Note 32 — Chapter II · The Kingdom of Scotland—843–900.

Leg. Gwyn., l. 2, c. 18. The words of Bruce’s charter (Thanes of Cawdor) are “Ita tamen quod terra quam Fergusius dictus Demster tenet ibidem respondeat eidem Willelmo (Thano de Calder) de firma quam reddere consuevit.” It is doubtful whether Vercingetorix was a name or a title, like Brennus. Cynghed in Welsh means a convention; gorsez cynghed cynnal, a convention held upon urgency. Ver-cinget-o-rix might thus mean “the man chosen king in the convention.” The authority of the Anglo-Saxon princes, sometimes known as Bretwaldas, probably resembled that of the earlier Celtic Toshach—they were supreme Heretogas rather than supreme kings. Cæsar calls Vercingetorix Imperator; commander-in-chief.