At its head was a priesthood, not in the present meaning of the word, but in the more extended acceptation which it received in the middle ages, when it embraced the whole class of men of letters.

Although we have very few literary remains, the system, wisdom, and works of the Druids form one of the strong foundation-stones of English literature and of English national customs, and should be studied on that account.

The _Druid_ proper was governor, judge, philosopher, expounder, and executioner.

The _ovaidd_, or _ovates_, were the priests, chiefly concerned in the study of theology and the practice of religion.

The _bards_ were heroic poets of rare lyric power; they kept the national traditions in trust, and claimed the second sight and the power of prophecy.