CHAPTER I.

THE BRITONS AND THE ROMANS.

Imperfection of early Accounts of Great Britain-Smallness of the Popu

lation-Their Divisions-Surface of the Country-Druidical Circles—

Arms and Fortifications-Native Money-Religion-Julius Cæsar-

Cassivellaunus-Caractacus-Boadicea-Julius Agricola-Galgacus--

The Roman Walls-British Independence, Carausius-Ambrosius and

Vortigern-Roman Relics in Britain-Progress in Civilisation-Intro-

duction of Christianity.....

.Page 1

CHAPTER II.

ENGLAND FROM THE SAXON INVASION TO THE END OF THE

HEPTARCHY, 449–825.

Origin of the Saxon Tribes-Their Character and Habits-First Appear-

ance in Britain-Saxon Heptarchy-The Bretwalda-Saxon Religion

and Mythology-Thor-Mission of Augustine-Rapid Progress of Chris-

tianity among the Saxons-Internal Wars-End of the Heptarchy... 17

CHAPTER III.

FROM THE END OF THE HEPTARCHY TO THE DEATH OF ALFRED,

A. D. 825-901.

5

Egbert, king of England-First Danish Invasions-Description of the

Danes Battle of Hengsdown Hill-Ethelwulf's and Ethelred's Con-

flicts with the Danes-Alfred the Great-His early Perils-Retreat in

the Island of Athelney-Destruction of the Danish Army-Hasting's

Incursions-State of Learning and Religion at Alfred's Accession-

Eminent Scholars at his Court-His Literary Works-Political and So-

cial Arrangements-Trial by Jury..........

23

CHAPTER IV.

FROM THE DEath of AlfreD TO CANUTE'S INVASION, A. D. 901-1016.

Ethelwald-Dunstan and Odo-Edgar the Pacific-Peculiarities of the

Anglo-Saxon Church-Edward the Martyr-Danish Invasions under

Sweyn-Dane-geld-Massacre of Saint Brice-Sweyn's Revenge-

Thurkill the Dane-Ethelred and Sweyn-Saxon Trade and Exports...30

CHAPTER V.

FROM THE ACCESSION OF CANUTE TO THE NORMAN CONQUEST,

A. D. 1016-1066.

Canute-Danish Emigration-Anglo-Danish Code-Canute's Pilgrimage

to Rome-Harold and Hardicanute-Edward the Confessor-Norman

Influence at the Court-Rebellion of Earl Godwin-Rise of Harold's

Power-Harold-Defeat of the Norwegian Invaders-William, duke of

Normandy-Battle of Hastings-Condition of England-Learning and

Literature-Manners and Customs of the Anglo-Saxons-Commerce and

Manufactures......

38

........... .............

CHAPTER VI.

EARLY HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.

Strathclyde Britons-The Highlands-The Picts and Scots-England and

Scotland before the Norman Conquest-Diffusion of the Saxon Race

through Scotland-The Danes-Macbeth-Conversion of Scotland to

Christianity-St Columba.......

.54

CHAPTER VII.

EARLY HISTORY OF IRELAND.

Antiquity of the Irish Race-Ossian-Christianity introduced-Saint

Patrick-Primitive Irish Church-Learning-John Scotus-Danish

Invasions-Brian Boru-Malachi of the Golden Collar.....................59

CHAPTER VIII.

THE DIFFERENT RACES AND THEIR LANGUAGES.

Early Inhabitants of the British Isles-Celts and Goths-Antiquity of the

English Language-Various Dialects of Great Britain-Norman French

-Greek and Latin-Saxon-Saxon Names of Persons and Places---

Celtic Names-Superiority of the Gothic over the Celtic Race...........64

CHAPTER IX.

ENGLAND DURIng the Reign oF WILLIAM THe Conqueror,

A. D. 1066-1087.

William the Conqueror-Submission of London-Norman Spoliation-Re-

wards bestowed on the Conquerors-Saxon Revolt under Earl Morcar

-Hereward the Saxon-Death of William I.-Domesday-book-The

Forest Laws-The Church.....

.Page 71

CHAPTER X.

FROM THE ACCESSION OF WILLIAM RUFUS TO THe Death of StEPHEN,

A. D. 1087-1154.

William Rufus-Rebellion of Odo-Revolt of Northumbria-The New

Forest-Henry I.-Robert Duke of Normandy-The Count of Breteuil

-Death of Prince William-State of Learning and the Church—Arts

and Manufactures-Stephen-Battle of the Standard-Matilda's Inva-

sion-Treaty of Winchester.......

.78

CHAPTER XI.

FROM THE ACCESSION OF HENRY II. TO THE DEATH OF JOHN,

A. D. 1154-1216.

Henry II.-Thomas à Becket-Differences with the Clergy-Council of

Clarendon-Murder of Becket-Conquest of Ireland-Laws of Inheri-

tance-Condition of the Church-Civil and Political State of Ireland-

Strongbow's Expedition-Henry recognised Lord-paramount-Commerce

and Trade of England-Richard I.-Persecution of the Jews-The

Crusades-Taking of Acre-Richard's Captivity-Prince John's Rebel-

lion-Condition of England-Robin Hood-John-Prince Arthur's

Murder-War with France-Dispute with the Pope-The Great Charter

-Louis of France-Death of John-Commerce and Arts-Learning and

Education.........

.....88

CHAPTER XII.

ENGLAND FROM THE ACCESSION OF HENRY III. TO THE DEATH OF

EDWARD II., A. D. 1216—1327.

Henry III.-Prince Louis returns to France-Rivalry of Peter des Roches

and Hubert de Burgh-Parliament refuses Supplies-Solemn Confirma-

tion of the Great Charter-Mad Parliament-Representative System-

The Three Estates-Battle of Evesham-Edward I.-Attempt on his Life

at Jaffa-Invasion of Wales-Scottish and French Wars-Oppressions of

the Jews-Edward II.-Piers de Gaveston-The Ordainers-Gaveston's

Execution-Unsuccessful War in Scotland-Progress of Edward Bruce

in Ireland-Hugh Despenser-The Fate of Lancaster-Coalition against

Edward-Death of the Despensers-Murder of the King at Berkeley

Castle....

111

CHAPTER XIII.

SCOTLAND FROM THE ARRIVAL OF THE NORMANS TO THE END OF THE

WAR OF INDEpendence, a. d. 1066-1314.

Kingdom of Scotland-Homage-Malcolm III.-William the Lion-Alex-

ander III.-The Invasion of Haco-Battle of Largs-The Maiden of

Norway-Disputes on the Succession to the Crown-Baliol and Bruce-

Relations between People of England and Scotland-Norman Aristocracy

-Baliol asserts his Independence-William Wallace-The Defeat at Fal-

kirk-Robert Bruce-Victory of Bannockburn-Effect of this unnatural

War...........

Page 124

............

CHAPTER XIV.

ENGLAND FROM THE ACCESSION OF EDWARD III. TO THE Death of

RICHARD II., A. D. 1327-1399.

Edward III.-Execution of Mortimer-Battle of Halidon Hill-Disputes

on the Succession to the French Crown-James von Artaveldt and the

Flemish Revolt-Victories of Crecy and of Neville's Cross-The Black

Prince-Victory of Poitiers-Reforms- Purveyance-Constitution of

Parliament-Exactions of the Papal See-Wickliffe-The Black Plague

-State of Society-Sumptuary Laws-Richard II.-Capitation Tax—

Wat Tiler's Insurrection-War with Scotland-The Wonderful Parlia

ment-Battle of Otterburn-State of Ireland-Deposition of the King-

Parliamentary Resistance against the Pope-Statute of Præmunire....136

CHAPTER XV.

THE DYNASTY of Lancaster, A. D. 1399—1461.

Henry IV.-Origin of the House of York-War with Scotland-Revolt of

the Percys-War with France-Parliament-The Lollards-Martyrdom

of Sawtre and Thorpe-Henry V.-Lord Cobham-Invasion of France-

Battle of Agincourt-Treaty of Troyes-Ecclesiastical History-Peculiar

Religious Observances-Description of the English Clergy-Henry VI.

-Battle of Crevant-Siege of Orleans-Joan of Arc-Jack Cade-Duke

of York made Protector-Wars of the Roses-Battle of St Alban's-

Warwick the Kingmaker-Battles of Wakefield and Barnet............................158

CHAPTER XVI.

THE DYNASTY of York, a. d. 1461-1485.

Edward IV. Battle of Towton-Queen Margaret-Punishment of Sir Ralph

Gray-Marriage with Elizabeth Woodville-Captivity and Escape of the

King-Restoration of Henry-Battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury-War

with France-Treaty of Pecquigny-Murder of the Duke of Clarence-

Edward V.-Regency of Gloucester-Execution of Hastings-Sermon at

Paul's Cross-Richard III.-Murder of the Royal Princes-Insurrection

against the Usurper-Battle of Bosworth-Progress of the People-

Importance of English Commerce-Foreign Trade of Scotland and Ire-

land
............ ...181