THE ARK
From Claud MS., B. iv.
The Saxons, when they were able to settle down at or near London, did so outside the old Roman wall; they formed clearings and made settlements at certain points which are now the suburbs of London. The antiquity of Hampstead, for instance, is proved by the existence of two charters of the tenth century (see paper by Prof. Hales, London and Middlesex Archæological Transactions, vol. vi. p. 560).
I have desired in these pages not to be controversial. It is, however, necessary to recognise the existence of some who believe that London preserved certain Roman customs on which was founded the early municipal constitution of London, and that there was at the same time an undercurrent of Teutonic customs which did not become law. I beg, therefore, to present this view ably advocated by Mr. G. L. Gomme in the same volume (p. 528), for he is an authority whose opinion and arguments one would not willingly ignore.
His view is as follows:—
1. He does not recognise the desertion of London.
2. He does recognise the fact that the A.S. did not occupy the walled city.
3. That the new-comers had at first no knowledge of trade.
4. That they formed village settlements dotted all round London.
5. That the trade of London, when it revived, was not a trade in food, but in slaves, horses, metals, etc.