BRITISH TOWNS.

formation will be best gratified by a reference to a map so com prehensively arranged. But, with a view of facilitating the researches of the reader, I present an enumeration, and general notice of the tribes which formed the population of Britain, previous to the conquests effected by the Romans, and whose appellations so often occur in various pages of the "Beauties of England and Wales."

Before we enter on such an examination, it is, however, necessary

Other British Towns, not immediately on the foregoing Track

ways, but mentioned by Richard of Cirencester.

Portus Magnus, Portchester

56. Regentium, Chichester

57. Halangium, Carnbre.

58. Musidum, near Stratton
59. Artavia, Hartland Point
60. Termolus, Molland
61. Lemanis, Stutfull castle
62. Dubris, Dover
63. Regulbium, Reculver

64. Camalodunum, Lexden.

65. Lovantium, Llanio

66. Magna, Kentchester

67. Branogenium, near Lentwarden
68. Camboricum, Cambridge
69. Rerigonium, Ribchester
70. Portus Felix, at the mouth of the
Humber.

71. Galacum.

sary to remind the reader, that these large portions of the island, though inhabited by various tribes, were really peopled by two nations only; the aboriginal, or Celtic inhabitants, and the Belga.

The geographical line of distinction between the Celtic and Belgic settlers, at the date of Cæsar's first invasion, is carefully marked in the annexed map; but, in order to present a more perspicuous view of the effects of the Belgic invasion of Britain, as connected with the locality and future history of the aboriginal inhabitants, it may be observed, that the Celts, who had, at an early period, occupied all such parts of Britain as lay to the south of the Thames, from the coast of Kent to the extremity of Cornwall, were distinguished by the general name of Senones.* The respective tribes of the people, thus recognised by a general appellation, were named:-I. The Bibroci, who occupied the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, and part of Berks. II. The Segontiaci, dwelling in Hampshire and Berkshire. III. The Durotriges, in Dorsetshire. IV. The Carnabii, and V. The Cimbri, seated in Devonshire, Cornwall, and part of Somersetshire. VI. The Hadui, in Somersetshire, Gloucestershire, and Wilts. VII. The Ancalites, who possessed a small district, partly on the south of the river Thames, near Henley. Concerning the above tribes may be submitted the following particulars.

The BIBROCI are said, by Richard of Cirencester, to have inhabited Bibrocum, Regentium, and Noviomagus. The site of the first-named place, (the Bibracte of the Itinerary) is uncertain. Regentium is placed at Chichester, and Noviomagus at Holwood Hill.

The SEGONTIACI‡ were seated in the north-west part of Hamp

shire,

• Richard of Cirencester, p. 37, Hatcher's edit. and remark by the Rev. Thomas Leman.

+ The Bibroci are mentioned in the Beauties for Berkshire, p. 83. + For some account of the Segontiaci, see Beauties for Hants, p. 5, and for Berks, p. 83.

shire, and in a part of Berks on the south-west; having for their chief city Vindonis.

The territory of the DUROTRIGES* comprised the present county of Dorset, and their capital was Durinum, (Maiden castle, near Dorchester.)

The CARNABII occupied the north and west of Cornwall, to the Land's end; having for their chief cities Musidum, and Halangium; the former supposed to have stood near Stratton, and the last at Carnbre.

The CIMBRI possessed the south-west part of Somerset, and the north of Devon. Their principal towns were Termolus (uncertain as to site) and Artavia (probably near Hartlandpoint.)

The HEDUI occupied the whole of Somersetshire, except the south-west corner, together with a part of the south of Gloucestershire, and of the north-west of Wilts. Their chief towns were Ischalis, (Ilchester) Avalonia, (Glastonbury) and Aquæ Sulis, (Bath.)

The remaining Celtic tribes of Britain were distinguished by the following appellations, and were distributed over the island in the following manner, at the date of Cæsar's first invasion.

The CATIEUCHLANI, or CATIEUCLANI, consisted of two tribes, which were denominated Dobuni and Cassii; and their dominions extended from the Severn to the German Ocean.

Of these, the DOBUNI (termed Boduni, by Dio) are placed by ancient geographers in the counties of Oxford, Gloucester, and Worcester. In the "Beauties" for Oxfordshire, it is suggested, that the appellation of Dobuni signifies a race possessing

* See the Durotriges noticed, Beauties for Dorsetshire, p. 321.

lands

+ The Carnabii of Cornwall are noticed in the Beauties for that county, p. 311.

The Hædui are mentioned in the Beauties for Wilts, p. 5. The Dobuni are noticed in the Beauties for Oxfordshire, p. 2-6; and for Gloucestershire, p. 497.

In regard to their exact lines of territory, it is said, in the notes on Ris chard

lands on river-sides, a people who are stream-borderers. It is obvious, that a name, if derived from allusions to locality, would be bestowed on a tribe from its primary circumstances of inhabitation; and it is probable, that the Dobuni first took possession of the lowlands of these districts, and consequently were dwellers in the vicinity of such great streams as formed distinguishing features in the character of surrounding country. Corinium, Cirencester in Gloucestershire, was their capital.

The Cassii appear to have occupied the tract of country now divided into the counties of Hertford, Bedford, Buckingham, Middlesex, and Essex; having their principal town at Verolamium, (St. Alban's.)

To the north of the Thames dwelt the people known by the general name of ICENI,† divided into two tribes, termed the Iceni magni, or Cenomanni; and the Iceni Coritani.

The territory of the Iceni Magni is said, in a note on Richard of Cirencester, “to have stretched from the Stour to the north of the Nen and the Ouse, possibly to the Welland; and, on the west, to the boundaries of the Carnabii and Dobuni." A precise definition of the extent of territory possessed by this, or any other of the British tribes, would appear to be of little importance, unless connected with some historical incident, or illustrative of a peculiarity in custom or manner, as displayed in tangible vestiges. According to the opinions usually received, the Iceni Magni are believed to have been the ancient inhabitants of the present counties of Huntingdon, Cambridge, Norfolk, Suffolk, and part of Northamptonshire. They had for their capital, Taesborough, in Norfolk,

C

chard of Cirencester, that "they were bounded on the west by the Severn, on the south by the Thames, on the east by the Charwell, and on the north by the Carnabii." Richard of Ciren. Edit. 1809, p. 46.

* See the Cassii noticed in the Beauties for Hertfordshire, p. 5; for Bedfordshire, p. 1; and for Buckinghamshire, p. 276.

+ For statements of many particulars relating to the Iceni, see Beauties for Huntingdonshire, p. 325-326; for Cambridgeshire, p. 3-7; and for Nore. Sulk, p.

1-3.