Lingard's history of England abridged

Front matter

<w

P

•ay V^

Preface

Dr. Lingard's History of England is so well known, and its reputation so universally established, that it is deemed unnecessary to enter into any lengthened commentary on its merits.

For more than a quarter of a century, this work has been before the public ; it has passed through the fiery ordeal of hostile criticism, yet not a single statement, penned by its author, has been proved to be erroneous. The ease and classical purity of its style has ever been admired; but in all the higher and more essential qualifications of history, in full and impartial details, in clear and methodical arrangement, in deep and patient research, it stands without a rival.

No writer ever labored with greater assiduity than Dr. Lingard to dispel the prejudices of his countrymen, and to diffuse the light of truth over the annals of his country. Hume may please, and Macaulay may fascinate, but if we seek to gain a correct view of those events which lie far back in the dim vista of English history ; if we desire to be fully instructed in the rise, progress, and development of those institutions which form the basis of the British empire, or seek to gather reliable information in relation to the religious institutions of the country in former ages, we must turn to the truthful pages of Lingard.

Previously to the appearance of his great work, the people of England were comparatively strangers to the true history of their own country. The public mind had been perverted by the fictions of former writers ; it had drunk deeply at the polluted fountains of historical knowledge ; but it remain^for Dr. Lingard to expose the errors of previous historians, to do*$>.y their theories, and to dissipate the prejudice of ages.

Not only was Lingard a truthful historian himself, but he pointed

* PREFACE.

jut to others the duties of a historian, as the reader may learn from the following extract given in his own emphatic language:

" Admit no statement merely upon trust, but weigh with care the value of the authorities on which you rely, and watch with jealousy the secret workings of your own personal feelings and prepossessions. Sueh vigilance is a matter of necessity to every writer of history, if he aspire to the praise of truthfulness and impartiality. He must withdraw himself aloof from the scenes which he describes, and view with the coolness of an unconcerned spectator the events which pass before his eyes, holding with a steady hand the balance between contending parties, and allotting to the more prominent characters that measure of praise or dispraise which he conscientiously believes to be their due. Otherwise, he will be continually tempted to make an unfair use of the privilege of the historian; he will sacrifice the interests of truth to the interests of party, national, religious, or political. His narrative may still be brilliant, attractive, picturesque ; but the pictures which he paints will derive their coloring from the jaundiced eye of the artist himself, and will, therefore, bear no very faithful resemblance to the realities of life and fact."

The work, however, in its original form, is too voluminous for general circulation, and thus limited in the sphere of its usefulness. A compendious edition has been frequently called for; at length the desideratum has been supplied. The following Abridgment, which has been carefully prepared from the latest edition of the larger work, published under the supervision of its distinguished author, will be found to contain all the important and most interesting portions of the original, while its price will place it within the reach of all classes in the community. It embodies the spirit, and retains the language of the original, except when the change of a word was found necessary for a proper connection of the different parts.

The Continuation has been compiled by an author long and favorably known to literature. It passes over a period fraught with events of the deepest interest, and faithfully and impartially records the most important transactions.

The Sketch of the British Constitution, the Abstract of Geography of England in Saxon times, the List of Eminent Natives, and the Marginal Notes, will add much to the interest of the work, and will be found useful to the reader by way of reference.

Baltimore, January 1, 1855j^

Contents

Sketch of the Constitution of the British Empire page 15

Distinguished Natives of Great Britain and Ireland I9

Geography of England under the Saxons... 21

CHAPTER I.— Roman Britain

Ctssar twice invades Britain — The British Tribes— Their Manners — Religion — Government — Gradual Conquest of Britain by the Romans — Its stato under the Emperors— Conversion of the Natives to Christianity — The Romans abandon the Island : A. C. 55 to A. D. 449.

Principal Events: Cresar invades Britain and returns to Gaul page 25

Ccesar invades Britain a second time 26

Manners and Customs of the Ancient Britons 26

The Tin Mines, or Tin Islands 27

Religion of the Natives: their Mode of

Worship 23

Druids; their Power 29

The Bards; their Employment 29

The Form of Government 29

Conduct of Augustus and Tiberius 3D

Foolish Conduct of Caligula 30

Britain again Invaded : Caractacus defeated and led captive to Rome 30

The Isle of Anglesey invaded : the Druids

destroyed 31

Boadicea : her heroic conduct 32

Exertions of Agricola in Britain 32

Invasion of the Caledonians: the vallum of

Antoninus 33

The Emperor Servetus visits Britain 33

The Franks and Saxons 33

Constantius opposes the Usurpation of Al-

lectns 31

Christianity introduced into Britain 31

What we may believe concerning the Introduction of Christianity 35

Edicts published in Britain against Christianity by Dioclesian, &e 36

Constantine becomes head of Roman Empire 37

Ilengist and Horsa aid the Britons 33

CHAPTER II.— Anglo-Saxons

Tho Saxons found eight distinct Kingdoms — The Natives retire to the Western Coast — The reigns of the Saxon Bretwaldas, and of other Saxon Kings, down to Alfred — Account of the writers Bedo and Alcuin — Foundation of the English Monarchy under Egbert. A. D. 449 to 871.

Principal Events: Rupture between the

British Kings and the Saxon Chieftains :

Battle at Aylesford 39

Cerdic extends the Saxon power 39

Eight Saxon Kingdoms formed : the Bret-

walda 40

Pope Gregory sends Augustine to convert

the Saxons 40

Laws of Etlielbert 41

Bode and Alcuin : their Literary Productions 42

Egbert unites the Saxon Kingdoms into one 42

CHAPTER III.— Alfred the Great

His Birth — Education — Accession to the Throne — His Contests with the Danes — His Reverses — His Success — His Victories — His Labors in favor of Literature— His Death. A. D. 849 to 901.

Principal Events: Alfred born at Wantage 43

His early Education limited 44

Alfred is called to the Throne : the Danes 44

Alfred secludes himself in Somersetshire... 45 He defeats the Danes : builds Castles and

Fortifies the Coast 46

His success over the Danes by sea 47

Alfred remedies the evils that had followed tho Invasion of the Danes 48

His Severity against Corrupt Judges 4S

His Efforts to Revive Literature 49

He Translates several Works: Arrangement of his Time 50

Hastings Invades Kent : is Defeated 51

His Death 51

CHAPTER IV.— Anglo-Saxons Continued

Edward — Athelstan— Edmund— Edred — Edwy — Edward the Martyr red— Edmund Ironsides. A. D. 901 to 1016.

Principal Events: Edward enters Maroia, and takes Elfwina prisoner

Athelstan called the first Monarch of Eng

-Ethellaud .

Edmund— Edred— Edwy 53

Edgar recalls Dunstan

The Story of Elf rida— Edward Martyr.

Ethelred : he orders a Massacre of Danes

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V.— The Danes

Canute— Harold Harefoot— Hardicanutc. A. D. 1016 to 1042.

Hardicanute acknow- 571

Principal Events: Canute labors to win the affection of the English rage

Harold Harefootledged King

CHAPTER VI.— Saxon Line Restored

Edward the Confessor— Harold the Second. A. D. 1042 to 1066.

Principal Events : Edward the Confessor called to the Throne : he marries

Editha 59

Remarkable Death of Godwin 60

Character of Edward 61

Harold the Second proclaimed King 62

Harold's army before the battle of Hastings 63

William's Army 64

Battle of Hastings 64

Bravery of William and Harold — Death

of Harold 65

Number of the Slain 66

CHAPTER VII. — Manners and Customs of the Anglo-Saxons. Principal Events: Saxon Institutions 67

Feudal System introduced into England.... 67

Distinctions of Rank — Thanes and Reeves 68 Proceedings before Anglo-Saxon Tribunals

—Criminal Prosecutions 69

Purgation by Oath— Ordeals by Water and

Fire 70

Crimes of Homicide and Theft: their Punishment 71

Slavery — Population of Cities 72

The Shire-reeve— the Wic-reeve: his Duty 73

CHAPTER VIII.— William the First

William is crowned — Goes to Normandy — Returns to England — Subjects and oppresses the Natives — Insurrection of the Normans — Rebellion of Robert, his son — His War with France — His Death and Character. A. D. 1066 to 1087.

PrincipalEvents: William begins hisreign 74 Robert declares War againsthis Father 77

Massacre of the Teople on the day of his William's Death and Character 78

Coronation 75 His respect for Religious Institutions 79

William suppresses the Revolt in Normandy 76

CHAPTER IX.— The Feudal System

Military Tenant — His Duty — The nature of his Fees — Fees of Inheritance — The grievance of Fees — The restrictions when the heirs were Females — Sources of the King's Revenue.

Two grievances attended the descent of

Fees S3

Restriction when the Heirs were Females 84

The King's Revenue : Domesday Book 85

Principal Events: The Oath and Duty

of Military Tenant 80

His Duty in time of War : nature of his Fees 81

The Heir required to pay heriot and relief.. 82

CHAPTER X.— William the Second

William succeeds — His Wars with his Brother — He invades Scotland — He persecutes Archbishop Anselm — His Death and Character. A. D. 10S7 to 1100.

Principal Events: William hastens to

England 86

Odo forms a party in favor of Robert 87

Robert solicits the aid of France 87

The Crusades— William's Wars in Scotland 88 Anselm made Archbishop of Canterbury ... 88 William is Killed by an Arrow : his Character 89

CHAPTER XL— Henry the First.

Accession of Henry — England invaded by Robert — Henry invades Normandy —Takes Robert prisoner. A. D. 1100 to 1135.

Principal Events: Coronation of Henry 91

Henry marries Matilda, daughter of Malcolm 92

Robert invades England: Henry meets him

in conference 93

Robert made prisoner by his brother 93

Dispute concerning the Right of Investiture 94

The Dispute finally settled 95

An end put to the hostilities 96

The Shipwreck and Loss of his Children.... 97

The news conveyed to Henry 98

The marriage between William and Sibilla

opposed by Henry 98

The Earl of Flanders assassinated in Church 99

Henry marries Adelais 99

Battle of Alost, and Death of William of

Flanders 101

Death of Robert, Duke of Normandy 101

Henry's Death and Character 102

His cruelty towards Berre, the poet, and

others 103

The Earl of Mellent: the King's distrust

of the Natives 105

His Wealth— Literature— Lanfranc and

Anselm 106

The First Schools. Ancient Seminaries:

Professors 107

JotTrid establishes a School at Cambridge... 108 Origin of Romance 1U9

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII.— Stephen

Accession of Stephen-Invasion of the Scots— Battle of the Standard— Matilda lands in England-Stephen is taken prisoner, and released— Matilda leaves the kingdom— Henry asserts the claim of his Mother— Death of Stephen. A. D. 1135 to 1154

Principal Events: Stephen seizes the

Crown rage 110

He. lands in England : is crowned 1U

King of Scotland invades England 112

Energy of Thurstan 1]'-

Battle of the " Standard" 1|3

David concludes peace H*

Standard of Matilda unfurled : Stephen

taken prisoner 114

Arrogant conduct of Matilda 115

Stephen lays siege to Oxford: the flight of

Matilda \\<>

Henry, son of Matilda, lands in England... 117 Stephen appoints Henry his successor : he dies U7

CHAPTER XIII. — Henry the Second. I

Accession of Henry II.— The rise of Thomas a Becket-War in Wales- Dispute between Henry and the Primate— The Assassination of the Archbishop—Conquest of Ireland— Rebellion of the King's Sons— His Death and Character. A. D. 1154 to 1189.

Principal Events: Henry lands in Eng-

land: is crowned at Westminster 11"

Nicholas Breakspeare • ••• }^\

Thomas a Becket: account of his early life 120 He is appointed Archbishop of Canterbury 121 Ecclesiastical Courts : Council at Clarendon 123 The principal Articles of the Constitution

of Clarendon 1-3

Becket repents of his conduct 124

Henry determines on the ruin of the Bishop 125 The Archbishop retires to France: visits

the Pope 125

Henry becomes reconciled to the Arch-

Four Knights resolve to murder the Fri-

mate 127

The fortitude displayed by the Archbishop 128 His heroic conduct : bis assassination 130

Henry, on hearing of the Primate's death... 131

Ireland: St. Patrick : Irish Literature 152

Manners and Customs of the Natives 13.5

The Clergy of Ireland 134

Reasons to iustify the Invasions l-«

PontifT assents to the King's request 135

Dermot: O'Ruare • I™

Landing of Fitz-Stephen: Henry's conduct Idb

Conduct of the Irish Bishops 137

Henry has recourse to Pope Adrian's letter 138

The quarrels in Henry's family . 139

Henry makes a pilgrimage to the tomb of

Becket If

Treaty between Henry and his Sons 14,

The Throne of Jerusalem: the fall of the city .

Sickness and Death of Henry 143

His Character 144

CHAPTER XIV.— Richard the First

The succession of Richard— Massacre of the Jews— Crusade— Conquest of the Island of Cyprus— His Exploits in Palestine— His return and Captivity— Troubles in England— The King is ransomed— His Death. A. D. Ilb9 to 1199.

Principal Events: Richard prepares for the Crusades 14o

Richard and Philip : the siege of Acre 147

Acre surrenders : the massacre of the hostages..

The object of the Crusaders 149

Richard falls into the hands of the Emperor

of Germanv lot)

Richard is wounded : his Death and Character.

CHAPTER XV.— John

The Accession of John— Captivity and Death of his Nephew— Dispute with Pope Innocent-Interdict-The King's submission— Magna Chnrta-Civil War— The offer of the Crown to Louis— The Death of John. A. D. 1199 to

Principal Events: Hostilities between France and England •■•••• 154

Arthur taken prisoner, and supposed to have been assassinated 155

The Kingdom placed under an interdict.... 15fi

The French King invades Flanders 157

The interdict revoked: the battle at Bou-

vines "'

Maena Charta obtained: the articles of

this Charter V>""~ in

The Charter annulled bv the Pontiff. 161

War between John and his Barons '*'J

The Death of John: his Character Ibi

CONTENTS.