IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) !.0 I.I |io "^™ illl^H 12^ i^ 1122 S IAS |2. WMU 11.25 1111.4 1.6 m 71 -^j**' ^ °m Fho^Tgraidiic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIiJ STREET WEBSTER, K.Y. ¥ iSM (716) •72-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICIV(H Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical IMicroreproductions / Institut cansdien de microreproductions historiques . O^ Maa Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibiiographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurte et/ou peilicui6e Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur □ Coloured inic (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ ReiiA avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intArieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes iors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, iorsque cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmies. Additional comments:/ Commentairee supplAmentaires: L'Institut a microf llmA le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a AtA possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibllog. aphique, qui peuvent modifier une Image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de filmage sont indiquis ci-dessous. D D □ D D D D D Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur6es et/ou pellicuites Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages dicoiortes, tachet^es oy piquies Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Quality in6gaie de i'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel suppl6mentaire Only edition available/ Seule Mition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partlellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont M filmtes A nouveau de favon A obtenir la meilleure >mage possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux de reduction indiqui ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X V 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X L The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the senerosity of: Ntw Brunswick MuMum Saint John L'exemplaire fllmA fut reproduit grAce * la gAn^rosltA de: New Brunswick Musmim Saint John The imfaces appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated Impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other originel copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated Impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated Impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol -^^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applios. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les Images sulvantes ont At* reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at de la nettetA de I'exempieire f ilmA. et en conformitA avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplalres orlginaux dont la couverture en papier est ImprimAe sont filmAs en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant solt par la dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration. soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplalres orlginaux sont filmAs en commengant par la premiAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernlAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles sulvants apparaftra sur la dernlAre Image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE". le symbols V signifie "FIN" Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmAs A des taux de rAduction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul cliche, 11 est filmA A partir de I'angle supArleur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'Images nAcessalre. Les diagrammes sulvants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 •ifmv >..» I ■^' i^' ^7] ^i<-/ ^^t?- (-r^"''V'\ / Whittaker's Improved Pinnock's Cafeohitms. CATECHISM OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, ?';?'.■;; FROM ITS EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME. .»■■;>• 2SYISED AND ADAPTED FOR THE SCHOOLS OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA, AND BROUGHT DOWN TO THE PRESENT STATE OF HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE, BY EDWARD MANNING, English and Mathematical Master of the Saint John Qratnmar School. ST. JOHN, N. B. PUBLISHED BY J. k A. MoMILLAN. 78 Pbincs William Stbeet. mmm 1^' / •^ • i, t Entered acoording to Act of ParliameDt of Canada, in the Year 1869, by J. & A. McMillan, in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture. . ■■ k CATECHISM 'i} «• V OP THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER I. The AneUnt Britons, ': Question 1. What was the origin of the Ancient Britons ? Answer, They came at various times from different parts of the continent of I'^urope; but the precise time when the first settlement took place is unknown. 2. By what names were the islands known to the ancients 1 England was called Britannia or Albion^ Scotland Cole" doni^t Wales Cambria, and Ireland Hibernia. 3. What races inhabited them 1 England and Wales were peopled by the Britons, Hibernia by the Irish, and Caledonia by the Picts and Scots. All these were Celtic races and probably came from the opposite coasts of France, then called Oaui, 4. What was the general character of the Britons ? They were a brave and worlike people, tall and robust : they stained their bodies with a seaweed called tuoad, which defended them from the cold, and gave them a fierce appear- ance in battle. 5. What was their usual dress? The chiefs wore a plaid, which descended from the waist, ^ and their ornaments were chains and rings of gold — but the ruder tribes had no other covering than the skins of wild beasts, and their uncovered limbs were painted with figures of plants and animals. 6. Describe their habitations. They were a sort of huts, sometimes formed of boughs in the manner of arbors, and sometimes of mud and clay, accord- ing to the season of the year, and generally covered with turf* *■ CaTBCBIIM Of THI 7. What were their towni and viUagea T They conaitted of a number of theae huta, commonly aituated in wooda for the conTenience of hunting, the favorite and neceaaary diversion of the time. Indeed wooda and marshea covered most of the land. 8. Did they remain atationary or wander about 1 They formed encampmenta according to the aeaaon of the year ' in summer they lived in the most fertile valleys, which afforded the best pasture and water for their cattle ; in winter they removed to the hilly parts, as being drier and more healthy. 9. What waa their usual diet? Milk and the flesh of the beaata killed in hunting : their common drink waa water: but the tribe oppoaite Gaul (called the Belgs), who were more civilized than the reat, tilled the land, underatood the art of making bread, and traded with the Gaula. 10. What was their government ! Patriarchal — the head of the family being anawerabla to the neighboring tribea for the conduct of the family. 11. What were the aeveral ordera of the Britonal They were divided into three clasaea, anawering to our nobility, clergy, and common people — the laat being little better than alavea to theothera. 12. What waa their religion 1 Heathenism of the worst kind, for they aometimea offered human aacrificea to their falae goda. It waa called Druidism. 13. Why t Becauae their prieata were called Druids. These had great power over the minds ot the people, who looked upon them with great reverence. They worshipped in groves of oak, which tree, as well aa the mistletoe (which growa upon it) they held in high esteem. 14. What other officea did they discharge besides that of prieata I Some of them, called barda, compoaed aonga in honor of their heroea; and othera, called vaiea, or prophets, spent their time in studying nature, and indeed engrossed what little •cience wtf then known* ^b HifTOST Of £>otAirii* i^ • \ CHAPTER 11. Roman Britain, 15. Who firit invaded Britain ! The Romana, under Juliaa Csaar, 55 yeara before Chriat* 16. Did the Britona oppoae the Romanat Yea; and aeveral battlea enaued ; but the Britona being defeated were compelled to aue for peace. Yet, after a abort * campaign C«aar waa obliged to return into Gaul. 17. Did Cesar come back to England 1 Yea ; in the following aummer, with a grrat iccreaae of force, an army of 20,000 foot, a conaiderable body of horae^ and a fleet of 800 ahipa. 18. Who waa the commander of the Britiah forcea in the time of Juliua Coaar 1 Caaaivelau'nua, King of the Trinoban'tes. 19. Did the Britona oppoae the aecond landing of C0 ■ti HllTOBT Of fiffvlIAHD. 4 i *^^ 32. Who were the Saxons t A people of Saxony, in the north of Germany. 33. When did the Saxons first send an army to assist the Britons, and under what commanders 1 They first sent an army in the year 450, commanded by Hcngist and Horsa, two brothers who were highly renowned for their valor, and said to be descended from Woden their principal deity. 34. Were the Saxons saccessful against the Scots ? Yes; but they had no sooner discomfited them, than they turned their thoughts to the reduction of the Britons ; and, receiving large reinforcements of their countrymen, they reduced England under their power, and founded the Anglo- Saxon Heptarchy. 35. Did all the Britons submit to the Saxon power t No ; many of them rather than submit to their conquerors, retired into Wales, where they were sheltered by the inac- cessible mountains of that country, and some crossed to Armorica in N. W. France, called hence Brittany.' 36. What is the meaning of the word Heptarchy ? It is derived from two Greek words, signifying seven and chief; hence it is applied to the Sazon power in England under the rule of seven kings. 37. What part of Great Britain did the Saxon Heptarchy include 1 That part of Great Britain called England, and S. E. Scotland. The Britons formed the kingdoms of Strathclydo (in S. W. Scotland), Cambria, N. Wales, S. Wales, Man, and Cornwall. 38. Name the several kingdoms of the Heptarchy, and by whom they were founded. Their names were: Capitals. Kent, founded by Hengipt, Canterbury. Sussex, iElla, Chichester. . Wessex, ..... .... Cerdic, Winchester. Essex,. Erchenwin, .... London. Northumberland,. .Ida and ^lla,. .York. East Anglia, Uffa Dunwich.* Mercia, Cridda, Leieester.j- IJ On the Suffolk eoast, now buried beueath the sea. t Pronounce Le$ter, ClTICHISX Of TBI 39. Who were the moit renowned defenders of the Britone against the Saxons 1 Ambrosius, ind the famous king Arthur ; the latter was killed in battle about the year 642. 40. Did the Saxon princes continue long united ? No; in a short time they disputed about their several rights, and, after a series of wars, the whole of the Heptarchy became subject to the power of Egbert, king of Wessex, who caused himself to be crowned at Winchester by the title of King of England, A. U. 827, or 400 years after the first arrival of the Saxons in Britain ; and thus was laid the foundation of the kingdom of England. 41. What religious changes took place during the Hep* ta.'chy 1 The Saxons when they came to Britain were pagans and pirates ; but about A. D. 600, a missionary from Romc^ named Augustine, restored Christianity in Britain. 42. Did not the country now change its name 1 Yes; it now began to be called England, from the Anglo* Saxons. The Saxons called Cambria Wules, a word mean- ing in Saxon ** foreigners." ^ CHAPTER IV. i * . The early Saxon Kings, 43. Enumerate the English lines of Kings. >/ The Saxon, Danish, Norman, Plantagenet, Tudor, Stuart, and the line of Hanover or Brunswick. 44. How many sovereigns of each line ? Ssventeen Saxons, three Danes, four Normans, fourteen Plantagenets, five Tudors, six Stuarts, and six of the line of Brunswick. 45. Who was the first king of England 1 Egbert, as observed in the last chapter. 46. What people ravaged the coast of Britain during the reign of Egbert 1 The Danes, but they were frequently defeated. 47. Who succeeded Egbert 1 His son Eth^elwolf, A. D. 8.38, during whose feeble reign the Danes often returned, and continued their depredations with but little interruption. 'n* i f HiiTOir Of EnoLkitn* *«' 4 :■!%," 48. How longiliJ EtVelwoIf reign, and when did he diet He reigned twenty yearf, and died A. D. 857. 49. What remarkable event happened in Scotland during the reign of Eth'el wolf 1 In thir reign the Picts, eo formidable heretofore to the ■outhern Dritoiia, were entirely eitirpated by their neighbor! the Scots, after a long and terrible war between them. 50. What part of Scotland did the Picta inhabit ? Scotland was divided into two parts, one called the High- \\ir.Uf and the other the Lowlands: the Picts inhabited the Intter. 51. To whom did Eth'elwolf leave his dominions and royal power 1 To his second son, Eth'elbert: after him to his third son» Eth'eired, ond then to Alfred, his youngest son; who all in their turns succeeded to the crown* 52. What became of Etl/elbald, the eldest son t While Eih'elwolf was at Rome, Eth'elbald entered into a concipiracy to dethrone his father, and seize the kingdom ; and he made so great a pp. >y, that Eth'elwolf was obliged to give up to him the kingdom of Wessez, and to rest content with that of Kent for himself. 53. How long did Eth'elbald reign before his father*! death, and how long after 1 Two years before his deaths and two and a half after his dratii. 54. Did any thing occur worthy of remark in the reign of Eth'elbcrt? Nothing except the incursions of the Danes. 55. What happened in the reign of Eth'elred I. The Danes made themselves masters of Northumberland, and several other parts of England, but were strongly op- posed by Eth^elred, who unfortunately received a mortal wound in a battle he fought with them, in the sixth year of his reign. He was succeeded by Alfred the Great. 56. When did Alfred succeed to the crown of England 1 In the year 872, when the Danes were in the very heart of his dominions, and all the sea-ports were filled v.ith their fleets. 10 Catechism ot thb 57. Dicl Alfred give them battle 1 Yes ; and after many engagements he at length received so severe a defeat that he was obliged to dismiss his followerSi and seek for safety in flight and concealment. 58. Whither did Alfred retira. To the little island of Atheiney, in Somersetshire, a few miles below Taunton. Here he remained, until he learned that the Danes had grown negligent from success. 59. What did Alfred then do 1 He disguised himself as a harper or minstrel, and having entered the Danish camp, he made his observations, returned to his friends, assembled his troops, and completely routed the enen>y. 60. What became of those who escaped ? They fled to a castle, but were soon compelled to surrender to Alfred ; who pardoned them on condition that they and their leader, Guthrum, should embrace Christie ty ; to which they consented, and Alfred conferred on >«^uthrum the government of East Anglia and Northumberland. 61. What follov?ed this victory 1 Alfred was once more seated upon the throne, where he proved himself, with scarcely any exception, the best king that ever reigned. 62. Relate the remarkable events of Alfred's reign besides his defeating the Danes 1 He founded the University of Oxford; divided England into shires, hundreds, and tythings ; established a national militia; encouraged learning and learned men: invented a way of measuring time by candles, which were made to burn eight hours each, there being at this period no clocks or watches ; and made the navy very respectable. 63. How long did Alfred reign 1 He reigned a little over twenty-nine years, and died at Oxiord, A. D. 900. CHAPTER V. ^ Tht later Saxon Kingt. 64. Who succeeded Alfred the Great 1 His son, called Edward the Elder, v/ho fought several battles with the Danes, and completely routed them ; he t ^HU' i ' •i HlSTOBT OF EirOLAND. II afterwards inarched against the Welsh, over whom he gained a decisive victory, and compelled the Welsh king, Rees ap Madoc, to sue for peace, and promise to pay an annual tribute for the future. 65. For what else is he famous ? As the ftiundcr of Cambridge University. He was sue* ceedeu by his son Athelstan. 66. Did Athelstan perforni any act worthy of notice ? Yes ; he obtained a great victory over the Danes in Northumberland, after which he reigned in tranquility, being regarded as one of the ablest kings of those times. He died in the year 941, and was succeeded by his half-brother, Edmund I. 67. What events happened in the time of Edmund ? Soon after Edmund began to reign, the Danes revolted, and recovered Northumberland, Cumberland and Mercia; but these places were retaken by Edmund. 68. What was the manner of Edmund's death 1 He was stabbed at a feast in Gloucester [pronounce Giosier] by Leolf, a rubber, whom he had sentenced to banish- ment. He was succeeded by his brother Edrcd, A. D. 916. 69. What events happened in this reign 1 The Danes, according to their custom upon the accession of a new king, revolted, and gained over to their side Mal- colm, king of {Scotland, but Edred marched against them, and obliged Malcolm to sue for peace, and to renew his homage for the lands which he held in^England. 70. What churches and monasteries did Edred rebuild ? He rebuilt the monasteries of Glastonbury, Croyland, and Abingdon. 71. How long did he reign? He reigned nine years, died in 955, and was succeeded by Ed,wythe son of Edmund. 72. What event happened in the reign of Edwy 1 In the reign of Edwy, Dunstan, a proud abbot, who pre- tended to 'be a saint, raised a faction against him, and became so powerful, that Edwy was obliged to divide the kingdom with his brother Edgar. He died after a reign of about four years, and was buried at Winchester. Id ClTBCaiSK OF TBI 73. By whom was Edwy succeeded 1 By his brother Edgar, A. D. 959, whose reign was one continued calm, without any wars or commotions ; this was owing to his agreement with Dunstan and the powerful monks, and to his vast preparations both by sea and land, so that none dared to attack him. 74. What triumphs did he obtain 1 By the mere terror of his name he compelled the kings of Wales, Ireland, and the Isle of Man, to acknowledge him as their sovereign. 75. What rapacious animals infested England in the time of Edgar, and bow did he destroy them 1 Wolves ; and to extirpate them, Edgar changed the tribute which the Welsh used to pay in money, into so many wolves' heads, to be paid every year. This expedient in a few years, effectually cleared the country, and there have been no wolves in England since. 76. What other particulars relate to Edgar 1 He encouraged foreigners to settle in England ; reigned sixteen years, died A. D. 976, and was interred at Glaston- bury. 77. By whom was he succeeded 1 By his son Edward the Martyr, who was murdered at the instigation of his mother-in-law Elfrida, after reigning three years and a half. 78. By whom was Edward succeeded 1 By his half-brother, Eth'clred li., the second son of Edgar and Elfri'da. 79. What events happened in this reign ? In this reign the Danes again invaded England ; they at first landed near Southampton, A. D. 981, and for ten years afterwards there was nothing but plunderings, conflagrations, murders, and every imaginable misery. 80. What did Eth'elrcd do to prevent the depredations of the Danes ? * He purchased their forbearance with great sums of money, and made an alliance with Richard the Second, duke of Normandy, by marrying Emma, sister to that prince. ■ HisTOST Of Eiroiiirs. 19 I ■ 81. What barbarous act did Eth'elred commit to rid him- •elf of the Danes 1 All the Danes who resided in England, except those in East Anglia and Mcrcia, were, by his orders, massacred in one day, the festival of St. Brice, Nov. 13th, 1002. 82. What did Sweyn, king of Denmark, do when he beard of this bloody act ? He declared he would never rest till he had avenged so monstrous an outrage ; and thereupon equipping a fleet of 200 ships, he invaded the country, not for plunder as before, but to destroy it with fire and sword. 83. What was the result of (his Danish expedition 1 Sweyn soon arrived in England, made great havoc among the English, obliged them to pay him a large sum of money, and after a long struggle, compelled Eth'elred to take refuge in the court of his brother-in-law, Richard, duke of Nor* mandy, 1013. 84. Did Eth'elrcd ever return to England 1 Shortly after, Sweyn dying, the nobility invited Eth^elred to return ; but he did not long enjoy the throne, for Canute, the successor of Sweyn, proved to be as powerful an enemy as his predecessor. 85. How long did Eth'elred reign 1 Thirty-seven years; he died in 1016, and was succeeded by his son Edmund ; sometimes called Edmund Ironside, on account of bis hardy valor. 86. What events happened in this reign t Numerous contentions between the English and the Danes under Canute : who at last consented to divide the kingdom. 87. What was the character of Edmund ? This prince, during his short reign, exhibited proofs of courage, fortitude, and prudence. 88. State his death, and where he was interred. He was treacherously murdered at Oxford, after a very short reign, and interred at Glastonbury; and thus made way for the succession of Canute, the Dane, to the crown of Englandc 14 CaTSCHTSM OV TBI CHAPTER VI. Of the Danes in England, 89. What were the names of the Danish kings who ' reigned in England 1 Canute the Great, Harold I., and Hardicanute. 90. Who succeeded Edmund Ironside ? Canute the Great, who was proclaimed Icing of England in the year 1(117. He divided England into four parts ; namely, Mcrcia, Northumberland, East Anglia and Wessex ; and made the government of England such, that every per- son should be treated alike. 91. Relate a remarkable anecdote that is recorded of that prince. While walking by the sea-side at Southampton, attended by some of his courtiers, he became disgusted at the extra- vagant flattery of some who compared Canute to God him- self; to convince them of their impiety, he ordered a chair to be placed on the sand opposite the approaching tide, and said, " O sea, thou art under my jurisdiction, I command thee to come no farther, nor dare to wet thy sovereign's feet !" 92. What followed this pompous command ? The tide coming in as usual, he thence took occasion to let his ba;r. flatterers know, that none but the king of Heaven, whom the sea and land obey, deserve the titles they impiously bestowed upon him. After which, it is said, he would never wear a crown, but caused it to be put on the head of a cruci- fix at Winchester. He introduced Christianity into Den- mark. ^ 93. How long did Canute reign ? Eighteen years. He died in the year 1035, and left three sons : Sweyn, who had Norway ; Harold, England ; and Hardicanute, Denmark. 94. What events happened in HaroUVs reign 1 None of importance. He died in 1039, without issue, in the fourth year of his reign, and was succeeded by his brother Hardicanute. 95. What events happened in the reign of Hardicanute 1 '' HitTOMT or EVGLAITD. 15 '^ He brought with him to England fifty Danish ahipi; and, soon after he was crowned, he laid a heavy tai upon the nation to pay hia fleet, which he sent back to Denmark. 96. Did the nation quietly submit to this tax ? No; the people of Worcester [pronounce Wooattr] op- posed it with great violence, and two of the persons em* ployed to collect it were killed ; which so incensed the king, that he sent his forces against Worcester, who burnt it to the ground. 97. What was the general character of Hardicanute, and how long did he reign 1 He was brutally cruel and vindictive, and infamous for gluttony and drunkenness; he died suddenly as he was carousing at the wedding of a Danish lord at Lambeth. 98. How did the English behave at his death ? They rejoiced ; and for several centuries after, they ob- served the day of his death, June 8th, as a holiday, by the name of Octide. 99. In what year did he die ? In the year 1041, and in the second year of his reign. W ith him ended the monarchy of the Danes in England, after it had lasted about twenty-six years : though the inva- sions of these barbarians had harrassed the kingdom 250 years. ^ CHAPTER VII. Saacon Line Restored* » 100. Who succeeded Hardicanute ? Edward the Confessor, son of Eth'elred and Emma ; who had spent great part of his life in Normandy. 101. What events happened in the reign of Edward ? He abolished for ever the tax called Danegelt, which amounted to j£40,000 a year, and had been levied for thirty- eight years. 102. Whom did he marry ? The daughter of Earl Godwin, an English nobleman of Saxon descent. 103. What events happened in the reign of Edward, besides those already mentioned ? 16 ClTSCHISJC or TBI •:.f Edwnrd built Westminster Abbey ; he collected tho Saxon laws and customs into one body, which were thence called by his name ; and he was the first monarch who touched for the king's evil. 104. By iivhom was Edward succeeded? By Harold the Second, son of Earl Godwin, who had all the qualifications requisite for forming a great prince. 105. What events happened in this reign ? In this reign England was invaded by the Normans, under William the Conquerer, who obtained the crown by the famous battle of Hastings, which cost Harold his life. 106. Where did William the Conquerer land his forces when ho came over from Normandy ? At Pevensey, in Sussex, A. D. 1066. Thence he marched along the shore as far as Hastings, where, on the 14th Oct., was fought the battle above mentioned. There the bravo Harold fell, after a turbulent reign Of nine months and nine days. With him totally ended the empire of the Anglo- Saxons in England^ which had begun in the person of Hen- gist, about 600 years before. A TABLE Of the Kings and Queetis of England from the Conquest* The House of Lancaster, Reigned from Henry IV. 1399 to 1413 Henry V. 1413 to 1422 Henry VI. 1422 to 1461 The House of York, Edward IV. 1461 to 1483 Edward V. 1483 Richard III. 1483 to 1485 The House of Tudor, Henry \II. 1485 to 1609 William I. William II. Henry I. Stephen The Norman Line, Reigned from 1066 to 1087 1087 to 1100 1100 to 1135 1135 to 1154 The Plantagenets, Henry II. Richard I. John Henry III. Edward 1. Edward II. Edward III. Bichard 11. 1154 to 1189 1189 to 1199 1199 to 1216 1216 to 1272 1272 to 1307 1307 to 1327 1327 to 1377 1377 to 1399 Henry VIII. Edward VI. Mary Elizabeth 1509 to 1547 1547 to 1553 1553 to 1558 1558 to 1603 '' HiiToftT or EiroiAirD. 17 i f^ The Houae of Sluari. Reigned from James t. 1603 to 1625 Charles I. 1625 to 1649 [The Commonwealth.] Charles II. 1660 to 1685 James II. 1685 to 1688 [The Revolution.] William III. 1688 to 1702 Anne 1702 to 1714 The Houee of Bruruwickt or Hanover, George I. George If. George III. George IV. William IV. Victoria Reigned from 1714 to 1727 1727 to 1760 1760 to 1820 1820 to 1830 1830 to 1837 1837 viv.rr^. & CHAPTER VIII. THE NORMAN KINGS. Wiliiam the Conqueror. 107. Who was William the Conqueror 1 The natural son of Robert the First, duke of Normandj. ^ 108. What is meant by the Norman Conquest 1 The Conquest of England by William the Norman. 109. What pretence had William to the sovereignty of England t He pretended that Edward, the last king of the Saxon line, during his stay in Normandy, whither he had been obliged to flee on account of the usurpation of the Danes, had, in gratitude for the faror^^ he had received, promised him his kingdom ; which, at his death, William came over to claim. 110. When was Wiliiam crowned King of England 1 On Christmas day, in the year 1066. 111. What wero the principal events in the time of Wil- liam the Conqueror 7 Domesday-book was compiled ; the curfew-bell establish- ed ; the four terms of law appointed ; the New Forest in Hampshire laid out ; and the feudal law introduced. 112. What was Domesday-book t An account of the value of every man's estate, and of cattle and servants upon it. 113. What was the cnrfew-bell 1 A bell ordered to be rang every night at eight o'clock, when the Bnf lifb were oMif ed to pat out their Irea and caQdIea# aHHBS^ 18 CltSCHISX OF TItl 114. What was the feudal law 1 The law by which feuds or fiefs, the new division of land, were regulated ; the tenants were vassals to a superior lord, who was himself a vassal to the king. Instead of rent the vassals were obliged, upon the lord's summons, to follow his litandard in war, to protect him in every danger, and to remain in the fieid for forty days at their own expense* 115. What invention took place in this reign 1 That of musical notes, by a Frenchman. ] 16. What was the character of William ? He was a prince cf great courage, capacity, and ambition ; politic, stern, and vindictive. His stature was rather low, but his body large and powerful, his ronstitution robust, and his bones and muscles so strong, that there was hardly a man of that age who could bend his bow or handle his arms. 117. What were the dominions of William ? England and Normandy. He reigned in Normandy twenty-two years, and twenty-one in England. He died near Rouen, 1087. William the Second, {Rufus.) 118. Who succeeded William the Conqueror? His second son, William Rufus, who in the thirteenth year of his reign was shot, by accident, as he was hunting in tho New Forest, A. D. 1100. He was buried at Winchester. 119. What was his character? He was courageous almost to ferocity, and seems to have been endowed with very few virtues. 120. What were the remarkable events of his reign ? The crusades, or holy wars, were set on foot ; the design of which was to recover the Holy Land, and especially Jcru- Balem, out of the hands of the Saracens. In 1089, VVilliam rebuilt London Bridge, raised a new wall round the Tower, and erected the famous hall at Westminster. 121. Why was he named Rufus ? From his red hair and florid complexion. Henri/ the First. 4- 122. Who was the succevsor of William II. ? i\ HitToiT or EwaLiHo. 10 . Henry the Firit, ninied Beaaelere, or the Scholar, on account of hit grett learning. He waa the youngeat aon of Wiiliam the Conqueror. 123. Whom did he marry 1 ^ Matilda, daughter of Malculm, king of Scotland. 124. What event happened in the reign of Henry ? Hia aon, Prince William, waa lout in the ** Blanche Nef," at the Raa de Catte, in their paaaage from Normandy, by the unakilfulneaa of the pilota. Thia aflected Henry ao deeply that he never amiled afterward §. 125. What waa hia character, and when did he die t He waa an excellent monarch for the age in which he lived, of noble preaence, valiant and politic. He died A. D. 1 135, having reigned thirty-five yeara. y ir ir ic re n tu- rn Pr, . .> SiepKetu 126. Who aueceeded Henry the Firatt Stephen of Biota, nephew of Henry, and aon of Adela, the fourth daughter of William the Conqueror. Though Ste- phen had taken the oath of allegiance to Maud, or Matilda, the daughter of Henry the Firat, in eaae he died without male iaane, he found meana to aupplant her, and place the crown upon hia own head. 127. What remarkable event happened in the reign of Stephen 1 During hia reign, England waa one continued acene of bloodahed and horror, from the contest of Maud, Stephen, and the barona. At length on the death of Stephen'a only aon, Euatace, it waa agreed, that Stcplten ahouid enjoy the crown during hia life ; and that at hia death it should descend to young Henry, aon of Maud. 128. How long did Stephen reign, and when did he die! He reigned eighteen yeara^ and died in 1 154, in the fif- tieth year of hia age. 190. What were the posfessiona of Stephen t Engltnd only, Loooon now became ita capital ini toad of Winchntor* •I- ;?«' $0 Catichiim of tji CHAPTER ly THE LINE OP PLANTA'gENET. Henri/ the Second, . 130. Who succeeded Stephen 1 Henry PInntagcnet,* the son of Maud and Geoffrey Plan- tagenct, Count of Anjou. 131. What distinguished persons lived in this reign ? The celebrated Fair Rosamond, daughter of Lord Clifford, who was mistress to Henry the Second. Poisoned by Queen Eleanori her beauty and her fate have rendered her name famous. Also Thomas-a-Becket, a celebrated church- man, who had been raised from a mean station to the Arch- bishopric of Canterbury. 132. What were Henry's possessions 1 England, Normandy, Anjou, Guienne, Poictou, and Ire- land, which he subdued. 133. How many children had Henry 1 Seven ; namely, Geoffrey, Henry, Richard, John, and three daughters ; the two younger sons succeeded to the throne* 134. When did Henry die 1 1 189, in the fifty'-seventh year of his age, and thirty-fiflh of his reign, He established the circuits of the Judges. Henry was one of the ablest kings of his time. Richard the First. 135. Who succeeded Henry the Second t His son Richard, surnamed Cf ** God and my right," and affixed it to his arms. * The original name of this illustrious family was Martel ; they took the name Plantagenet from the branch of ^een uroom (PltuUa Oemtiq) ifhich one of the first counts of Anjou had boen enjoined to wear, as a peaanoe for his 9rii&e«; If i* ^''■-\'^^/*'t. History ot Evolanv. 3t n s e y ii 137. What action of Richard the First docs history record most ii. favor of his generous mind ? The pardon of his brother John, after repeated treasons ; when he said, ** I forgive you, and I wish I could os easily forgot your injuries as yau will my pardon." 138. What occasioned Richard's death ? He was shot at tho siege of the castlo of Cholons, in France, A. D. lidiK *" '.■' ''■■" John* 139. By whom was Richard succeeded ! By his brother John, surnamed Sans-Torre, or Lackland. ^ 140. What was the character of John ? ' He appears to have been possessed of few good qualities, and to have been as unfortunate as he was weak. He was engaged in continual wars with the barons, and contests with the popes. 141. Of what wfcked act was he accused 1 Of murdering his nephew Arthur, son of GeoflVey, tho eldest son of Henry the Second, and lawful heir to the crown. Shakspeare has written the fine tragedy of " King John,'* on this circumstance. 142. How long did be reign, when did he die, and where was bo interred ? He reigned seventeen years, died 1216, and was buried in the cathedral of Worcester. John was the first who coined English money. 143. How many children had John ! Five. Henry, his eldest son, succeeded him. 144. Who signed Magna Charta 1* King John ratified this political charter at Runneymcde, near Windsor: being obliged to do so by the barons. H.*!. What was Magna Charta 1 % An act granting to the barons and citizens greater privi- leges than they had ever enjoyed before. By this act tho severities of the feudal law were mitigated, and English * Magna is a Latin word signifyinff great ; Charta siffoifles a deed or written evidence of things done between two purtles, (Prbnoonoed Karta, but synonymous with Charter,) ;,i;.; n Catiohisx Of T» freedom restored. In 1315, tho first major tnd sherifls of London took those titles. _ I', '■ "■ ,. Henry the Third. 146. Who succeeded John t His son, Henry the Third, who was born at Winchester. 147. What wss his charscter 1 He wss a weak monarch, of narrow genius, without eoor- sge or CDnduct ; partly, perhapa, occasioned by his succeed- ing to tho throne so young, he being only nine yeara old when his father died. 148. For what waa thia long reign most famous 1 For the origin of the House of Commons. The king ruling feebly, the Earl of Leiceater [pronounce Luier] rebel- led and appraled to the common people, who now were for the firat time repreaented in Parliament as wall aa the barona and clergy. 149. When wss marriage first solemniied in churches 1 In the reign of Henry the Third. Magnifying glaaaea and magic lanthorns were also invented in this reign by Roger Bscon, a Friar, the moat noted philosopher of that age. 150. What other improvementa were introduced in the reign of Henry the Third 1 Cider, linen, and tepestry, were first mado in England, and the mnriner's compaaa ia aaid to have been invented by the French or by the Venetians. 151. Whf'n was the inquisition established here) ii the reign of this prince. Sanguinary persecution by ik/e, (except tho Druidical) waa little known in thia island until the time of Henry IV. 152. What was the inquisition 1 A cruel court, composed of monks and friars, appointed to take cognizince of everything supposed to be heretical or contrary to the established religion, which waa then Roman Catholic. 153. How maviy children had Henry 1 Nine ; but only four survived him. He waa succeeded by bia aon JBdward. \^ ^ \ HlSTOBT 07 EvOtAKS. •' r 89 1A4. When did he die, and where wot he interred 1 He died 1272, having reigned fifly^six years, and wat interred in Westminatcr Abbey, near the ahrine of Edward the Confeffor. Edward the Firatt (Longshanka.) "^ 155. What was the character of Edward I., his son and successor 1 He was a brave and wise king. He subdued Wales, and annexed it to England, 128.3 ; he carried on a war in Scot- land with great success ; and he was careful to extend the commei'ce of his people. 156. Was not Edward cruel to the Jews ? Yes; not fewer than 15,000 were in his reign robbed of their efTects, and banished the kingdom. 157. Where was Edward's eldest son born 1 At Caernarvon, in Wales, and at the age of seventeen he was Invested with the principality of that country. From that time the kings's eldest son has been styled Prince of Wales. 158. How long did Edward I. reign, and when and where did he die t He reigned thirty-four years, and died at Carlisle, 1307, oged sixty-eight years. 159. What were the improvements and discoveries in the reign of Edward the First ? Geography and the use of the globes were introduced ; tallow candies and coals were first used in common ; wind- mills were invented; and wine was sold only as a cordial in apothecaries' shops. Edward the Second* 160. Who succeeded Edward the First 1 His son, Edward the Second, a weak prince, who was fond of favorites, and incapable of ruling well. 161. What was the principal event of the reign 1 The loss 01 Scotland, after it had been almost conquered by his father. Edward the First had executed Wallace, the first Scottish leader ; but the second, Robert Brace, regained u Catecbisic or tbi •U in the great victory over Edward II., at Bannockburu in 1314. 162. What other miafortonee befel Edward ! Hia foolish conduct estranged both his people and his Queen from him. By her orders he was cruelly murdered in Berkeley caslh, A. D. 1327.^ Edward the Third. 163. What was the character of Edward the decond'a son and successor 1 • He was a wise king, and one of the most renowned monarchs that ever sat on the English throne. 164. How many children had Edward ? Nine ; five fons and four daughters ; the most celebrated was Edward, the eldest, called the Black Prince, from the color of his armor ; he died before his father ; the other sons were Lionel, duke of Clarence; Edmund, duke of York; John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster ; and Thomas, duke of Gloucester. 165. What are the principal events that happened in his reign 1 The battles of Grecy and Poictiers ; the defeat of the Scots ; the surrender of Calais to the English; and a great naval victory gained over the French off Sluys. 166. Describe the battle of Crecy. In the year 1346, the famous battle of Crecy was fought between the French and English ; the French army consisted of 100,000 men, out of which about 37,000 were slain, besides many prisoners, and the others put to flight. The English army consisted of only 30,000 men. 167. Who were the most celebrated among the slain ? The kings of Bohemia and Majorca. The crest of the king of Bohemia was three ostrich feathers, and his motto these German words — Jch dien^ ** I serve ;*' which the Prince of Wales, the Black Prince, adopted in memory of this great victory, and hit successors have borne them ever since. 168. What other events happened in this reign ? The Order of the Garter was instituted, and English sup- planted the Norman French in the law courts and schools. li i HirroBT ot EnaiAHD. 3S i i In thii reign lived the celebrated WickliflTe, the first reformer of religion. He translated the Bible into English in the next reign. Reign of Richard the Second* 169. Who was Richard the Second ! The son of Edward the Black Prince ; he was only eleven years old when he succeeded his grandfather, A. D. 1377. 170. What was his character 1 He was admired, while a boy, as having a good an^ open spirit, but when he grew up, he became weak and effeminate. He was deprived of his crown by H.'nry, duke of Lancaster, and murdered, or starved to death, in Pomfret Castle, A. D. 1400. 171. What events happened in the reign of Richard the Second 1 The principal were, an insurrection against the polNtax, headed by Wat Tyler ; and the usurpation of Henry, duke of Lancaster. 172. To what did the usurpation of Henry give rise 1 To the numerous and fatal contests of the White and Red Rose, or houses of York and Lancaster. 173. When were cards invented 1 In the time of Richard the Second, for Charles the Sixth, king of France, called the WelUbeloved ; he was insane the greater part of his reign ; and cards were invented to amuse him during the intervals of reason. CHAPTER X. HOUSE OF LANCASTER. Henry the Fourth. 174. Who succeeded Richard the Second 1 Henry the Fourth, duke of Jjancaster, surnaraed Boling- broke ; he was the eldest son of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, fourth son of EJward III. He was crowned in 1399, and ascended the throne upon the forced resignation of Richard, whose death at Pomfret soon followed. 175. What distinguished characters lived in this and the preceding reigns ? 26 Catkcriim or trb Chaucer and Oower, both English poets ; and William of Wykham, bishop of Winchester. 176. What happened to the eldest son of Henry, when Prince of Wales ? Sir William Gascoigne, the Lord Chief Justice, sent him to prison for contempt of his authority. . 177. Relate the circumstances. One of bis dissolute companions havinflf been brought before this magistrate for felony. Prince Henry, who was present, wait so provoked at the issue of the trial, that he struck the judge in open court. Sir William, fully sensible of the reverence due to his authority, committed the prince to prison. 178. What did the king say when he heard of it ? He exclaimed, *< Happy is the king who has a subject endowed with courage to execute the laws upon such an offender ; and still more happy in having a son willing to submit to such a chastisement !*' 179. What other remarkable events happened in this reign 1 The defeat of the rebel family of Percy, at Shrewsbury, in which battle the Percies were assisted by the Scotch, under Douglas, and by the Welsh. Also the persecution of the Lollards, or followers of WicklifTe. (Sec l52.) 180. How many children had Henry 1 Six ; four sons and two daughters. He was succeeded by his eldest son Henry. He died of apoplexy at Westmin- ster, 1413. Henry the Fifth, 181. What was the character of Henry the Fifth? His valor was such that no danger could startle, and no difficulty overpower; nor was his policy inferior to his courage. He was chaste, temperate, and modest, and with- out an equal in the art of war and government. 182. What was the principal event of his roign 1 The conquest of France, which he undertook as soon as he^ came to the throne. It was Henry who gained the 'Cele- brated victory of A'gincourt. "No battle was ever morel^tal to the French, from the number of princes and nobility slain -.' J HieroBT or Exolavo. 27 -' , 4 and taken pritonen. Henry wae afterwards declared Regent of France, and heir to the French monarchy. 183. How many children had the king ? Only one, the Prince of Wales, who was not a year old in 1422, when his father died. The queen, aAer the death of Henry, married Sir Owen Tudor, a Welsh gentleman, who is said to have been descended from the princes of that country, by whom she had two sons. Henry the Sixth* 184. How did this reign open 1 Henry being an infant, his uncles, th# dukes of Bedford nnd Gloucester [pronounce Gloater] were made protectors, the former for France, and the latter for England. 185. What then occurred in France ?. A peasant girl named Joan of Arc, declared that she was divinely appointed to free France from the English, and after a most wonderful career at the head of the French army, succeeded in doing so ; though she herself was taken pri- soner, and burnt at Ronen as a witch. Bedford died during the struggle, and finally only Calais remained to the Eng- lish. 186. Whom did Henry marry ! Margaret of Anjou, a woman of great spirit and beauty, who partly made up by her energy for her husband's feeble- ness of character in the civil wars which followed. 187. What wars were those! The famous Wars of the Roses. Henry's grandfather had usurped the crown, and the rightful heirs, the House of York, or White Rose, had been passed over. The head of that house, Richard, duke of York, now claimed the crown. 188. Did he succeed 1 After defeating the Lancastrians, (or House of the Red Rose,) at St. Albans and Northampton, he was in turn beaten and slain at Wakefield Green. The Earl of Warwick, how- ever, who was the most powerful noble in England, took up the cause of his sons, and gained the crown for the eldest of them, who was crowned as Edward the Fourth. War* wick was. hence called ** the king maker." 28 Catechism or thb 189. What became of Henry and his family I Henry was imprisoned in the Tower, and probably mur- dered. Margaret was ransomed, and retired to France ; and their son, Prince Edward, was barbarously murdered at Tewkesbury, after a defeat there. CHAPTER XI. THE LINE OP YORK. Edward the Fourth and Edward the Fifth* 190. What was the character of Edward I V. ? He was brave, active and enteFprising,but severe, revenge- ful, and luxurious. 191. What was the most memorable invention of this period I The art of printing was discovered in Germany, and intro- duced into England by Caxton, in the year 1471. 192. What strange event happened in his reign 1 The death of the Duke of Clarence, Edward's brother, whom he caused to be drowned in a butt of wine. The celebrated Jane Shore was mifrtress to this king. 193. How long did he reign 1 He reigned twenty-two years, and died 1483, leaving six children. The eldest, the Prince of Wales, succeeded him at thirteen years of age, as Edward V. 194. What was the character of this prince ? As he came to the throne so young, and was either mur- dered or carried out of the kingdom, soon after his accession, his character cannot be known. Some say he was smothered in the Tower, with his brother, the duke of York, in 1483. 195. What effect on English History had the Wars of the Roses % These twelve battles and thirty years of civil war (1455 to 1485) retarded the progress of agriculture and civilizition for the time ; but on the other hand they broke down the excessive power which the great nobles had enjoyed under the feudal system, and gave the finishing blow to the system itself. During the next two centuries we see two great powers in conflict — the power of the Commons and the pre- rogative of the Crown. History or Esqj^akd, 29 I Richard the Third, 196. Who succeeded Edward the Fifth ? Richard the Third, surnamed Crookback, duke of Glou- cester. He was brother to Edward the Fourth, and appointed guardian to Edward the Fifth and his brother. 197. How long did he reign 1 Two years ; he was proclaimed king of England in 1483,. and was killed at the famous battle of Bosworth, in jjeiccs- tcrshire, [pronounce Lestershir'] contending for the kingdom with Henry, then Earl of Richmond, in 1485. 198. What was his character? He was the supposed murderer of his two nephews, and has generally been represented as a compound, both in mind and person, of cruelty and deformity. He nevertheless passed several excellent laws ; and as all the accounts given of him wore written by his enemies, it is probable that many of the allegations against him are false, and all exaggerated . CHAPTER Xn. THE LINE OF TUDOR. Henry the Seventh. 199. Who succeeded Richard the Third ? Henry the Seventh (Earl of Richmond), who was crowned on Bosworth-field, immediately after the battle. Henry was the son of Edmund Tudor, earl of Richmond, and of Mar- garet, a descendant from John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster. He, by marrying Elizabeth, daughter of Edward IV., united the houses of York and Lancaster, and by that means put an end to the civil war. 200. What discoveries were made in this reign ? Amcrca was discovered by Christopher Columbus, a na- tive of Genoa; and a passage to the East Indies was discov- ered by the Portuguese. 201. What rebellions happened in this reign ? One, by Lambert Simnel, Which was speedily suppressed, and a second, more prolonged and dangerous, headed by Perkin Warbeck, who pretended to be the son of Edward the Fourth ; bat the prudence and sagacity of Henry defeat- ^4 tlie«e, fmd «verj otiier plot against the |fo?ernment. 80 CaTICBISM Of TBI 202. How many children had Henry t Seven ; Arthur, who died before him ; Henry, his succea* aor ; Margaret, Mary, and three others. 203. How long did he reign ! He reigned twenty-three years, and died in 1 509. 204. What were Henry's chief aims t To break the power of the nobles, and increase that of the crown ; to' preserve peace, and keep a full treasury. He encouraged gland. He difd A* Jl?>«. 1625, aged fifty-eight years. Hq was crowned kine-^f^6iiibRd when only a year oldi ■^ ^» > '\ HisTonT or Eholand. 3A i^ " 239. What wag the general character of hif reign t Eminently tranquil and beneficial. The condition of (he country was ameliorated : arts and aciences flouriahed. The Bible, as wo have it now, was translated, and published under the royal authority. 240. What improvements were now made ? The title of baronet was created, horse races established, the broad silk manufacture introduced, the circulation of the blood discovered, buildings began generally to be built of brick, and the first permanent English colonies were made in North America — at Jamestown, Virginia, (1607), at Ply- mouth, Massachusetts, (1620), and in Nova Scotia. James also settled a large Scotch colony in Ulster. Lord Chancel- lor Bacon, the greatest English philosopher, now lived and wrote. Tea was brought to England for the first time, dur- ing this reign. Charles the First* 241. Who succeeded James 1.1 .^ His second son, Charles I., a prince of many virtuea, but, like his ffther, fond of arbitrary power, and given to insin- cerity in his dealings with his parliament. 242. What made him unpopular at the first? The influence exercised over him by his haughty and worthless favorite Buckingham, and his queen, Henrietta Muria of Prance, (a Roman Catholic). Buckingham was assassinated. 243. What party strongly opposed the government at this time? Tho Puritans, a party opposed to the Church of England and to arbitrary government. They forced the king to pro- mise, by the Petition of Right, (1628), that he would raise no taxes without consent of parliament. 244. Did Charles keep his promise t No ; Being refused sufficient supplies by the parliament, be imposed an illegal tax called ship money, and ruled for eleven years without a parliament. 215. Who assisted him in the government during this interval ? The Earl of Strafford and Archbishop Laud, who, aR«r Buckingham'f deatbi were bis chief advisers. S6 ClTIOailM Of Til 246. To what did their high-hnnded measure! lead t Firit to a large emigration of the Puritans to the colonies of New England, and second to a civil war between the Royalista and Parliamentarians! or as they were called the Cavaliers and Roundheads. 217. What was the issue of this war T After an indecisive battle at Bdi^ehill, (1642), the Earl of Essci, Lord Fairfax, and Cromwell beat the royal forces at Marston Moor, (1644), and Naseby, (1646), and Charles became a prisoner. 248. What followed the success of the Koundheada t The execution of Lord StrHflTord and Archbishop Laud : and afterwards that of the king himself, who wss taken prisoner by the parliament, and at last beheaded, January 30, 1649. 249. What discoveries and inventions were made in tho reign of Charles the First 1 Barometers and thermometers were invented ; newspspers were first regularly published ; and coffee was brought to England. Charles patronized the groat Flemish painters Rubens and Vandyke^ The Commonwealth or Republic, 250. When was Oliver Cromwell chosen Protector of England ? A. D. 1653, being four years after tho commencement of the Commonwealth ; which had before been managed by the House of Commons, nobility and epie copacy having been declared abolished. 251. How long was Cromwell Protector? Nearly five years; he died m 16.^8; and was succeeded by his son Richard Cromwell, who shortly after succeeding to the Protectorate, preferred to retire to private life. 252. What was the character of Oliver Cromwell 1 He was a man of great courage, ambition and hypocrisy. 253. What are the principal events of his time t A war with the Dutch, who ^ere defeated by Blake in several great sea^fighti ; and the conquest of Jamaica, which was made an EngUib colony* The great poet Milton lived a HllTOIT or EHOLIVD. 87 ii \ '^ in the time of ('romwell, to whom he wai iMin eecrctiry ; but he did not write hii greet poem, ** The Paradise liOit/' until the neit reign. Charlet the Second. 2A4. What events succeeded Cromweirs death t The unsettled state of things disposed the people to restore royalty in the person of the deceased king's eldest son, who became Charles II. in 1660. 256. What are the principal events of his reign ? The great plague of London in 1665, in which nearly 100,000 persons perished, and the great fire of London in the neil year, when the centrsl part of the city, comprising over 13,000 houses, was burnt. 256. What was the character of Charles t He has been well called " the falsest, meaneat, merriest of mankind.*' Following his example, the English, who during the Commonwealth had been overstrict in their man- ners, broke out into the opposite extremes of immorality and vice. 257. What were the other events of the reign Y A war at sea with the Dutch, in which the colony of New Vork was taken from Holland, the founding of the Royal Society for the prosecution of studies in the physical sciences, (which now began to attract much attention), the passing of the Test and Habeas Corpus Actn, and the obscure conspiracirs called the Popish and Rye House Plots. 258. What men of genius now flourished 1 Clarendon the historian, Dryden, Waller, and Butter, the poets, Halley and B«>ylr, the philosophers, and Sir Wil- liam Temple. Charles was succeeded by his brother James n. in 1685. Jtmea the Second, 259. What was the character of James the Second ? He was a bigot to the Romish religion, and fond of arbi- trary power. 260. What was the principal event of this reign ! The duke of Monmouth's rebellion, who was proclaimed king at Tnunton, but being afterwards taken prisoner, ht was beheaded in London. 88 ClTKCHIISC OF TBI 261. Who was the duke of Monmouth t A natural son of Charles the Second. 262. What became of James the Second ? His attempts to restore the Romnn Catholic religion and despotism obliged him to abdicate the throne ; he reigned three years and nine months, aiiid retired to France, where he died A. D. 1701. His son-in-law Wiiliam was invited over to take tha throne. 263. How many children who survived him, had James the Second 1 Three ; James, called the Pretender, Mary, and Annr. The placing of William and Mary on the throne by the Par- liament is called the Revolution, In this reign Wm. Pcnn, a Quaker, founded Pennsylvania. William the Third and Mary the Second. 264. Who was William the Third 1 He was the son of William, prince of Orange, and of Henrietta Maria, daughter of Charles I. He was bcrn at the Hague, in Holland, in 1650, and was married to Mary the eldest daughter of James II. 2C5. What was the character of this prince 1 He was a great warrior, and a steady friend to the Pro- testant religion and civil liberty. 266. What was the character Of Mary 1 Though her father was a devoted Papist, she was a firm Protestant ; she was an excellent wife, and a truly pious woman. Her person was very handsome. She died before William, in 1694. 267. Relate the principal events of this reif;n. The battle of the Boyne, in Ireland, where king James II. was defeated ; the defeat of the French fleet at Cape La Hogue ; the establishment of the Bank of England ; and the rise of the national debt. 268. What great men shed lustre on this reign 1 Newton, Locke, Tillotson, Prior, and Burnet. 269. Had William and Mary any children ? No; they were succeeded by Anne, second daughter of James il., who was married to Prince George, brother to the king of Denmark. HiiTOBT OP England. 39 4 Queen Anne, 270. What was the charact<3r of Queen Anne 1 Queen Anne possessed many excellent qualities; her memory is cherished on account of her piety and unlimited charity. 271. Relate the principal events of her reign. The battles of Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Mal- plaquet, won'by the great Duke of Marlborough. The defeat of the combined fleets of France and ISpain, by Sir George Rooke, the capture of Gibraltar, and the union of England and Scotland, under the title of Great Britain, A. D. 1707. 272. In what war did these battles occur 1 Tn a general European war in which Britain, Austria and Saxnny were opposed to Spain and France, which latter country supported the claim of the Pretender to the British crown. At the peace of Utrecht, which ended it, Nova Scotia was ceded by France to Britain, and its capital. Port Royal, changed its name to Annapolis in honor of the queen.* 273. How many children had Prince George of Denmark and Anne ? Six ; but all died in their infancy. Queen Anne reigned twelve years and a half. She died A. D. 1714. 274. Who were the most celebrated literary characters in her reign ? Pope, Swift, Congreve, Gay, Bolingbroke, Shaftesbury, Addison, Steele, &,c. CHAPTER XIV. LINE OP BaUNSWlOK, OR HANOVER. George the First. 275. Who succeeded Anne 1 George the First, A. D. 1714. He had been previously elector of Hanover. He acquired the crown in right of his mother Sophia, who was the grand-daughter of James I. and the nearest Protestant heir. He was a good king, and an enemy to every species of tyranny. • Halifax was founded under Lord Halifax in 1749, and super- seded Annapolis as capital. 40 Catbchiik Of T» 876. What are the principal evepta of thii reign t The rebellion of the Scota in 1715, in favor of the aon of Jamea the Second, which waa aoon quelled, and the Pre* tender obliged to retire into France.* The electorate of HanoTer waa annexed to the Britiah crown. 377. Were there any othera ? Inoculation waa firat introduced into England, and suc- ceaafullj tried upon two condemned criminals, who were pardoned on aubmitting to the operation, 1721. By the fraudulent South-aea acheme for buying up the debta of the nation, thouaanda of people were ruined. 378. What fault had George I. and hia aon aa kings of England t Aa William of Orange thought more of Holland than of Britain,- 80 George I. and Il.atndied the intereats of Hanover more than those of their far more important island posses* siona, which they left almost entirely to the government of Walpole, the Prime Minister. In 1727, during one of his frequent visits to Hanover, George I. was seized with apo* plexy in hia carriage and died, leaving the throne to hia aon, George II. George the Second. ^ 279. How old waa George II. at his accession ! Forty-four, and like hia father he had apent all hia life in Germany. He was married to Caroline of Anspach, a woman of aense and virtue. The Whigs under Walpole retained their aacendancy. 880. What foreign wars occurred in this reign 1 Three; the war with Spain, which arose in 1739 on account of the British attempting tu smuggle goods into Spanish America ; the war of the Austrian succession ; and the aeven yeara' war. 881. What were the principal events of the Spanish war ? Vernon's capture of Portobello, on the Isthmus of Darien, and hia subsequent failure to take Carthagena. Also An- son's circumnavigation of the globe, and his successes in the Pacific againat the Spaniards. *The party of this Prinoewere oallsd Jaeobites from tha Latin form of his name—Jae6bas» 1 HiSTOBT or EXOLAHD. 41 282. State the circumstancei of the next war. It arose in 1741, in consequerce of the Frencti and Prus- sians having attempted to deprive Maria Theresa of the crown of Germany, and George took part in it from a regard to the interests of Hannvrr. He defeated a superior French force at Dettingrn in 1743, but his son, the duke of Cumber- land, was in turn beaten by the French at Fontenoy in 1745. 283. What followed ? Charles Edward, the young Pretender, assisted by France, landed in Scotland, and, being joined by the Highland Jacobites, beat the royal troops at Preston Pans in 1745, and advanced into England. Cumberland approaching at the head of the main British army, Charles Edward retreated -back to the Highlands, where he was utterly routed at Culloden Moor in 1746, and the cause of the Stuarts forever lost. Charles escaped with great difficulty. 284. What caused the seven years' war ? The disputes of England and France about their colonics in America and India, in which the French were the aggres- sors. After several unsuccessful expeditions had been sent out, Louisburg, in Cape Breton, and then Quebec, were taken by Wolfe and Amherst in 1759 ; while Clive destroyed French ascendancy in India at the victory of Plassey in 1757. WoIfe*s victories gave Britain Canada and Nova Scotia, and Clive's Bengal. Spain, coming to the aid of France, soon lost Havannah and Manilla ; and Hawke des- troyed the French fleet off Brest. In fact Britain, owing to *he wise statesmanship of her minister Pitt, and to the valor of her forces, was everywhere triumphant. 285. What was the social state of England at this time '^ There was much immorality and irreligion, and that ui high places. The Methodists arose during this reign ; and the calendar was altered from the old to the new style. 286. Who succeeded George II. 1 His son Frpdt'rick, Prince of Wales, had died before him ; Frederick's eldest eon therefore succeeded as George III. in 1760. George the Third, S87. When did George the Third succeed his grandfath<*r on the throne of England ? 49 Catechism or thi In 1760, being nearly twenty-two years of age. He was married to Charlotte Sophia, Princess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz. 288. What important events occurred during the reign of George the Third ? A war was waged with certain colonics in North America, through which a part of that country eventually threw off its allegiance to Great Britain ; and war was also declared against France, Spain and Holland, the allies of the Ame- ricans. 289. What dangerous riot took place in this reign 1 A dangerous riot was excited in London, A. D. 1780, on account of some concessions that were made to the Koman Catholics. 290. What were the principal glories of this reign ? A brilliant series of naval victories obtained by Lords Hood, Howe, St. Vincent, Duncan and Nelson. The union of England and Ireland, A. D. 1801, and the abolition of the slive-trade, during the administration of Mr. Fox, A. D. 1807. 291. What gave rise to the war with America 1 The levying of certain duties, to be payable by our Ame- rican colonies in aid of the public revenue, which being resisted, measures were resorted to which occasioned an open defiance on the part of that country to the legislation of the British government. 292. What was the issue of the American war? After an eight years' struggle, in which the British, under Howe, Clinton, Burgoyne and Cornwallis, were opposed to Washington and other American leaders, it became clear that the contest was hopeless. Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga in 1777, and Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. Elliott, assisted by Rodney, nobly sustained the seige of Gibraltar, and Howe destroyed the French fleet in the West Indies. But Britain made peace, and acknowledged the independence of the colonies under the name of the United States in 1783. They became a Republic, with Washington for their first President. 293. What followed the close of the War 1 Those true to their allegiance (called^** the Loyalists'') in the revolted Colonies removed to British America, and laid C HiSTOKT OF EmGLIITD. 43 ci- C, the fuundations of the communities in which we now Ii\e. Upper Canada, New Brunswick,* and Prince Edward Island were now made fcparatc Provinces : and this, with the ad- ditions made by the discoveries of Cook and others in the South Seas, and the enlargement of her Indian possessions by Clive and Hastings, almost made up to Britain for the P'jssessions she had lost. 294. When did the revolution take place in France 1 It commenced in 1789, and the regal government being subverted, France exhibited for a long time scenes of blood- shed, rapine, and misery, under the delusive idea of civil liberty. The king, Louis XVI., with the queen, a great number of the nobility, and innumerable other persons of every rank, were sacrificed to the resentment and caprice of the various factions which successively acquired the as- cendant. 295. Was England engaged in a war at this time 1 Yes ; in the East Indies, conducted by Earl Cornwallis against Tippoo Saib, who was slain in a gallant defence of Seringnpatam, and his sons were made captives. Thus ended the kingdom of Mysore. 296. Was the tranquility of this country disturbed by the French revolution 1 Yes; after the death of Louis XIV., king of France, England and Holland engaged in war with that country ; Austria and Prussia, being alarmed at the principles dis- seminated by the French, had previously declared war against France, in their own defence. 297. What ensued from the early events of this warl The continental powers having been defeated, and their kingdoms overrun by the French, they were obliged to make peace, and Great Britain was for some time left to contend alone with France. 298. Who was at the head of the French government at this period 1 After that country had suffered under the despotism of several factions, a form of government was at length settled, consisting of three consuls, whereof the first, as chief, was Napoleon Buonaparte, a Corslcan by birth, and a general in ♦ St. John was founded May 18th. 1783. 44 Catechism of tbi the French service, who afterwards altered the government, and caused himself to be declared Emperor of France. 299. Were there not some important victories gained about this period ? Yes ; in Egypt, to which the French had sent an expedi- tion to subdue the country, under their General Buonaparte. Their fleet was attacked in the bay of Aboukir, in Egypt, by Admiral Lord Nelson, who completely defeated them, with great loss, both of ships and men. This memorable action was called the victory of the Nile. The French army was also beaten by Sir Ralph Abercrombie, who lost his life in the moment of victory. These gr'?at events at length obliged the enemy to abandon their views on Egypt. 300. When was (he war between England and France brought to a conclusion 1 In the year 1802, by the treaty of Aimens ; but peace was of short duration, for the restless ambition of the French .ruler led to new disputes between the two governments, and war was resumed the following year. 301. Were any great naval advantages gained by this country soon after the renewal of the war 1 Yes ; the ever-memorable battle of Trafalgar, in which the undaunted hero Admiral Lord Nelson achieved a splen- did victory, but unhappily for his country, was himself slain. In testimony of grateful respect, his remains were honoured with a public and splendid funeral in St. Paurs Church ; and his death was deplored as a national calamity. 302. Was England solicited by Portugal and Spain to asiist in defending those countries from the aggressions of the French 1 Yes ; a large military force was sf nt over to them undrr the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley, whose important services delivered Portugal from the enemy, and whose sub- seqcunt achievements and victories at Almei'da, Albue'ra, Talave'ra and Vitto'ria,in Spain, were principally instrumen- tal in obliging the French to evacuate that country likewise. 303. Did the British general follow up his victories 1 Yes ; he pursued the enemy over the Pyreueef, into France, and finally defeated them at Toulouse, while the allies werr? marching towards Paris from the other side of France. .■V? *^.;;^( History or Enslard. 45 Ice, lerf? J 304. What remarkable event occurred in the year 18071 \ The Britifh government having obtained information that the DanisK fleet was to be placed under the control of France, a Britiuh fleet under Admiral Uambier, and a land force under Lord Cathcart, were sent to Copenhagen, and in 1807, they obliged the Danes to deliver up, by capitula- tron, their whole fleet. 305. What was the most remarkable event of the year 1812? The assassination of the Right Hon. Spencer Perceval, Prime Minister of England, by a man named Bellinghnm. 306. Where did this occur ? As Mr. Perceval was entering the lobby of the House of Commons, he was shot in the breast; and, after advancing two or three paces, he exclaimed *' Oh ! I am murdered !" and fell on his face. 307. What became of Bellingham, the murderer 1 He was tried for the offence, found guilty and executed. 308. Were there not some very important events on the continent, aflfticting the welfare of England, brought about by the French ruler 1 The French power having prevailed in reducing Austria, Prussia, Russia, Holland, Switzerland, and the Italian States to a state of humiliation, those countries were compelled to make peace with France, and to submit to the condition of resisting the introduction of English goods into any of their respective ports, with the view of ruining the commerce of this kingdom. 309. Did not this state of things lead to some consequen- ces prejudicial to the French arms ? The shutting up of the Continent from English commerce having been enforced by the most arbitrary and oppressive conduct on the part of the French government, it was found intolerable; Russia, therefore abandoned her alliance with France, and this rupture induced the French to invade the Russian dominions with a force of nearly 300,000 men. 310. How did the French succeed in the. Russian in- vasion ? They reached the city of Moscow, which was burnt, and Buonaparte was compelled to commence a retreat io the % 46 GaTICIHSX Of TRl depth of winter. Hnrnssed by the Russian! on every side, his army was not only defeated, but almogf annihilated, by sickness, and various calamities. 31 J. What other events occurred upon the Continent, favourable to the welfare of England 1 The disastrous termination of the French expedition to Russia gave an opportunity for Austria and Prussia to abandon their connexion with France, and enter into an alliance with Russia. 312. What was the consequence t To counteract this, Buonaparte, the fullowing year, 181? collected a powerful army in Saxony ; and having been attacked by the allied powers, and defeated in the tremen- dous battle of Leipsic he was compelled to retreat to France pursued by the united forces of his enemies, who, in their turn, invaded and penetrated into the very heart of France. 313. To what important events did the prowess of Great Britain and her allies more immediately lead. The overthrow of Napoleon, who, having abdicated the throne which he hud usurped, was allowed to retire to the island of Elba in the Mediterranean Sea, the sovereignty of which island he accepted in lieu of his former extensive dominions. Louis XVIII. was placed on the throne of his ancestors, and a treaty of peace signed by all the belliger* cnt powers. 314. What part did England take in the cause? England, after sustaining the burden of a continued war of more than twenty years, was still ready to assist and ani- mate her allies on every occasion, and put forth her strength with undiminshed ardour. England was ui iform, persever- ing, undaunted and undismayed, in a contest of unexampled difficulty. 31.5. What was the state of Europe after the peace of Paris? A general congress was held at Vienna, by the principal sovereigns of Europe, for the purpose of establishing a bal- ance of power, and securing the tranquility of the Continent. Their delibeirations were at first attended with success, and •ecmed to prognosticate atiappy termination of their labours ; i HiBTOBT Of EvOLAWD. 47 I when the eicapc of Buonaparto from Elba obliged them once more to lead their armioa to the field of battle. 316. When did Napoleon Buonaparte make his escape, and what was his success 1 He landed on the coast of France in March, 1815; and having been joined by the greater part of those officers who owed their elevation to his favor, end by that army which had been so long accustomed to serve him, he marched with* nut opposition to Paris, and again seated himself on the French throne, Louis having retired to Ghent. 317. How did the allied sovereigns determine to act? No sooner was the news of this event communicated to tho allied sovereigns assembled at Vienna, than, with an unanimous voice, they resolved to support the cause of the French monarch, and to hurl the usurper from his throne. 318. What was the result of their endeavors ? Both sides prepared with great energy to toke the field ; and Napoleon, in hopes of overthrowing the British and Prussians before the other allies could assemble their forces, suddenly led a considerable army into Belgium. Crossing the river Sambre, he drove In the Prussian outposts on the 15th of June, and defeated Blucher in an obstinately co i- tested battle at Ligtiy, on the I6th, on which day the Eng- lish advanced-guard sustained a fierce attack at Quatre-Bras (or the cross-roads), where the duke of Brunswick fell in action ; but nothing was able to withstand the courage of the English, Scotch and Irish, under the duke of Welling- ton, who, after a glorious exhibition of coolness, endurance, and tact, gained a complete victory near Waterloo on the 18th of June, I8I5. 319. What were the numbers of the respective armies on this occasion 1 Buonaparte*s army amounted to about one hundred and fifty thousand men, of whom twenty-five thousand were cavalry, and mostly experienced troops. The Prussian general, Blucher, commanded about one hundred thousand men ; and the duke of Wellington about seventy thousand ; but in the previous conflict between the Prussians and the French, on the IGth June, only eighty thousand of the former had come up, and were opposed to f| hundred thou- gand of the latter. 4t ClTICHIIlC Of TBI \ 320. What wai the event of the battle of Waterloo 1 The French were beaten by the allied forcca before the remainder of the Pruaaiuna came up; and at the cloae of the defeat, about fifty thouaand men eff(*cted their eacape, leaving behind them one hundred and fifty piecea of cannon and their ammunition. Grouchy retreated alao with hia corps from Wavre* and the French troopa, dcacrted by their emperor, withdrew beyond the river Loire. 331. What waa the loaa of tbe^Hritiah army t Oenerala Sir Thomaa Picton and 8ir W. Ponaonby, and four colonels were killed ; ttine generals, five colonels, and a number of inferior oflliceri« were wounded; and the killed, wounded and misaing of non-commissioned oflicera and privates, Urilish and Hanoveriana, amounted to nearly thir- teen thouaand. 322. What was the consequence of this victory 1 The military power of France being annihilated, nothing could oppose the progress of the British and Prussian forces, who made themselves masters of the French metropolis, and ended the campaign, and with it the war, in less than fourteen daya. 39ecame of Buonaparte! ^'I'he French royal family waa restored, and Buonaparte, having in vain attempted to make his escape, delivered him- self up to the English. He was conveyed to the English coast in the Bcller'ophon, and remained till at length it was determined to send him to the island of St. Helena, as a place of security. 324. What was the final close of Buonaparte's career 1 He died at St. Helena, of a cancer in his stomoch, in 1821. 325. Were tbere not somo afflicting circumstances in regard to the king's health ? Yes ; in the year 1788 George HT. was attacked by a tem< pf^rary privation of reason, but happily recovered in the following year. The malady, however, returned in 1810, and he waa not afterwards able to exercise the duties of his high station ; in consequence of which, the prince of Wales, who was the heir-apparent to the crown, governed the kingdom under the title of Kegentt ./ HirroBT OF Exolano. 40 i 326. Did not Groat Britain signalize herself by the chai- tiscment of the Atgerinesi Yc8 ; many atrocities having been committed by the Algerines, in their piratical attacks on the ships of almost every European nation, the governmert equipped a fleet under Lord Exinouth, in 1816, to compel them to abandon their inhuman practices. To this, after the bombardment of their capital, they were obliged to consent. 327. What was the internal state of Britain at this time? The sudden change from a state of war to that of peace did not, at the same time, bring with it the blessings of re- pose ; but, on the contrary, our commercial and manufac- turing interests were seriously aflected by it. and the want of sufficient employment pressed heavily on the lower orders of the people. 328. Was not the public mind much agitated by numerous meetings of the populace, which took place in various parts of this country ? Yes; under the pretence of petitioning the legislature for a reform of parliament, immense multitudes assembled in London and other large towns, and the inflammatory speeches, which were there delivered, excited the turbulent part of the populace to acts of violence. 329. At what places did this spirit of insubordination chiefly manifest itself? In London, Manchester, Derby, &c. ; in consequence of which the parliament passed a Bill for the suspension of the Habeas Corpus* Act, and some of the most active ringleaders were apprehended under warrants from the Secretary of State. 330. What was the consequence t Several were tried on charges of high treason, and acquitted ; others were found guilty and executed ; while the greater part, after having been conflned for a considerable length of time, were liberated, and the Suspension Bill was repealed. 331. What lamented event in the history of the country took place in 18171 * The writ otffabeat Corpus is the great barrier againit arbitrary imprlsonmeDt, as by it a prisoner may compel the Coarts of law to ihow a cause why he should not be set at liberty, b9 TV .%^ M ClTlCBim Of Tlllt The death of Die PrinceM Charlotte ef Watea. On the fith of November, thia accompliahed and amiable princeaa died, a(\er having given birth to a atill-born aon. 832. How did the public feel on thia melancholy occasion 1 So unexpected and calamitoua an event, happening at a moment when the whole nation waa elated with the proi- pect of having an heir to the throne, the ofTopring of their beloved princeaa, filled the heart of every one with unexam- pled grief. 833. Waa not kcr funeral obaerved with great aolemnity 1 Yeii never waa grief more aincere or the eipreaaion of it more reapectful. The day of her funeral waa observed in every part of the empire aa one of general mourning and hulniliation : and the aorrow that pervaded every heart on thia occasion, affords an undeniable testimony of the high eatimatlon in which her virtuea were held. 834. To what eventa did the lamented death of the Prin- ceaa Charlotte give riae 1 Her death having interrupted the direct line of succession to the throne, her unmarried undeaaought auch alliances as their own rank and the intereata of the kingdom demanded. 88ft. Did not a meeting of thoae aovereigna with whom England had lately been in alliance take place about the aame tim* t Yea ; peace having been fully eatablished in Europe, a meeting of the allied sovereigns waa held at Aix-la-Chapellc, where it was agreed that the troopa left in France, f«)r the purpoae of giving stability to the monarchical power, were no longer necessary, and they were accordingly recalled. 836. What events of a political nature took place in Eng- land in the year 18191 The country was in a state of considerable agitation from the large and numerous meetings of the populace, who were atyled Radical Reformers. One of these meetings at length terminated very fatally at Manchester. 337. Relate the circumstances attending it. On the 16th of August an immense multitude of persona assembled at Manchester, with banners indicative of their principlea, headed by Mr. Hunt, a peraon who had made bimeelf notorious at similar meetings on former occasions, '! HiiTonr or Emolaho. tl Ing- gth Df, The mngittrncy, coniidcring such an nsarniblage likely to proceed to violence, had ciillcd to the aid of iho civil power tworogimentf ofyeomnnry nnd tiome regular troops; a party of the former being ordered to aeaiat in securing the leaders, and lo disperse the people, a scene of terror and confusion ensued, whereby some persons lost their Uvea, and many were seriously wounded. 338. To what did this leod t Tho government thouj^ht it expedient to prevent such mertingH of the people in future, unksv they were convened by persons in authority ; and for that and other purpoHcs, restrictive acts were passed, not, however, without consider- oble opposition from those members who advocated the cause of parliamentary reform. 33U. Was not the commencement of the year 1820 ren- dered remarkable in a melancholy manner by tho death of two illustrious perrons ? Ycm ; on the 23rd of January the Duke of Kent expired at his cottage at Sidmouth, in Devonshire, from inflammation brought on by cold. His royal highness, who was sincerely lamented, left an infant daughter, Alexandrina Victoria, (her present Majesty). Queen Charlotte had died in 1818. 340. Who was the other illustrious person who died at this period ? * llis venerable Majesty, George the Third, who expired on- the 29th of January, 1820, in the 60th year of his reign, and the 82nd of his age. The long and severe malady that this just and omiable monarch had cn'!ured, had prepared his atToctionale subjects for the melancholy event ; but though lon^ expected, his death was sincerely lamented. 341. Was not his reign signalized by many important discoveries, inventions, ond intprovements? Yes ; by the discovery of various islands and countries in different parts of the world; by the introduction of vaccina- tion as a protection against the small-pox ; by the use of gas for the purpose of lighting our streets, churches, manu- factories, and shops ; by the employment of steam for the purpose of propelling ship^ at sea, and va-ious machines on land ; also by numerous improvements in chemistry and other feiencei. ^■. 52 Catichism ot thi ^ 943. Was not George the Third celebrated likewise for the encouragement he gave to the arts of painting and sculpture t Yes ; it was under his auspices that the Royal Academy for painting was founded at Somerset House. 343. What great men flourished during this reign t The poets Burns, Cowpcr, and Goldsmith ; the historians Hume, Smollett, and Gibbon ; the writers Johnson, Adam Smith, Paley, and Biackstone ; the inventors Watt, Brind- ley, and Arkwright; tho statesmen Burke, Pitt, and Fox ; the artists Reynolds, Lawrence, and Turner ; and a host of others. CHAPTER XV. George the Fourth, 344. By whom was George the Third succeeded t By his eldest son, George, Prince of Wales, at that time Regent of the kingdom ; who was publicly proclaimed in London and Westminster. 345. By what other occurrences was the year distin- guished 1 ; By a general election throughout the United Kingdom, and by the trials of Mr. Hunt, and others at York, on a charge of attending, &c. the meeting at Manchester, (which had beei^ decreed an illegal one), and of Sir Francis Burdett, at Leicester, for writing a letter on that occasion, reflecting on the conduct of government. In both instances the de- fendants were found guilty and imprisoned. Also by the trials and conviction of the Cato-street conspirators. 346. What other event of importance occurred during the year 1820? Her Majesty, Queen Caroline, who had for several years been residing abroad, and who, in her absence, had been accused of improper conduct, arrived at Dover, to meet tho charges which had been made against her. 347. To what did her arrival lead ? To her public trial hy the pe^rs of the realm, in the House of Lords, where she appeared personally ; and although there was a small majority of votes against her, the govern- ment deemed it advisable to drop the proceedings, and allow her X50|000 per annumi to support the dignity of her station. W i\ HiaTOBT or Ekoliki. 63 if- 4 ;;S-" m 'W' i> ^' 348. What was the next event of.public interest ? The coronation of his Majesty George the Fourth, in Westminster Abbey, 1821 ; after which the king visited Iieiand. 349. What occurred in London during the king's ab- sence ? The death of the queen. Her remains were taken to Brunswick, to be interred in the family vault ; but the fune- ral procession having been ordered by the government not to pass through the city of London, and the populace being resolved that it should go by no other route, serious disturb- ances took place. 350. What were the next memorable events? The king's return from Ireland, and subsequent visit to Hanover; and his visit in th3 summer of 1822 to Scotland. 351. What celebrated statesnian died at this period ? The Marquis of Londonderry, who in a fit of insanity ter- minated his existence. 352. What celebrated English Poet died in 1824, and in what cause was he engaged ? George, Lord Byron, whilst assisting the Greeks against their Turkish oppressors. 353. What celebrated men died in the year 18271 Frederick, Duke of York, Heir Presumptive to the throne, and the Right Hon. George Canning, Prime Minister of Great Britain. 354. What political changes occurred at this period ? The Earl of Liverpool being incapacitated, by a fit of apoplexy, from attending to his public duties, was succeeded by the Hon. George Canning as Prime Minister. 355. How long did Mr. Canning hold office 1 Only until the 8th of August foiloi^ing, the fatigues and difficulties he had to contend with having aggravated a disease he had already neglected, he expired on that day. 356. What remarkable naval event occurred in the year 1827? The Turkish government having refused to adopt pacific measures refpecting its Greek subjects, a serious misunder- standing arose ; and a combined fiect of f^nglish, French» -.1^* 64 CATEcatix or thb and Roseinn ships encountered the Turkish fleet in the harbor of Navarino, where a furious battle ensued, in which the Turks were completely defnated. 357. What was the state o\ affairs in 1828 ? The Duke of Wellington, with a new ministry, succeeded Lord Goderich, and the Test and Corporation Acts were repealed. 358. What remarkable characters died in the year 1828 ? Dr. Sutton, Archbishop of Canterbury, having filled that high station twenty-three years ; and the Earl of Liverpool, many years Prime Minister of England. 359. What were the chief events of 1829 ? The passing of the act admitting the Roman Catholics to , the fullest political privileges. 360. When did the death of George the Fourth occur? In June, 1830, after a reign principally remarkable for a long-continued peace, fmd for the great architectural improve- ments made in the capital. CHAPTER XVL Wiiiiam the Fourth. 361. By whom was George the Fourth succeeded ? By his brother the Duke of Clarence, who ascended the throne as William the Fourth, and reigned seven years. The first year of the reign was marked by the opening of the first railway — that from Liverpool to Manchester, and by the first appearance of the Asiatic cholera. 362. What were the chief events of the early parts of his reign 1 The great political excitement caused by the agitation of the question of the Reform of the Commons* House of Par- liament. 363. What was the progress of that question! On the assembling of the parliament, the Duke of Wel- lington, as Prime Minister, declared his determination not to advocate the measure in any shape ; and a new administra- tion, with Earl Grey at its head, was formed in November, 1830. On the 1 8th March following, Lord John Ruitscll presented a bill in the House of Commons for a very e:(ten* i ih i lis el. to ra- n- # .li^'V' *', .. HisTORT or Eaolaxd* 55 five alteration of the representation ; but it wai carried after much severe debating, by a majority of one only, and tha parliament was dissolved. The bill was again introduced op the re-assembling of the Parliament in June, and was carried up to the house of Lords, where it was rejected. 364. What was the result of this rejection t The greatest pulitical excitement all over the country, which manifested itself in the formation of associations and the assemblage of large multitudes to agitate the question. 365. How diJ the Parliament proceed ! ^ In December it re-assembled, and the Reform Bill, some- what modified, was again introduced Into the Commons* House, from which, after a protracted debate, it was sent to the Upper House ; whore, after a most animated discussion, it was passed : several Lords withdrawing in consequence of His Majesty's express declaration that he would create Peers to carry the measure, if opposition was persisted in. The royal assent was given to this, certainly the most important act since the settlement of the crown in 1688, on the 7th of June, 1832. 366. What were the other measures of the session t Reform Acts applying to Ireland and Scotland, which passed with little opposition. 367. What were the other important events in this reign ? The renewal of the Charters of the Bank and £ast India Company; the total abolition of Slavery from the 1st of August 1834, in the British Dominions; the Bill for the amendment of the Poor Law; and the renewal of the Irish Coercion Bill, in consequence of the tumultuous state of that country. The great men of these two short reigns were Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey, Campbell, and Moore, poets; Scott, Sydney Smith, Alison, Macintosh, Brougham, and Mill, prose writers; Davy, Banks, Telford, and Stephen- son, men of science; and Clarkson and Wilberforce, philan- thropists. CHAPTER XVH. Victoria, 363. Who succeeded William IV 1 His niece Victoria, the daughter of Edward, Duk« of Kent, and of Victoria of Saxe Cob^urg. She was aboiit 6e Catechism or tbb nineteen years of age, and was soon afterwards married to Prince Albert of Saxe Cobourg, her cousin. 369. What has been the character of the present Queen, and her husband 1 Such as to win for them the v;'armest love and reverence of the many millions of British subjects throughout the world. They were tenderly attached to each other and to their people; and the death of the Prince Consort in 1861, casta gloom over the Court which still oppresses it. Science, Art, agriculture, and social amelioration lost in Prince Albert one of their most earnest and generous well-wishers in this era. 370. Name the Queen's children. 1. Victoria, the Princess Royal, who married the Prince of Prussia; 2. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Heir Ap- parent to the throne, who married Alexandra of Denmark ; 3. Alice, who married Prince Louis of Hesse; 4. Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, now serving in the navy ; 5. Helena ; 6. Louisa; 7. Arthur; 8. Leopold ; 9. Beatrice. 37 i. What possession did Britain lose at Victoria's acces- sion? l*he kingdom of Hanover. The S|ilic law, which prevails there, excludes females from the succession, and the throne of that country passed, therefore, to the next male heir, viz., Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, the queen's eldest surviving uncle. 372. What was the first remarkable event of this reign 1 A rebellion in Lower Canada, caused by discontent among the French of that colony ; but it was put down without difficulty early in 1838, the leaders fiying to the United States. Upper and Lower Canada were then united. 373. Was there not discontent in England itself also at this time 1 Yes; a number of the working classes, called Chartists, were concocting seditious schemes, and even attacked New- port in South Wales, 1839; but they were easily dispersed. A subsequent attempt at sedition, by the same party, in 1848, was still more easily suppressed. 374. Has not the present reign been distinguished by remarkable events in the colonies] h HisTonr of Enolahd. 67 Preeminently so, for though Britain herself has been (with one remnrkahle exception) at peace with Europe, few years of the reign have been unmarked by colonial wars. 375. What were the most noteworthy ? The Chinese, AHghnn, Sikh, Burmese, Kafir, and New Zealand wars, and the Sepoy mutiny. 376. What has been the general character of the Chincso wars ! They have mostly arisen from the dislike of the Chinese govarnment to admit Europeans to trade in their ports, and they havo been the more fregucnt and protracted from their bad faith in treaties. In 1842, at the treaty of Nankin, Sir H. Pottinger forced them to pay a heavy indemnity, to cede the island of Hong Kong to Britain, and to open five of their ports to British trade. In another war in 1856, the British and French seized Canton and forlied them to open all their country to European traders and missionaries. This treaty again having been broken by the "celestials,** the same forces captured Pekin itself, and brought them to reason. 377. Relate the circumstances of the Affghan war. Fearing Russian encroachment in India, Britain sent an army in 1839 under Sir John Keane, to occupy Affghanistan, as the Afighans favored Russia. Candahar, Cabul, and Ghuznee were taken ; but the Affghans suddenly rose, and slaughtered all the British in the country. To revenge this outrage. Pollock led a second army there, destroyed Cabul, and withdrew, after inflicting a severe punishment on the barbarians. 378. What war resulted from and followed this lastl The war in Scinde, which was quickly finished by Sir Charles Napier, in the great victories of Meanee and Hydra* bad. Scinde was then annexed to British India. 379. What war followed this ? The Sikh war, which was distinguished by the battles gained by Gough and Hardinge at Ferozeshah, Aliwal, Sobraon, Chillianwallah and Goojerat, and ended in the an- nexation of the Punjab in 1849. 380. What occurred in Scotland in 1843 ? The disruptoin in the Established Kirk. A large party thought that the Church should be more independent of th« 5t CATicHrsM or trb V State and of lay patronagt, and formed, therefore, a separate religious body called the Free Kirk. 381. What occurrence took place in Ireland in the same year 1 The agitation by Daniel 0*Connell and^others for a repeal of the Union, which was suppressed, and the leadsrs brought to trial, but released. Two years after, the pntato>b!ight caused great distress there, which was, however, alleviated by generous aid from Britain and America, and by an extraor- dinary emigration. During the ten years from 1840 to 18.50, the population of the island decreased by about 2,000,000. This Irish exodus was further stimulated by the gold dis- coveries in California, (1847), and Australia, (1851), and resulted happily in a great increase of the population of these territories as well as of the United States and British A merica. 382. What was the great event of these years in England itself? The agitation for a repeal of the Corn Laws by the manufacturing classes, led by Cobdeu, Bright, Elliott and others, which resulted in the triumph of free trade in 1845; Sir Robert Peel giving place to Lord John Russell at Pre- mier. 383. What other great events occurred about the same time 1 The railway mania in England, which caused great commercial distress in 1847. Also the establishment of a national scheme for the education of the poor, and the intro- duction of the electric telegraph. 384. By what was the year 1848 distinguished 1 By many European revolutions. In France, Louis Phi- lippe was dethroned, and France declared a republic. After some months Louts Napoleon, nephew ofxhe great Buona- parte, was elected President, and four years afterwards became Emperor of the French under the title of Napoleon III. Tumults in Germany and Italy followed, as well ai renewed Chartist agitation in England under 0*Connor, and repeal agitation in Ireland under Smith O'Brien and others ; but all these came to nothing. 385. What were the chief events of 1850 ? •■ 'i i ,^;»' I HlSTOnT 07 EirOLAXD. 69 I The death of 8ir R. Peel by a full from his horse, and the re-establishment of the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Eng- land. 386. Was not the next year a famous one ? The year 1851 was one of the most famous of the reign. Prince Alfred and Sir R. Peel had conceived the idea of holding an Exhibition for the industry of all nations. Sir Joseph Paxton, the architect, projected a magnificent building in Hyde Park for its reception, composed of iron and glass ; and the artizans of all nations having filled it with the wonders of every art and clime, it was crowded by visitors from all parts of the world. After being kept open throughout the summer it was taken down and re-erectcd at Sydenham as a permanent place of public recreation, and still remains there. In the same year the first sub- marine telegraph was laid from Dover to Calais. 387. What events were occurring at this time in the colonies 1 The Kafir and Burmese wars. The former lasted from 1851 to 1853, and confirmed British supremacy in South Africa ; and the latter resulted in the annexation of Pegu to British India. Australia and British North America were now rapidly progressing — the latter from the prosperity in the ship building and timber trades. 388. What event marked the year 1852! The death of Wellington, the hero of Waterloo, and the Peninsular War. He wa<: buried with public honors, in St. Paul's Cathedral. 389. What was the next great event t The outbreak of the Crimean war. Europe had enjoyed peace for half a century, when in 1854,- the Czp.r Nicholas laid claim to a protectorate of the Greek subjects of Turkey. Enforcing this claim in a rather high handed manner by en- deavouring to seize the Roumann provinces (Moldavia and Wallachia), England and France came to the aid of Turk»»y against him. 390. What were the chief events of the war? The Turks under Omar Pasha bravely repulsed the Rus- sians at Silistria, and the allied fleets bombarded Odessa. But the chief theatre of the war was the Crimea, where tho •> 60 Catechism of thi English, French, Sardinian, and Turkish armies besieged the great fortress of Svbastopol for about a year. 391. What battles were fought outside its walls t Those of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman in 1854, and that of the Tchernaya in 1855. After having once unsuc- cessfully assaulted the place, the allies at length stormed and took it September 8th, 1855. Some other successes were gained in the Baltic; and Russia, thoroughly crippled, sought peace, which followed early in 1856. During the war Raglan and St. Arnand, (the English and French leaders), and the Emperor Nichclas himself, died. 392. What Asiatic wars followed soon after ! A war with China, already referred to, and the disastrous Sepoy mutiny in India in 1857. The story of this is fresh in the minds of all, — the glorious defence of Lucknow by the hero Havelock, and its relief by Sir Colin Campbell, the storming of the mutineers' headquarters at Delhi, the ex- ploits of Outram and the brothers Lawrence, and the trium- phant re-establishment of British rule in the East. The government of India was now transferred from the East India Company to the crown. 393. What events marked the year I860 ? The renewal of the war with China, in which the Anglo- French army stormed Pekin and conquered a peace. Also the visit of the Prince of Wales to America at the invitation of the Canadians. The Prince inaugurated the great Victoria Bridge at Montreal, and then made a tour through Canada, the lower Provinces, and great part of the United States, being everywhere received with an enthusiastic welcome. 394. What was the next great event 1 The outbreak of civil war in the United States. The Southern States, having been for some time discontented, at last, in 1861, seceded from the Union, elected .TefTerson Davis their President, -made Richmond, in Virginia, their capital ; and for four years, under the name of the Southern Confederacy, maintained themselves against the attacks of the Federal government. During this melancholy war, both sides showed the most determined valor, but the Southern coasts being blockaded by the Federal fleet, and thus shut out from help or supplies from abroad, the Confederacy at J«it succumbed in the summer of 1865. i ': i -4 HlSTOUT OF EsOLASri). 61 i I 395. How did this war affect England t British sentiment was divided as to the merits of tho quarrel, but Iho Southerners were recognized as belligerentf*, and managed to obtain some famous privateers from British builders, which severely damaged Northern commerce ; while the stoppage of the supplies of cotton, the great staple of the Southern States, caused sad distress in the cotton districts of Lancashire. 396. What were tho final issues of the warl Davis was taken prisoner, Leo, the Southern general, surrendered to Grant, the commander of the Federal armies, and the Southern States were placed under military occu- pation. President Lincoln, just after having beheld the successful restoration of Northern supremacy, was foully assassinated ; and slavery was abolished in the United States. Both sides had made fearful sacrifices in men and money, from which they are still suffering, but things are now gradually mending, and peace and order being restored. The most recent effect of the war is the elevation of its chief hero, General Grant, to the Presidency of the neigh- boring Republic. 397. What other events marked the year 1865 ? The failure of a second attempt to lay down a submarine telegraph across the Atlantic. (The first attempt had been made in 1858.) A third trial, however, in 1866, was suc<* cessful, and this great triumph of science is now complete. Also a project for a Confederation of the Provinces of British North America. 398. Did this project succeed ? Ves ; though not completely. After exciting political contests in the different colonies, a Legislative Union was effected between old Canada and the lower Provinces (except Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland),* to date from July Ist, 1867. The city of Ottawa was chosen as the capital of the new Confederation, called the " Dominion of Canada." Means were also taken to secure a union of commercial interests as well as of legislatures, by the con- struction of an Intercolonial railroad, to run through New Brunswick, and thus connect the Grand Trunk railway of Canada with tho seaboard at Halifax, N. S. * Newfoundland has noTf joinoi the Union of the Provincei , 63 Catschism or rni 809i VVhal important events in Europe signulized the year 18661 A great civil war in Germany caused by the question of tliu right of Denmark to birswiek Holstein. Austria at first aetcd witli Prussia, hut finding this httter power act with insulting arro^^ance, she took hostile ground. The war was decided in a stiort but most disastrous campaign which lasted less than a month, /iustria was utterly Ituin* bled at the battle of C^adowa, in Buhemia, in coniiequence of the Prussian troops having l>cen armed with that terrific weapon, the new breech-loading ** needle gun/' and ceased to be the leading power in Germany. The small princi- palities were merged m one great State reaching from the Maine to the Baltic, called the North German Confederation. The diflttrent States of Italy had in like manner i^een con- solidated under Victor Emmanuel, King of Sardinia, in 18.'}9. The new kingdom of Italy acted in alliance with Prussia in this war, receiving as its reward the province of Vcnctia. Thus .Austrian ascendancy was destroyed both in Germany and Italy. While on this subject of European revolutions, we may mention that in Spain in 1868, in which the despotic rule of queen Isabella has been overthrown ; but the future government of that country has not yet been determined. 400.^What are the must recent topics of interest in Eng- land t 1st. The expedition to Abyssinia to chastise the barbarian acts of its pretended king Theodore, which ended success- fully in the storming of his mountain fortress of Magdala by Sir Robert Napier at the head of a part of the Indian army. 2nd. The great extension of the franchise by the Reform Bill of 1868; and 3rd. The recent elections, which hnve displaced the Con- servative ministry of Derby and Disraeli by a Liberal majority under Gladston«%»pledged to dis-establish and dis- endow the Protestant Episcopal Church in Ireland. 401. Have the social events of the reign been of equal importance to its political movements ? Fully so. Some of them have been mentioned, but the UmiU of thif little book would fail to contain all. The civili- M world bai been coyere4 with railwavs, cantili, telegraph i lIisTonT or EkolanDi 63 lines, and factories ; the ocean traversed in till it« wide fxp'.inse Uy steam: the vast deserts of Ct'titral Asia, Africa, and Austrniia cro^grd ; the hcav<*n8 mnpprd out; the icy solitudes of the Poles explored ; the Alps arc heing tunnrl- Itfd, the Rocky Mountains surmounted hy railwnys, and the Isthmus of Suez threaded hy a ship cam! ; the secrets of nature are heing revealed — in chemistry, optics, aHtronnmy, electricity and hiology. And all these wondrous triumphs are for the many ; not, as formerly, for the few. A che:4p press brings the thoughts of the highest and greatest within the reach of the humMest. In this progress the Anglo 8axon race stands foremost. Its language is spoken l*y about 70 niillions of people, and confessedly contains the greatest treasures of ancient or modern literature. It forms the most powerful monarchy and the greatest rrpublic of modern history. And no better commendation can be given of the British con.stitution than that the new States which arise — Belgium, the kingdom of Italy, and the North Ger- man Confederation — make it their model. War might change this prosperity, but war is becoming so destructive that nations stand aghast at entering on it. And even if it come, — **Nonght can make us rue. If England to bcrself do rest but true." K, John, Act v., S. 7. . 7 J 'Si a . s i QO f J CONTENTS. ,^ . ^ Chapter I- The Ancient Britons, Page 3 " II. Roman Britain 5 •• III. The Saxon Heptarchy 6 " IV; The Early Saxon Kings 8 " V. The Later Saxon Kings, 10 •• IV. The Danes in England 14 " VII. Saxon Monarchy Restored, 15 •• VIII. The Norman Line,- ^* •• William the Conqueror 17 " •• William the Second 18 " . •• Henry the First 18 •• " Stephen... 19 •• IX. The Plantagenet Line.— " " Henry the Second 20 " " Richard the First, 20 John 21 HenrytheThird 22 " Edward the First 23 " ** Edward the Second 23 Edward the Third 24 *• •• Richard the Second 25 *' . X. The House of Lrncaster, — Henry the Fourth 25 Henry the Fifth 26 ". •• Henry the Sixth 27 XI. The Hoase of York,- *• ** Edward IV.. and Edward V 28 Richard the Third 29 *• XII. The Line of Tudor,— •• •' Henry the Seventh 29 " " Henry the Eighth 30 •• •* Edward the Sixth 31 Mary I.. 32 Queen Elizabeth 32 •• XIII. The Line of Stuart,— JamesI.ofEngl'd&VLofScotrd, 34 " " Charles the First 35 •• *• The Commonwealth, 36 •* *• Charles tne Second, 37 " •• James the Second 37 " William IIL and Mary II. 38 " •• Queen Anne 39 ** XIV. The Line of Brunswick or Hanover,— " •* George the First 39 *• •* George the Second 40 " " George the Third 41 " XV. ^ George the Fourth 52 " XVI. William the Fourth 54 •' XVII. Victoria, 55 Descent of English Monarchs,— tahle, 64 ■m ^<