Druids

The Druids were the priests of the early Gauls and Britons. How their religion arose or where they got it is unknown. Caesar described them more fully then any other writer. They seemed to have believed in God and a future life. Their temples were circles of stone open at the top. Fire was worshiped, and human beings, especially prisoners and criminals, were often sacrificed. The oak and the mistletoe were held sacred, and whenever mistletoe was found twining round an oak, a festival was held around the tree and a sacrifice was made. The druids were of three orders - bards, prophets and priests. They had many privileges, and much power over the people. They were the teachers of the youth, and seem to have had considerable knowledge on may subjects. They settled all disputes between the tribes, and were thus also judges. Their power gradually ceased after the Romans conquered Gaul and Briton their religion lingered in the little island of Anglesia, but was finally driven out by the Romans. Immense stone ruins of their temples are still found in Great Britain and western France. There were also druidesses of different ranks, but little is known of the druid doctrines. See Celtic Heathendom by Professor Rhys.

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