Gildas was a British bard, who, when converted to Christianity, became a Christian priest, and a missionary among his own people.

He was born at Dumbarton in the middle of the sixth century, and was surnamed _the Wise_.

His great work, the History of the Britons, is directly historical: his account extends from the first invasion of Britain down to his own time.
A true Celt, he is a violent enemy of the Roman conquerors first, and then of the Saxon invaders.

He speaks of the latter as "the nefarious Saxons, of detestable name, hated alike by God and man; ...

a band of devils breaking forth from the den of the barbarian lioness." The history of Gildas, although not of much statistical value, sounds a clear Celtic note against all invaders, and displays in many parts characteristic outlines of the British people.
ST.