252 



PERIOD THIRD. 



FROM THE DANISH INVASION IN A. D. 795, TO THE BATTLE OF 



CLONTARF IN A. D. 1014. 



SECTION I. 



Social and Political History^ and Geographical Notices. 



During this interval too, the name of Scotia was exclusively 

 attributed to Ireland, as by Eginhard, the secretary of Charlemagne, 

 by Donatus, Rabanus, King Alfred in his Saxon translation of Orosius, 

 Notker Balbulus, &c. The collective name of Scots, however, was, 

 as theretofore by Bede, frequently imparted to the settlers of North 

 Britain, but far more usually to the inhabitants of the mother 

 country. 



There is one general notice of Ireland in this period, which, while 

 it cannot be referred to any particular head, is well worthy of inser- 

 tion ; it is that of Donatus, who, in the middle of the ninth century, 

 thus beautifully describes the island ; 



" Finibus occiduis describitur optima tellus, 

 Nomine et antiquis Scotia scripta libris ; 

 Insula dives opum, gemmarum, vestis et auri, 

 Commoda corporibus, aere, sole, solo ; 

 Melle fluit, pulchris et lacteis Scotia campis, 

 Vestibus atque armis, frugibus, arte, viris. 

 Ursorum rabies nulla est ibi saeva, leonum 



