4.

There are also other small islands around Britain; but one, of great extent, Ierna,1496 lying parallel to it towards the north, long or rather, wide; concerning which we have nothing certain to relate, further than that its inhabitants are more savage than the Britons, feeding on human flesh, and enormous eaters, and deeming it commendable to devour their deceased fathers,1497 as well as openly1498 to have commerce not only with other women, but also with their own mothers and sisters.1499 But this we relate perhaps without very competent authority; although to eat human flesh is said to be a Scythian custom; and during the severities of a siege, even the Kelts, the Iberians, and many others, are reported to have done the like.1500