* INTRODUCTION OF THE VINE INTO BRITAIN. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Introduction of the vine into Britain. 



There appears to be much difference among authors as to 

 the precise period when the vine was first introduced into Bri- 

 tain. Some conclude it must have been as early as the tenth 

 year of the Christian era, as at that period a great part of the 

 island was in possession of the Romans, who had introduced 

 the luxuries of Italy wherever they settled, and that as the 

 culture of vineyards formed at that period one of the most im- 

 portant in their own country, they could scarcely have failed 

 to introduce this also ; and from the circumstance that Augus- 

 tus was then emperor, in whose reign it was common to send 

 the sons of the British nobles to Rome to be educated, it is 

 deemed improbable that during such frequent intercourse the 

 culture of the vine could be neglected. On the other hand, 

 Pliny, who writes so fully on the vine, does not mention its 

 existing in Britain ; and it appears from Tacitus that it did 

 not exist there in the time of Julius Agricola. We also read 

 that in the year 85, Domitian, as has been already stated, pro- 

 hibited by an edict the planting of any new vineyards in Italy, 

 and ordered those in the provinces to be destroyed, which 

 edict was not rescinded until the reign of Probus, about the 

 year 280, at which period the Britons are particularly men- 

 tioned by Vopiscus among the provinces which partook of 

 the privilege. Whatever difference exists, therefore, about 

 anterior dates, there can exist no doubt as regards the era 

 last named ; and that, at all events, Britain was indebted to 

 the Romans for its introduction, is a point generally conceded. 

 Some have advocated the possibility of its earlier introduction 

 by the Phoenicians, who are said to have planted the vine in 

 the Mediterranean isles, as well as in several other parts of 

 Europe and Africa ; and, as accounts exist of their having traded 

 to Britain for tin, it has been conjectured that they may also 

 have planted the vine on the shores of Britain. As this sup- 





