Ranulf Higden, Polychronicon II, ed. C. Babington, Rolls Series (1869), 142-4, describes how in the time of `Vespasian, duke of Rome', the Picts, coming from Scythia to Ireland, asked the Scots who were already living there for somewhere to settle. The Scots, saying Ireland was too small for both peoples, directed the Picts to northern Britain, promising help against the Britons if necessary.