Camden's Britannia newly translated into English, with large additions and improvements ; publish'd by Edmund Gibson ...

The Manners of the BRITAINS.

AS for the affairs of the Britains in elder times, their State and Government, their Laws and Customs, we were promised a treatise of them, by Mr. Daniel Rogers, an excellent man and eminent for his learning, to whom I am particularly obliged; but he being snatch'd away by an untimely death, before he had done any thing upon this subject, I will here present the Reader with these few Memoirs concer∣ning their old Customs,* 1.1 took word for word out of antient Authors.

Caesar. The mony us'd by the Britains is brass, or iron* 1.2 rings after a certain set weight instead of it. They think it unlawful to taste hares, hens, and geese; however, they keep them for their delight and pleasure. The most civi∣liz'd by far of them, are those who inhabit Kent, a coun∣try which lyes all along upon the sea-coast, where they are not much different from the Gauls in customs. Many of the inland people sow no corn, but live upon milk and flesh: they are cloathed with skins. All the Britains dye themselves with Woad, which makes them of a skie colour, and there∣upon the more terrible in battle. They wear their hair long upon their head and upper lip, but close and bare in all other parts of the body. ^a They have ten or twelve of them Wives together in common, especially brothers with one another, and parents with their children; but then, if any of the women bring forth, the child is counted his only, who first marry'd her. In battles their way is generally to fight in* 1.3 Chariots:* 1.4 First they scoure up and down in them, and fling darts, and so many times disorder the enemies ranks by the terrour of their horses and the noise of their chariot wheels. When they once wind themselves in among the horse, they light from their chariots, and fight on foot. The Coachmen in the mean time retire, and place themselves so, that their masters may readily find them, to mount a∣gain, in case they are overpower'd by the number of the enemy. Thus they perform both the speed and quickness of the horse, and the steadiness of the foot in battle, and by daily use and practice are so expert at it, that upon the side of a steep hill, they can stop their horses at full speed, and take them up presently; can turn and run along upon the beam, rest upon the yoke, and from thence whip presently into their chariots. They often likewise give ground, and retreat on purpose; and when at a little distance from our Legions, dismount from their chariots, and fight the enemy at disadvantage. The method of their Cavalry was such, that it proved equally dangerous to pursue, or to be pursued by them. Moreover they never fought close and thick to∣gether, but thin, and at some considerable distance; having others posted in certain order, so that one might succour an∣other, and the wearied might be reliev'd and succeeded with fresh supplies.

Strabo. The Britains in stature exceed the Gauls, and their hair is not so yellow, nor their bodies so well set. Let this be an argument of their tallness, that I my self have seen at Rome some young men of them, taller by half a foot than any other men. Yet their legs were but weak, and the other parts of the body shew'd them to be not well made nor handsome. In their nature they partly resemble the Gauls, but in some things more plain and barbarous: so that some of them have not the art to make cheese, tho' they have much milk; others of them know neither the art of gardening, nor any other kind of husbandry. They have many Potentates among them. In battles they use Chariots in great numbers,* 1.5 as some of the Gauls do. Woods among them are instead of cities; for having cut down trees, and enclosed a large round plat of ground with them, there they build huts to live in, and make folds for their cattle; which are not design'd to endure long.

Caesar likewise. It is counted a town among the Bri∣tains, when some thick wood is fenced round with a trench and rampier, where to avoid incursions they retire and take refuge.

Diodorus Siculus. The Britains live in the same manner that the antients did; they fight in chariots, as the antient heroes of Greece are said to have done in the Trojan wars. Their houses for the most part are made of reeds or wood. They house their corn in the ear, and thresh out no more at a time than may serve them for one day. They are plain and upright in their dealings, and far from the craft and subtilty of our countrymen. Their food is plain and natural, and has nothing of the dainties of rich men. The Island is very populous.

Pomponius Mela. Britain has its Nations, and its Kings over them; but all in it are barbarous. And as they are at great distance from the continent, so they are the more unacquainted with the wealth and riches in other places; theirs consisting wholly in cattle and the extent of their grounds. They* 1.6 paint their bodies, whether for shew and beauty, or some other reason, is uncertain. They make war at pleasure, and make frequent incursions upon one another, prompted chiefly by an ambition of Sovereign∣ty and enlarging their territories. They fight not only on horseback and on foot, but also in their wagons and chariots, armed after the way in Gaul, where they call them Covins, with hooks and sythes at the axletrees of them.

Cornelius Tacitus. The Britains are nearest to the Gauls, and likest them; either by virtue of the same ori∣ginal, or because, that in Countries opposite to one another a like climate gives a like make and complexion to the bo∣dies of each people. However, if a man considers all, 'tis probable this neighbouring country was peopl'd by the Gauls; one finds the same religious rites, and superstitious opini∣ons among them. Their language is not much different from one another, and they are alike bold and forward in any dangerous enterprise; and likewise upon encounter, a∣like cowardly in giving over and declining. Yet the Bri∣tains shew more heat and fierceness than the other, as being not yet soften'd and render'd effeminate by much peace. For we find that the Gauls likewise were once famous for their wars, till with peace idleness came in among them, and their bravery went to wreck as well as their liberty. Which very thing is befallen those Britains who were for∣merly conquer'd; whereas the rest continue such as the Gauls were. The strength of their Arms consists in their Infantry; and some of their nations fight in chariots. The greatest person among them still drives, his servants de∣fend him. Heretofore they were governed by Kings, but now they are drawn under petty Princes into parties and factions. Nor was there any thing of more considerable advantage to the Romans, against the most powerful nations of them, than their not concerting one common in∣terest. Seldom above one or two cities unite against a common enemie, so that whilst every one fights singly, all are conquer'd.

In another place. 'Tis common among the Britains to consult the Gods by surveying the entrals of beasts, and to go to war under the conduct of women. They make no distinction of sex in point of Government. And there∣fore some learned men think Aristotle spake of the Britains,* 1.7 where he takes notice of some warlike na∣tions beyond the Celtae, subject to the government of women.

Dio Nicaeus, out of Xiphilin's Epitome concerning the Britains in the North part of the Island. They till no ground, but live upon prey and hunting, and the fruit of trees: fish, though they have in great plenty, they will not tast. They dwell in tents, naked, and without shoes. They use their wives in common, and bring up all the children among them. The commonalty govern for the most part. They rob at pleasure, and fight in chariots. Their horses are small and swift. They themselves run at a great rate. When they stand in an engagement, they are firm and immoveable. Their weapons, are a shield and a short spear, in the lower end whereof is a piece of brass like an apple, that by shaking it they may terrifie the enemy.* 1.8

They have daggers also: and they endure hunger, cold, and all kinds of labour, with wonderful patience. For in the begs to the very head they'll continue many days without food. In the woods, they live upon barks of trees and roots. They have a certain kind of meat ready upon all occasions, of which if they take but the quantity of a bean, they are neither hungry nor dry.

Herodian. They know not the use of cloaths; but about their necks and bellies they wear iron, thinking that an ornament and a sign of their great riches, as other Barba∣rians do gold. They paint their bodies with sundry co∣lours, with all kinds of animals represented in them, and therefore they put on no cloaths, least they hide and cover it. The people are warlike and bloody, arm'd with a narrow shield only and a spear, and lastly a sword hanging by their naked bodies: they are altogether strangers to the use either of a coat of mail or helmet, supposing that would prove but burthensome to them when they march over hogs and mosses; from which so much fog and vapour is exhaled, that the air in those parts is always thick and cloudy.

* 1.9What remains (which is but little now) I will pick up here and there, and set down as briefly as I can. Pliny of Magick. But why should I take notice of these things in an art, which hath travers'd the ocean, and reach'd the utmost bounds of nature? Britain at this day honours it with so much pomp and ceremony, that one would imagine the Persians had been taught it by them.

The same Author. There grows in Gaul an herb like Plantine,* 1.10 called Glastum, wherewith the British wives and virgins dye their bodies all over, resembling Black∣amoors by that tincture; and so they are wont at certain sacrifices to go naked. The choicest food among them is your Chenerotes,* 1.11 a kind of fowl less than a wild Goose. The Britains wear rings upon their middle finger; they manure their ground with* 1.12 Marle.

* 1.13Solinus tell us, That they painted themselves with cer∣tain marks, which Tertullian calls Britonum stigmata. He says farther, The Country was partly possess'd by Bar∣barians; with the shapes of several beasts, artfully cut out in the bodies of them in their youth, so that these prints in their flesh might grow and increase as their bodies did. Nor is there any thing reckon'd a sign of more patience among these Barbarous Nations, than to make such deep scars in their limbs, as may receive a great deal of this dye.

Dio. They worship'd Andates,* 1.14 that is to say, the God∣desses Victoria and Andrastes.

* 1.15Caesar and Lucan. They had Ships, the keel and mast whereof were made of light wood; the other parts of it was cover'd over with leather. Solinus. The Sailors never eat till their voyage be finish'd. The drink us'd by them was made of Barley, (and so 'tis likewise by us at this day) as Dioscorides says, who mis-names it Curmi* 1.16 for Kwrw; for so the Britains term what we call Ale. Many of them had only one wife, as Eu∣sebius says, Praepar. 6. Plutarch writes, That some of them would live an hundred and twenty years, the natu∣ral heat of the body being preserv'd by the coldness of the Country.

* 1.17As for those ancient years of inhumane tyrants, Gildas speaks of, I know not what he means by them, unless he hints to those, who took upon them the govern∣ment in these parts in opposition to the Romans, and were call'd at that time Tyranni. For he presently adds from S. Jerome, Porphyrie raging in the east like a mad dog against the Church, thus proceeds after his vain and wild rate, calling Britain a Province plentiful in ty∣rants. I shall say nothing of their ancient Religion, for it was not really a Religion, but a dismal and confused heap of superstition. For after the Devil had involv'd the truth of Religion in mists and dark∣ness,* 1.18 Gildas tells us, That the specters of Britain were purely hellish, more numerous than those of Aegypt, of which some are yet remaining, strangely featur'd and ugly, and to be seen both within and without their forsaken walls, looking stern and grim, after their usual manner.

As for the Britains being at the rape of Hesione with Hercules, inferr'd from those verses of Corne∣lius, (supposed by some to be the same with Nepos) while he describes the marriage of Telemon and Hesione:

— Et in aurea pecula fusi In vitant sese pateris pl••bs mixta Britanni, &c. With generous wine the golden Vessels flow'd And well-fill'd bowls went round the undistinguish'd crowd; Britains among the rest. —

This is plainly poetical; and that the Author of it was not Cornelius Nepos, as the Germans will have it, but Josephus Iscanus, or Joseph of Exeter, I can clearly demonstrate. For he makes mention of our Henry II. and of Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury.

Whether or no Ulysses came hither,* 1.19 (as Solinus says is manifest from an Altar with an inscription of Greek letters on it,) is question'd by Brodaeus: andc 1.20 I should rather imagine it erected in honour of Ulysses than raised by him; tho' they would have this Ulysses to be Elizza, Japhet's grandson. For it appears by history, and we have already observ'd, that the an∣tient Greeks were great travellers both by sea and land; and therefore it ought not to seem strange, if we find some names and monuments of them in ma∣ny places. Now they took those names not so fre∣quently from their own Ancestors, as from Heroes, who were equally, if not more honour'd among them, than Confessors and Martyrs among Christians. And therefore as those Countries newly found out, take their names from St. John, St. Dominic, St. Francis, and many other Saints; so likewise no one will deny, but the same was done among the Greeks. And of all their Heroes, which of them has ever made voyages, either more frequently, or more long and tedious than Ulysses did? No wonder then that Mariners should generally make their vows to him, and consecrate the places of their arrival with his name. Thus Ulyssipo, upon the mouth of the river Tagus, took its name; and thus in other places are those monuments of Ulysses, Laertes, and his compa∣nions, which are not to be ascribed to Ulysses, as the founder of them, but as we ought to suppose, dedi∣cated by Grecian travellers to that Hero, who him∣self of all others was the greatest.

John Tzetzes in his Variae Historiae writes, That our British Kings made Cato the elder (who was so pro∣fess'd an enemy to the vice and debauchery of the Romans) many presents, in respect and honour to his virtue; and that long before the name of Britain was known at Rome. I leave him to make good the truth of this story; but how fabulous an Author he is, the learn'd are sufficiently sensible.

Nor would I have the reader believe,* 1.21 that Alexan∣der the great went from the East-Indies to the streights of Gibraltar, and to Britain, upon the authority of Cedrenus against other Historians. From thence being come into Aphasis,* 1.22 Gades, and the British nation, and having furnish'd himself with a thousand hulks, &c. That of Trithemius out of Hunnibald, is much such stuff, re∣lating, that King Bassanus put away his wife, the King of the Orcades's daughter, in the year before Christ 284 and that thereupon he made war against Bassa∣nus with the auxiliaries he had from the King of the Britains.

Neither would I have any one imagine,* 1.23 that Han∣nibal carri'd on a war in Britain, because of that pas∣sage of Polybius, in the Eclogae of the XI Book. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. For the place is corrupted, and it should be read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as 'tis also in the 42 Book of Dio. For in both places they treat of the Brutii in Italy; and yet I will not deny but that the Greeks about this time might arrive here. For Athe∣naeus, describing from Moschion, a very ancient Au∣thor, that ship of Hiero,* 1.24 which was admired by every one for greatness and workmanship, tells us, That the Main-mast of it was with much difficulty at last found by a Swine-herd in the mountains of Britain, and from thence convey'd into Sicily by Phileas T••uromi∣nites, a Mechanick: But I fear the Criticks will here also read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and refer it to the Brutian-Hills in Italy.

* 1.25Yet 'tis likely, that the Britains went some of them with the Cimbrians and the Gauls in those expediti∣ons of theirs into Greece and Italy. For, besides the name common to both of them, in the Triades a very ancient British Book, where we find mention of three great armies rais'd in Britain; 'tis said, that a certain foreign Captain drew a mighty army out of this kingdom, which, having destroy'd great part of Europe, at last settl'd upon the Grecian sea; I suppose meaning Galatia. That Brennus, so famous both in Greek and Latin Authors, was a Britain, some think may be easily made out. For my part, I know on∣ly thus much in this matter, that the name is not yet quite lost among the Britains, who in their language call a King Brennin.

* 1.26However, that Britomarus a warlike Captain among them, mention'd by Florus and Appian, was a Bri∣tain, 'tis plain, from the word it self, which signifies a Great Britain. I will not here wrest that of Strabo, saying, that Brennus was by birth a Prausian, that so I may thence make him a Britain. And whereas Otho Frisingensis writes,* 1.27 that the Briones, a race of the Cimbri, settl'd themselves towards the head of the Drave, I will not venture to alter Briones into Britones: though the Criticks of our age seldom stick at any thing.

* 1.28However, to give my own opinion once for all: as the Romans, notwithstanding they grew so great and eminent, were neither known to Herodotus nor the ancient Greeks; and the Gauls and Iberians were for a long time utterly unknown to the old Histori∣ans:d 1.29 so I have always thought, that it was late be∣fore the name of the Britains was heard of by the Greeks and Romans. As for that Tract De Mundo, which goes for Aristotle's, and makes mention of the Britains, of Albion, and Hierna, it is not so old as Aristotle, but of far later date, as the learned think. For certain, this part of the world was not known to Polybius that great Historian, who, in company with the famous Scipio, travell'd a great part of Europe about 370 years before Christ.e 1.30 He tell us, That whatsoever tract lies northward between the Tanay and Narbo is unknown to this day, and that what ever is said or wrote of it, is all idle and fictitious. Much after the rate that those at present may be thought to do, who credulously perswade themselves, that Hamilco, being sent by the Carthaginians to make discovery of the western coasts of Europe, arriv'd here many years before; when there's no other ground for this voy∣age but a verse or two in Festus Avienus. And that it was so late ere Britain was known, might very well be, by reason of its situation, whereby 'tis dis∣joyn'd from the Continent; and also, because the old Britains were then barbarous (as other Nations in this part of the world,) and living at home, had no great commerce with other Countries. Dio is of the same opinion in this matter, saying, That Britain was not so much as discover'd by the old Greeks and Romans, and that the modern of them question'd whether it were Continent or Island; that much was written on both sides by some who had no certain knowledge, as having neither seen the Country, nor learn'd the nature of it from the In∣habitants, but relying solely on those conjectures they had made, as they had time or diligence to study it. The first Latin Author that I know of, who mentions Britain, is Lucretius, in those verses of his about the difference of air.

Nam quid Britannum coelum differre putamus, Et quod in Aegypto est, quâ mundi claudicat axis. How different is the air oth' British Isle From that which plays upon the wandring Nile.

Now 'tis granted on all hands, that Lucretius lived a little before Caesar: about which time, Divitiacus King of the* 1.31 Soissons, the most potent Prince in Gaul, govern'd the Britains, as Caesar himself informs us. But this is to be understood of the sea-coast. For the same Caesar witnesses, that there was no other parts of Britain besides the sea-coast, and what laid over against France, known to the Gauls. Diodorus Siculus writes, That Britain was never subject to any foreigner; neither Dionysius, nor Hercules, nor any God or Hero, have attempted to conquer it. C. Caesar, for his great exploits sirnamed Divus, is now the first that ever subdu'd the Britains, and forc'd them to pay tribute.

Here then our Historian (whoever he may be) should begin his history, and not higher:* 1.32 if he seri∣ously considers what the most learned Varro hath heretofore said, and I have already hinted. Namely,* 1.33 that there are three distinct periods of time; the first from man's creation to the deluge, which (by reason we know nothing of it) is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The second, from the deluge to the first Olympiad, in the year of the world 3189, which (because we have nothing of it but false and fabulous* 1.34) is call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The third, from the first Olympiad to our own times, call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.35 because the transactions of that space are re∣lated by good Historians. However, though no learned Nations, except the Jews, had any true or historical relations before that age, I know very well, that the British history of Geofrey begins three hun∣dred and thirty years before the first Olympiad, which was then such a rude and ignorant age, in these parts, that our Author calls it fabulous. Hence there∣fore, (lest I lay a bad foundation, and the rest prove accordingly) both because 'tis requisite in this place, and may give great light to that which is to follow; I will begin the history of the Romans in Britain, collected not from fables, which would argue the Author's vanity in writing, as well as his folly in believing; but from the uncorrupted monuments of Antiquity, with as much brevity as I can: for 'tis not my design to rob any one of the glory of a larger treatise upon this subject.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Manners and Cu∣stoms of the Bri∣tains.
• * 1.2

  Annulis in the text: s••me read laminis.
• * 1.3

  Essedis.
• * 1.4

  Way of fighting in Chariots.
• * 1.5

  British towns.
• * 1.6

  Ultro Cor∣pora in∣fecti. But in the margin glasto vel vitro. vid. pag. 29.
• * 1.7

  Polit. 2. c. 7.
• * 1.8

  Seld. P raef. ad Polyolb.
• * 1.9

  Magick in Britain.
• * 1.10

  Glastum Woad.
• * 1.11

  Chene∣rotes.
• * 1.12

  Marga.
• * 1.13

  Manner of Painting.
• * 1.14

  Andates.
• * 1.15

  Shipping of the Britains.
• * 1.16

  Curmi.
• * 1.17

  The Brit∣tish Ty∣rants.
• * 1.18

  Religion of he Britains.
• * 1.19

  Brodaeus l. 3. c. 4. Misce••. Ulysses ne∣ver in Britain.
• c 1.20

  See Mr. George Carleton's opinion of t••is matter, in a letter at large to Mr. Camden, publisht in his Epistles, p. ••12.
• * 1.21

  Alexander the Great never in. Britain.
• * 1.22

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.23

  Hannibal never in Britain.
• * 1.24

  Hiero's Ship.
• * 1.25

  The B••i∣tains in expedi••i∣ons with the Cim∣brians. Triadum Liber.
• * 1.26

  Britoma∣rus, a Bri∣tain.
• * 1.27

  Lib. 2. c. 13.
• * 1.28

  Britain known but late to the Greeks and Ro∣mans.
• d 1.29

  See what our Author has observ'd up••n this head, under the title, Name of Britain, where he seems to allow the Greeks a greater acquaintance with the affairs of this Island, than here he does.
• e 1.30

  The circumstances of Polybius's words seem to imply no more, than that as it was doubtful whether the sea encompassed the South parts of Africa, (which he tells us in the very same clause;) so was it, whether the North parts of Europe above Narbo, were encompass'd too. But th••t he could not mean it in so great a latitude as our Author takes it, is plain from his own description of the Fountains of Rhodanus and Corbilo or Ligeris, with many other places of France, which lay above Narbo: and also his own promise in the third Book, to write of the Outer or West-sea, and even of the British Islands; which he calls the Bretanick.
• * 1.31

  Su••ssio∣nes.
• * 1.32

  Consorinus de Die Na∣tali.
• * 1.33

  Three, Pe∣riods of time. Unknown.
• * 1.34

  Fabulous.
• * 1.35

  Historical.