Old English Chronicles Part 57

Verolamium;[630] and Eborac.u.m.[631] Nine colonial;[632] namely, Londinium[633] _Augusta_, Camalodunum[634] _Geminae Martiae_, Rhutupis,[635] ***** Thermae[636] _Aquae Solis_, Isca[637] _Secunda_, Deva[638] Getica, Glevum[639] _Claudia_, Lindum,[640] ****

Camboric.u.m[641]. **** 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 stipendiary[653] and of lesser consequence; Venta Silurum,[654] Venta Belgarum,[655] Venta Icenorum,[656] Segontium,[657] Maridunum,[658] Ragae,[659]

Cantiopolis,[660] Durinum,[661] Isca,[662] Bremenium,[663]

Vindonum,[664] and Durobrivae.[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:

[Footnote 628: These remarks prove how much Richard rose superior to the prejudices of his age and his profession. From the tone which he a.s.sumes, it is however, evident that he found it advisable to yield to the remonstrances of his superior.]

[Footnote 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.]

[Footnote 630: St. Alban's.]

[Footnote 631: York.]

[Footnote 632: There were different kinds of colonies, each ent.i.tled to different rights and privileges; but we have no criterion to ascertain the rank occupied by those in Britain.]

[Footnote 633: London.]

[Footnote 634: Colchester.]

[Footnote 635: Richborough in Kent.]

[Footnote 636: Bath.]

[Footnote 637: Caerleon.]

[Footnote 638: Chester.]

[Footnote 639: Gloucester.]

[Footnote 640: Lincoln.]

[Footnote 641: Cambridge.]

[Footnote 642: The Latian law consisted of the privileges granted to the ancient inhabitants of Latium. These are not distinctly known; but appear princ.i.p.ally to have been the right of following their own laws, an exemption from the edicts of the Roman praetor, and the option of adopting the laws and customs of Rome.--_Rosini._]

[Footnote 643: Castor on Nen.]

[Footnote 644: Catteric.]

[Footnote 645: Slack.]

[Footnote 646: Blackrode.]

[Footnote 647: Carlisle.]

[Footnote 648: Burgh Head, Elgin, Scotland.]

[Footnote 649: Dealgin Ross.]

[Footnote 650: Dumbarton.]

[Footnote 651: Cirencester, Gloc.]

[Footnote 652: Old Sarum.]

[Footnote 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._]

[Footnote 654: Caerwent, Monmouth.]

[Footnote 655: Winchester.]

[Footnote 656: Castor, near Norwich.]

[Footnote 657: Caer Segont.]

[Footnote 658: Caermarthen.]

[Footnote 659: Leicester.]

[Footnote 660: Canterbury.]

[Footnote 661: Dorchester.]

[Footnote 662: Exeter.]

[Footnote 663: Riechester, Northumberland.]

[Footnote 664: Possibly Egbury camp, Hants.]

[Footnote 665: Rochester.]

CHAP. VIII.

1. Having now finished our survey of Albion, we shall describe the neighbouring country, Hibernia or Ireland, with the same brevity.

2. Hibernia is situated more westerly than any other country except England; but as it does not extend so far north, so it stretches further than England towards the south, and the Spanish province of Tarraconensis, from which it is separated by the ocean.[666]

3. The sea which flows between Britain and Hibernia is subject to storms, and according to Solinus, is navigable only during a few days in summer. Midway between the two countries is the island called Monoeda,[667] but now Manavia.

4. According to Bede, Hibernia is preferable to Britain, on account of its situation, salubrity, and serene air, insomuch that snow seldom remains more than three days, nor is it usual to make hay for the winter, or build stalls for cattle.