Old Hampshire Mapped

Blome's Geography

Isles of Great Britain.

Ap Arthurs History.
Things to be observed by an Historian.

who subduing the same, changed that name into Britain. As for the particulars of this, you may see Mr. Cambden, and others who discourse of it, as they are informed by one Ap Arthur of Monmouths History of Great Britain, published in the reign of King Henry the second, where amongst other things, he relates a long story of this Brutus a Trojan, and by what means he set footing on this Isle; Mr. Cambden, and John Weathamstead the Abbot, are of opinion that this story of Brutus is but a mear Poetical fiction. For every Historian, before he ought to attempt the credit, or writing of a History, must observe the obscurity and fabulousness of things: now this Ap Arthur receiving its birth 330 years before the first Olympias, which was a rude and ignorant age, 'tis very improbable he should be able to give a good account of things, as the History pretends to do. But to return to my first Discourse; others there are which would have this word Britania extracted from Britona a fair Nymph of Greece; and some from Brit, or Brith, signifying paynted, and Tania a Kingdom, which compound the Greek word [ ], or [ ], the painted Kingdom. These people used to paint themselves with divers colours, but chiefly which the Juice of an herb called Oad or Woad.

Pompenius Mela.
The Britains indispositions not much unlike the Dutch.

Oppianus called them [ ], the painted people. Pompenius Mela was non-plust at their humour in painting themselves in that manner: but since his time, some have took upon them the declaring the mystery of that fancy; and say that those who were illustrated by Pictures, representing countenances grym and gashful, served for terrour and amazement, believing it a great advantage against an enemy in time of battle. And as they were a blood thirsty people, so were they alwaies earnest, and greedy of victory, and what they could not gain by strength, they aimed at by policy, and craft; well knowing how to sharpen war by inraging furies, and to flatter up an advantageous peace by smiling friendship. Also Countenances painted sweet and comely, presaged amity, and pleasures. And others there were that painted themselves with the effigies of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, as is demonstrated in those Figures.

[star] Magog the issue of Japhet.
Gomari the ancient Gauls.
Cimbri the ancient Britains.

It is the opinion of some, that these Britains were the first Natives, and not extracted from a forreign root; but that seemeth unlikely, being assured otherwise by Moses's sacred History, the World being encreased from the off-springs of Sem, Cham, and [star] Japhet, Noahs sons: and why this Isle should not participate with the other parts of the Earth, Theophilus Antiochenus understandeth not: And being granted, that every Countrey must have its beginning, 'tis rationally believed, that those scituated nearest to the Mountains where Noahs Ark rested, were first peopled, as Greece before Italy, and that before Gaul, so Gaul before Britain.

Julius Caesar reports much to the aid of the precedent argument, That Divitiacus the old Gaul, to his knowledge, possessed a good part of Britain well as Gaul. It is certain, there is relation to be had to National appellatives, and that each must be known by their distinct names.

These Britains covered their nakedness with Plates of Iron, a Mettal more esteemed by them, then Gold was by the Barbarians.

Governed by Kings.

They were governed by several Potentates, or Kings, the one independant upon the other.

Their Houses.

Their Habitations or Houses were built with Reeds and Wood, and in such manner, as they might be erected as soon as demolished; yet doubtless the Grandees amongst them had their places of residence of better Architecture.

Their religion.

Who is able to give an account of their Religion? certain it is, they had none worthy to be so esteemed; yet were they not without abun- / dance