He developed an argument that the Roman settlers in Britain survived the Teutonic conquests of the fifth century, and that the laws and customs observed under Anglo-Saxon rule were in large part of Roman origin.
This theory was first advanced by Coote in the Gentleman's Magazine, and then A Neglected Fact in English History (1864).
Edward Augustus Freeman subjected his views to attack in Macmillan's Magazine in 1870.
In 1878 Coote published The Romans of Britain, expanding his position, and he had some support from Frederic Seebohm in his English Village Community (1883).
[2] Coote's other writings were:[1] He was a frequent contributor to the Folklore Quarterly Journal.