Welsh Journals

examples. The first discusses the distribution-patterns of dedications to various early saints. The second considers two maps showing the influences acting on the Isle of Man in the Bronze Age and the Dark Ages, bringing out in a very striking way how the relative importance of different regions may change with time. The remaining papers fall into two groups. Six of them are concerned primarily with the evidence for contacts across and around the sea. Dr. Michael Herity deals with the earlier prehistoric periods, and Dr. H. N. Savory with the later; Mr. Leslie Alcock and Dr. Nora Chadwick, respectively, consider the material and literary contacts during the Dark Ages; the Rev. R. W. D. Fenn discusses the influence of the Irish on the English Church; and Mr. P. H. Sawyer describes the impact of a common enemy, the Vikings. The remaining four treat of aspects of culture which are particularly characteristic of Ireland or Wales and which have not previously been covered by any conveniently accessible single account. Professor M. J. O'Kelly summarises current knowledge of Irish 'ring-forts', of which there are some 40,000; excavated examples have been found ranging from 2600 B.C. to A.D. 1600. Medieval church-building in Wales is dealt with by Mr. W. Gwyn Thomas, who raises the question of to what extent the supposed 'Welshness' of some churches may be the result of economics rather than nationality. Finally, vernacular architecture, in Ireland and Wales respectively, is examined by Mr. C. O. Danachair and Mr. Trefor M. Owen; the former is concerned primarily with the evidence of techniques and distributions, the latter with social aspects. This collection of papers marks an important stage in the development of the concept of an Irish Sea Province. They demonstrate the general value of the idea; but they show equally clearly that it does not provide a single all-embracing explanation of the whole archaeology of the region. The inter-relationships between different parts of the 'Province' altered radically in different periods. The whole pattern is a very complex one, and could not be adequately summarised in a review. Study of the full publication is essential for anyone concerned with the archaeology or early history of western Britain; and it will indeed have a far wider value, both for the information it contains and as an illustration of methods of research. A. H. A. HOGG Aberystwyth MEDIEVAL RELIGIOUS HOUSES: IRELAND. By A. Gwynn and R. N. Hadcock. Longman, London, 1970. Pp. 479. £ 8.00 This is a work of massive scholarship, a worthy successor to the earlier Medieval Religious Houses: England and Wales, by D. Knowles and R. N. Hadcock, and Medieval Religious Houses: Scotland, by D. Easson. It becomes at once an indispensable work of reference for everyone interested in any aspect of medieval Irish history, and it is unfortunate that its price should put it out of the reach of so many.