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Re: Ireland, Scottland, and Freedom *PIC*
Posted By: Ghτlsbane (194.200.95.210)
Date: 9/29/2002 at 5:25 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Ireland, Scottland, and Freedom *PIC* (Archer »))
: All right, then next direction of query...where did these
: ancient peoples come from? I don't really understand
: how the Celts were across the entire continent of
: Europe, or what kind of indistinction that is. I can
: understand Gaul, but how was travel so closely linked
: across the Channel in pre-Roman to Roman times that
: they were such similar peoples, if at all?
Ah, the celtic question. The problem is that historians are not entirely sure of where the Celts originated. Most think their heritage lies in Eastern Europe (Czechoslovakia, Hungary) but some sources also point towards Spain. The spread of this civilisation was mainly caused by trade and in particular with the Greeks and the Phoenicians. This was the reason for the centralisation of their culture around Austria and the south coast of France.
However, it was inevitable that expansion would lead the tribes to the shores of Britain and from there, they scattered in a rather disshevelled way across the British Isles. As a result, variations on the culture sprung up causing the widely differing languages and lifestyles evidenced around the UK and Ireland.
We hear the most of the Celts from the Romans whose fledgling Empire came into contact with them in the form of war on several occasions. From these accounts, we have learnt much of their habits and appearance. They were a fierce people and these descriptions closely match the image of the barbarian Scots.
As the Celts settled in France, they became known as the Gauls whom we are all so familiar with. From the Gallic nation, though came the second invaders of Britain who settled in Ireland and Wales.
This mix of early Celt and Gaul gave rise to the poetic and heroic legends of Ireland which are discussed elsewhere on this site.
After the romans, who I will not go into, came the Angles, Saxons and Jutes who originated from the Germanic Goths in Northern Europe. They migrated from Denmark by boat and began settlements along the west coast of England and extending northwards. From this base, they began their conquest of Britain and pushed the Celts into the corners of Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and across the sea to Ireland. From these Germanic tribes, the six Kingdoms of Britain were formed and early English began to emerge as the language of choice.
The Saxons enjoyed their dominion for while until attacks started to come from the Vikings and Danes but it wasn't until 1066 AD and the Norman Invasion that their society was altered considerably.
: Also, I remember a mention of the Scotts being one of
: four ancient groups of Ireland who migrated (by boat,
: I assume, unless they swam) to northern Britain and
: found their home...? Where does this little thought
: come from?
The Scots were a mix of the early Celtic invaders, those that migrated from Ireland and the Picts, a separate tribe originating on the continent. Of course there was fighting, but inbreeding soon followed that and the emering Scots established the region as Scotland.
To best describe these invasions, use of a map with lots of arrows is really called for but I hope I've provided enough coherent information to sate your longing for knowledge of your heritage for the while. I had to look up some of this stuff again and I'm sure there are historical errors which I'm sure someone will be quick to point out.
Myth@Forerunners.org
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