[ 78 ] 
centuries, was much frequented by the ftudious of all nations and 
religions in the Weft*. 
Auso, between the years 843 and 882, Charles the Bald efta- 
blithed a fimilar academy at or near Otranto in Italy, and fupplied 
it with learned men from Greece, principally prieftst. In this 
feminary the Anglo Sexons maintained and educated a number of 
their youths, at the defire of Alfred the great, and through the 
intereft of Plegmund his tutor with Pope Marianusf. 
Burt the Irith in thofe periods, not being under the dominion 
of the Roman pontiffs, would not be very defirous of ftudying 
either at Rome or in Italy, but chiefly applied to the Mafforabic 
and Gothic Chriftians, and reforted to the academy of Cordova. 
A circumftance which has caufed the inhabitants of this ifland to 
look up to Spain with veneration§, and pilgrimages from hence 
to that kingdom were frequent down to the fifteenth century. 
From thefe academies the Grecian and Roman architeGture of 
the middles ages became diffufed throughout the weft of Europe, 
and divided into various branches among the feveral nations, by 
means 
* Abulfud Amal. Swinburn’s Travels in Spain. Voltaire. 
+ Swinburn’ Travels through Sicily, vol. 1. 
{ Godwin’s Eng. Bifhops, p. 60. 
§ Keating, Chronicum Scotorum, and other I. MSS. fpeak of thefe journies, and 
the connexion of the Irifh Princes with Spain, though placed in too carly periods. 
|| Smith’s Hift. of Waterford. 
