adding to it from the limits of what had been already overcome. 

 Over a certain part, the Romans had either real or nominal 

 authority, and it appears likely that where such authority termin- 

 ated, there they would be most likely to commence adding to the 

 empire. That the Sestuntii had been conquered is improbable, 

 and the following statement may be in part applicable to them :— 

 "Quibus rebus multae civitates, quae in ilium diem ex aequo 

 egerant, datis obsidibus iram posuere, et praesidiis castellisque 

 circumdatae."* The connecting link between the Brigantine 

 territory with that of the Sestuntii, was the famous strategic pass of 

 Stainmore. This pass would doubtless be well known to Agricola, 

 who, we know, took every opportunity of thoroughly studying the 

 topographical details of a country. Its possession, as we shall see, 

 would be of immense benefit to him, hence we may safely assume 

 that his first aim was in that direction. 



Such a course must necessarily lead him by the valley of the 

 Lune, and so through the Tebay gorge. It is true that an advance 

 might have been made by way of Kendal and Ambleside, but it 

 does not appear that this would have been such a favourable route 

 as that by the Lune valley, as being a country "not yet explored." 

 Still, he would doubtless make one of his " sudden incursions " in 

 that direction, and so prepare for future developments. 



The Lune valley undoubtedly had its disadvantages, but these 

 were probably more than counteracted by its advantages. His 

 right flank would be practically safe, and he would be in a position 

 to readily receive supplies. It must be remembered that the 

 Brigantes under Cartismandua had been in alliance with the 

 Romans, whilst at a later period, A.D. 70 and 71, they had felt 

 the full power of the Roman arms under Cerealis and Agricola- 

 Hence the latter was well known to them, and the rumour that 

 would reach them of his clemency to the people of the Isle of 

 Mona (Anglesea), and his terrible punishment of the Ordovices, 

 could not but confirm the opinions that they had already formed. 

 They well knew that he was not to be trifled with ; and at the same 

 time they knew that they might expect fair and honourable treat- 

 * C. Cornelii Taciti .\giicola, cap. xx. 



