The Romans having forced their passage, and gained victory over the Druid’s in Anglesey, cut down their woods and groves, amongst them reckoned holy, and consecrated to their execrable superstitions. Excisi luci (saith Tacitus)Tacit. Ann. lib. 14. sævis superstitionibus sacri.
To this purpose, Humphrey Lloid, in his history of Wales, The vast woods growing in that Island, were not only by the Romans, but afterwards, when the Christian Faith took place in this Nation, by the Christians also fell’d and rooted out. And why? because of the idolatry (saith he) and absurd Religion used in them. Again, in his Epistle to Ortelius concerning the Isle of Anglesey, the same Author affirmes; Though there is little wood now growing there, yet every day the roots and bodies of huge trees of a wonderfull length and bignesse are by the inhabitants found, and digged out of the earth, in divers places in low grounds, and champion fields.
Now, if in stead of these roots, and bodies of trees, the ruines of ancient Structures had been there found, it might peradventure, with some probability, have been presumed either that the Druid’s used Temples, or some other buildings of stone. For, their ancient seat was in the Isle of Mona, now Anglesey, whence modern Writers style it Insulam Druidum, the Island of the Druid’s, and sedem Druidum, the seat of the Druid’s. And from hence, questionlesse, it came to passe, the Romans, with such difficulty, under the conduct of Suetonius Paulinus, brought that Island under their power; nor was it wholly subdued to their Empire, untill Julius Agricola’s time. For, whereas in other parts of Britain, the people contended for Liberty only, there, they fought pro aris & focis, for Liberty, and Religion both.
There it was the British armies (saith Tacitus)Tacit. Ann. lib. 16. being imbattailed, the women ran to and fro amongst them in sable weeds, their hair about their ears, and fire-brands in their hands, like infernall furies, the Druid’s round about them also, lifting up their hands to Heaven, and pouring forth deadly curses; the novelty of which sight bred such amazement in the Roman Legions, (the Romans here, it seems, were unacquainted with the Druid’s till then) that they stood stock still, and close together, not once moving a foot, as if possessed with a resolution to act nothing at all, but receive their deaths tamely and without any great resistance.
Wherefore, besides, that History hath not remembred the ruines of any ancient buildings digged up in Anglesey; if either, this Antiquity had been remaining in that Island, or any Author delivered such Actions of the Druid’s, as aforesaid, performed about the place, where Stoneheng remains standing, there might have been some advantage made thereof to the purpose now in hand. But Anglesey excepted, ancient Writers give them residence in no part of Britain beside, nor are they remembred by any, to have been found elswhere, throughout the whole Nation. With respect whereunto, if the Druid’s had knowledge, either to build the like magnificent structures, or use, for any such, they would, without all peradventure, have erected them upon the same place rather where themselves resided, then elswhere.
Neither are we to wonder, they chose such an out-nook or corner as Anglesey, to reside in; in regard, there, they lived remote, and solitary; there, were store of caves, and dens to instruct their Scholars in, close and retired places for their own habitations, and plenty of groves to perform their sacred mysteries in. Moreover, they past their days there, like the Hermits of old time, according to their own desire, in full contentment, and with free liberty to study, and contemplate what they pleased. For, Anglesey (we must know) in those times of yore, was wholly overgrown with desert Woods, and obscure forrests, from whence the ancient Britans call’d it Ynis Dowil, the shadowy or dark Island. Which name it still retains, and is well known thereby to the now inhabitants, who are, even at this day, likewise enclined, (yea, they usually accustome themselves) to commit things more to Memory, then Writing; and, as having received it by tradition from their Ancestors, living in those ancient times, still endevour to observe that custom of the Druid’s, who held it unlawfull to commit any thing to writing. As CæsarCæs. Com. lib. 6. (in the sixth book of his Commentaries of the Gaulish war) delivers.
Concerning the Britans in the next place, The condition of those ancient inhabitants of this Island in the Druid’s time duly considered, (viz. in what manner they lived, how unskilfull in all Sciences, and civill customs, what Deities they had, in what places they adored them, and what manner of buildings, or sacred or secular, were used by them) as little reason appears, that this Antiquity was by them erected.
As for their manner of living, the Britans were then a savage and barbarous people, knowing no use at all of garments. Vestis usum non cognoscunt (saith Herodian.)Herodian. lib. 3. Now, if destitute of the knowledge, even to clothe themselves, much lesse any knowledge had they to erect stately structures, or such remarkable works as Stoneheng. What fashions they used to adorn their bodies with, the same Author tells us. As a rare and rich habiliment, they wore about their wasts and necks ornaments of iron (saith he) and did pounce and colour their bodies with sundry forms, in rude manner representing severall creatures. In which regard, they would not be otherwise clothed, lest constrain’d thereby to hide such their simple (though with them much esteemed) bravery.
Again, in other their civill customs, they were no lesse rude and ignorant; yea, so barbarous, even in things appertaining to common sustenance, and whatever husbandry; that (as Strabo)Strabo li. 4. Quidam eorum ob imperitiam caseos nullos conficiant, cum tamen lacte abundent: alii hortos colendi, & aliarum partium agriculturæ ignari sunt. Many of them, though they had great plenty of milk, yet their want of skill was such, they knew not how to make cheese: others so simple, they knew not to order their gardens or orchards, or any thing belonging thereunto.
Their Countrey also then lay uncultivated, no corn sown: Quævis herba & radix cibus est, Their food was herbs and roots (saith Dion Cassius.)Dion li. 62. Hence Sir Walter Raleigh cals them the British Nomades.Ral. li. 3. c. 5. And (by the way) it may not inappositely be observ’d, milk, roots, and fruit were the chief banquetting dishes; and skins of beasts (if clothed) the most costly habits of our Forefathers. Now who can, in reason imagine, that any great knowledge, practice, or delight of Arts and Sciences, wherein the elegancy of Architecture consists, should be in use or esteem, amongst a people, wholly devoted (as I may so say) and given over to such barbarity?