THE ANCIENT NORTHMEN, RIDDELL ANCESTRY.
THE greatest genealogists of England and Scotland have said, "Few
families have claims to higher antiquity, than that of Ridel, or Riddell,
and fewer still have such grounds upon which to establish their preten-
sions; indeed, the authorities supporting their history, are such as are
rarely found in tracing the genealogy of our old families, especially at a
period so remote as that at which theirs commences." As the ancestors
of this distinguished family made so conspicuous a figure amongst their
countrymen in the early wars, and were identified with all the fluctua-
tions and migrations of their race, it seems proper to present a compre-
hensive sketch of the history of the ancient nation from which they are
descended.
The several tribes of Scandinavians dwelling in Denmark, Sweden, and
Norway, originated on the shores of the German Ocean, and during their
southern incursions, were called Norsemen, or Northmen, in consequence
of their coming from the north of Europe. This was a proper name to
apply to this race while they were united as one kingdom, but after their
dissolution, the name Norman had reference only to the inhabitants of
Norway; they are now designated by the several countries in which they
live, namely, Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians. These ancient sea-kings,
or vikings, followers of Odin, have a noble history, and their influence
upon the civilization of Europe has been remarkable. Belonging to the
German race, they shared the love of liberty, the spirit of activity, and
the disposition to wander from their native land. They were divided
into numerous tribes, early acquainted themselves with the art of naviga-
tion, and were addicted to piracy. From the beginning of the eighth
century, they commenced to ravage the coasts of various parts of Europe,
and planted their feet upon the soil of every country within their reach.
Kings everywhere trembled at the name of the Northmen, and nations
were almost paralyzed at their approach. To mark the resemblance be-
tween the ancient national characteristics of the Northmen and their de-
scendants, representing the ancestry of the Riddell family, we will briefly
consider their early appearance and habits. They were broad-shouldered,
deep-chested, long-limbed, with slender waists, and small hands and feet;
their build told of strength, which was so prized by them that their puny
infants were exposed and left to die. Their complexion was almost always
fair, and the fair alone were considered beautiful or well-born. One early
writer says of the Northman, "His face was large; his forehead broad,
with mickle eyebrows; his nose not long, but excessively thick; his upper
lip wide and long, while his chin and jaw-bones were enormously broad.
