Front matter
PINNOCK'S
IMPROVED EDITION OF DR. 'GOLDSMITH'S
FROM THE INVASION OF
Preface To The American Edition
P?
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 customs 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 instruction 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 character, is sufficient to justify the publisher in selecting the nost 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 in the present edition, may be regarded as adding greatly to its value; and the complete and careful series of questions appended to each section will claim the especial not.ce of teachers.
Contents
CHAP. PAGE
I. — The Ancient Britons 7
IL— The Saxons 15
SECTION I. Theirs was the science of a martial race
To shape the lance or decorate the shield E'en the fair virgin stain'd her native grace,
To give new horrors lo the tented field.
1. Britain was but very little known to the rest of the world before the time of the Romans. The coasts opposite 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 at 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 agriculture ; but 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,H 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 ; he assumed the title of emperor, which roused the jealousy of many of the principal Roman citizens, by whom he was assassinated in the senate-hou3e f m the 56th year of his age.
t The ancient inhabitants of Rome, in Italy.
$ Gaul was the ancient name of France.
II Geoffrey of Monmouth, an ancient English historian, says, that the British isles were first peopled 1100 years before Christ, and asserts that Brutus the great grandson of iEneas, colonized them with the descendants of those Tiojans, who, after the destruction of Troy, settled in Greece or Italy. This 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.
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 shoulders ; 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 be the earliest mode of dominion with which mankind are acquainted, and is deduced from the natural privileges 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 tht chariots were thus destroying, were the warriors who con ducted them unemployed : they darted their javelins agains 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 considerable parts of their government; and the Druids,]
* The ancient Britons were so habitually regular and temperate, that ihey only began to grow old at a hundred and twenty years. — Plutarch, De Placitis Philosophiae.
t Caesar gives a most animated description of the dexterity of the Britons in managing their war chariots, which he ascribes to constant use and incessant exercise ; thereby intimating that the Britons were continually en gaged in intestine wars. — Ccesar's Com. lib. iv.
X The Druids were d'vided into three different classes; the Bards, who were the heroic historians and genealogical poets : the Vates, who were tho eaered musicians, the religious poets, 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 were permitted to inflict in this world, they inculcated the eternal transmigration of souls, and thus extended their authority as far as the fears of their votaries.* 9. They
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 appellation 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, prophecy, and miracles, and were highly venerated by the people. The second class consisted of certain devotees, who, though married, spent the greater part of their time with the Druids in assisting in the offices of religion, occasionally returning to their husbands. 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 all countries and was particularly so in the Celtic nations ; where the order of Druids did not only descend to their posterity, but the office of priests was likewise he reditary in families.
* Among a people so credulous as the ancient Britons, it is no wonder that those who possessed such high authority among them as the Druids, practised the greatest impositions ; accordingly we read, that the Druids were in the habit of borrowing large sums of the people, which they promised to i .pay in the other world — " Druidse pecuniam mutuo accipiebant in poslervse vita reddituri." — Patricius
HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
sacrificed human victims, which they burnt in large wicker idols, made so capacious as to contain a multitude of persons 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 cruelty and fierceness ; their courage was great, but neither dignified by mercy nor perseverance.
Cesar invading Britain
11. The Britons had long remained in this rude but independent 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 cojist near Dover, where he saw the rocks and cliffs covered with armed men to oppose his landing.
THE ANCIENT BRITONS. U
12. The Bnions had chosen Cassivelau'nus* for their commander-in-chief; but the petty princes under his command, 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 accepted by him, were, that he should send to the continent double ths 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.
1. "Was Britain well known before the time of its invasion by the Romans? By 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 Cassivelaunus
SECTION II. Great Boadicea
Thy very fall perpetuates thy fame,
And Suetonius' laurels droop with shame. — Dibdin.
1. Upon the accession of Augus'tus,t that emperor had formed a design of visiting Britain, but was diverted from it by the unexpected revolt of the Panno'nians4
Tiberius, § wisely judging the empire already too extensive, made no attempt upon Britain. From that time the natives began to improve in all the arts which contribute fee the advancement of human nature.
2. The wild extravagances of Calig'ula,|) by which he
* Sometimes written Cassibelau'nus, or Cassibe'lan. t Augus'tus was the son of Julius Ceesar's niece, adopted by Ceesar. lie »yas the second emperor of Rome.
X The people of Hungary, which country was formerly called Pannoniu $ The third emperor of Rome. ! l A Roman emperor the successor of Tibe'rius.
threatened Britain with an invasion, served rather to expose him to ridicule than the island to danger. At length, the Romans, in the reign of Clau'dius,* began to think seriously of reducing them under their dominion. The expedition for this purpose was conducted in the beginning by Plau'tius 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 his country, and repel its insulting and rapacious conquerors. This 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 occasion ; 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 at liberty with the rest of the captives.
5. The 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 onr half his dominions to the Romans, and the other to hi? 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 by 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 of Dru'sus, and successor of Calig'ula
THE ANCIENT BRITONS. 13
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 successes, 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. The battle was obstinate and bloody. Boadi'cea herself appeared in a chariot with her two daughters, and harangued her army with masculine intrepidity ; 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 governed it during the reigns of Vespa'sian,f Ti'tus, :£ and Domi'tian,§ and distinguished himself as well by his courage 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 magnificence. Mankind, as if by a general consent, rose up to vindicate their natural freedom ; almost every nation asserting that independence of which they had been so long unjustly deprived.
12. During these struggles the British youth were frequently drawn away into Gaul, to give ineffectual succour
* Ju'lius Agric'ola was the father-in law of Ta'citus, the celebrated Lis tonan.
•t Vespa'sian was the tenth Roman emperor ; he was valiant, but very avaricious.
I Ti'tus was the eleventh Roman emperor, the son of Vespa'sian ; he was so good a man that he was called the "delight of mankind."
% Domi'tian was the twelfth Roman emperor, and brother to Ti'tus ; he was a great persecutor of the Christians, and of a most cruel disposition.
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 Roman forces decreased in Britain, the Picts and Scotsf continued still more boldly to infest the northern parts ; and crossing the friths, which the Romans could not guard, in little wicker boats covered with leather, filled the country, wherever they came, with slaughter and consternation.
13. The Romans, therefore, finding it impossible to stand their ground in Britain, in the reign of the emperor Valentin'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 ramparts ; 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, are among the most interesting relics of antiquity in England.
Questions for Examination.
1. What prevented Augustus from visiting Britain ? Did Tiberius 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 Caractacus harass the Romans ?
4. What remarks did Caractacus 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 was 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 ?
i'3. 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 British corps of infantry and cavalry were constantly dispersed in the distant provinces of the empire ; while foreign soldiers were, according to the invariable policy of the Romans, stationed in Britain.
t The names by which the inhabitants of Scotland were at that time dis tinguished. "The Picts (so called from Pictich, a plunderer, and not from Picti, painted), and the Scots from Senile, a wanderer, in the Celtic tonguev were only different tribes of Caledonians."— Dr. Hairy.
THE SAXONS. 15
Chapter II. The Saxons
SECTION I.
But bark ! what foreign drum on Thanet's isle
Proclaims assistance ? Tis the Saxon band. By Hengist led, and Horsa: — see, they smile,
And greet their hosts with false, insidious hand. — Dibdm.
1. (A. D. 447.) The Britons, being now left to them selves, considered their new liberties as their greatest calamity. The Picts 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 mountains.*
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 doubtful 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 remember 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 for ages been forming designs. In consequence, therefore, of the solemn invitation of Vor'tigern, who was then king of Britain, they arrived with fifteen hundred men, under the command of Hen'gist and Hor'sa, who were brothers, and
* In this extremity, they made application for succour to ^tius, prefect of Gaul, in the following remarkable words : — " The groans of the wretched Britons, to the thrice-appointed Consul yEtius. — The barbarians drive us into the sea, and the sea forces us back on the swords of the barbarians, so that we have nothing left us but the wretched choice of being either drowned or murdered." iEtius was, however, too closely engaged in opposing Attala, the renowned king of the Huns (who, from the havoc he made wherever nis sword was drawn, was denominated "The scourge (f God"), to bestow any attention on the Britons.
landed on the isle of Than'et.* 5. There they did not long remain inactive ; but being joined by the British forces, they boldly marched against the Picts 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 ol heir countrymen to become sharers in their new expedi lion. 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 treachery, 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 province of Kent 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 father, was reinstated upon the throne. 8. It is added, that ihis 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 ii> 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. This new kingdom included Surry, Sussex, and the New Forest ; 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 ihence took the name of West Saxons. These met with
* Than'et is an island of Kent. Margate and Ramsgate are its principal tcwns.
t Our old English historians say, that when the beautiful Rowe'na was first introduced to Vor'tigern, " she presented him, on her knee, with a cup of wine, saying ' Waes heal, hlaford cyning,' or 'Be of health, Lord King!' tc which Vor'tigern, being instructed in the custom, answered, ' Drinc heal, or, ' I 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 Britisb nobles : and that they are inclined to believe the whole a fiction, or, at least t'ery much exaggerated.
THE SAXONS. 17
a very vigorous opposition from the 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 Kenric, established the third Saxon kingdom in the island, namely that of the West Saxons, including the counties of Hants, Dorset, Wilts, Berks, and the Isle of Wight.
11. It was in opposing this Saxon invader that the celebrated prince Arthur acquired his fame. However unsuccessful 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 prince is of such obscure origin, that some authors suppose him to be the son of king Ambro'sius,^ 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. 13. 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 powerful to be extirpated by the desultory efforts of single va lour ; so that a peace, and not a conquest, was the immediate 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 Somersetshire, who detained her a whole year at Glas'tonbury,§ 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 Europe, comprising many kingdoms and states, t A British prince, who established Christianity at York, in the room of paganism, or worshipping of idols. t King of the Britons.
$ GUs'tonburv is a town in Somersetshire, noted for a famous abbey.
U2 ried off by his own nephew, Mordred. This produced a rebellion, in which the king and his traitorous kinsman, meeting in battle, slew each other.
1 Who ravaged England with impunity ?
2 To whom did the Britons have recourse for assistance in their distress I
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 flow 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 fail.
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 commander the title of king of the East Angles,* which \r^s 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 kingdom, 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 established by these fierce invaders, comprehending all the middle counties, from the banks of the Severn to the frontiers of the two last-named king-doms.
The seventh and last kingdom which they obtained was ihat of Northumberland,! 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, con tained six counties in England, and extended as far as the Fr th of Bdittburtr, in Scotland
THE SAXONS. 10
two smallei Saxon kingdoms, the one called Berni'cia, eon taining the present county of Northumberland and the bishoprick of Durham ; the subjects of the other, called Dei'ri, extending themselves over Lancashire and Yorkshire. 4. These kingdoms were united in the person of Ethelred, king of Northumberland, by the explusion 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 kingdoms were established in Britain, which have since been well Known by the name of the Saxon heptarchy.
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