At last, in 547,[*] Ida, a Saxon prince of great valor,[**] who claimed a descent, as did all the other princes of that nation, from Woden, brought over a reenforcement from Germany, and enabled the Northumbrians to carry on their conquests over the Britons.

He entirely subdued the county now called Northumberland, the bishopric of Durham, as well as some of the south-east counties of Scotland; and he assumed the crown under the title of king of Bernicia.
Nearly about the same time, AElla, another Saxon prince, having conquered Lancashire and the greater part of Yorkshire, received the appellation of king of Deiri.[***] These two kingdoms were united in the person of Ethelfrid, grandson of Ida, who married Acca, the daughter of AElla; and expelling her brother Edwin, established one of the most powerful of the Saxon kingdoms, by the title of Northumberland.

How far his dominions extended into the country now called Scotland is uncertain: but it cannot be doubted, that all the lowlands, especially the east coast of that country, were peopled in a great measure from Germany; though the expeditions, made by the several Saxon adventurers, have escaped the records of history.

The language spoken in those countries, which is purely Saxon, is a stronger proof of this event than can be opposed by the imperfect, or rather fabulous annals, which are obtruded on us by the Scottish historians.
[* Chron.Sax.p.

19.] [** W.Malms, p.