Front matter
PINNOCK'S
IMPROVED EDITION OF DR. GOLDSMITH’S
FROM THE INVASION OF
Preface To The American Edition
Next to our own national history, it is incumbent on American youth to make themselves acquainted with that of the country from which we derive our political existence, and the most valuable of our cus¬ toms and institutions. The history of England will never cease to be interesting to us. It will never be other than a valuable and important branch of instruc¬ tion in our schools.
Among all the histories of that country which have been written, none has been so long and so deservedly popular as that of Dr. Goldsmith. Whether this be owing to its attractive and perfectly intelligible style, or to the vivid impression which his simple and clear narrative of the facts never fails to leave, it is not now important to inquire. The fact of its established classical charac¬ ter, is sufficient to justify the publisher in selecting the most approved edition of this work, to be revised and adapted to the use of schools in our own country.
The mass of illustrative matter, consisting of notes, tables, engravings, &c., which the reader will find »n the piesent edition, may be regarded as adding greatiy to its value; and the complete and careful series of ques¬ tions appended to each section will claim the especial notice of teachers.
Contents
CHAP. **AG e
I.—The Ancient Britons. 7
II.—The Saxons. 15
SECTION I. Theirs was the science of a martial race
Tu shape the lance or decorate the shield E’en ihe fair virgin stain’d her native grace,
To eive new horron. lo the tented field.
1. Britain was but very little known to the rest of the vorid before the time of the Romans. The coasts oppo¬ site Gaul§ were frequented by merchants, who traded thither for such commodities as the natives were able to produce, and who, it is thought, after a time, possessed themselves of all the maritime places where they had al first been permitted to reside. 2. Finding the country fertile, and commodiously situated for trade, they settled upon the seaside, and introduced the practice of agricul¬ ture ; hut it was very different with the inland inhabitants of the country, who considered themselves as the lawful possessors of the soil, and avoided all correspondence with the new comers, whom they viewed as intruders upon their property,11 and therefore harassed by repeated wars.
* Britain, the name given to England, Scotland, and Wales, united t Julius Caesar was a most eloquent writer and successful warrior; be assumed the title of emperor, which roused the jealousy of many of the principal Roman citizens, by whom he was assassinated in the senatu-bouse, iu the 56th year of lus age.
t The ancient inhabitants of Rome, in Italy, j Gaul was the ancient name of France.
|| Geoffrey of Monmouth, an ancient English historian, says, that the Bri tisb isles were first peopled 1100 years before Christ, and asserts that Brutus the great grandson of .Eneas, colonized them with 'he descendants of those Tiojans, who, after the destruction of Troy, settled in Greece or Italy Tins account is, however, unsupported by any genuine historical documents and is therefore, now treated as purely fabulous, though in less enlightened ages a story so romantic easily passed current.
HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
3. The inland inhabitants are represented as extremely numerous, living in cottages thatched witn straw, and feeding large herds of cattle. They lived mostly upon milk, or flesh produced by the chase.* What clothes they wore, to cover any part of their bodies, were usually the skins of beasts ; but the arms, legs, and thighs were left naked, and were usually painted blue. 4. Their hair, which was long, flowed down upon their backs and shoul¬ ders ; while their beards were kept close shaven, except upon the upper lip, where they were suffered to grow. The dress of savage nations is everywhere pretty much the same, being calculated rather to inspire terror than to excite love or respect.
5. As to their government, it consisted of several small principalities, each under its respective leader; and this seems to oe the earliest mode of dominion with which man¬ kind are acquainted, and is deduced from the natural privi¬ leges of paternal authority. Upon great and imminent dangers, a commander-in-chief was chosen by common consent, in a general assembly ; and to him was committed the conduct of the general interest, the power of making peace or leading to war, and the administration of justice.
6. Their forces consisted chiefly of foot, and yet they could bring a considerable number of horse into the field upon great occasions. They likewise used chariots in battle, which, with short scythes fastened to the ends of the axletrees, inflicted terrible wounds, spreading horror and devastation wheresoever they drove.f 7. Nor while the chariots were thus destroying, were the warriors who con¬ ducted them unemployed : they darted their javelins against the enemy, ran along the beam, leaped on the ground, re¬ sumed their seat, stopped or turned their horses at full speed, and sometimes cunningly retreated to draw the enemy into confusion.
8. 'The religion of the Britons was one of the most con¬ siderable parts of their government; and the Druids,{
* 'The ancient Britons were so habitually regular and temperate that Jthey only began to grow old at a hundred and twenty years.— Plutarch, Dt Placilis rliitowphice.
+ (Vsar gives a most animated description of the dexterity of the Britons in managing their war chariots, which he ascribes to constant use and in¬ cessant exercise ; thereby intimating that the Britons were continually eu gaged in intestine wars.— Casar's Com. lib. iv.
t The Druids were divided into three different classes; the Bards wao were the heroic historians and genealogical poeib the Vates, who were the * acred musicians, the religious nocts, and the pretended prophets • the third
THE ANCIENT BRITONS
An Ancient Briton.
who were the guardians of it, possessed great authority among them. No species of superstition was ever more terrible than theirs: besides the severe penalties which they vvere permitted to indict in this world, they inculcated the eternal transmigration of souls, and thus extended iheir authority as far as the fears of their votaries.* 9. 'I hey class, which was by far the most numerous, and who performed all the. other offices of religion, were called by the general name of Druids, which appella¬ tion was commonly given to the whole fraternity. Their supreme chief was styled the Arch-druid. To the priesthood were also attached a number of females, called Druidesses, who were likewise divided into three classes, those of the first, vowed perpetual virginity, and lived together, sequestered from the rest of the world : these were great pretenders to divination, pro¬ phecy, and miracles, and were highly venerated by the people. The second class consisted of certain devotees, who, though married, sjieut the greater part of their time with the Druids in assisting in the offices of religion, oc¬ casionally returning to their hmbands. The third and lowest class waited on the Druids, and performed the most servile offices about the temples, &c. The priesthood, in the most ancient times, was hereditary in ull countries and was particularly so in the Celtic nations; where the order of Di uuJs (Tiff not only descend tc their posterity, but the office of priests was likewise no reditary in families.
* Among n people so credulous as the ancient Britons, it is no wonaef that those who possessed such high authority among them as the Druids, practised the greatest imjiositions; accordingly we read, that the Druids were '_n the habit of borrowing large sums of the people, which they pro¬ mised to repay in the other world—“ Druidse pecuniam mutuo accipiebant in posteriore vita redditun .”—Patriciua
HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
sacrificed human victims, which they burnt in large wicker idols, made so capacious as to contain a multitude of per¬ sons at once, who were thus consumed together. To these rites, tending to impress ignorance with awe, they added the austerity of their manners and the simplicity of their lives. They lived in woods, caves, and in hollow trees ; their food was acorns and berries, and their drink water. These arts caused the people not only to respect, but almost to adore them. The most remarkable Druidical monument in England is the circle of stones on Salisbury plain, called Stonehenge, it appears to have been a great national temple.
10. It may be easily supposed that the manners of the people took a tincture from the discipline of their teachers. Their lives were simple, but they were marked with crueity and fierceness; their courage was great, but neither dignified by mercy nor perseverance.
Caesar invading Britain.
11 The Britons had long remained in this rude but in¬ dependent state, when Caesar, having overrun Gaul with his victories, and willing still further to extend his fame, determined upon the conquest of a country that seemed to promise an easy triumph; accordingly, when the troops designed for the expedition were embarked, he set sail for Britain about midnight, and the next morning arrived on the coast near Dover, where he saw the rocks and cliffs covered with armed men to oppose his landing.
THE ANCIENT BRITONS.
12. The Britons had chosen Cassivelau'nus* for their commander-in-chief; but the petty princes under his com¬ mand, either desiring his station, or suspecting his fidelity, threw off their allegiance. 13. Some of them fled with their forces into the internal parts of the kingdom, others submitted to Caesar, till at length Cassivelau'nus himself; weakened by so many desertions, resolved upon making what terms he was able, while he yet had power to keep the field. 14. The conditions offered by Caesar, and ac¬ cepted by him, were, that lie should send to the continent double the number of hostages at first demanded, and that he should acknowledge subjection to the Romans. Caesar, however, was obliged to return once more to compel the Britons to complete their stipulated treaty.
Questions for Examination.
1. Was Britain well known before the time of its invasion by the Ro, >;ns? Bv whom were, at that time, the coasts opposite Gaul frequented ?
2. Who introduced the practice of agriculture ?
3. 4 Describe the inland inhabitants.
5. Of what did the government of the ancient Britons consist?
6, 7. What was their chief force?
8. Who were the ministers of their religion?
9 Did they ever sacrifice human victims?
10. What were the manners of the people ?
11. Who first determined on the conquest of Britain?
12. 13. Whom did the Britons choose for their leader?
14. What conditions were offered by Caesar, and accepted by Cassivelac^u
SECTION IL
Great Boadicea-
Thy very fall perpetuates thy fame,
And Suetonius’ laurels droop with shame. — Dibdtn.
1. Upon the accession of Augustus, f that emperor formed a design of visiting Britain, but was diverted ircui it by the unexpected revolt of the Panno'nians.f
Tiberius, § wisely judging the empire already too exten¬ sive, made no attempt upon Britain. From that time tilt natives began to improve in all the arts which contribute to the advancement of human nature.
2. The wild extravagances of Calig'ula,|| by which he
* Sometimes written Cassibelaunus, or Cassibe'lan.
t Augustus was the son of Julius Caesar’s niece, adopted by Caesar. He was the second emperor of Rome.
t The people of Hungary, which country was formerly called Pannoma
J The third emperor of Rome.
il A Roman emperor the successor of Tibe'rjug,
HISTORY OP ENGLAND.
threatened Britain with an invasion, served rather to expose him to ridicule than the island to danger. At lengln, the Romans, in the reign of Clau dius,* began to think seri¬ ously of reducing them under their dominion. r l he ex¬ pedition for this purpose was conducted in the beginning by Plan'tins and other commanders, with that success which usually attended the Roman arms.
3. Carac'tacus was the first who seemed willing, by a vigorous effort, to rescue liis country, and repel its insulting and rapacious conquerors. 'Phis rude soldier, though with inferior forces, continued, for above nine years, to oppose and harass the Romans ; till at length he was totally routed and taken prisoner by Osto'rius Scap'ula, who sent him in triumph to Rome. 4. While Carac'tacus was being led through Rome, he appeared no way dejected at the amazing concourse of spectators that were gathered upon this occa¬ sion ; but casting his eyes on the splendours that surrounded him, “Alas!” cried he, “how is it possible that a people possessed of such magnificence at home, could envy me a humble cottage in Britain ?” The emperor was affected by the British hero’s misfortunes, and won by his address He ordered him to be unchained on the spot, and set a< liberty with the rest of the. captives.
5. 'Hie cruel treatment of Boadi'cea, queen of the Ice'ni drove the Britons once more into open rebellion. Prasat' agus, king of the Ice'ni, at his death had bequeathed one half his dominions to the Romans, and the other to his daughters, thus hoping, by the sacrifice of a part, to secure the rest to his family. But it had a different effect; for the Roman procurator immediately took possession of the whole: and when Boadi'cea, the widow of the deceased, attempted to remonstrate, he ordered her to be scourged like a slave, and made slaves of her daughters. 6. These outrages were sufficient to produce a revolt throughout the island. The Ice'ni, as being the most deeply interested in the quarrel, were the first to take arms ; all the other states soon followed the example ; and Boadi'cea, a woman of great beauty and masculine spirit, was appointed to head the common forces, which amounted to two hundred and thirty thousand fighting men. 7. These, exasperated bv their wrongs, attacked several of the Roman settlements and colonies with success: Suetoni'us, who commanded the Roman forces, hastened to relieve London, which was al- * The son )f Dru'sus. and successor of Calig'ula
THE ANCIENT BRITONS.
ready a flourishing colony ; but found, on his arrival, that it would be requisite for the general safety to abandon that place to the merciless fury of the enemy. 8. London was soon therefore, reduced to ashes ; such of the inhabitants as remained in it were massacred ; and the Romans, with all other strangers, to the number of seventy thousand, were cruelly put to the sword. Flushed with these suc¬ cesses, the Britons no longer sought to avoid the enemy, but boldly came to the place where Suetoni'us awaited their arrival, posted in a very advantageous manner with a body of ten thousand men. 9. 'Die battle was obstinate and bloody. Boadi'cea herself appeared in a chariot with her two daughters, and harangued her army with masculine in¬ trepidity ; but the irregular and undisciplined bravery of her troops was unable to resist the cool intrepidity of the Romans. They were routed with great slaughter ; eighty thousand perished in the field, and an infinite number were made prisoners; while Boadi'cea herself, fearing to fall into the hands of the enraged victor, put an end to her life by poison.
10. The general who firmly established the dominion of the Romans in this island was Ju lius Agric'ola,* who go¬ verned it during the reigns of Vespa'sian,t Ti'tus,f and Domi'tian,§ and distinguished himself as well by his cou¬ rage as humanity.
For several years after the time of Agric'ola, a profound peace seems to have prevailed in Britain, and little mention is made of the affairs of the island by any historian.
11. At length, however, Rome, that had for ages given laws to nations, and diffused slavery and oppression over the known world, began to sink under her own magnifi¬ cence. Mankind, as if by a general consent, rose up to vindicate their natural freedom ; almost every nation as¬ serting that independence of which they had been so long unjustly deprived.
12. During these struggles the British youth were fre¬ quently drawn away into Gaul, to give ineffectual succour
* Ju'lius Agric'ola was the father-in law of Ta'citus, the celebrated his
torian. ,
t Vespa'sian was the tenth Roman emperor; he was valiant, but very
avaricious.
1 Ti'tus was the eleventh Roman emperor, the son of Vespa sian, he waa so pood a man that he was called the “delight of mankind.
v Domi'tian was the twelfth Roman emperor, and brother to Ti tus; he was a gtcat persecutor of the Christians, uud of u most cruel disposition.
HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
to the various contenders for the empire, who, failing in every attempt, only left the name of tyrants behind them.* In the mean time, as the Homan forces decreased in Britain, the Piets and Scotsf continued still more boldly to infest the northern parts ; and crossing the friths, which the Ro¬ mans could not guard, in little wicker boats covered with leather, filled the country, wherever they came, with slaugh¬ ter and consternation.
13. The Romans, therefore, finding it impossible to stand their ground in Britain, in the reign of the emperor \ alentin'ian took their last leave of the island, after being masters of it for nearly four hundred years, and now left the natives to the choice of their own government and kings. They gave them the best instructions the calamitous times would permit, for exercising their arms, and repairing their ram¬ parts ; and helped them to erect a new wall of stone across the island, for they had not, at that time, artisans skilful enough among themselves to repair that which had been built by the emperor Sev'erus. The ruins of this wall, and the fortresses by which the Roman colonies were defended, Eire among the most interesting relics of antiquity in England.
Questions for Examination.
1. What prevented Augustus from visiting Britain ?
Did Tihenus make an attempt upon Britain?
2. What exposed Caligula to ridicule ?
3. Who was the first person that was willing to repel the invaders?
How long did Caraetacus harass the Romans?
4. What remarks did Caraetacus make on witnessing the splendour of
Rome ?
5. What caused the Britons to rebel ?
Who commanded Boadicea to be ill treated?
6 What were the consequences ?
7. Who commanded the Roman forces at that time ?
8. What \\ as the fate of London and its inhabitants?
9 Describe Boadicea’s conduct, and the result of this battle.
10 At what time did peace prevail in Great Britain?
11 What was the situation of Rome at this time?
12 What were the nations that infested the northern parts ?
13 When did the Romans take their leave of Britain ? And how long had
they been masters of it?
* According to the “Notitia Imperii no less than twelve Brtish cjrpc of infantry and cavalry were constantly dis[»ersed in the distant provincer. of the empire; while foreign soldiers were, according to the invariable pokey of the Romans, stationed in Britain.
f The names by which the inhabitants of Scotland were at that time dig. tmguiMied “The Piets'so called from Picticfi. a plunderer and not from Pirti painted), and the Scots from Smite, a wanderer, in the Celtic tongue Were only different tribes of Caledonians.”— Dr. Henry.
THE SAXOJ.it.
Chapter II. The Saxons
SECTION I.
Bnt hark ! what foreign drum on Thanat’s isle Proclaims assistance ? *Tw the Saxon liaial By Heni'ist led. and Horsa, see, they entile,
And greet their hosts with false, insidious hand.— Dibdtn.
1. (A.I). 447.) The Britons, being now left *o them seizes, considered their new liberties as their greatest cala¬ mity. The Piets and Scots, uniting together, began to look upon Britain as their own, and attacked the northern wall, which the Romans had built to keep off their incursions, with success. Having thus opened to themselves a passage, they ravaged the whole country with impunity, while the Britons sought precarious shelter in the woods and moun¬ tains.*
2. It was in this deplorable and enfeebled state that the Britons had recourse to the Saxons, a brave people ; who, for their strength and valour, were formidable to all the German nations around them, and supposed to be more than a match for the gods themselves. They were a people restless and bold, who considered war as their trade ; and were, in consequence, taught to consider victory as a doubt¬ ful advantage, but courage as a certain good. 3. A nation, however, entirely addicted to war, has seldom wanted the imputation of cruelty, as those terrors which are opposed without fear are often inflicted without regret. The Saxons are represented as a very cruel nation * but we must re¬ member that their enemies have drawn the picture.
4. It was no disagreeable circumstance to these ambitious people to be invited into a country upon which they had foi ages been forming designs. In consequence, therefore, of the solemn invitation of Vor'tigern, who was then king of Bri¬ tain, they arrived with fifteen hundred men, under the com¬ mand of Hen'gist and Hor'sa, who were brothers, and
* In this extremity, they made application for succour to yEtius, prefect of Gaul, in the following remarkable words:—“ The groans of the wretched Britons, to the thriee-ap|K>inted Consul /Etiits.—The barbarians drive us into the sea, and the sea forces us back on the swords ol the barbarians, so that we have nothing left us hut the wretched choice of being either drowned or murdered." Aitius was, however, too closely engaged in opposing Attala, flu renowned king of the Huns (who. from the f.ivoc he made wherever his sword was drawn, was denominated “The scourge of God") to bestow \ny attention on the Britons.
HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
landed on the isle of Than'et.* 5. There they did n>i long remain inactive ; but being joined by the British forces, they boldly marched against the Piets and Scots, who had advanced as far as Lincolnshire, and soon gained a complete victory over them. (A. D. 450.)
The Saxons, however, being sensible of the fertility of the country to which they came, and the barrenness of that which they had left behind, invited over great numbers of their countrymen to become sharers in their new expedi- ^m. 6. Accordingly they received a fresh supply of five
thousand men, who passed over in seventeen vessels, and soon made a permanent establishment in the island.
The British historians, in order to account for the easy conquest of their country by the Saxons, assign their trea¬ chery, not less than their valour, as a principal cause.
7. They allege, that Vor'tigern was artfully inveigled into a passion for Rowe'na, the daughter of Hen'gist; and, in order to marry her, was induced to settle the fertile pro¬ vince of Rent upon her father, from whence the Saxons could never after be removed.! It is alleged, also, that upon the death of Vor'timer, which happened shortly after the victory he obtained at Eg'glesford, Vor'tigern, his fa¬ ther, was reinstated upon the throne. 8. It is added, that this weak monarch, accepting of a festival from Hen'gist. three hundred of his nobility were treacherously slaugh¬ tered, and himself detained as a captive.
After the death of Hen'gist, several other German tribes, allured by the success of their countrymen, went over in great numbers. 9. A body of Saxons, under the conduct of Ella and his three sons, had some time before laid the foundation of the kingdom of the South Saxons, though not without great opposition and bloodshed. 'Phis new kingdom included Surry, Sussex, and the New Eorest ; and extended to the frontiers of Kent.
10. Another tribe of the Saxons, under the command of Cerdic, and his son Kenric, landed in the west, and from thence took the name of West Saxons. These met with
♦Than'et is an island of Kent. Margate and Ramsgate are its principal towns, t Out old English historians say, that when the beautiful Rowe'na was first introduced to Vor'tigern, “ she presented him, on her knee, w ith a cup »:f wine, saving ‘ Waes heal, hlaford cyning,’ or ‘Be of health, Lord Xmg !' tc which Vor'tigern, being instructed in the custom, answered, • Drtnc heal, or, * 1 drink your health.’ ”—It is proper here to observe, however, that some able historians have declared, that no authentic documents exist concerning these stories of Vor'tigern and Rowe'na, or of the slaughter of the British nobles: and that they are inclined to believe the whole a fiction, or, at least very much exaggerated.
THE SAXONS.
very vigorous opposition from tiie natives, but being rein¬ forced from Germany,* and assisted by their countrymen on the island, they routed the Britons; and although retarded in their progress by the celebrated king Arthur,f they had strength enough to keep possession of the conquest they had already made. Cerdic, therefore, with his son Ivmric, es¬ tablished the third Saxon kingdom in the island, namely that >f the West Saxons, including the counties of Hants, Dorset, V\ ills, Berks, and the Isle of Wight.
11. It was in opposing this Saxon invader that the ce¬ lebrated prince Arthur acquired his fame. However un¬ successful all his valour might have been in the end, yet his name made so great a figure in the fabulous annals of the times, that some notice must be taken of him. 12. This piince is of such obscure origin, that some authors suppose him to be the son of king Ambro'siiis,^ and others only his nephew ; others again affirm that he was a Cornish prince, and son of Gurlois, king of that province. However this be, it is certain he was a commander of great valour; and, could courage alone have repaired the miserable state of the Britons, his might have been effectual. IB. According to the most authentic historians, he worsted the Saxons in twelve successive battles. In one of these, namely, that fought at Caerbadon, in Berks, it is asserted that he killed no less than four hundred and forty of the enemy with his own hand. But the Saxons were too numerous and power¬ ful to be extirpated by the desultory efforts of single va lour ; so that a peace, and not a conquest, was the im¬ mediate fruit of his victories. 14. The enemy, therefore, still gained ground ; and this prince, in the decline of life, had the mortification, from some domestic troubles of his own, to be a patient spectator of their encroachments. His first wife had been carried off by Melnas, king of Somerset¬ shire, who detained her a whole year at Glas'tonburv,§ until Arthur, discovering the place of her retreat, advanced with an army against the seducer, and obliged him to give her back. 15. In his second wife, perhaps, he may have been more fortunate, as we have no mention made of her ; but it was otherwise with his third consort, who was car-
* A large country of Rurope, comprising many kingdoms and states, t A British prince, who established Christianity at York, in the roorr. of paganism, or worshipping of idols.
1 King of the Britons.
$ Glas’tonburv is a town in ISomersetshire, noted for a famous abbey;
B 2 riedofl’by his own nephew, Mordred. This produced a re¬ bellion, in which the king and his traitorous kinsman, meet¬ ing in battle, slew each other.
Questions for Examination ] Who ravaged England with impunity ?
2 To whom did the Britons have recourse for assistance in their distress t
3. What character is given of the Saxons ?
4. Where did the Saxons land ?
5 Whom did the Saxons defeat?
6. By what means can the easy conquest of the Britons be accounted for ? 7 How did the Saxons obtain possession of the province of Kent ?
8. Were not many of the British nobility treacherously slaughtered ?
9. Who laid the foundation of the South Saxon kingdom ?
10. Who gave rise to the name of the West Saxons ?
11. 12- What celebrated British prince opposed the Saxons with success
13. What extraordinary feat of valour is related of him ?
14. What domestic troubles afflicted Arthur in the decline of life?
SECTION II. While undecided yet which part should fall
Which nation rise, the glorious Lord of all. — Creech.
1. (A.D. 575.) In the mean time, while the Saxons were thus gaining ground in the west, their countrymen were not less active in the other parts of the island. Adventurers still continuing to pour over from Germany, one body of them, under the command of Uffa, seized upon the counties of Cambridge, Suffolk, and Norfolk, and gave their com¬ mander the title of king of the East Angles,* which was the fourth Saxon kingdom founded in Britain.
2. Another body of these adventurers formed a kingdom under the title of East Saxony, or Essex, comprehending Essex, Middlesex, and part of Hertfordshire. This king¬ dom, which was dismembered from that of Kent, formed the fifth Saxon principality founded in Britain.
3. The kingdom of Mercia was the sixth which was es¬ tablished by th^e fierce invaders, comprehending all the middle counties, from the hanks of the Severn to the frontiers of the two last-named kingdoms.
The seventh and last kingdom which they obtained was that of Northumberland,f one of the most powerful and extensive of them all. This was formed from the union of
• Comprehending Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, and the Isle of Ely.
t Northumberland, that is, the land north of the river Humber, <\>n mined six counties in England, and extended as far as the Frith of Edin burg;, in Scotland
THE SAXONS.
two smaller Saxon kingdoms, the one nailed Berni'cia, tontain mg the present county of Northumberland and the bishoprick of Durham ; the subjects of the other, called Dei'ri, extending themselves over Lancashire and York¬ shire. 4. These kingdoms were united in the person of Ethelred, king of Northumberland, by the explosion of Edwin, his brother-in-law, from the kingdom of the Deiri. and the seizure of his dominions. In this manner, the na tives being overpowered, or entirely expelled, seven king¬ doms were established in Britain, which have since been well known by the name of the Saxon heptarchy.
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