A New History of England: civil, political, and ecclesiastical

Front matter

HISTOKY OF ENGLAND. A NEW HISTORY OF ENGLAND: Ciiril. ffllnial, anfo (Btth$mtuul. BY G. S. POULTON. " Time is the greatest innovator of all ; while man wonld sleep or stop in his career, the course of time is rapidly changing the aspect of all human affairs. Arrest his course we cannot; but we may vary the forms and aspects of our institutions so as to reflect its varying aspects and forms. If this be not the spirit which animates us, philosophy is impertinent, aud history no better than an old almanack." — Pluneet. LONDON : WILLIAM FREEMAN, 69, FLEET STREET. 1855. LONDON : PRINTED BY WILLIAM FREEMAN, FLEET STEEET. PEEFACE. To those for whom my effort has been especiady made, I may, without boasting, say, that the present work contains a far more complete history of England than has ever before been compded in one volume.

Besides a reference to ad the important events which have occurred since this country merged from barbarism, the progress of civdisation, the institution of laws, the introduction and deeds of Popery, the rise and results of the Reformation, the establishment and working of our National Church, with the efforts, struggles, and sufferings of the various bodies of Dissenters, have all been duly and carefudy marked. There are other ways of conveying falsehood than by its positive assertion. To withhold a truth may be as mischievous as its denial ; and to dress up a statement in a mere fictitious garb, may mislead and discolour the judgment as much as though that statement were altogether untrue. And this kind of falsehood has been too much and too long indulged in ; and consequently, the masses, who have not time to apply to original sources of information, nor to read the voluminous works which appear from time to time, and which embrace, may be, only one epoch or subject of historical interest,

Preface

. IV know very little about the way and manner in which this great country has been governed ; how she has risen, with the blasts of war on one side, and the pestdential influences of feudal selfishness and withering priestcraft on the other, to her present glory ; or how she is still able to maintain her dignity and honour, notwithstanding ad the spiritual wickedness in the high places, and, as the sure result, ad the poverty and ignorance in the low places, of the land. To save myself from some degree of criticism, I beg to state that this volume is not intended for students, or for the few who have time and opportunity for extensive reading ; but for those individuals above aduded to, who, from various lackings, are compeded to remain satisfied or dissatisfied with a limited amount of book information.

In order to accompdsh my object, in reference to the kind and degree of information necessary to be included in even an epitome of the history of England, I have been compeded to pass rapidly over some comparatively unimportant periods and events, that prominence might be given to those facts and matters which constitute by far the most interesting portions of the life of this country. Battles by the sword, the brilliant achievements of arts and arms, and the follies and vices of kings, no more comprise the history of a country, than a description of merely the physical powers of a man gives a just and adequate idea of his entire being. With these short remarks by way of an introduction, I respectfully submit my work to the candid perusal of the pubdc. Victoeia Villa, Reading, December, 1855.

INDEX. Chapter Page I. The Britons 1 II. The Saxons 10 III. The Danes 19 IV. The Danes 28 V. William I. : The Conqueror 46 VI. William II 59 VII. Henry I .67 VIII. Stephen 75 IX. Henry II. — Plantagenet Line 80 X. Richard 1 97 XL John Ill XII. Henry III 123 XIII. Edward 1 137 XIV. Edward II 147 XV. Edward III 157 XVI. Richard II 180 XVII. Henry IV 193 XVIII. Henry V 200 XIX. Henry VI INDEX VI Chapter a A XX. Edward IV 225 XXI. Edward V. and Richard III 232 XXII. Henry VII— House of Tudor 242 XXIII. Henry VIII 252 XXIV. Edward VI 297 XXV. Mary 305 XXVI. Elizabeth 328 XXVII. James I. — House of Stuart 382 XXVIII. Charles 1 408 XXIX. Oliver Cromwell. — The Commonwealth 480 XXX. Charles II 538 XXXI. James II 576 XXXII. William III. and Mary II 602 XXXIII. Anne 626 XXXIV. George I. — House of Hanover 643 XXXV. George II 651 XXXVI. George III 669 XXXVII. George IV 716 XXXVIII. William IV 729 XXXIX. Victoria

Chapter I. The Britons

It is almost needless to say, that this country was formerly called Britain, and that its inhabitants were called Britons. Very little was known of it untd the Romans, led by their ambitious commander, Juhus Cæsar, having extended their conquests and depredations throughout France, and thinking that the possession of another country, even though a smad one, would add increasing lustre to their arms, crossed the channel, about fifty-five years before the Christian era. And though, during the succeeding four hundred years, the Romans retained and governed this country as their own, it must not be imagined that they quietly took possession of it. For, though most unequal in numbers, arms, and military discipline, the Britons defended their country with great bravery, and struggled hard through many severe contests to preserve their freedom : but being at last subdued, they were compeded to submit themselves to the authority of their conquerors.

The Britons, doubtlessly, regarded the Roman invasion as a great calamity. But, looking at the event in connexion with B succeeding facts, it can only be viewed as a display of the wisdom of that Power which worketh ad together for good. The Romans found the Britons without houses, and dving in the most barbarous state, in holes in the earth, or protected only by sbght wooden fences. Their dress in the winter was skins of beasts, and in the summer they wore no clothing at all, substituting instead, a dye of blue colour, which they extracted from a weed caded woad. Their food consisted chiefly of animals kided in the chase, with the flesh and mdk of their flocks and herds. In this rude state, it wid not be expected that the Britons thought anything at ad of the cultivation of their minds. But there was one class of men who boasted of much learning — the Druids, who acted as the priests of the Britons.

Like priests in later days, the Druids not only undertook the sacred office of instructing the people in redgious duties, but officiated also in making and strictly enforcing civil laws. There was, dterady, an " Union of Church and State :" a fact common to barbarous and uneidighted nations. Some of the pecudarities of the Druids answer wed to those of many priests in every succeeding age : — for instance, they had a strong objection to spread dght and knowledge among the people at large ; they thought the few should be instructed and the many remain ignorant — and therefore degraded. The places for pubdc worship wrere under oak trees, because those spots were consecrated by the Druids ! What worse infatuation was that, than the notion of thousands now, who believe that God has more pleasure in the worship which is performed in places consecrated by priests — unholy though they be — than in that which is offered in spirit and in truth, without regard to place or priest?

The ancient Britons worshipped imaginary deities, and human victims were often sacrificed in honour of them. Such was the low state of things when the Romans first visited this island. THE BRITONS. The Britons were divided into tribes, each tribe possessing a chief of its own ; and upon the second preparation of the Romans for battle, ad the chiefs invested Cassivelaunus with the supreme command of their forces. This general was highly esteemed by his countrymen, for his bravery and skid : — on this occasion, however, those qualities did not avad him. After two days of hard struggle, he was obliged to retire ; and he hurried to the defence of his own dttle dominion. The enemy fodowed, and with some difficulty succeeded in taking his capital. After this, the Romans returned to their own country, where civd war was raging ; and for nearly a hundred years they left the Britons unmolested, though stid considering the island as their own.

In the year 50 (a.d.), the Romans again appeared as enemies in Britain. Some of the British States yielded submission, but the others, under the command of Caractacus, maintained a long resistance. This general, also, was con quered ; and he was reserved for a pubdc triumph at Rome. The next scene of action was in the island of Mona (now Anglesey), the favourite resort and residence of the Druids. The Britons endeavoured in vain to defend it — adding to the force of arms the terrors of their religion. And a thriding sight must the capturing of that island have been ! Not only those accustomed to war, but the women and Druids, mingled with the soldiers, were engaged in the strife, carrying lighted torches in their hands, and uttering loud cries and curses. But the enemy, having been too long used to the conflicts of war to be intimidated by such means, was again victorious ; and hoping to make the final subjugation of the people more secure, the Romans burned the Druids, and destroyed their sacred places and altars.

This greatly exasperated the British tribes ; and while the Roman general was congratulating himself upon a speedy fulfilment of his desires, they were already at war with those Romans who b2 were left in charge of the colonies which had been formed in various parts of the country. Besides the affair at Mona, the Britons had other causes of complaint against their conquerors. Cruelties and injustices to the people at large, had been fodowed by gross insults to the family of Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni (a British tribe). Her wrongs cried aloud for justice ; and being a woman of masculine courage, she was soon surrounded, not only by her own subjects, but by an armed body composed of other tribes. Being entrusted with supreme command, and excited by recent indignities, Boadicea prepared with spirit for immediate battle.

When the Roman general, in Anglesey, heard of these doings, he hastened to London — which was already a large and important trading place. But he was too late ; and in order to defend the provinces, he left the town to the ravages of the Britons — who gave no quarter untd 70,000 Romans had faden by their hands, and the town was reduced to ashes. The end of the conflict, however, proved the defeat of Boadicea ; who, rather than subject herself to further insult, put an end to her life by poison. It is stated that 80,000 Britons fed in this engagement ; that close upon it fodowed famine and disease ; and that stid they refused peace at the expense of their freedom. It was some years before the Britons were entirely sub jugated to the Roman dominion. At last, feeling their power to resist graduady declining, they submitted to their masters, and became incorporated with their empire.

Civd laws were introduced among them, and schools established. The desire to raise the conveniences of life was cultivated with success. Instead of mud and wooden houses, comfortable abodes of brick and stone were now erected. Taught to spin and weave the wool which their sheep produced, the Britons soon appeared in more cividsed clothing. Land was formed into gardens, and fruits and vegetables were THE BRITONS. grown in abundance. It was under the direction of the Romans that the first high-roads from one town to another were made. It may now be considered that the Britons were entirely dispossessed of their country. Those who survived the long continued wars, united peacefudy with their conquerors, and pursued with them the various occupations of dfe. A.D. 121. — The next invaders were the Caledonians (now Scotch).

But not caring to carry their wars into the then barbarous region of the north, the Britons raised a rampart to defend themselves from the continued incursions of that hostile people. The experiment proved a failure; and the Britons then erected a stone wad, twelve feet high and eight feet thick, to which were added stations, castles, and several turrets. But even this defence was not strong enough to keep off the repeated attacks of the enemy ; and. Britain, tired of war, made peace with the Caledonians on their own terms, by giving them the ground between the Solway and Tyne, and the Friths of Clyde and Forth. A period of com fortable tranquidity now succeeded, in which the Britons made rapid progress in the arts of civilised dfe. In 288, some Saxon pirates committed depredations on the coasts of Britain; but by the aid of the Romans they were soon dispersed.

For many years after this, the most important incidents in Britain were the seditions and rebedions of the Romans who were quartered there. The stone wad which had been reared to protect this country from the inroads of the barbarous tribes of Scotland, being left unguarded, an enemy soon appeared in the Picts and Scots. The Britons had recourse to Rome : but the " Decdne and Fad" of the Roman empire had already begun, and she wanted ad her troops at home. A legion, however, was sent over, which quickly drove the invaders to their own country. Twice the enemy appeared, and twice they were defeated. The Romans now told the Britons that they must not in future apply to them for assistance ; and helping them to rebuild the stone wad, and advising them to arm in their own defence, they took a final leave of the island — about the year 420.

The poor Britons were now in a most forlorn condition. The Romans had hitherto fought their battles and governed their country for them ; they were thenceforth to do both for themselves, as best they could. When the Picts and Scots found that the Romans had left the country, they scaled the wad and spread terror and ruin throughout the land. The Britons cried in vain to Rome ; and meeting with no response, they left their houses, abandoned their dady occupations, and fled to the forests and mountains for protection. Agriculture being neglected, the enemy, as well as the natives, began to suffer from hunger; and collecting their spods, they retreated to their own country. History does not enter into the regulations of the civd government which existed in Britain when the Romans left it; but it may be inferred that the most powerful men in various parts ruled, independently of each other, with almost absolute sway.

This disunion rendered the Britons an easy prey to warlike adventurers ; and having occasion to fear another invasion of the Picts and Scots, they determined to fodow the advice of Vortigem, chief of the petty rulers, and apply for aid to the Saxons. Before introducing another people, it wid be wed to look at some particulars, which, though not connected with the details of war, form an important part of the history of this country. The religion of the ancient Britons was Druidism ; but as early as the first century, there were individuals, here and there, who had embraced the doctrines of Christianity. THE BRITONS. Some writers think that the Apostles themselves visited this island ; but it seems more probable that the Christian faith was introduced in some other way. Christians were very numerous at that time in Rome ; and, considering the free intercourse between the nations, and the horrid persecutions which stained the early centuries, it is natural to suppose that many would be brought hither, not only by the exigencies of civil purposes, but by the desire to find a place of refuge.

In those early days of Christianity, redgion wore an aspect quite different to that of succeeding ages. It was not then thought necessary to patronise and distinguish it by outward splendour ; neither was it ever understood that any particular class of individuals had a special right to mono podse, or a superiority of natural capacity to appreciate, the blessings derivable from the Word of God. In the govern ment of their Churches, Christians then had no authority but the New Testament. Each Church enacted, and was governed by, its own laws — paid its own expenses — and was perfectly independent of any other. These remarks refer to Christians in ad countries during the first, second, and part of the third century. But the year 313 commenced a new era in the Christian world. Constantine the Great, a professor of Christianity, became Emperor of Rome, espoused the cause of the persecuted Christians, and admitted them into all the honours and privileges of the State.

It would be impossible, in a work of this kind, to enter into ad the gradations through which the Church of Rome passed in attaining the unlawful influence and unwarrantable power she possessed at the time of the Reformation. Under Constantine was effected that memorable " Union of Church and State," which from that time to the present has given rise to abundant evils — whose bitter fruits hang thickly even to-day. After that union had been substantially ratified, the Church of Rome rapidly declined from any adherence to the Word of God. Instead of rational and spiritual worship, its religion became a ceremony of newly-invented rites per formed in buddings adorned with the pictures of saints and martyrs. In short, the Church of Rome, with its increasing wealth — its absurd and childish ceremonies — its numerous orders of covetous priests — its mocking fasts, worldly festivals, and profane holidays — its ecclesiastical wars, and theological differences — its corrupt doctrines, impious decrees, trumpery redes, and incredible fables — its avaricious and depraved members — with its black deeds, cunning artifices, and daring atrocities, very soon became not only unlike, but in every way opposed to, the Church of Christ.

Some youthful readers may wonder why this monster of iniquity — the Papal system — is caded "The Church of Rome?" and why the monster's head is caded the Pope? Rome being the imperial city, her bishop was distinguished above ad others, being endowed with superior wealth, special privileges, and almost kingly authority. These benefits were duly encroached upon by the greedy lovers of gain who enjoyed them; and in process of time the bishop of Rome was created governor over ad other bishops. At every turn in civil affairs, the crafty watchman moved into a higher position ; tid at last he claimed to be styled " Your Holiness " —"Universal Bishop"— "The Vicar of Christ"— and even " Our Lord God the Pope ! " The word Pope signifies father, and was anciently given to ad Christian bishops ; but about the latter end of the eleventh century, the title was usurped by the Bishop of Rome, to whom it has ever since been exclusively applied.

To account for the growth and universal influence of the Papal power, it must be remembered that the Roman Emperor who laid the foundation-stone of that ecclesiastical structure, and gave it strength and efficiency by uniting it to the State, at the same time possessed provinces in almost THE RRITONS. ad the then known world. These provinces became gradually infected with the doctrines, superstitions, and practices of the Romish Church ; and as the civd power everywhere decdned, so its ady, the Church, advanced, untd, as wid be seen in the course of this history, it grasped not only territories and private properties, but the thrones of kings and the sceptres of princes. But notwithstanding the iniquity which became embodied in the mysterious system of Popery, there were from time to time devoted and humble Christian teachers and writers belonging to it, some of whom wid be mentioned by-and bye.

Monasteries, for retirement and seclusion from the ordinary affairs of dfe, were in general use at this time. They were at first only frequented by Christians, who resorted thither to escape persecution, or the rage of theological controversy, and were then the abodes of temperance and piety : they soon became the lurking-places of every vice.

Chapter II. The Saxons

The Britons were in a state of great perplexity as to means for expelling their enemies, the Picts and Scots. They appointed Vortigern their leader ; and whde he and his council were considering what to do, there arrived at Ebbsfleet, in the Isle of Thanet, three vessels of Jutes, con taining several hundred men, and two chiefs — Hengist and Horsa. Vortigern, thinking that the Britons might as wed retain these adventurers as soldiers, received them graciously, promising, in return for their services, to feed and clothe them. With this new aid the Picts and Scots were soon routed ; and the Britons then became anxious for the quiet departure of their deliverers. But Britain was again to be conquered. The advantages resulting from the Roman invasion were neither few nor small ; but it is to the results of this second subjugation that Engdsbmen must look for the principles of those superior blessings which, though sometimes perverted, have been the glory of this country and the hap piness of her people.

The Saxons, Jutes, and Angles were all tribes of the same description of people, inhabiting Ger many, and the countries north of it. And though at first these tribes maintained a separate interest in this land, and were distinguished by their individual names, ad pecudarities were soon forgotten in the one general term — the Engdsh. Having driven the Picts and Scots to their own country, Hengist began to look about him : and it would seem that the inspection was satisfactory, for he quicldy formed the desire to settle here. Wanting an excuso for commencing hostdities, he made an unjust demand for more supplies, and, meeting with a refusal, he, with the Picts and Scots, whose aid on this occasion he solicited, began to ravage the country, and to spread desolation on ad sides. The Britons, under Vortigern, and his son Vortimer, struggled hard to defend their country; but Hengist finally succeeded in establishing a kingdom in Kent (457), from which no future attempts could expel him.

Concerning these turbulent times, it wid be enough to pre serve the chain of events entire, without indulging in chap ters of detads of those fabulous and uncertain accounts which, whether true or false, are not important to the future history. When other Saxon tribes heard of the settlement of Hen gist, they prepared to follow his example. Ella was the next invader (477). His conquests were more extensive than those of Hengist : he formed a kingdom in Sussex. In 495, a more powerful company arrived, under the chief, Cerdic. Conflicting with this body of invaders, the Britons ex perienced great disasters. Cerdic laid the foundation of the West Saxon kingdom ; but his son, Cynric, extended it over a large portion of the country. It was in these struggles that the famous British Arthur fought ; but so much fiction surrounds him, that some writers question the fact of his ex istence at all.

Whde Cerdic and his fodowers were esta bbshing the kingdom of Wessex, or the West Saxons, another body of Saxons formed one in Essex, and some Angles one in East Anglia. The last large importation of Saxons during this period was that conducted by Ida and his twelve sons (547), which included a fleet of forty vessels of warriors — ad Angles. They attacked the north, where, notwithstanding their numbers and strength, they met with more obstinate resistance than had before marked the British troops. But all efforts to repulse the enemy failed. The kingdoms of Bemicia and Deira were raised, which completed the subjugation of the country, and the establishment of the Saxon Heptarchy, or seven distinct governments : composed of one Jute, three Saxon, and three Angle kingdoms. Many of the Britons, disdaining to remain as slaves to their conquerors, took refuge in Wales, and Bretagne.

Britain, as the country of the Britons, was now no more. After having entirely subdued the natives, the seven States turned their hostdities against each other. Sometimes one kingdom gained the ascendancy, and then another : and thus it was throughout the duration of the Heptarchy. But there never was a period without great and efficient men on some of the Anglo-Saxon thrones ; so that, notwithstanding the horrors of continual war, the country progressed in civdisation. Leaving the long accounts of the Anglo-Saxon wars, which would be tedious and unin structive, the reader's attention is requested to other facts connected with that period. The Saxons were pagans; and, on gaining possession of this country, they did not spare the churches, monasteries, or schools — ad alike shared the fate of destruction.

But historians observe of the Saxons, "that in process of time their ferocious dispositions and habits gradually gave place to those of peace and love ;" thus, doubtlessly, referring to the fact, that the doctrines of Christianity were known and observed in this country long before the introduction of Popery. The chief among the Anglo-Saxon Kings was caded Bretwalda, or ruler of Britain. It was in the reign of Ethelbert, the third Bretwalda, that, according to common belief, Chris tianity was brought into this country (527). The well known incident which is related as having caused Pope Gregory to send "the blessings of the Gospel" here, was as fodows : Seeing some English children exposed for sale in the market at Rome, Gregory inquired whence they came ; and being told that they were English, he repbed, " They would not be English, but angels, were they but Christians."

Shortly after this, he appointed Augustine, prior of a convent at Rome, as his emissary to England. Arriving in Kent, Augustine sought an audience with the King, Ethelbert : which he readily obtained, as wed as permission to remain and use his influence to turn the Anglo-Saxons from their pagan idolatry. Ethelbert's Queen, a French princess, was a Christian ; and from her first arrival in this country, she had enjoyed, in company with the train of attendants she brought with her, the privilege of Christian worship. The Pope consecrated Augustine Archbishop of Canter bury. Ethelbert regarded him with royal favour, making Canterbury the metropolitan see ; from which time the Archbishop of that city has held the precedency. The Pope then sent the new Archbishop " all things in general that were necessary for the worship and service of the Church — viz., sacred vessels and vestments for the altars, also ornaments for the churches, and vestments for the priests and clerks, as likewise redes of the holy Apostles and martyrs.

He also sent letters wherein he signified that he had transmitted the pall to him, and at the same time directed how he should con stitute bishops in Britain." Augustine, looking from the high eminence to which he had been raised, discovered beyond the dmits of Saxon Britain whole communities of the Welsh, who belonged to the more ancient British Church, enjoying their religion and the Gospel, and feeling little interest in the outward trappings which adorned the worship of their neighbours. Displeased at their sdent contempt of Popery, Augustine intruded his authority ; and the Welsh Christians repulsed it. Augustine caded them schismatics, and ordered them to conform to the Church of Rome : but they refused to do so, not at ad ad mitting the Pope's claim to universal supremacy in the Churches.

The obstinacy of these " schismatics" was more fully shown in their celebration of Easter, which they performed at a date differing from that fixed upon by the "Infallible Church." After many contentions, and many threats and promises on the part of Augustine, he is said to have concluded with the fodowing invective: "Since you refuse peace with your brethren, you shad have war with your enemies ; and since you wid not unite with us in preaching the word of dfe to your neighbours, you shad have death at their hands." Shortly after this, the King of Northumbria invaded North Wales, and reduced the monastery at Bangor, whither the persecuted had fled for refuge, to ruins. Many historians, after consulting the best ancient writers, conclude that Augustine was the instigator of this cruel massacre.

It is stated, that in less than ninety years after the arrival of Augustine, Christianity was established over the whole of Saxon Britain — which only means, that submission to the Church of Rome was everywhere yielded. Certainly, the people were no longer pagans, worshipping Woden and Thor, for they had become the obedient subjects of the Pope. The new religion, which was now firmly estabdshed in Saxon Britain, was Popery, not Christianity. The disputes concerning the celebration of Easter had con tinued for a long time, when, the see of Canterbury being vacant, the Pope (Vatadan) seized the opportunity to conse crate to it a man in every way quadfied to settle differences of opinion, and to extend the Papal power. This was Theodore, a Greek, of great ability, superior mental attainments, and extensive knowledge — ecclesiastical and secular (668).

He commenced his prelatical labours by visiting the several Churches; and so skdfudy did he act in his management of the subjects in dispute, that he soon succeeded in uniting ad parties in the forms of faith and worship of the Romish Church ; and ad the Churches agreed henceforth to celebrate Easter with canonical exactness. So efficiently did Theodore exert his priestly domination, that he obtained the right of primacy from the whole body of Engdsh clergy ; or, as Bede says : " He was the first Archbishop whom all the Engdsh Church obeyed." Those who like the "pomp of power," and who esteem individuals for the sake of the office they hold, may speak of Theodore's character as a primate. But those who do not believe in that kind of virtue which some attach to particular places, stations, vestments, &c, are not the individuals to attribute worth to an imperious over bearing priest, merely because he succeeded in bringing a nation to the uniform adoption of one particular form of worship.