Welsh Journals

^trctadrrgta €mhnnm. FIFTH SERIES.— VOL. II, NO. VIII. OCTOBER 1885. ON THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE LAND OF GWENT. (R»ad at the Annual Meeting at Newport.) The Meeting of the Cambrian Archaeological Associa¬ te "... tion at Newport naturally suggests an inquiry into what may have been the early history of the district visited, what its natural features and its position as regards the counties which adjoin it, and what remains of the past there are to aid in elucidating its history. Although constituted a county, and annexed to Eng¬ land by a statutory provision, the history, position, and place-names of Monmouthshire remind us that it was part of Wales, and that it is still more connected with the Principality of Wales than with England. Before an endeavour is made to give a sketch of the early history of the land of Gwent, it is necessary to make a few introductory remarks as to the earlier inhabit¬ ants of this island, and the means of information which have enabled those who have given their attention to the subject, to arrive at a conclusion who they were. It is a matter of common agreement that the Celtic tribes whom Caesar found, on his arrival, in possession of Britain, were not the original inhabitants, but in¬ vaders who, at a then remote period, had either dis¬ placed, or incorporated with themselves, the original 5th ser., vol. ii. 16