Ancient and Modern Britons, Vol. 2

In this continuation of his controversial thesis, David MacRitchie deepens his exploration of Britain's pre-Celtic and non-Aryan heritage, advancing the idea that much of the island's early population descended from a forgotten aboriginal race. Volume II extends the analysis begun in the first volume by examining historical traditions, medieval chronicles, and the persistent legends of "little dark people," cave dwellers, and fairy folk in Scottish and Irish folklore. MacRitchie connects these traditions to a historical substrate of racial mixing, challenging the dominant Victorian narratives of unbroken Aryan supremacy. He also draws parallels with similar patterns in other European cultures, suggesting a pan-European undercurrent of early non-white populations erased or assimilated by successive waves of invaders. The volume is filled with curious correlations, speculative linguistics, and ethno-historical conjecture, all bound together by MacRitchie's conviction that history must incorporate folklore as a vital source. Though modern anthropology has largely discredited his racial models, this book retains significance for its influence on later esoteric writers, nationalist theorists, and folklorists. It is an essential read for anyone studying the intersections of myth, history, and identity in the formation of modern Britain.