Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/62

40 union of English and Danes under the sway of Canute, A.D. 1018, would lead us to expect numerous vestiges of their presence. This expectation would be justified by the consideration of the frequency and extent of their expeditions, their repeated sojourn during the winter in various parts of England where they had effected a lodgment, their actual subjugation of some districts, and more especially their colonisation in the reign of Alfred, A.D. 880, when nearly a third part of the realm, extending from the Thames to the Tweed, was ceded to them, under their leader Guthrun, converted to Christianity by Alfred's influence. To this district, thenceforth known as the Danelagh, or Dane-law, we naturally look most confidently with anticipation of discovering traces of their occupation, not only encampments, and relics casually deposited in the confusion of hostile encounter, but vestiges of peaceful habitation, of their peculiar usages, their sepulchral rites, their personal ornaments and weapons. It is important to call attention to these considerations, since hitherto no scientific discrimination of the antiquities of the period in question (from the eighth to the eleventh century) has been attempted, and certain remains have been designated as "Danish" merely on conjectural or traditional grounds, based on no comparison of the relics of the Northmen in other lands, nor any sufficient investigation of their distinctive character.

The first step towards more sound knowledge of this subject has been gained by the publication of the "Guide to Northern Archaeology," for which we are indebted to Lord Ellesmere, and of the valuable manual of the "Primeval Antiquities of Denmark," by Mr. Worsaae, recently translated by Mr. Thoms, of which a notice will be found in another part of this Journal.

It is more especially in the eastern districts of Yorkshire, and in Lincolnshire, so frequently the scene of conflict with the Danes, and ultimately occupied by numerous Danish colonists, that ancient remains peculiar to them may be expected. Much valuable information may be anticipated from recent investigations under the auspices of the "Yorkshire Antiquarian Club," guided by the zeal and intelligence of Dr. Thurnam and Professor Phillips. Many curious facts have likewise been adduced from Lincolnshire, amongst which the discovery at Caenby, now recorded, is perhaps the most interesting.

The remains, which have been described, obviously belong