him was always highly admir'd and applauded. Tho, I must confess,

I cannot think he was that great Man in our English Antiquities which some have taken him to be: His Analecta o 1.103 do not so clearly account for the Religion, Government and Revolu∣tions of State, among our Saxon An∣cestors, as they arep 1.104 reported to do. The Laws he quotes in his Janus Anglorum are as faulty, as if his whole Skill in them reach'd no higher than Lambard's Translation; and seem to want Will. Somner's Emendations, as much as those he has publisht of Willi∣am the Conqueror in hisq 1.105 Spicele∣gium in Eadmerum.

The very best performance that I* 1.106 know of, relating to the prime An∣tiquities of the Saxons, is Mr. Shering∣ham's Treatiser 1.107 De Anglorum Gentis Origine. Our Civil Wars sent this Author into the Low Countries, where he had the Opportunity of coming acquainted with Dr. Marshal and the Dutch Language; both inclining him to such Studies as this Book shews him to have delighted in. He appears to

have been a person of great Modesty; as well as Industry and Learning. Hence some will conclude him to be too credulous; and that several of his Authorities (particularlys 1.108 Lazius's Tattle about the Hebrew Inscriptions found at Vienna) have not been suffi∣ciently consider'd: But his Collecti∣ons out of the Greek, Roman, and (chiefly) the Northern Writers, are highly commendable; and, for the most part, very well put together.

Our Saxon Antiquary ought also to* 1.109 be skill'd in the Writings of those Learn∣ed Germans, who have made Collecti∣ons of their old Laws; or have writ∣ten such Glossaries, or other Gram∣matical Discourses, as may bring him acquainted with the many ancient Dialects of our Ancestors and Kinsmen in that part of the World. Of the former sort, those I would chiefly re∣commend to his use, are the large Volumes of Goldastus and Lindenbro∣gius; S. Meichsner's Kayserlich und Ko∣niglich Land und Lehnrech; The Frisi∣an Laws, amongst F. Junius's Book•• in Bodley's Library; and (above all)

thet 1.110 Sachsen••Spiegel or Speculum Saxonicum, which is a notable Manual of the old Laws of the ancient German-Saxons. For the acquiring a sufficient knowledge of the Language, a Man ought not only to be conversant in the Francic pieces that are collected byu 1.111 Junius, and others publisht byw 1.112 Lambecius; but also (and most especially to be familiarly inti∣mate with the most elaborate and exquisite Work ofx 1.113 J. G. Schotte∣lius, who has all that can be wisht for on that Subject.

'Twas the Opinion ofy 1.114 Sir Henry Spelman,* 1.115 that our British Historians have more largely treated of the an∣cient Affairs of Denmark than the Danes themselves. But this seems to have been a little unadvisedly writ∣ten; and before his Correspondence with Wormius had better inform'd him. I know that some of the most eminent Antiquaries of that Kingdom bewail a mighty breach in the thred

of their History of no less than three hundred years together) and that in such Centuries as their Records ought to be most serviceable to us. Butz 1.116 Pontanus has happily remov'd that Panick Fear; shewing that the Story is entire enough, and only the Chro∣nological part (which is a Fault com∣mon to all the ancient Histories of the whole World) a little dark and trou∣bled.

The Scaldri or Runae were men of* 1.117 the same fashion among the Danes, and the other Northern Kingdoms, as the Bards in Great Britain. They were the profest Historians and Ge∣nealogists of their several Countries; always in attendance on their Kings both in Peace and War, and ready to celebrate every remarkable Occur∣rence in everlasting Rhimes. This was their Office: And 'twas of that Consideration in the State, and so ac∣ceptable to the Monarchs themselves, that those Poets were always the chief Courtiers and Counsellors; as being perhaps the only Men of Let∣ters. Out of their Compositions is

fetch'd all the ancient Danish History for some Centuries; as botha 1.118 Saxo himself, and all the rest of their Histo∣rians, have acknowledg'd. The Art is still in great Vogue and Credit with the Modern Islanders, who are just∣ly reputed the main preservers of the Northern Antiquities, notwithstand∣ing that a lateb 1.119 Learned person has affirm'd that their Country produces nothing but Apparitions, Ghosts, Hob∣goblins and Fairies. Mighty are the Commendations which they that pre∣tend to Skill in these Venerable Sonnets have given us of them. They will not allow any thing that was ever penn'd by Homer or Virgil to come in Com∣petition with them: assuring us, that thec 1.120 happiest Flights we can meet with in the Greek and Roman Poets are dull Trash, if compar'd with the Seraphick Lines of a true Cimbrian Scalder.

The Language wherein the fore∣mention'd* 1.121 Rhimes were compos'd was (by the Northern Nations themselves) call'd Asamal, or the Asian Tongue;

being suppos'd to be brought out of Asia by Woden or Odin, the first great General that led a Colony into these parts. The best Remains of this (as I long sinced 1.122 acquainted the English Reader) are now amongst the Inha∣bitants of Island: who have preserv'd their ancient Language in the greatest Purity; both by being least acquaint∣ed with foreign Commerce, and by taking care to Registerin it the pub∣lic Transactions of their own and the Neighbouring Nations. The same old Tongue was also call'de 1.123 Runa Ma∣ali, from the Characters wherein 'twas written, and which they term'd Runer: Of the Original of which word, and its proper signification, Wormius has given us a large account. The Characters themselves were first (he shews) call'd Runer; tho after∣wards that word came to acquire some new significations: As, 1. En∣chantments; because they were per∣form'd by the help of these strange Letters. 2. Learned Men; whose busi∣ness it was, by the help of the same Alphabet, to compose Epitaphs for

their great ones, and to make In∣scriptions on their Monuments.

'Tis well worth our Observation,* 1.124 that among the several Runic Alpha∣bets reckon'd up byf 1.125 Arngrim Jonas, there's one which he calls Ira Letur, or Irlandorum Literae. Now, it appears indeed that the Danes were long in possession of the Kingdom of Ireland, or (at least) a good share of it: and yet we have not hitherto met with any Remains of their anci∣ent Learning, which have been dis∣cover'd in that Island. But the thing is not much to be wonder'd at. As all Reformations in religious matters are zealous and warm; so we have rea∣son to believe that to have been wherein these Pagan Nations were first converted to Christianity. Care was taken to abolish the very Ruins of their former Worship; and their first Apostles, bringing generally their Commissions from the Court of Rome, thought the Papal Conquest never to be effectually finish'd till even the Italian Characters and Way of Wri∣ting had been wholly admitted into

practice by their Northern Converts. Which was the more easily brought about, by reason of the ill use which had been some time made of their Runic Letters: For the suggestion was obvious, that, as long as these were at hand, it would be difficult to pre∣serve Men from trying some of their old Magical Conclusions; and, by degrees, relapsing into Idolatry and Paganism.

The Danes (as all other ancient* 1.126 People of the World) register'd their more considerable Transactions upon Rocks; or on parts of them, hewen into various Shapes and Figures. On these they engrav'd such Inscriptions as were proper for their Heatheng 1.127 Altars, Triumphal Arches, Sepulchral Monuments and Genealogical Histo∣ries, of their Ancestors. Their Wri∣tings of less Concern (as Letters, Al∣manacks, &c.) were engraven upon Wood: And because Beech was most plentiful in Denmark, (tho Firr and Oak be so in Norway and Sweden) and most commonly employ'd in these Services, from the word Bog (which

in their Language is the Name of that sort of Wood) they and all other Northern Nations have the Name of Book. The poorer sort used Bark; and the Horns of Rain-Deer and Elks were often finely polish'd, and shaped into Books of several Leaves. Many of their Old Calendars are likewise upon Bones of Beasts and Fishes: But the Inscriptions on Tapestry, Bells, Parchment and Paper, are of later use.

Some other Monuments may be known to be of a Danish Extraction,* 1.128 tho they carry nothing of a Runic In∣scription. Few of theirh 1.129 Temples were cover'd; and the largest ob∣serv'd by Wormius (at Kialernes in Island) was 120 foot in length, and 60 in breadth. Their Altars stood in a sort of Chappel, or Chancel, in the end of these Temples; being only large broad Stones, erected on three bulky Supporters, on the top of a Hillock, surrounded with Rows of lesser Stones. These Altars are usu∣ally, three of 'em, found together; being consecrated to their three chief

Deities. They buried their Princes and great men (as the old Greeks and Romans also did) in Hills, rais'd sometimes to a considerable heighth, surrounded with one row of Stones about the bottom, and another near the top; and, on some pompous oc∣casions, having a third row (in a square) at some distance from the lower of the two former Coronets. They likewise anciently burn'd their dead, and enclos'd their Ashes in Urns, which were reposited in the foremen∣tion'd Barrows, together with the choicest Jewels, Treasure, and valu∣able Accoutrements, of the deceas'd. The places wherein they fought their Duels were sometimes Squares, lined out with rows of Stones; sometimes round Pits, with convenient Posts (at a due distance) for the By-standers. Thus foughti 1.130 Ubbo with the Sclavo∣nian. Their Courts of Judicature (which they call'd Tinge) were also certain plots of ground, eitherk 1.131 oval or square, environ'd with great Stones; and having one larger than the rest in the middle. Near akin to

which were the places assign'd for thel 1.132 Election of their Kings; be∣ing Circles of such Stones (usually twelve in number) with the bulkiest in the midst.

The next Monument of Age is their Edda Islandorum;* 1.133 the meaning of which Appellation they that publish the Book hardly pretend to under∣stand. As far as I can give the Rea∣der any satisfaction, he is to know thatm 1.134 Island was first inhabited (in the year 874) by a Colony of Norwe∣gians; who brought hither the Tra∣ditions of their Forefathers, in certain metrical Composures, which (as is usual with Men transplanted into a Foreign Land) were here more zea∣lously and carefully preserv'd and kept in memory than by the Men of Norway themselves. About 240••years after this (A. D. 1114.) their History began to be written by onen 1.135 Sae∣mund, surnam'd Frode or the wise; who (in nine years travel through Italy, Germany and England) had a∣mass'd together a mighty Collection

of Historical Treatises. With these he return'd full fraught into Island; where he also drew up an account of the affairs of his own Country. Many of his Works are now said to be lost: But there is still an Edda, consisting of several Odes (whence I suspect its Name is derived) written by many several hands, and at as different times, which bears his Name. The Book is a Collection of Mythological Fables, relating to the ancient State and Behaviour of the Great Woden and his Followers, in terms poetical and adapted to the Service of those that were employ'd in the composure of their old Rhymes and Sonnets. Ano∣ther Edda (publish'd byo 1.136 Resenius) was written by Snorro Sturlaesonius, who was born (A. D. 1179.) above a hundred years after Saemund; and liv'd to be an eminent Lawyer in his own Country. His Work is thought to be only an Epitome of the former: but I rather look upon them as two several Collections of Islandic Tales and Ballads; out of which may be pick'd a deal of good History, and the

best View of the Religious Rites of the Northern Nations that is any where extant. 'Tis plain Saxo had seen many Sonnets that are not touch'd upon in either of these; and thence the Report comes of an Elder Edda much larger (a thousand times says Bishopp 1.137 Br. Suenonius) than both of 'em put together. Nor is it indeed improbable but that a thousand times more Songs of this kind might have been had for seeking after, whatever Scantiness they may now be reduc'd to. Magnus Olaus collected many of 'em for Wormius's; which he was also so kind as to translate and explain to him: And, near twenty years ago, I met with a much more perfect Edda than Resenius's in the famous Library of the Duke of Brunswic-Wolfembut∣tel. Whether it was a Copy of Saemund Frode's I am not now able so much as to conjecture; but I remember the Li∣brary Keeper (Mr. Hanisius) was so much a stranger to its Contents, that he had entitul'd it an old Moscovian MS. To the Edda is always annex'd the Scalda, which is the old Danish or

Islandic Prosodia, teaching how to compose their several sorts of Me∣ter.

Our Danish Antiquary should be also acquainted with the best Islandic Historians;* 1.138 the most ancient whereof is Aras Frode, Cotemporary with Sae∣mund. He first wrote a Regular Hi∣story of Island, from the first planting of the Country down to his own Time: wherein he gives an account also of the Affairs of Norway, Den∣mark, and England, intermixt with those of his own Nation. This fell happily into the hands of Tho. Bar∣tholine; who with theq 1.139 assistance of his Friend the Bishop of Scalholt) took care to have it published, A. D. 1689. Since his time the Islandic Hi∣storians have not had any great occa∣sion to meddle with the Transactions in Britain, excepting onlyr 1.140 Arn∣grim Jonas, who touches upon some passages which we have also in others already mentioned. And indeed most of 'em are written with so little judgment (confounding the true and fabulous Sonnets of their Scaldri) that

they are not to be read without some Caution and Acquaintance with those Poetical Writers who are own'd to be their chief Authors: And the Emu∣lation that daily appears to be be∣twixt the Antiquaries of the two Neighbouring Kingdoms of Sweden and Denmark (for the gaining the honour of Precedence to their seve∣ral Countries) seems to threaten us with further Corruptions in the Edi∣tions of their Manuscripts. A misfor∣tune this is, which is too frequently observable (tho very highly scanda∣lous) in Historians and Learned Men; who ought not to be byass'd by any, even the most natural, Affections.

There is likewise extant a couple of* 1.141 Norwegian Histories of good Authen∣tic Credit; which explain a great ma∣ny particulars relating to the Exploits of the Danish Kings in Great Britain, which our own Historians have either wholly omitted or very darkly re∣corded. The former of these was written soon after the year 1130, by ones 1.142 Theodoric a Monk; who ac∣knowledges his whole Fabrick to be

built upon Tradition, and that the old Northern History is no where now to be had save only ab Istendingorum an∣tiquis Carminibus. The other was compil'd by Snorro Sturlaesonius; who confesses he drew it out of the Bal∣lads of the Scaldri, which he verily believes to contain nothing but what may be firmly rely'd on as most un∣questionable Truth. And Arngrim Jonas so far concurs with him, as to t 1.143 assure us that the Songsters of those days were far from Flattery; and knew nothing of the more modern po∣etical Licence, of Fable and Rhodo∣mantade, in recording the story of their Princes and Patrons. This Book was translated into the Vulgar Danish Language by Pet. Vndallensis; and so u 1.144 publish'd by VVormius.

Nor do I know of any more than* 1.145 two Danish Historians which are neces∣sarily requisite to be in our Antiquary's Library; and those are Saxo Gram∣maticus and (his Cotemporary and Fellow-Servant) Sueno Aggonis. Be∣fore Stephanius's excellentw 1.146 Edi∣tion, Saxo's History had been thrice

publisht, but very faultily. He is commonly reckon'd the most ancient (as well as most polite) Historian of Denmark; dying, Provost of the Ca∣thedral Church at Roschild, A. D. 1204. Saxo himself says hex 1.147 compil'd a good part of his out of the Islandic Ballads; yet Arn. Jonas (as quoted by y 1.148 Stephanius) assures us that he did not deal fairly in that matter, nor make such good use of those Autho∣rities as he ought to have done. J. Lys∣cander z 1.149 quarrels him upon the like bottom, and seems to intimate that he had a greater care of the Style than Matter of his Book. Sueno dy'd before he could bring his Work (which is alsoa 1.150 publish'd by Stephanius) to perfection: But what we have is of as good and valuable a kind as the fore-mention'd: For, as Saxo framed his History out of the old Rhimes, so he declares that his is mostly taken from the Tales and Traditions of old peo∣ple. Out of these two is borrow'd the most of what we meet with, relating to those Times wherein the Affairs of Denmark and Britain were chiefly in∣terwoven,

in Huitfield, Pontanus, Meursius, and all other later Histori∣ans of that Kingdom.

The great Restorer of the decay'd* 1.151 Antiquities of Denmark was Olaus Wormius; who has also enabled us to make many new Discoveries in those of our own Nation. Hisb 1.152 Literatura Ru∣nica was the first happy Attempt made towards the right explaining of the old Cimbrian Monuments: which, till his time, had laid neglected and unknown to the Learned World; not only in those Northern Kingdoms, but in se∣veral parts of Italy, Spain and other Europoean Countries, where the Gothic Arms and Letters had gain'd a foot∣ing. The whole Treatise is divided into 29 Chapters; largely treating of the Name, Number, Figure, Powers, &c. of the Runic Characters. His c 1.153 Monumenta Danica affords a No∣ble Collection of the scatter'd Runic Monuments through all the several Provinces of the Danish and Norwegi∣an Kingdoms: An undertaking fruit∣lessly attempted before him, and a Work that was so much despair'd on,

that some of the best pieces were put to the most vile uses. Out of this Misery he recover'd them; and has now rais'd himself an everlasting Mo∣nument out of them all. The whole Book is of singular use to any man that pretends to write upon any Branch of our English Antiquities; some where∣of ared 1.154 particularly Illustrated by the worthy Author himself. To these we must add hise 1.155 Lexicon Runicum andf 1.156 Fasti Danici: Nor is theg 1.157 Musaeum Wormianum so full fraught with Physical Rarities, but that it will supply us with some Curiosities in Northern Antiquities worth our seeking. After him, Joh. Mejerus made some Gleanings in the same Field; which still remain in MS. And several Swedes were, by his example, induced to pay the like respect to the long neglected Monuments of their Ancestors. Among whom Buraeus and Verelius have already appeared in public; and Joh. Hadorphius's more complete Work (de Sepultura

Sueco-Gothorum) has been long since promis'd.

Tho. Bartholinus* 1.158 (Son to the fa∣mous Physician of that Name) has lately given us anh 1.159 Addition to Wormius's Discoveries; enquiring in∣to the Reasons that induced the an∣cient Danes to contemn Death, and carry on the most dangerous Exploits with so much Courage and Bravery. In pursuance whereof he gives us a notable Account of their Belief of the Soul's Immortality; their Deifying of Woden, Thor, Fro and other Heroes; their hopes of enjoying a sensual and Turkish Eternity in Valhalla or Woden's Elysium, &c.

Some few more Writers there are (of a lower form) that have treated on the same subject; which may be useful to our English Antiquary. But for these I must refer him to Alb. Bar∣tholine's Treatisei 1.160 de Scriptis Dano∣rum; being not very well dispos'd (at present) for the writing of dry Catalogues.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Introduct. pag. 1.
• b 1.2

  Vid. Aelfred. Mag. Vit. p. 82, 92, 93.
• * 1.3

  Gram∣mar.
• c 1.4

  Ar∣chaion. Praef. ad Lect. p. 2.
• d 1.5

  Praef. ad Gram. Saxon. p. 12, 13.
• e 1.6

  Britan. in Devon.
• f 1.7

  N. E. Camd. Brit. p. 38.
• g 1.8

  4to. Oxon. 1689.
• h 1.9

  Observat. in Vers. Anglo. Sax. p. 491, 492.
• * 1.10

  Dictiona∣ries
• i 1.11

  Auct. Hist. Dogm. Vsserii, p. 377, 378.
• k 1.12

  Titles of Hon. p. 82.
• l 1.13

  Fol. Oxon. 1659.
• * 1.14

  Glossa∣ries.
• m 1.15

  Fol. Lond. 16••6.
• n 1.16

  Fol. Lond 1664, & 1687.
• o 1.17

  Fol. Lond. 1652.
• p 1.18

  Glossar. ad Script. Med. & Infim. Latinit. 3 Vol. Paris. Fol. 1678.
• q 1.19

  In Praef. ad Archaion. Guil. Lambardi.
• * 1.20

  Coins.
• r 1.21

  Luc. 12. 6. 21. 2.
• s 1.22

  Marc. 12. 42.
• t 1.23

  Re∣mains p. m. 200.
• u 1.24

  Vid. LL. Aethelstan. R. ••dit. Wheloc p. 55.
• w 1.25

  Bibl. Cot. Tiber. A. 13. Nero, E. 1. 131. & 132. &c.
• * 1.26

  Charters.
• x 1.27

  H. Spelm. Concil. Tom. 1. p 118, 119, 120.
• y 1.28

  Gervas. Dorob ad an. 1181.
• z 1.29

  Praef. ad Angl. Sacr. par. 2. p. 3.
• a 1.30

  V••l. 1. p. 310.
• * 1.31

  Laws.
• b 1.32

  Archainom. 4to. Lond. 1568. & Fol. C••nta•••• 1644.
• c 1.33

  In Praef. ad Gloss. Goth.
• d 1.34

  Kennet's Life of Somn. p. 52.
• * 1.35

  Denela∣ga, &c.
• e 1.36

  Archaion. Edit. Wheloc. p. 88. On 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Quae male Lambardus, Merciae, quae legibus Anglorum gubernatur. Rectius—quae postea Ditio Anglorum.
• f 1.37

  Ib. p. 110. On 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & on 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i. Intra Ditiones Danicas & Anglicas.
• g 1.38

  Ib. p. 149. Erat Lex Danorum, Norfolc. &c. Quam ob omni sensu alienum! Pro Lex itidem hic Loci Diti•• sive Provincia substituenda est.
• * 1.39

  Saxon Chronicle.
• h 1.40

  Vid. Bed. Eccl. Hist. lib. 3. cap. 1.
• i 1.41

  Life of Somn. p. 53.
• k 1.42

  Fol. Cantab. 1643.
• m 1.43

  Tiber. B. 4.
• n 1.44

  4to. Oxon. 1672.
• o 1.45

  Tiber. A. 6.
• p 1.46

  Angl. Sac. par. I. p. 176.
• q 1.47

  Tiber. B. 1.
• r 1.48

  Domitian. A. 8.
• s 1.49

  Angl. Sac. par. I. p. 332, 558, 791, 796.
• t 1.50

  Vsserij Hist. Eccles. p. 20. 218.
• u 1.51

  Ib. p. 182.
• w 1.52

  Angl. Sacr. p. 405.
• x 1.53

  Life of Somn. p. 30. 66.
• y 1.54

  Roman Ports, &c. p. 32. Vid. etiam D. Hickesij, Catal. Lib. Sept. p. 171.
• * 1.55

  Histori∣ans.
• z 1.56

  I. Pits, p. 127. Bale, Cent. 1. cap. 89.
• a 1.57

  Pits, p. 144. Bale, Cent. 1. cap. 91.
• * 1.58

  K. Ael∣fred.
• b 1.59

  Martyrol. ad An. 872.
• c 1.60

  Pits, p. 170. Bale, Cent. 2. cap. 7.
• d 1.61

  Aelfr. Mag. Vit. p. 82, 83.
• e 1.62

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.63

  Asserius.
• f 1.64

  Fol. Lond. 1574.
• g 1.65

  Vid. Hist. & Antiq. Oxon. lib. 1. p. 9, 10. Et Vit. Aelfr. R. p. 141, 142, 143, &c.
• h 1.66

  Fol. Oxon. 1678.
• * 1.67

  Ibid.
• i 1.68

  Vit. Aelfr p. 3, 4.
• * 1.69

  Pseu••lo-Ass••rius
• k 1.70

  Fol. Oxon. 1691.
• l 1.71

  l••ter X. Script. p. 753.
• m 1.72

  Vid. Angl. Sacr. par. I. p. 330.
• n 1.73

  Praef. 10.
• * 1.74

  Ethel∣werd.
• o 1.75

  Lib. 4. cap. 2.
• p 1.76

  Inter 5 Scrip. post Bed. Fol. Francof. 1601.
• q 1.77

  Prolog. ad Lib. 1. de Gest. Reg.
• r 1.78

  Id. ib.
• s 1.79

  Britan. in val. Pict.
• t 1.80

  J. Pits, p. 173.
• u 1.81

  Id. p. 178.
• * 1.82

  Lives of their Kings.
• w 1.83

  Concil. Tom. I. p. 302, 303, &c. Gloss. p. 296.
• x 1.84

  In Edit. M. Paris.
• y 1.85

  Vid. Monast. Angl. Tom. I. p. 334.
• z 1.86

  J. Pits, p. 181.
• a 1.87

  Apud Capgravium, ••urium, &c. Optima autem inter 10. Script.
• b 1.88

  Edit. Paris. 1619.
• c 1.89

  I. Pits. p. 195.
• * 1.90

  Since the Conquest.
• d 1.91

  Vid. H. Wharton, Praef. ad Angl. Sac. par. II. p. 28, 29.
• e 1.92

  J. Pits, p. 213.
• f 1.93

  Id. p. 266.
• g 1.94

  Id. p. 281.
• h 1.95

  Quarto Antwerp. 1605. oct. Lond. 1653. 1674.
• * 1.96

  R. Verste∣gan.
• i 1.97

  Sheringh. de Angl. Gent. Orig. p. 35, 36, &c.
• k 1.98

  Id. p 75, 149, 345.
• l 1.99

  Id. p. 85.
• m 1.100

  Id. p. 317.
• n 1.101

  Kennet's Life of Somn. p. 63. 120.
• * 1.102

  J. Selden.
• o 1.103

  Quarto Francof. 1615.
• p 1.104

  Deg. Whear. Me∣thod. Legend. Hist. p. m. 133.
• q 1.105

  Fol. Lond. 1623.
• * 1.106

  R. She∣ringham.
• r 1.107

  Octav. Cantabr. 1670.
• s 1.108

  Cap. 4.
• * 1.109

  German Writers.
• t 1.110

  See Engl. Atlas, vol. II. p. 113, 114.
• u 1.111

  Vid. Hickes Catal. Lib. Sept. p. 177.
• w 1.112

  Comment in Bib∣lioth. Vindobon.
• x 1.113

  Von der Teutschen Ha••pt-Sprach, &c. Lib. V. 4to Brunsw. 1663.
• y 1.114

  In Epist. ad D. P. Rosaecran, Mon. Dan. p. 159.
• * 1.115

  Danes.
• z 1.116

  Hist. Dan. lib 1. p. 37.
• * 1.117

  Scaldri.
• a 1.118

  Vid. Praef. ad Sax. Grammat. Hist. Dan.
• b 1.119

  Sir Tho. Craig's Scotlands Soveraign. p. 121.
• c 1.120

  Vid. S. Ioh. Steph. Not. in Sax. Gram. p. 11, 1••.
• * 1.121

  Asamal.
• d 1.122

  Engl. Atlas. vol. I. in Denm. p. 49, 70.
• e 1.123

  Ol. Worm. Lit. Run. cap. 5.
• * 1.124

  Ira Letur.
• f 1.125

  In Epist. ad Olaum ibid.
• * 1.126

  Runic Monu∣ments.
• g 1.127

  Vid. Lit. Run. cap. 1. & 25. Mon. Dan. lib. 5. p. 344, 345, & 438.
• * 1.128

  Unlet∣ter'd Mo∣numents.
• h 1.129

  Mon. Dan. lib. 1. cap. 3, 6, 7.
• i 1.130

  Sax. Gram. Hist. Dan. lib. 3.
• k 1.131

  Mon. Dan. lib. 1. cap. 10.
• l 1.132

  Ib. cap. 12.
• * 1.133

  Edda.
• m 1.134

  Arng. Jonas▪ in Chrymog. lib. 1. cap. 2.
• n 1.135

  Tho. Bartholin. Antiq. Dan. lib. 1. cap. 11. p. 192.
• o 1.136

  Quarto Hatn. 1665.
• p 1.137

  In Epist. ad. S. Joh Stephan.
• * 1.138

  Islandic Histories.
• q 1.139

  Tho. Bartholin. Antiq. Dan. p. 197, 198.
• r 1.140

  Chrymogaea. 4to Hamb. 1610.
• * 1.141

  Norwegi∣an Wri∣ters.
• s 1.142

  8vo. Amstelod. 1684.
• t 1.143

  In Supplement. ad Hist. Norvag.
• u 1.144

  4to. Hafn. 1633.
• * 1.145

  Danish Histori∣ans.
• w 1.146

  Fol. Sorae, 1645.
• x 1.147

  In Epist. Ded.
• y 1.148

  Proleg. p. 37.
• z 1.149

  Antiq. Dan. Serm. 8.
• a 1.150

  Sorae 1643.
• * 1.151

  O. Wor∣mius.
• b 1.152

  4to. Hafn. 1636. & Fol. ibid. 1651.
• c 1.153

  Fol. Hafn. 1644.
• d 1.154

  Mon. Dan. p. 326, &c. 339, 342.
• e 1.155

  Fol. Hafn. 1650.
• f 1.156

  Fol. Hafn. 1626 & 1651.
• g 1.157

  Fol. Lugd. Bat. 1655.
• * 1.158

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• h 1.159

  Antiquitates Dan. 4to. Hafn. 1689.
• i 1.160

  8vo. Hafn. 1666.