Caledonia: or, an Account, historical and topographic, of North Britain; from the most ancient to the present times: with a dictionary of places, chorographical and philological

Front matter

C A LE D 0 N I A. Swabaa and Preftan, Priatcn Strett, London, CALEDO NIA: OR, An ACCOUNT, HISTORICAL AND TOPOCRAPHie, NORTH BRITAIN; IROM THE MOST -ANCIENT TO THE PRESENT TIMES: WITH A DICTIONARY OF PLACES, CHOROGRAPHICAL AND PHILOLOGICAL. IN FOUR VOLUMES. VOL. I. £T GEORGE CHALMERS, F.R.S. and S.A. LONDON : printed for T. Ca dell, and W. Davies, Strand; and A. Constable and C-,\ at Edinburgh. 1S07. ANTIQUITIES may ee looked UPON AS THE PLANKS Bt A SHIPWRECK, "WHICH INDUSTRIOUS, AND WISE MEN GATHER, AND PRISE&VE, FROM THI DELUGE OF TIME. BACON. I PRESUME to lay before the Public a work, which has been the agreeable amuse ment of many evenings. The earliest ages of the Scotisb/:æn^.hasas3(bae83*p*^ered by able writers, as the wild region of pure fable ; and hpve "been fastidiously resigned, by great historians, to the vain credulity of industrious aritiqffaries.

Y,et, wai I not discouraged, from persevering in the purpose, which I hacLlong^entertained, -o£ -rectifying the ancient history of North-Britain, whatever might be its fabulousness, or obscurity, or its difficulties, arising from disputes : I thought I saw " a clue to guide me through this gloomy maze:" and, I was not in the habit of being very apprehensive of " certain contentious humours, " which are never to be pleased." I soon formed my plan ; and began to collect my documents ; knowing that, in the details of history, as well as in the distribution of justice, he who proposes what is not admitted, as incontrovertible, ought to give the best evidence, which the nature of the subject allows. I immediately perceived that, the ancient chronicles, which the critical Innes first submitted to the public, did not plunge the curious rearlfr into the abyss of fabulous antiquity.

It was, during the vehement competition for the Scotish crown, that the two nations^ the one contending for superiority, and the other for independence, carried up their several pretensions to tlie utmost verge 'of " antiquary times." Those great examples were followed, by the two earliest of the Scotish chroniclers, Fordun, and Wyntown, who brought the aborigines of Scotland from Egypt,]by a direct transmission, during the remotest ages. Boece, and Buchanan, who might have derived a better spirit, from the recent revival of learning, went beyond those useful chroniclers^ in the grossness of their fables, and the absurdities of their theories. It was wittily remarked, by the late Lord Hailes that, " although " We have been long reformed from Popery, we are not yet reformed from the fictions of " Hector Boece."

Preface

. and the most accomplished men, in Scotland, who offered those prizes, from the charge of folly, in treating of trifles, and from the sneer of s^lf-sufiiciency, for scribbling of events, which merit no particular inquiry. I was ambitious, I will avow, to offer my countrymen the ancient history of Scotland, elaborated into detail, and illustrated into light ; without regarding previous opinions, or fearing contentious opposition -, without dreading difficulties, or apprehending disappointment I have divided my work, without regarding fantastical conceits" of fabulous epochs, into such periods, as were analogous to the genuine history of each successive people. The Roman period, extending from Agricola's arrival, in North-Britain, a. d. 80, to the abdication of the Roman authority, in a. d. 446, forms the first book, from its priority in time, as well as precedence in importance.

In discussing this interesting subject, I was not content with previous authorities. I engaged intelligent persons to survey Roman roads, to inspect Roman stations, and to ascertain doubtful points of Roman transactions. I have thus been enabled to correct the mistakes of former writers, on those curious topicks. Much perhaps cannot be added to what has been now ascertained, with respect to the engaging subject of the first book. Yes : since Caledonia was sent to the press, a discovery of some importance has been made : A very slight doubt remained, whether the Burphead of Moray had been a Roman Station, as no Roman remains had there been found : But, this doubt has been completely solved, by the recent excavation, within its limits, of a Roman bath. The first Chapter of the following work will be found to be as much the first chapters of the annals of England, and of Ireland, as it is of Scotland.

The Pictish period naturally succeeds the former Booh, as it extends, from the Abdication of the Romans, in A. D. 44s), to the overthrow of the Picts, in a. d. 843. It will be found to com prehend interesting events : The affairs of the Picts ; the fate of the Romanized Britons ; the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons on the Tweed ; the adventures of the Scandi navians, in the Orkney, and Western Isles; the colonization of Argyle, by the Scots, from Ireland. It is the business of the Pictish period, to trace the singular history of all those people, various ,as they were in their lineages, throughout the different events of their obscure warfare, and the successive turns of their frequent changes : Add to those topicks of peculiar interest the introduction of Christianity, which, in every age, and in every country, has produced such memorable effects- The Scotish period, forming the third Book, and extending from a. d. 843 to 1097, will be found to comprehend historic topicks of equal importance : The union of the Picts, and Scots, into one kingdom ; the amalgamation of the ancient Britons of Strathclyde with both; the colonization o£ Galloway by the Irish ; the annexation of Lothian to the Scotish kingdom ; the history both civil, and ecclesiastical, of all those people of various races, with notices of their antiquities, their languages, their learning, their laws ; all these form historical matters of singular interest to rational curiosity, if they be investigated from facts, in contempt of fabulosity.

The fourth Booh contains the Scoto-Saxon period, which extends from A. D. 1097 to 1306, and which details many notices of varied importance. At the first and at the second of those epochs, momentous revolutions took place, though they have passed unnoticed by the Scotish historians ; and were unknown to the historiographer royah royal. With this period began a new dynasty of kings, who introduced new people, new manners, new usages, and new establishments. In this period, the Saxon colonizatioa of proper Scotland was begun. In this period, was the Scotican church reformed. In it, was introduced the municipal law of North-Britain, in the place of Celtic customs. In this period, originated her agriculture, her commerce, and shipping, and fishery, her manufactures, and her coins. The beginning of this period formed the pivot, oa which turned the Celtic government of ancient ages, and the Anglo-Norman polity of subsequent times.

Yet, is it of a period so crowded with changes, and so varied with novelties, that the late historiographer royal says, " the events, which then happened, " may be slightly touched, but merit no particular inquiry." But, I have dwelt on those revolutions, and have marked every change. By a vast detail from the Chartu laries, in respect to the civil history, from 1097 to 1306, to the ecclesiastical annals, to law, to manners, and to domestic economy, I have tried to ascertain every interesting circumstance, and to render the national annals of that interesting period quite familiar to every reader : And, to give completeness to the whole, are added supplemental views of subsequent times, which have their details to instruct, and their curiosity to amuse; Such is the plan, which I have formed, and essayed to execute, for reforming, and ascertaining the .ancient history of North-Britain, which has been so long distorted by controversy, obscured by fable, and disregarded by fastidiousness.

It is the common complaint .of intelligent readers, that there is nothing new, in history ; as the same facts are again served up, in different forms, with some inter spertions of sentiment. It is very seldom, indeed, that any history contains so many new, facts, new discoveries, and new documents, as the following Account of North- Britain discloses. What can be more novel, than ascertaining the aborigines of the country, by proofs, which are as curious in themselves, as they are decisive in their inferences. Roman camps, in North-Britain, had been already brought before the curious eye : But, it is quite new, to show their location amidst the prior forts of the Britons, for some hostile purpose. Roman roads, and Roman stations, had been before mentioned by tourists, and traced by antiquaries : But, it is altogether new, to investigate their policy ; and to form the whole of the Roman transactions, in Caledonia, into a connected body of genuine history, during four interesting centuries.

The Picts had been sometimes casually mentioned : But, it is quite a novelty, to give the history of the Pictish people, their lineage, their language, their antiquities : It was known from Bede, that the Picts had defeated, and slain the Northumbrian Egfrid, in the battle of Nectan's Mere : But, it Is altogether new, to ascertain the true site of that conse quential conflict. The genuine chronology of the Scotish kings, their civil wars, their hostilities with the Picts; the Scotish laws, and literature, are all novelties. The colonization of Scotland, by the Anglo-Saxons, Anglo-Normans, and Flemings, comprehending the origin of the Stewarts, and the descent of the Douglases, is quite new. The history of law, during the twelfth, and thirteenth centuries, including the origin, and epoch of the Regiam Majejlatem ; the history of manners in this period ; the account of agriculture, of manufactures, of trade, and of the various topicks, which are connected with them ; ar X are entirely new.

The whole volume may be regarded as a novelty, considering its arrangement, its matter, and its documents. Few histories can be found, wherein there are so many charters called for, so many records avouched, so many facts ascertained, and so many documents quoted. Yet, this volume, which comprehends the history of so many people, during ages of daikness, does not comprehend my whole plan, for rectifying the annals, and ascertaining the antiquities of Caledonia. I propose to offer to the public three other volumes, successively, and soon, if my health, and spirits should continue. As the present volume has given the history of the several people, the next volume will form a Dictionary op Places, Chorographical and Philological ; for the investigation of the various languages, which have been ever spoken within that country.

This volume will be immediately sent to the press. The two subsequent volumes will contain the local history of every shire, in Scotland, upon a new plan, and from the most authentic informations. The materials for all these are already collected ; and they are mostly all worked up : so that there is little to prevent me from sending the whole to the printers, except that, I mould certainly feel this circumstance too fatiguing, and the public might perhaps regard it, as too repulsive. We must always remember with Milton that, " God hath set " Labour and rest, as day and night, to men. <f Successive.— — — I will conclude, with a passage, from honest Verstegan's Restitution of decayed intelligence, 1605. "Abeit it may seeme unto some a rash, and unadvised attempt, that after so 41 many the great, and woorthy labors of our learned antiquaries, a new work, under the " name of [Caledonia] should now be presented unto publyke view ; yet, when it " shall have pleased the courteous reader to have considered of the contents of the »« chapters, I trust he will see, that the ensuing matter will be answerable to the foregoino " title ; much of it being so extraordinary, and unwonted, that perhaps not any " (especially of our nation) hath thereof written before.

I know, I have herein made " myself subject unto a world of judges, and am lykest to receive most controlement of " such, as are least able to sentence me. Well I wot, that the works of no writers f* have appeared to the world, in a more curious age than this ; and that, therefore the « more circumspection, and warynesse are required, in the publishing of any thing " that must endure so many sharpe sights, and censures : the consideration whereof as " it hath made me the most heedy not to displease any, so hath it given me the less " hope of pleasing all." After so long a preface, I will beg leave to add only four words ; " Facilius carpere *' Quam imitari." Chap Chap Chap Chap Chap Chap Chap Chap Chap Chap Chap Chap Chap THE CONTENTS.

Book I

The Roman Period — 80 a.d. 44o I. Of the Aborigines of North Britain II. Of the North British tribes ; their topographical Positions ; and Singular Antiquities. III. Of Agricola's Campaigns. IV. Of the Transactions of Lollius Urbicus. V. Of the Campaign of Severus. VI. Of the Treaty, which Caracalla made with the Caledonians ; of the Picts ; of the Scots : Of the Abdication of the Roman Government.

Book II

The Pictish PetvIod — 446 a.d. 843. I. Of the Picts ; their lineage ; their Civil History ; their language, with a review of the Pictish Question. II. Of the Romanized Britons of the Cumbrian Kingdom, in North Britain. III. Of the Saxons, in Lothian. IV. Of thi Orkney, and Shetland Isles. V. Of the Western Isles, or Hebrides. VI. Ofthe Scots. VII. Of the Introduction of Christianity. THE CONTENTS. XII

Book III

The Scotish Period— 843 a.d. 1097- Chap. I. Of the Union of the Picts and Scots. Chap. II. Of the Extent and Names of the United Kingdoms. Chap. III. Ofthe Orkney, and Shetland Isles. Chap. IV. Of the Hebrides, or Western Isles. Chap. V. Of Cumbria, Strathclyde, and of G allow ay . Chap. VI. Of Lothian, during this Period. Chap. VII. Of the Civil History ofthe Scots and Picts from 843 to 1097 a.d. Chap. VIII. Of the Ecclesiastical History, during this Period. Chap. IX. Of the Laws, during this Period. Chap. X. Of the Manners, Customs, and Antiquities, during this Period. Chap. XI. Ofthe Learning, and Language, during this Period.

Book IV

The Scoto-Saxon Period, from 1097 to 1306 a.d. Chap. I. Ofthe Saxoti Colonization of North Britain, during this Period. Chap. II. Ofthe Civil History, during this Period. Chap. III. Of the Ecclesiastical History, during this Period. Chap. IV. Of the Law, during this Period. Chap. V. Of Manners, during this Period. Chap. VI. Of Commerce, Shipping, Coin, Agriculture, during this Period. Chap. VII. A Supplemental View of subsequent tints. > P. S. This Work is illustrated with a British Roman Map of Caledonia ; with a Plan of the Roman Camps at Normandykes, which is quite new to the curious Reader ; with a Plaa of the Roman Fort, at Clattering-bridge, that is also new ; with Sketches of the Roman Tuessis on the Spey j of the Roman Varis ; and of the British hill fort on .Barrahill; all which are now submitted to the Public, for the first time. A K ACCOUNT 0 t NORTH-BRITAIN.