122 Ancient Barton. 
den. There are over 200 figures in the book, which greatly 
add to its value, the reproductions of Mr. Oddy’s drawings 
being of exceptional worth. It may seem a little ungrateful 
to find fault with such a useful work ; but how much more 
valuable it would have been had there been a good index. The 
‘index of names’ which has been given is only likely to prove 
of use very locally. The index is missed all the more when 
the somewhat peculiar arrangement of the articles in the book 
is taken into consideration. 
—_o_—_— 
ANCIENT BARTON. 
Ir is half a century since Mr. H. W. Ball published his ‘ History 
of Barton-on-Humber,’ a work which is now out of print. 
Since then much more valuable information has come to light 
as the result of the continued researches of various workers. 
Prominent amongst them is Mr. Robert Brown, junr., whose 
recent work is before us.* This is a solid and scholarly con- 
tribution to the literature dealing with the early history of 
North Lincolnshire. It is divided into three sections, viz., 
‘Romano-British Times,’ ‘ Anglo-Saxon Times,’ and ‘ Norman 
Times.’ Further sections are promised, dealing with later 
periods. The picturesque old town of Barton, with its 
glorious Saxon Church of St. Peter, its haven, and its old-world 
associations, lends itself peculiarly to a detailed description 
such as is sustained in Mr. Brown’s volume. The British 
remains found and occurring in the neighbourhood unquestion- 
ably point to the occupation of the area in pre-Roman times. 
Of relics of the Roman rule there are scores—in fact, in 
evidences of all the more important historical periods the 
district abounds. These have been carefully gathered together 
by Mr. Brown, and we trust soon to see the completion of his 
work. On the vexed question of the site of the Battle of 
Brunanburh the author has an interesting chapter. For many 
years this theme has been a favourite one with antiquaries 
living in South-East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, and it 
is perhaps not remarkable that in each case the author of a 
paper on the subject has thought the site of this famous fight 
to have been in the district in which he lived. Mr. Brown 
writes, ‘I think we shall have reason to conclude that the great 
* *Notes on the Earlier History of Barton-on-Humber.’ By Robert 
Brown, junr., F.S.A. Vol. I., to the end of the Norman Period, A.D. 1154. 
London: Elliot Stock. 133 pages and plates. 
Naturalist, 
