Sir,—In his interesting article on Celtic field boundaries, as brought to light by aeroplane photography, your contributor, Mr. Crawford, states, doubtless on credible authority, that water-mills were introduced into Britain by the Saxons.
There is good historical ground for the belief that water-mills were known in Britain, at least, that part called Alba, several centuries before the Saxons arrived. It is related of King Cormac Mac Airt (A.D. 227–266) that he sent for skilled artificers to cross over from Alba to Eire for the purpose of constructing water-mills at Tara, moved thereto by sympathy for the hard work women had in grinding corn by hand. The story is related with great charm in a modern collection of Gaelic legends, “The High Deeds of Finn,” edited by T. W. Rolleston, and published by Harrap, of York-street, W.C.2, 1910.
That Romans in Britain sometimes built villas on uplands above valleys is attested by the fact that, on the Herts upland
where I dwell, the unearthing of Roman domestic crockery in bits indicates an establishment on the spot of some
importance. The find took place shortly before 1914, and the subsequent years did not permit further excavations. The
site is a breezy spot with a wide horizon over several valleys, and chosen by one with a love of moving air from all
sides and good land.
I am your faithful
Martin O’Branagain.
July 9, 1923.
Source info: Checked in library.