10 AN INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH RURAL HISTORY 



their enemies. In the south, however, tunics of coarse 

 cloth vere worn ; and ornaments such as rings, pins, beads, 

 and brooches were common. Many of these were brought 

 by foreign merchants, as were also copper, ivory goods, 

 glass vessels, salt, earthenware, wine, and the finer kinds 

 of cloth. In exchange for these articles the Britons offered 

 tin, lead, furs, hunting-dogs, corn, and cattle. Chariots 

 provided with iron scythe-blades of native make, as well 

 as helmets, spears, swords, daggers, hide-covered shields, 

 and heavy clubs were included in the armour of the Britons. 

 It is thus evident that the early inhabitants of the island 

 had acquired some skill in weaving, metal-working, and 

 boat-building. Pieces of copper and iron were used for 

 money, thus proving that the Britons had advanced beyond 

 the stage of barter. 



Roman Britain (43 to 410 A.D.) 



The fertility of the soil and the mineral wealth of the 

 island led the Romans to take possession of Britain in 

 43 A.D. During the Roman occupation, agriculture was 

 encouraged. More and more land was brought under 

 cultivation. Improved methods of farming were intro- 

 duced the Britons being taught the use of a more powerful 

 plough, and the breaking up of the clods either with a 

 harrow or a heavy wooden mallet. Greater quantities of 

 corn were, therefore, produced. It is recorded that numerous 

 vessels conveyed vast stores of grain from Britain to various 

 Roman cities on the Continent. So great did the annual 

 output of grain become that Britain was known as " The 

 Granary of the North." To the direct influence of Rome 

 is also attributed the introduction of cherries, beautiful 

 flowers, the grafting of fruit-trees, fowls, geese, and a special 

 breed of hornless sheep. Under Roman guidance, too, 

 hard straight roads were constructed. These were intended 

 chiefly for the more speedy transit of troops, but they also 

 led to a vast increase in the trade of the island. Walled 

 cities were built, and law and order were established. Early 

 in the fifth century the Romans withdrew from Britain 

 in order to defend Rome herself from foreign invasion. 



The Anglo-Saxon Invasion. 



Towards the middle of the fifth century Teutonic tribes, 

 composed chiefly of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, began to 

 come across the North Sea from the coasts of Northern 



