[22]Franks, Frisians, Saxons, Danes, up the gaps that exist in the history of Norwegians, Icelanders are one and the same people. Their language, laws, religion, poetry, differ but little. The more northern continue longest in their primitive manners. Germany in the fourth and fifth centuries, Denmark and Norway in the seventh and eighth. Iceland in the tenth and eleventh centuries, present the same condition, and the muniments of each country will fill up the gaps that exist in the history of the others.
[23]Tacitus, De moribus Germanotum, XXII: Gens nec astuta nec callida.
[24]William of Malmesbury. Henry of Huntingdon, VI. 365.
[25]Tacitus, "De moribus Germanorum," XXII, XXIII.
[26]Kemble, "Saxons in England," 1849, I. 70, II. 184. "The Acts of an Anglo-Saxon parliament are a series of treaties of peace between all the associations which make up the State; a continual revision and renewal of the alliances offensive and defensive of all the free men. They are universally mutual contracts for the maintenance of the frid or peace."
[27]A large district; the word is still existing in German, as Rheingau, Breiasgau.—Tr.
[28]Turner, "History of the Anglo-Saxons," II. 440, Laws of Ina.
[29]Such a band consisted of thirty-five men or more.
[30]Milton's expression. Lingard's History, I. chap. 3. This history bears much resemblance to that of the Franks in Gaul. See Gregory of Tours. The Saxons, like the Franks, somewhat softened, but rather degenerated, were pillaged and massacred by those of their Northern brothers who still remained in a savage state.
[31]Vita S. Dunstani, "Anglia Sacra," II.