Bede on Britain

Britain, an island in the (Atlantic) Ocean, formerly called Albion, lies to the north-west, facing, though at a considerable distance, the coasts of Germany, Gaul (France), and Spain, which form the greatest part of Europe. It extends 800 miles in length towards the north, and is 200 miles in breadth. To the south lies the land which is called Belgic Gaul. This island is rich in fruits and trees of various kinds; and it is well adapted for feeding sheep and cattle; and it also produces vines in some places. It has plenty of land and water fowl of diverse sorts; it is remarkable also for rivers abounding in fish, and plentiful springs; seals are also frequently taken, and dolphins, as also whales; besides many sorts of shell-fish, such as mussels, in which are often found excellent pearls of all colours; and there is also a great abundance of snails, of which the scarlet dye is made, a most beautiful red, which never fades with the heat of the sun or exposure to rain; but the older it is, the more beautiful it becomes. It has both salt and hot springs, and from them flow rivers which furnish hot baths proper for all ages and both sexes, in separate places, according to their requirements. Britain is rich also in veins of metals, as copper, iron, lead, and silver. It also produces a great deal of excellent jet, which is black gem; when put to the fire, it drives away serpents. The island was formerly distinguished by twenty-nine famous cities, besides innumerable lesser forts, which were all strongly secured with walls, towers, gates, and bars; And, because it lies almost under the North Pole, the nights are light in summer, so that at midnight the beholders are often in doubt whether the evening twilight still continues, or that of the morning has come; so it is obvious that on this island the days are of a greater length in summer, and that the nights in winter are also longer than it is the case in the southern parts of the world.