A short history of England . i8 A SHORT HISTORY OF ENGLAND were chosen, earthworks thrown up, always in a circular form,and palisades placed upon these. Such a fortification was calleda dun, and London and the names of many other places still pre-serve that termination in varying forms. The Roman invaderswere much struck with the skill of the British in the use of theirwar chariots. These were low, two-wheeled carts drawn by apair of their small horses or ponies, the hubs of the wheels beingprovided with short, straight, scythe-shaped blades extending outon both sides. Two men rode in each wit
A short history of England . i8 A SHORT HISTORY OF ENGLAND were chosen, earthworks thrown up, always in a circular form,and palisades placed upon these. Such a fortification was calleda dun, and London and the names of many other places still pre-serve that termination in varying forms. The Roman invaderswere much struck with the skill of the British in the use of theirwar chariots. These were low, two-wheeled carts drawn by apair of their small horses or ponies, the hubs of the wheels beingprovided with short, straight, scythe-shaped blades extending outon both sides. Two men rode in each with a driver. The char-iots were driven rapidly up and down the enemys lines, strivingto throw them into confusion or to find a place of entrance ,. .^-r-:;,^. ,:. A so-called Celtic Bridge on Dartmoor among them. If such a breach was found, the fighting menleaped out and fought on foot, while the chariots were driven out,and retired to a distance, ready to take the warriors in again ifnecessary. Swords, short knives, bows and arrows, and spearswere also used in fighting. The Britons had many gods and were extremely superstitious,watching for signs and omens, dreading fairies and elves, andpracticing curious rites and ceremonies. Every neighborhoodhad its sacred spring, rock, tree or other place of supernaturalsignificance. Closely connected with religion was the existenceof the class of Druids. This was a body or order of men intowhich admission was gained only by a long course of preparation, PREHISTORIC AND CELTIC BRITAIN 19 consisting principally of committing to memory great bodies ofverse, in which custom, law, morals, and religion were Druids, therefore, were consulted on all important questionsof law or policy. They were fre
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