N^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4p 4^ ^ 1.0 ^^ fii ikitt : t& 12.0 I.I 11.25 i 1.4 ■ 1.6 Hiolographic ScMioes Carporatton 23 WIST MAIN STIUT WMITIR.N.Y. I4SM (7U)l7a-4MI ^%^' ^^' ^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadiii)? tnttitut* for Historical Microroproductiont / Institut Canadian da microraproductiona hiatoriquaa Tachnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa tachniquaa at bibliographiquaa Tha Instituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. 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'., yjj.";-V / ■r' 1 THE HISTORY OF EJ^GLAND, FROM ITS EARLIEST PEE;lOl> TO THE PRESENT TIME, <-'■■( ;■ WRITTEN IN EASY LANGUAGE, FOR '-. ■^1?^c■^ THE USE OF YOUNG PERSONS. u^pf.-^ FIFTH CANADIAN EF'TION. : I V • MONTREAL: • THOMAS CAMPBELL, * (Sacceseor to late H. Ramsay,) FUBLI8HSR AND PRINTBR, 37 8T. FRANCOIS XAVIER IT. 1858$ .•!■/, ■;!,:,',,■ >;••■: X., ;■ "^I'v .: -:-■ '.mw i: , 'X Xify (•■ 'J ^; < ■; ADVERTISEMENT. fi'^if. !>'f-'"^'^' .-^ ■r— ,:. i,i!,5:il-/^^'^^l. The little Catechism^ no^ oifered to the Public, is designee^ to give British Youth a knowledge of the History of their Native Country. It contains a familiar description of the most remarkable events that have occurred from the period, when the in- habitants were barbarous and uncultivated, to the present time. The whole is intended to be com- mitted to memory at an early age, as comprising an Epitome of that with which every one should be familiary acquainted, and forms a very proper Introduction to the larger History of England from the press of the same Publisher. :-t ^''' ^■^•y:.*;l»'>^M';-'' ;M;'V--".i: .-'f CATECHISM # ■:.i«!;--^'j-i'' ■:>. %%' OF THE ,'■ ! A' HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ^ ,, CHAPTER I. 0/ the Original Inhabitants of Great Britain, Question, Whence is the origin of the first inhabitants of Great Britain 1 Amwer, Their origin is not to be traced with certainty, the earlier history ot this couiitry^ as of ail others^ being extr«rnely vagve and roman'ic. Q, What is the y^eneral opinion as to the first inhabitants of this island. A. The most geneial ant! indeed the otily probable opinion IS, that Britain was peopled at vario'js times from difF-rcnt parts ot the Continent, ot Europe ; but the precise lime,when the first settlement took placej is unknown. Q. What is the earliest accouitt of the Britons to which w6 can give credit ? A. The earliest received account is^ that a colony of the subjects of Teutat, king of the CeltsBj* embarking from the coast of France, landed and settled without opposition on the coast of Great Britain* Q. With what view^ did the Celtae settle on the coasts of Great Britain. A. With the intention of increasing and extending their commerce, to which they were induced and encouraged bjr their sovereign, who, on account of his attachment to the • The Cellae were originally from Celtic Gaol, which cotiutrjr Was situated between the rivers Seine and the Gamnile. Vague, a unsettled, not clearly ascenained< Romantic, a wild, improbable, fietitiousi CATECHISM OF THE commercial interests of the people, was styled, mercur or merchant : and hence we have the name of merchant. Q. Who also established themselves in Britain % A. The Belgae, a colony from the province of Bretagne in the north of France. Q. What is the origin of the Celtae and the Belgae ? A. They were two branches of the Gauls, who were supposed to have been descended from Gomer, the son of Japhet, youngest son of Noah. •;Y<» '■>* CHAPTER II. r-r^ Descriptive of the *dncient BrUons»^^^^^^^^^^^ Q. What is the general character of the Ancient Britons t A. They weie tall, well proportioned andro6u«/; they stained their bodies with a sea*weed, called woad, whicli not only defended the/^orc^ofthe skin from the inclemency o( {he weather in w inter, but gave them a fierce and formidable ap- pearance. They were considered a brave, warlike, and generous people, and they were particularly remarked for their honesty and sincerity. Q. What was their usual dress? ' '"'^' A. The dress of the chief.'persons was a kind of parti- coloured plaid,which descended from the waist to the middle of the leg; but this they must have tmpor/€(2; tor it does not appear that they had the least notion of ma ufacturing their Q. What was the usual dress of those who held any office of dignity, such as that of chieftain, prince, &c. 1 .^ ,;, .i-,^. Robust, a. strong, healthy, vlgorou«i. Pore, s. a hole or passage in the skin. Inclemency, s, severity, roughness. Formidable, a. terrible, dreadful, tremendous. Import, V, to bring in any thing from abroad. Jiihif:-Wyi ■'{■ir^r^i- HISTORY OP ENGLAND. D A. They wore, besides the plaid above described.chains of gold round their necks, and the women wore brace lets of the same metal ; but the generaMty of the Ancient Britons had no other covering than the skins of wild beasts, nor any oth^r ornamentthan a coarse painting of flowers and lig^ures of animals on different parts of their bodies. Q. Describe the habitations ot these Britons. A. They were a sort of huts or cottages, sometimes form- ed of boughs in the manner of arbours, and sometimes of mud and clay, according to the season of the year, and generally covered with turf. Q. What were their towns and villages % \. They consisted of a number of these huts, irregr^^rly placed at small distances from each other, and commonly situated in woods for the convenience of hunting, the avorite and necessary diversion of the people. ^ /| , Q. Did the early inhabitants of Britain confine them- selves to any particular spot, or did they roam about like the Tartars* of the present time ? A. The Ancient Britons, like the Tartars, roamed about from place to place,and formed encampments according to the different seasons of the year; in summer they generally inhabited the most fertile vallies,which afforded the greatest plenty of pasture and water for their cattle ; in winter they removed to the hilly cbuatries, as drier and more healthy. •The mliabitants of Tartary. descendants of the ancient Scyth- ians, who lived in a wandering state in a wild and extensive country of Aitia. Tartary is said to be 4000 miles in lensrth and 2448 in breadtli. It is divided into three parts, Chinese, Rusrian, and Independent Tartary ; Russian Tartary coraprehends all the northern fia.n% of Asia, sometimes called Seberia, but more gener- ally Asiatic Russia, •:', m ■i<,v'V: »N . »'>„tS :■••■ S jHi-'.f' ■>■ Encampmenti «. a Held of tents, which are generally formed of canvas stretched upon poles. ■■«%•.• ' f ■•'/'.■"■■■■ "^^ h '-^■'^' y CATECHISM OF THE Q. What was the usual d»€t of the inhabitants of 6ritai!i beiore the Belgae settled amongst thenrj 1 A. Milk and the flesh of such aninnals as they killed in huniin^; their common drink was water; but, when the Be!gaB came over from Gaul, they brouj^ht with them some knowledge of agriculture ^ and soon taught ihe inland Ih' babitanls the art ol cultivaring theii land, soas to produce the grain necessary for making that wholesome food which we distinguish by the name of bread. Q. Who were the inland inhabitants ? ji> .i- A. The CeltaB,"who hi' 'he sea-coast, and were suc- ceeded by the Belgae. Q. '^)f what grain did the Ancient Britons make their bread"? ,. , . A. Sometimes of wheat only, but usually of wheat, rye, and barley, mixed together. Q. What was the g;overnment of the early Britons 1 '■ A. Patriarchdty the hepd of each family being answer- able to the neighbouring tribes for the conduct ot the whole family. CHAPTER in. ^^ '^' jfc Of the different Orders among the Ancient Britons, Q. What were the several orders of the Ancient Britons f A. They were divi led into three classes,an8wering to our n'ibifity,clers[rffiivA commonalty; the last of whom were ittle better than slavesybeing dependent upon the other two. Diet, i, food, provisiniis for if liafying hunger. Agriculture, $. the art of tilling aiid manuring the ground so as to make it fjruitfiil. Patriarchal, a. reliilinif to a patriafch, or th* father of a family or tnb»*. The M'ord pHlrinrch is derived trom two Greek Words, < ' signifying father und chief. Nobiiiiy. $. the chief persons of the kingdom, w'.o, l>v their honours and titles, are exalted above the clergy and com- mons. Cleigy. «• a body of men set apart for the service of God and the Church. The privilejioa of the English Clergy are very consid- t HISTORY bliumtAND. Jit ill' Q. What was the condition of the nobility '^^f ' A. The nobility were considered in their sevi^ra!! iBtates as princes or chiefs, each being the lord of a certain district. Q. Who were the commonalty 1 A. The people of the lowest ranks, the common cr poor people. ., , ;.: dHAPTER IV. Ofih^ Clergy among the Ancient Britons, Q. How were the Clergy of tlie Ancient Britons divided % A. Into three orders ; namely, the Druids, Bards, and Vates ; these had the whole care of religrion, laws, and earnine^. Q. Which was the chief of these orders % A. The Druids,who had the inspection of all public affairs ^ under the authority of the his:h pi'iest,8tyled the wvrcA-Druic?*;. the latter had the power of calling the others to account, and even of deposing them. * Arch-Druid, a chief priest. Arch is a word derived fton^the ■* Greek (signifi^ing a principal or chief,) and is generally used toe^- press something of the first rank or order ; hence are named an archbishop, an archangel^ (a) &c. It sometimes implies a person endued with much low cunning. The Druids were in Britain the first and most distinguished order in the island, chosen out of the best families ; and the lipn- ours of their birth, added to their office, procured them the high- est veneration. They were well versed in astronomy, geometry, natural philosophy, politics, and geography, and for the most part held the management of all the affairs of tne nation, both civil and rsllgious. (a) Arch before a vowel is pronounced ark erahle ; they are exempt from all offices but their own, and their goods pay no tax or toll of any kind in fairs or markets. ComtnonHliv, ». the great mass of the population of a counfry, comprehending tho middle and lower orders. ,y b CATECHISM OP THB Q. What was the office of the Bards ? A. That of making^ verses in praise of heroes, and other eminent persons, which verses they set to music, and sung to their harps. Q. What was the occupation of the Vates. A. The study of philosophy and the works of nature ; and indeed of evei y art and science that could cont'ibute to excite the astonishment and fix the vene»atim of the people, who regarded them as deml'^ods* jendowed with more than moral wisdom, and tUuminated by celestial inapirat on, Q. What was the religion of the Ancient Britons 1 A. Idolatry of the worst kind, for they sometimes offered human aacrificet to their false gods. ; ,-, Q. What plant did the Druids hold in high estimation, and what inanimate objects did they worship ? . . ^ A. They reverenced the mistletoe and the oak, and wor- shipped rocks, stones, and fountains. * Demi-god, a half god. — Among the heathens, those great men whose heroic exploits rendered them illustrious, and entitled them to the veneration ot their countrymen, were, after death, honoured with the title o( Demugods. ■ ■*- ■.!•»,« /yv, .< ■ Veneration, s. great respect, regard. Endowed, part, portioned ; possessed, gifled. ^^ . Illuminated. |Mir^ enlightened, adurneo. '^ '' Celestial, a. heavenly. inspiration, s. wkuom, divine wisdom ; an infusion of ideas by a superior power. Idolatry, «. worship of images, or faltie gods, being that worship paid to the creature which is due only to the Creator, God. Human, a. belongiiig to or like man. Saorific*, <, act of offering, pr thing offered to Heaven, or to gods. Human sacrifices, men murdered and made an oflVriiig. Mistletoe, a plant of which there is only one kind in Europe. It never grows on the ground, but always receives its nourish- HISTORY OP ENGLAND. , and other c, and sung lature ; and ite to excite ►eople, who than moral • tons ? mes offered estimation, :,and wor- te ^reat men intitled them Ji, honoured f ideas by a lat worship or, God. or to gods, ng. Europe. It i nourish- Wh-^t became of the Druids? i iv. The greater part of them were pat to death by the command oif the Roman emperor Nero Q. How are we informed of different events that took place among the Ancient Britons, as it appears they were ignorant of writing and printing 1 A. By their Bards or poets, to whom was entiusted the record of national events ? CHAPTER V. Of the Govemmmts which existed in Brit(i!n before Willam the Conqueror, Q. Who successively governed England before its con- quest by William, duke of Normandy*? A. It was successively governed by 1. The Britons, the original inhabitants ; 2. The Romans ; 3. The Saxons, a people of Germa»iy ; 4. The Danes, natives of Denmark. CHAPTER VI. Invasion of England by Julins Ccesar, Q. Who first invaded Britain*? A. The Romans under Julius Caesar, 35 years before Christ. Q. Did the Britons oppose the Romansf ? * A very rich and fertild province of France. Normandy was conquered by the Normans: a people from Oenmark and Nor- way, iinder Kollo, in the year ^I'i: hence chis country received its name. t The inhabitants of Rome (see Note p. 10. §,) the chief city of Italy, ami ul one period the capital of the whole world, ft received the name ofKumefrom Romulus, its tounder. As this city was situated in the province of Latium. the inhabitants were Boniettmes called Latini or LaiiM\ hence the Roman lang%uiii9 i% called the Latin language. ment from some other plant, as the op.k, apple-tree, pear- tree, &;o. A 2 ». 10 CATSCHISM OF THE .■1^■ x: A. Yes ; and several battles ensued ; but the Britons, being defeated, were compelled to sue for peace. Yet, after a short campaign, Caesar was obliged to return into Gaul. Q. Did Caesar come back to England ? A. Yes, in the following: summer, with a great increase of force, an army of 20,000 foot, a considerable body of horse, and a fleet of 800 ships*. ^^ Q. Who was the commander of the British force in the time of J ulius Caesar ? A. Cassivelaunus, king of the Trinobantes. Q. Did the Britons oppose the second landing of Caesar? A. Yes ; but the contest was in vain ; for Caesar advanced into ihe country, burnt Verulamf, (2) the capital of Cassive- launust.and forced the Britons to submit to a yearly tribute : after these achievements he again withdrew his forces to the Continent^ and the Britons remained in quiet nearly a century. § Ancient Rome, in its full height of power, it said to have been twice as large as London, having had a population of four millions. At present it contains abt»ut 200,000 inhabitants, being no mere than one twentieth part ef the former number. * The Roman ships or vessels were principally galleys with oar*. fVeruIamwas situated in Hertfordshire, now St. Alban's. It has alto been named Verolamium. I In the time of Cassivelaunus, Britain was divided into a great number of petty states or kingdoms, each having a king or chief- tain of its own; and, as Cassivelaunus was much celebrated for his great prudence and valour, he was elected to the supreme command uy the other chiefs, and fixed his residence at Yerulam.— Casar'f Comnuntaries, Campaign,*, that spa«e of time an army keeps the field without going into winler-quarters, Ttibute, «. a tax which one prince or stat«n i^i A. In the year 20a ^M Q. How long was it after that time before the Romans completely abandoned this country ? A. Two hundred and forty years afterwards, A. D. 488 ; their empire being much on the decline, they were not able to preserve so distant a province. : i^" Q. How many years were the Britons subject to the Roman power % A* About 400 years. CHAPTER VIII. JBstory of the Britons from the Departure of the Romans to the Establishmefit of the Saxyn Heptarchy, Q. What people took advantage of the abject state of the Britons when the Romans withdrew their forces? * Th0 Picts were a people of Scotland also, bat mentioned only by later writers. They were variously named Peehts, Picti. or Fiet$^ and are supposed by some writers to have been so callea from pamting their naked bodies to terrify those they intended to attack. They are beheved to have originally emigrated from Seythia inio the northern parts of Britain, r.hence they ainioyed the English for a long series of time. The Picts inhabited the Low lAnds or the southern part of tjcotland, and the Caledonians the High Lands or the North of Scotland. Forth, s. one of the finest rivers in Scotland, which empties itself Into the German Ocean. Clyde, <.a fine and noted river in Scotland, passing bv Glasgow, and falling into the Frith of Clyde. The river alfbrds many romantic views* BISTORT OF ENGLAND. 19 A. The Picts and Caledonians, the ancient inhabitants of Scolland, who ravaged and desolated the country merely for a supply oi their temporary wants. Q. To whom did the Britons apply tor aid to assist them in repelling their invaders ? A. The Britons first applied to the Romans, but without success ; they afterwards solicited supcour and protection from^the Saxons, who complied with their request. Q. Who were the Saxons ? A. A people o*^ Saxony, in the north of Germany. * Q. When did the Saxons first send an army to assist the Britons, and under what commanders? A. They first sent an army in the year 450, commanded by Henjrist and Horsa, two brothers, who vver« highly re- nowned for their valour, and said to be descended from Woden, their principal deity. Q. Were the Saxons successful ag'ainst the Scots ? A. Yhs ; but they 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 An- glo-Saxon* Heptarchy. Q. Did all the Britons submit to the Saxon power? A. No; many of them, rather than submit to the con- querors, retired into Wales, then called Cambria, where they were sheltered by the inaccrissible mountains of that country, * Anglo-Saxon, a oompouiul adjective from Ihe words Angh and ^axon. The Anglo-Saxon heptarchy signifies thai ihe peo- ple composing ii were a mixture of Angles and Saxons, the form- er principally from Auglia, a province in Denmark, and the lat- ter from tSaxony. Temporary, a. cofttinuing only for a lime. Repelling, jxirt., the aet of driving buck. Resisting. Solicited, jMir^, begged, asked. ;.v 14 CATECHISM OP THE ^^ Q. What is the meaning of the word Heptarchy T A. It is derived from two Greek words, signifying seven and chief; hence it is applied to the Saxon power in Eng- land, which consisted of seven kings.* Q. What part of Great Britain did the Saxon heptarchy include? ^ A. Ttiat part of Great Britain called England. Q. Name the Several kingdoms of the Heptarchy, and hy whom they were founded. A. Their names were : — Kent, founded by Hengist. Sussex Ella. Wessex . .... Cerdic. 'A-;-*;'?*;;:-:':: i'\^ -.■;■. s'^.:: Essex Erchejnwin. Northumberland, ide and Eila. East Anglia . . Uffa. ^ Mercia Orida. ?^ • Q. Who were the most renowned defenders of the Bri- tons against the Saxons ?- A. The celebrated Ambrosiusf, and the famous king Ar- thur; the latrer was killed in battle about the year 456. Q. Did the Saxon princes continue lorig united 7 A. No; in a short time they disputed about their several rights, and, afteraseriesofwars, the whole of the heptarchy tell, and became subject to the pow^r of Effbert, king of; Wesse* , who caused himself to be crowned at Winchester (7) by the title of king of fint»land,A. D.82S, nearly 400 years after the first arrival of the Saxons in Britain ; and thus was laid the foundation of the kingdom of England. •There are generally reckoned only seven kingdoms; but there were first eis?ht, then seven, then six, llien again eiffht, in eonsequence of different revolutions. t- ■-'■■ t Arabrosius, king of the Britons, wis a native of Armerica (afterwards liamc Bretagne or Brittany) a province of France. He died at Winchester in 608. HISTORY OF ENGLAND^ 15 '..'■■■- ->v l^v CHAPTER IX. Of the English Line of Kings, Q. Enumerate the .English line of kings? A. The Saxons, Danish, Norman, Plantagenet, Tudor, Stuart, Orange or Nassau, and the line of Hanover or Bruns- wick. Q. How many princes of each line T A. Seventeen Saxons, three Danes, four Normails, four- teen Plantagenets, five Tudors, six Stuarts, and six of the line of Brunswick. Q. Who was the first king of England 7 A. Egbert, as was observed in the last chapter. Q. What people ravaged the coast of Britain during the reign of Egbert ? A. The Danes, but they were freqnently defeated. Q. Who succeeded Egbert ? A. His son, Ethelwoif, A.D.* «38, during whose feeble reign the Danes oftftn continued their depredations with but little interruption. Q. How \ong did Ethel woll reign, and wh»n did he die ? A. He reigned twenty y^ars, and died A.D. 857. Q. What remarkable event happened in Scotland during the reign of Ethelwoif 1 A. In this leign the Pict$. so formidable heretofore to the southern Britons, were entirely ex^frpa/fidbytheir neighbour* the Scots, after a long and terrible war between them. Q. What part of Scotland did the Picts mhabit 1 A. Scotland w>»s divided into two parts, oi.e called ihe Highlands, and the other the Lowlands : the Picts inha- bited the latter. Q. What was the ancient name of the Highlands of Scotland 7 The letters A.D. stand for the IjJitin words Anno Domini, which [signify in the year of our Lord, that is, the number of years aAer the birth of Christ when the event happened. Extirpated, part, rooted out, destroyed. V ■ \ m 16 CATECHISM OF THE i A. Caledonia; but this name at one period was applied to all Scotland, hence the Scots are sometimes called Caledonians. Q. To whonfi did Ethelwolf leave his dominions and royal power 1 A. To his second son, Ethelbert ; after him to his third son, Ethelred ; and then to Alfred, his youngest son : who all ia their turns succeeded to the crown. ^ ^^x T Q. What became of Ethelbald, the eMest son ? A. While Ethelwolf was at Rome, Ethelbald entered into a conspiracy to dethrohe his father, and seized the kii.gdom ; and he muUe so great a p«rty that Ethelwolf was obliged to give him up the kingdom of Wessex, and to rest content with that of Kent for himself. Q. How long did Ethelbald reign before his father's death, and how long after *? A. Two years before his death, and two and a half after his death. He died m 860. ^ iit'.. Q. Did any thing OL'cur worthy of remark in the reign of Ethelbert? - " ■^■M. A. Nothing except the incursions of the Danes, f ' p^ Q. How long did he reign, and when did he liief ^rt* •• i; A. He reigned five years after the death of his brother, and died in 866. Q. What happened in the reign of Ethelred I. ? A. The Danes made themselves masters of Northumber- land, and several other parts, in England, but were strongly opposed by Ethelred, who unfortunately received a mortal wound in a battle he fought with them near Wittingharn, A. D. 871 , in the sixth year of his reign. He was succeeded by Alfred the Great. Conspiracy, 5. a plot, a private agreement between two or more persons to commit some crime. Incursion, s. an invasion of a country, not amounting to a con- quest. Mortal, a. causing death, deadly. d a half after HISTORY OP ENGLAND. ^ 17 CHAPTER X. ^y. Of the Rei^n of Alfred the Great, Q. When did Alfred succeed to the crown of England 1 A. In the year 872, when the Danes were in the very heart of his dominions, and all the sea-ports were filled with their fleets. Q. Did Alfred give them battle % A. Yes ; and afier many engagerac nts he at length receiv^ ed 8u severe a defeat th it he was obliged to dismiss his fol lowers, and seek for safety in flight and concealment. Q. Whither did Alfred retire ? A. To the little Island of Athelney. (8) Somersetshire, a few miles below Taunton. Here h^ remained until he learned that the Danes haJ grown negligent from success. Q. What did Alfred then do ? A. He disguised himself as a harper or minstrel, and, having entered the Danish campy he made his observa- tions, returned to his triends, assembled his troops, and completely routed the enemy, Q. ^yhat became cf those who escaped? " A. They fled to a castle, but were soon compelled to sur- render to Alfred ; who pardoned them on condition that they and their leader Guthrum. shou'd emhrace Christianity; to which they consented, and Alfred conferred oh Guthrum the government of East Anglia and Northumberland. Q. What followed this victory ? A. Alfred was once more seated upon the throne, where he proved himself, with scarcely any exception, the best kmg that ever reigned. Q. Relate the remarkable events of Alfred's reign besides his defeating the Danes ? . Camp, 5* the place occupied by the teats of an army, when [they lodged in the field. ^^ / .;si; .? ,.:■.■ ■'.'■■■; ■. -:'r '«: "' ■< ■i']'^ . u . h\:f< 18 , ^ CATECHISM OP THE V .* A. He founded the university of Oxford ; (9) di vici . J En- gliind into shires, hundreds, and tythini^s; estab ished a national nnilitia ; encouraged learninjy: an'l learned men ; in-i vented a way of ineasurin(i;time l)vcandles,v;'hichvvere made to burn eight h urs each,.there being at this period no clocks or watches ; and made the navy very respectable. Q. How long did Alfred reign 7 ^ -j ^p A. He rpign*»d a little more than twenty-nine yeats, and died at Oxford on the 25th of October, 901. !.V CHAPTER XL '*'-,, vM- Of the Reigns of Edward, Jthelslan, EumunJf Edred, and Edwy, Q. Who succeeded Alfred the Great % A. Hisson, called Edward the Eider, who foui^^ht several battles with the Danes, and completely routed them ; he afterwards marched against the Welch, over whom he gained a decisive victory, and compelled the Welch King-, Rees ap Madoc, to sue for peace, and promise to pay an annual tribute for the future. Q. How long did he reign, when did he die, and where was he interred 7 A. He reigned twenty-tour years,died A D. 925, and was interred at Winchester. He was succeeded by his son Atheist an. ^*n> .^ ^ Q. Did Athelstan perform any act worthy of notice % A. Yes ; he obtained a great victory over the Danes in Northumberland, after which he reigned in tranquility being | regarded as one ot the ablest kiiigs of those times. He died in the year 041, and was syrcf ?d ;' by hi^ brother Ed- mund T. Q. What events happened in the time of Kdmund 7 University, s. a school or collection of colleges, where all the arts and scieufes are tauecame so powerful that P'dvvy was obliged to divide the [ingdom with his brother Edgar. He died after a reign \{ about four years, and was buried at Winchester. where all the Homa^re, 5. service, revert nee, respect, su!>mission, performed lo a sovereign or superior. Monastery, s, a house of religious lelirement, a convent. Abbot, s. the chief ruler of a monastery or abbey ; if a female she is styled abbess. Samv, t. a person eminent ior j^iety and virtue, ! .^ , ,, Faciiou, «. a parly, lumuU, sctlitipu. :^.«f ^M^ 20 CATECHISM OP THE •v.. .....;/ CHAPTER XII. ' ' Of the Reigns ofEds^ar, Edward^ Ethelred, and Edmuna Ironside. Q. By whom was Edwy succeeded ? A. By his brolher Ed^jar, A. D. 959,whose reign was one! continued calm without any wars or commotions ; this wasi owinjj; to his agreement with Dunstan and the powerful monks, and to his vast preparations both by sea and land,! 80 that none dared to attack him. Q. What triumph did he obtain? A. By the mere terror of his name he compelled the kings of Wales, Ireland, and the isle of Man to acknow- led^e him as their sovereign. Q. What rapaciof's animals infested Eng'land in the time of Edgar, and how did he destroy them ? A. The animals, which infested England, were wolves ; and, to extirpate them, Edgar changed the tribute, which the Welsh used to pay in money ,mto so many wolves* heads to be paid every year. This expedient in a few years effec- tually cleared the country, and there have been no wolves in England since, excepting those brought from abroad. Q. What other particulars rtlate to Edgar? A. He encoura^ted foreigners to settle in England; reigned sixteen years, died A. D. 975, aged thirty«otre, and was interred at Glastonbury. Q. By whom was he succecied 1 A. By his son, Edward the Martyr, who was murdered I at the instieation of his moth?r-in-law Elfrida after reign- ing three years and a halt. Q. By whom was he succeeded ? A. By his half-brother Ethelred, the second son of Edgar and Elfrida. Q. What events happened in this reign ? Rapacious, a. ravenuus, greedy. Infest, V. to harass, irouUle, of plague. Instigation, 5. the act of urging to a crime. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 21 ions; this uasj and in the time A* In this reign the Danes again invaded England jthey it first landed near Southampton (13) A. D. 981, and for len years afterwards there was nothing but plunderings, ^onflatsrations, nnuiders, and every imaginable misery.f^^ Q. What did Ethelred do to prevent the depredations cf Ihe Danes? A. He purchased their forbearance with great sums of joney, and made an alliance with Richard the Second, |ukeofiVormandy,by marrying Emma,sister to that prince. Q. What barbarous act did Ethelred commit to rid him- lelf of the Danes? ■*■-'■ ■'■; A. All the Danes who resided in England, except those East Anglia and Mercia, were by his ord«MS masmcred one day, the festivalof St Brice. Nov. 13th, 1002. Q. What did Sweyn iting of Denmark do when be [eard of this bloody act? A. He declared that he wouM never rest till he had a- (enged so monstrous an outrage ; and, thereupon equipping fleet of 200 ships, he invaded the country, not for plun- ir »s before, but to destroy it with rire and sword. Q. What was the result of this Danish exprditicnl A. Sweyn soon arrived in Engiund, made great havoc long the English, obliged them to pay him a large sum money, and after a long struggle compelled li^thelred to ike refus^e in the court of his brother-in-law, Richard ike of Normandy, 1013. }>> . Q. Did Ethelred ever return to England? /; -^ A. Shortly after, Sweyn dying, the nobility invited llhelred to return; but he did not long enjoy the throne^ lAlliaace, s, a union bftween ditferent parlies for Iheir mutual bfence. K union by marriage. [MBssrtcreU, part. Murdered. .y> JKqiiipped. part, fitted out, furnished. IKxpeditiou. s. a march ur voyage v^ith an intent to attack an )eniy. (speed, haste). -f;, Ic/uge, s. a shelter from danger. i ^ •'(•< ..v* ':•• .. '" ' ^^«•. ;^•/:■'^ • S3 CATECHtSM OFTRD for Canute, the successor of Sweyn, proved to be as pow* erfui an enemy as his predecessor, Q. How long ,v . „ i i Q. How long did Canute reign? .v.;^ ■ S A. Eighteen yeurs. He died in the year 1033, and left iree sons: Sweyn, who had Norway; Harold, England} Ind Hardicanute, Denmark. ♦ The tides are two periodicnl motions of ihe sea, called yftfo? |nd re/lux, or flow awd ebb. The tide is said to flow, when it ises or approaches the land ; lo ebb, when it recedes, or rt-tires )ward9the sea. The cause ofthe tides is the attraction of the u\ and moon, but chiefly the iatter. ,V .).,7i Impiety, s. ungodliness, wickedness. Jurisdiction, a, power, authority. Crucifix, a representation of our saviour on the crou* ■^^^'\M 24 ClAtECHISM OP THB \.ii^. Q. What events hapfien«d in Harold's reign ? A.. None of importance. He died in 1039 without issue in the fourth year of his reign, and was succeeded by his brother Hardicanute CHAPTER XIV. r ; S Ot Ihereigii of Hardtcinufe» ^ v^ >v4«^ Q. What events happened in the reign of Hardicanute ? A. He brought with him to England fifty Danish ships ; and,soon after he was crowned, he laid a heavy tax upon the nation to pay his fleet, which he sent back to I>enmark. Q. Did the nation quietly submit to this tax ? ;. A. No; the people of Worcester (14) opposed it with great violence, and two of the persons employed to collect it were killed ; which s^ incenftd ihe king that he sent the dukes of Wessex and Mercia, and the earl of Northumber- land, with their forces against Worcester, who after plun- dering the city for four days burni it to the giound. ', Q. What w as the general character of Hardicanute, and how long did he reign? - ^. ' A. He was brutally cruel and riniictive, and infamous for glu tonytand drunkenness ; he died suddenly as he was car- ousing at the wedding of a Danish Lord at Lambeth (15 ) Q. How did the English behave at his death 1 Issue s. oif{»pring, children. IrlcenBed, v. provoked. Brutally, ad. savagely, iiihamanly.' Vindiclive, o. given lo reveago, reveiigefuK Infamous, v. notorious, vile. Gluitoiiy, s. excess in eating. -''''*'' t Drukenness. «. excess in drinking strong liquors, or the habit of H getting drunk. '.jv-' v*v' \ Carousing, |KIf^, drinking freely. * lian^beth, «. a village, joining London. ^ A,., yi. ■ii,:> •'•■V-:*,. VvJ't '">^'~ .'.^ , or the habit of t. i 1 -T f t HISTORY OF KN6LAND. 25 ?•'■ »•»■ .■<;»- .•;•*■-■■ A. They rejoiced ; and for several centaries ^fter, they [observed the day of his death, June 8th, as a holiday, by 'the name of Hoctide. Q. In what year did he die ? A. In the year 1041, and in the second year of bis reign. I With hi.n ended the Monarchy of the Danes in England, . after it had lasted about 26 years; though the invasion of ' [these barbarians bad har assed the kingdom £50 years. CHAPTER XV. SAXON LINE RESTORED. \Ofthe Reign of Edward the Cmfessort and of Harold the • Second* Q. Who succeeded Hardicanute 7 A. Edward the Confetsor*, son of Ethelred and Emma; . [who had spent great part of his life in Normandy. Q. What «»vents happened in the reign of Edward ? A. He abolished for eyerthe tax culled Danegelt, which imounted to £40,000 a year, and had been levied for 38^ Q. Whom did he marry 7 '' '* -^ • A. The daughter of Earl Godwin, an Bnglis^ nobleman >f Saxon descent. ^ r- y-;■:..f^'.^^.<■-^:-■r- ^. What events happened in the reign of Edward besides ^ those already mentioned ? A. Edward built Westminister Abbey ; he collected the Saxon laws and cujtoms into one body, which were thence :alled by his name ; and he was the first monarch who • touched for the king's eviL Q. By whom was Edward succeeded 1 * He was surnamed the Confenor on account of bis piety. >Tn-- ', •;• r Dangealt, s. a tax formerly imposed on the people of En|3[Iand ' by the Danes, on their frequent inTasions, as th« arbrurarf terms of peace. . ^ >i Mci? 'f t > is^^ir A 3. M .f? CATECHISM OF THE , ":^*^^'' ::m A By Harold the Second, son of Earl Godwin^ who had all tbe 4;|ualtfications requisite for forming a great princie,, ^ Q. 'What events happened in this reign 1 A. In this reign England was invaded by the Normans^ j under William the Conqueror, who obtained the crown by the famous battle of Hastings, which^cost Harold his life. Q. Where d d William the Conqueror land his force, when he came over from Nor/nahn'v 1 A. At Pevensey (16) in Sussex, Sept. 29lb, 1066. Thence he marched along the shore^ as far as Hastings, where on the 14th of October was fought the battle above mentioned. There the brave Harold fell after a turbulent reign of nine months and nine days. With l^im totally ended the empire of the Anglo-Saxons in England, which had begun in the person of Hengist, above 600 years before. A TABLE " ■ '*^^^-^i^<- Of the Kings and Queens of England from the Conquest The Norman Line [a]. William I. William If. Reigned from 1066 to 1087 1087 to 1100 Sbtue of Blots [b]. Kenry I. -Stephen 1100 to 1135 1135 to 1154 The Pianiagenets [c] Reigned from 1154 to 1189 M 189 to 1199 1199 to 1216 m6 to 1272 1272 to 1307 1307 to 1326 1326 to 1377 1377 to 1399 Henry 11. Richard I. ' John Henry HI. Edward I. Edward II. Edward III. Richard II. ■»■■» ■ j^\ , (a) Q. What i« meant by the Norman LitUT A. The Norman Lin$ in so named from William the Con- queror, who came from Normandy in France. (b) Q. Whence is the name of the House of Blois'! A. This House is so named from Adela (the seventh child of William the Conqueror,) who was married to the Count of Bhis. t)f France. (c) Q. Whence named we the Flantagetut Raet ? A. From Henry the Second, who was the soa of Matilda, the B6cond child of Henry the First, and Geoffrey I'lantagenet, Duke 'Of Anjou, of France. , ;\ »'V"«: .,«».' ,»v« ■^:"' '■•*>■ Jn of Matilda, the antagentt, Xiolce SL HISTORY OP ENGLAND. ' 'iHi.. 27 :«-'.siiSvv.$:„f IThe Hou89 of Lancaster [d.] Reifff ed from [Henry IV. 1399 to 1412 Henry V. 1412 to 1422 [Henry VI. 1422 to 1461 The Houu of York [e.] [Edward IV. " 1461 to 1483 iCdward V. 1483 [Richard III. 1483 to 1485 The House of Tudor [f.] Henry VII. Henry VIII. [Edward VI. [Mary [Elizabeth 1485 to 1509 1509 to 1546 1546 to 1553 1553 to 1558 1558 to 1602 {The Commonwealth.'] .m:^s(:> m Ohaftes James I L Reigned from ^' 16€0tol685 1685 to 1688 {The Reiolution.^ William III. 1688tol?02 Anne 1702 to 1714 The House of Brunswick or Hanover Id,] Hm The House of Stuart [g.] j James I. 1602 to 1625 [Charles 1. 1625 to 1648 Greorge I, ' George II. George III* George IV. William IV. Victoria 1714 to 1727 1727 to 1760 1760 (0 1820 1820 to 1830 1830 to 1837 1838 viv^reg* (e) Q. Whence is named the House of Lancaster ? , A. From Henry the Fourth, who was the *6w of John «f GaClint, I duke of Lancaster. John of Gauiit was the fifih child of Edward , the Third. ^umv. - • [(e) Q. W}*tnce is the name of the House of York? • A. From Edward the Fourth, son of Ricnaird,duke of York, who vms ]mea]ly descended from Lionel duke of Clarence, the second ■ Bon of Edvfdrd the Hiird. (f.) Q. Whenre is the name of the Hoiise of IHtdorl A. This house received its name from He»ry the Seventh, who was the son of Margaret and Edmurul Tudor. Mnrgarel was a lineal descendant from John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, Edmund Tudor was the son of Ow«n Tudor, who married the widow of Henry the Fifth, (g) Q. Whence is the origin of the Hoiise of Stuart ? A. From James the First, who was the sou of Mary (whose family name was 8tuart,) queen of Scots, and Henry earl of Darnley, (d) Q Whence do we trace the House of Brunswick 1 A. From George the First, who was th** eldest son t>f Er- nesto* Augustus, diike (afterwards elector) of Brunswick Luue- burgh, for Hanover,) by Prniccss Sophia, daughter of Frederic king or Bohemia, iuid of Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of king * ■■■\^,, \^ A >'^M,»^_^,^ , '•■■*.^.-...^_*~.,Wi!i,«.i#.- 28 CATECHISM OF THE CHAPTER VL Of William the Conqueror, Q. Who was Wiiiiam the Conquerer ? A. The natural son of Robert the First, duke of Normandy. Q. What is meant by the Norman conquest ? A. The Cdnqiiest of England by William ine Norman. Q. What pretence had William to the sovereignty of England 'f ^ A. 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 Banes, had, in gratitude for the favours he had received, promised him his kingdom ; which, at his death, William came over to claim. Qi When was William crowned king o5 England ? A. On Christmas-day in the year 1066. Q. What were the principal events in the time of Williaid tlu) ddnqueror ? ' KV A* Doomsday-book was c.ompiled ; the curfew-bell es* * tablished ; the four terms of law appointed ; the New Forest in Hampshire laid out, and the Feudal law mtrqduced. Q. What was the doomsday-book ? A. An account of the value of every man's estate, and of cattle and servants upon it. Q. What was the curfew-bell T Junes tfa« First. The Elector of Brunsvfieh Luneburgh is more edtnmonly tailed Elector {now king) of Hanover, It is to be observed th^t the House of Brunswick is divided into two lines, that of Lundmrgh and Wolfenbuttel, so named from the cities of l/onebargh and Wolfenbuttel, the residences of the former princes. The yonnger branch is that of Brunswick-Lunebiirgh. the pre^seht line of the kings of England : and the elder branch, of Brunswick- Wolfenbuttel, the line of the heroic duke of Briinswick, who S'oriousIyfelHn avenging his country's cause at Quatre.Bras op e 16th of June, 181^ iw hh itandard in war, to protect hina in every danger, and remain in the field forty days at their own expense* ;; Q. What invention took place in bis r^ign I A. That of musical notea by a Frenchman. Q. What was the character ot William ? ^ A. He was a prince of great courage, capacity, and ambi- ion ; politic, stern, and vindictive. His stature was rather »w, but his Dody large and powerful, bis constitution robust, id bis bones and muscles so strong that there was hardly.* ' lan of that age who could bend his bow or handle hit arms. Q. What were the dominions ot William 1 , i? A. England and Normandy. lie reigned m Nornban^y renty-tvvo years, and twenty-one in England. He died |ear Rou^n, Sept. 9lh, 1087, in the 6l8t year of his age* CHAPTER XVJI. \>f the Reigns of William Rufus, Henry the Firsts and Stephen, i Q. Who succeeded William the Conqueror f A. His second son, William Rufus, who. in the thirteenth rear of his reign, was shot by accident, as ne was huntingilt [he new forest A.D. 1 100. He was buried at WineheiBter; Vassal, s. a dependent, a slave. Summoiin, «. a call ol authority, a demand* Standaid, m. an enuign. a flag. Politic, a. relating td the art of govevnment. Constitution, s, a f^rame of body or mind; fona of goverament. KJBiWWP'-'lM*!*" •^gP' N-4^.i4^* j,j2,^*«B ^.i *^. •••Vm >. .■ I •( ■..'■■•. .'1 30 CATECHISM OF THE Q. What was bis character 7 A. He was courageous almost to ferocity, and seems to have been endowed with very few virtues. Q. What were his dominions 7 A. England and Normandy. Q. Had he any children 1 A* No. Q. What were the remarkable events of his reign ? . A. The crusades, or holy wars, were set onfoot ; the^esign of which was to recover the Holy Land, and especially Jeru- salem, out of the hands of the Saracens. In 1Q89 William rebuilt London-Bridge, raised a new wall round the tower, and erected the famous wall at Westminster. Q. Why was he named Rufus % A. From his red hair and florid complexion, Q. Who was the successor of William II ? A. Henry the first, named Beauclerk, or the Scholar, on account of his great learning: he was the youngest son of William the Conqueror. t^c v Q. Whom' did he marry 1 A. Matilda, daughter of Malcolm, king of Scotland. Q* What event happene'i in the reign of Henry ? A. His only son, William, arid a natural daughter, were lost in sight of the Ens;li8h shore on their passage from Nor- mandy by the unskilfulness of the pilots. This affected Henry so deeply that he never smiled afterwards. Q. What was his character, and when did he die t A. He was an excellent monarch for the age in which he lived, of noble presence, valiant and politic. He died 1st December, 1135, aged sixty-seven, having reigned thiriy- five years. Q. Who succeeded Henry the First 7 Saracens, t. the inhabitants of Arabia Florid, a. flashed with red ; red. Complexion, «. the colour of the face. ^:,,. Pilot, i, one who conducts a ship. ,t..^'-' HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ^I y, and seems to A. Stephen of Bhia (17), nephew of Henry, and son of Ldeia, the fourth daughter of William the Conqueror. !*hough Stephen had taken the oath ofalUgiance to Maud )r Matilda, the daughter of Henry the First, in case he lied without issue male, he found means to supplant her, md place the crown upon his own head. Q. What remarkable event happened in the reign of Stephen ? A. During his reign, England was one continued scene >t bloodshed and horror from the contest of Maud, Stephen, md the barons. At length on the death of Stiephen's only m Eustace, it was agreed, that Stephen should enjoy the :rown during his life ; and that at his death it should des- ;end to young Henry, son of Maud. Q. How long did Stephen reign and when did he die 1 A. He reigned eighteen years, and died October 25thy 1154, in the fiftieth year of his age. Q. What were the possessions of Stephen? A. England only. CHAPTER XVm. THE LINE OP PLANTAGENET. Henry the Secirnd, Q. Who succeeded Stephen? A. Henry Plantagenet,* the son of Mand and Geoffrey *lantagenet, Count of Anjou. ♦The original name of this illustrious family was Martel, they kook the nama Plantngenet from the branch of green broom \Planta Oeniita), which one of ilie first Counts of Anjou had be«n ?njoin«d to wear, as a penance for his crimes. Blois, «. a town of France. Oath. «. a solemn vow of afHrmation, wherein we appeal to God as a witness of the truth of what we say. Allegiance, t. the duty of a subject to a prince. 32 CATECHISM OF THS Q What distinguished persons lived in this reign 7 A. The celebrated Fair Rosamond, daughter of Lord Clifford, who was nnistress to Henry the Second. Poisoned by Queen £leanor, her beauty and her fate have rendered her name famous. Also Thomas-a-Becket, a celebrated churchntaHi who had been raised from a mean station, to the Archbishopric of Canterbury (18). Q. What were Hen ry*8 possessions? A. England, Normandy, Anjou, Guienne, Poictou, ^d Ireland, which he subdued. Q. How many children hud Henry 7 A. Seven : namely, Geoffry, Henry, Richard, John and three daughters ; the two younger sons succeeded to the throne. Q. When did Henry die 7 A. July 6tb, 1189, in the fifty-seventh year of his age, and thirty-fifth of his reign. He established the circuits of the Judges. CHAPTER XIX. '^Richard the First ^ and Jokrit or Lack'Land, Q. Who succeeded Henry? A. His son Richard, surnamed Cceur de Lion, or Lion* Hearted. Q. What was the character of Richard ? A. He was a man of great ability and wit, and full of the heruc valour of the times ; be went to Palestine or the Holy Land with the crusaders, and seemed to forget that he was king of England. Richard was the first who assumed the motto of "God and my right," and affixed it to his arms. Q. What action of Richard the First does history record most in favour of his generous mind % A. The pardon of his brother John after repeated trea- sons, when he said, " I forgive you, and I wish I could. 88 easily forget your injuries as you will my pardon." Motto, «. a sentence added to any device or emblem. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 9d Q. What occasioned Richard's death ? A. He was shot at the sei^e of the castle of Cealons,* near [ilo^nes,* in France^ and died eleven days after, on the thof April, 1199. Q. By whom was Richard succeeded 1 A. By his brother John, surnamed Sans Terre, or Lack- land. Q. What was the character of John 7 A. He appears to have been possessed of few goodquali- and to have been unfortunate as he was weak* He ^as engaged in continual war with the barons, and contests rith the popes. Q. Of what wicked act was he accused i , A. Of murdering his nephew Arthur, son of Geoffrey, the fdest son ot Henry the Second, and lawful heir to the crown, lakspeare has written a fine tragedy on this circumstance. Q. How long did he reign, when did he die,^and where ras he interred ? A. He reigned seventeen years, died October 18th, 121 6| walB buried in the cathedral of Worcester. — John was le first who coined English money. Q. How many children had John? A. Five. Henry his eldest son succeeded him. •' *' Q. Who signed Magna Charta 1\ A. John. ^^^^ Q. What was Magna Charta? «^^ A. An act, granting to the barons and citizens greater [rivileges than they had ever enjoyed before. By this act le severities of the feudal law were mitigated, and English I'eedom restored. In 1215 the first mayor and sheriffs of London took those titles. Pronounced Shalong^ and MtUne. t^ ^ Magna is a latin word siguifying' great: Charta^ signifies a eed, or written evidence of things done between two parties, |>ronotmced Karta. ) .^.•V :.-.^'.' y^ ■:'■'■ 34 .^CATECHISM or THU I I -, CHAPTER XX. Henry the Third. Q. Who succeeded John ? A. His son, Henry the Third, who was born at Winches- ter. Q. What was his character? F .M A. He was a weak nionarch, of narrow genius, without courage or conduct ; partly, perhaps, occasioned by his suc- ceeding to the throne so young, he being only nine years old when his father died. * Q. When was the Court of Oomnnon Pleas* first institut- ed, and when were aJdermenf first appointed ? ,^^j^> it; A. In the reign of Henry the Third. The first regular parliament was called by Henry. Q When was mariagc first solemnized in churches t A. In the reien of Henry the Third. Ma^^nifying glasses and magic lanthorns tvere also invented in this reign by Roger Bacon, the Monk. Q. What other improvements were introduced in the reign of Henry the Third. A. Oider, linen, and iapettry, were first made in En- gland, and the mariner^s compass, said to have been in- vented by the French or Venetians. .u\^4nf <> Q. When was the inquisition established here! • The Court of Common Plea» la held in We8lmin«ter, and its ol^ect is to take coguizance of all pleas, that are not pleas o( the crown. ' f Aidermen, the name given to the twenty-six pfrsons who preside over tlie twenty-six wards into which the City of Lon- don is divided. Out of these thu Lord Mayor is generally chosen by rotation. Other cities besides Loitdun have alsj^ their Alder- men. Parliametit, t. the assembly of the king, lords, and commons) whose object is to delmte on matters relating to the state. Tapestry, s. cloth woven with various figures for hanging.*; &o. . . . -0 .^fUM-li'^^^ML HISTORY or ENGI.ANS. 35 at Winches- aced in the ^,*j, M 'A.-y!]T A. In the reign of this prince. i4k;%xm£-^t^f^ Q. What was the inquisition 1 A. A cruel court composed of monks and friars, appoint- ^ ed to take cognizance of every thing supposed to be heieiical or^!ontrary to the established leligion, which was then Ro- man Catholic. Q. How many children had Henry ? A. Nine: but only four survived him. He was suc- ceeded by his son Edward. Q. When did he die, and when? was he mterred 1 A. He died Nov. 16th, 1272, having reigned fifty-six years, and was interred in Westminster abbey near the «Anne of Edward the Confessor. >h^„t^'!> i'M'i' ^ *• CHAPTER XXI. Edward the tint, surnamed Lengshank*, Q. What is the character of Edward, his son and suc- cessor 1 A. He was a brave and wise king. He subdued Wales, and ihinexed it to England ; he carjied on a war in Scotland with great success ; and he was caretul to extend the com- merce of his people. Q. Was not Edward very cruel to the Jews? A. Yes ; not fewer than 15,000 were in his rei^n robb- ed of their effects, and banished the kingdom. Q. Where was Edward's eldest son born 1 A. At Carnarvon (21) in Wales, and at the age of seven- teen he was invested with the principality of that country. From that time the^king's eldest son has been styled Prince of Wales. Monk, 8, a person who retires from the world to give himself wholly up to devotion, and to live in abstinence and soti« tude. Friar, s. a relicious brother or companion in some regular order among the Roman Catholics. Cogniaanee, s. judicial notice, knowledge. Heretical, a. containing heresy, which opposfs the opinion of th«. Catholic Church. Shrine, t. a case in which something is deposited. V 36 CATECHISM OF THB Q. How long did Edward I. reign, and when and where did he die 1 A. He reigned thirty-four yrars, and died at Carlisle (23) July 7th, 1307, aged thirty-eight years. Q. What were the improvements and discoveries m the reign of Edward the First? A. Geography and the use of the globes were introduced ; tallow candles and coals were first used iu common ; wind- mills were invented ; and wine was Sold only as a cordial in apothtcariei shofis. CHAPTER XXII. . -m Reign of Edward the Second. Q. Who succeeded Edward the First t ' A. His son, Edward ofCarnuivon, whp was a weak prmce. . Q. What was his fate ? A. He H'as deposed at the end of a turbulent reign of twenty years^the regal authority devolving upon his queen, by whose oiders he was cruelly murdered in Berkley Castle (22,) Sept. 21, A.D. 1327. His successor was his son, Edw>^rd, Prince of Wa.es, who was born at Windsor <23) Nov. 25tb, 1312. ^' W F CHAPTER XXIII. -ff^iA 1 V » 'A,!. ... "1/ R%ipi of Edward the Th'td, " Q. What was the character of Edward the Third ? A. Hh was a wise king, and one of the most renowned monarchs that ever sat on the English throne. Q. How many children had Edward *? A. Nine; five sons and four daughters; the most cele* bratod was Edward, the eldest, called the Black Prince, from the colour of his armour ; he died before his fiither ; the other sons were Lionel, duke of Clarence; Joha of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster ; Edmund, dake of York ; and Vbomaf, duke of Gloucester. Cordial, 3. a cherishing draught {dr^fl. ) Apothecary, a. a person who prepares Mitl kolls medicines. HISTORY OF EI9GLAND. 37 was a weak Q. What are the principal events that happened in his reign? , ,^,.^,.^. A. The battle of Crecy,* (24) and Poi c tiers (25) ; th^ defeat of the Scots ; the surrender of Calais (26) to the English ; and a great naval victory gained over the French. Q. Describe the battle of Crecy 1 A. In the year 1346 the famous battle of Crecy was fout,ht between the Fiench and English ; the French arnny consisted of 100,000 men, out of which about 37,000 were slrtin, besid 'S many piisonei'.«, and the others put to flight The English army consis'ed of only 30,000 men. Q. Who wre the mo.t celebrated among the slain 1 A. The Kin^s of Bohemia and M'jorca. The crest of the kinj; of Bohemia was three ostrich leathers, and bis motto these German words— /cA Dien. *' J serve;*' which the Pj ince oi Wales, the Black Prince,adopted in memory of this great victory ; and his successors have borne thenn ever since. , , Q. What other events happened in this reign % A. The Oaler of the G-jrter was instituf^d, and gold was first coined, in this reign lived the celebrated Wickliffe, the first reformer of religion. . * ' CHAPTER XXIV. Rei^n of Richard the Second. V. Q. Who was Richard the Second 1 A. The son of Edward the .Black Prince ; he was only eleven years old when he succeeded his grandfather, A.D. 1377. ♦ Crecy, Poictiera, and Calais, ate three celebrated towns of Frai'ce. Bohemia, s. a considerable country of Europe, subject to tbe^i house of Austria ^^ Majorca, 5. a considerable island in the Mediierraiieau Sea, •ulycct to Spain. /" .^ ' 38 CATECHISM OF THf! > Q. What was his character ? A. He was admired^ while a boy, as having a good and open spirit, but, when he grew up, ,he became weak and effeminate. He was deprjved of bis crown by Henry^ duke of Lancaster, and murdered, or staived to death, in Pomfret Cas»le, A.D. 1400 (27.) Q. What events happened in the niign of Richard the Second? A The principal were an insurrection against the poll tax, headed by Wat Tyler,: and the Usurpation of Henry duke of Lancaster. Q. To what did the usurpation of I^enry irive rise % A. To the numerous and fatal contests of the White and Red Roses, or houses of York and Lancaster. Q, When were cards invented 1 A. In the time of Richard the Second. - -»' --^ ^ Q. For whom were they invented % A. For Charles the Sixth, kingof France,called the Well- beloved ; he was insoM the greater part of his reign ; and cards were invented to amuse him during the intervals of reason. CHAPTER XXV. ' ^ R^ign of Henry the Fjurih, i ^ Q. Who succeeded Richard the Second ? A. Henry the Fourth, duke of Lancaster, surnamed Po!ingbroKe ; he was the eldest son ot John of Gaunt, duke ot Lancaster, fourth son of Edward IH. He vrf*a crowned October 13th, 13Q9, and ascended the throne upon the forced resignation of Richard, whose death at Pom (ret Boon followed. Q. What distinguished characters lived in this and the preceding leignt ? A. Chaucer and Go wer, both English poets ; and William ol Wykham, bishop of Winchester. '^"Q. What ha*>pened to the eldest son of Henry, when Prince oi Wales I * Iiisant, m. mad, out of one's mind. BISTORT Of ENGLAND. 39 A. Sir William Gascoigne, the Lord Chief Justice, sent him to prison for contempt of his authority. Q. Relate the circumstance ? A. One of his dissolute companions having l>een brought before the magistrate fcr felony^ H«>nry, who was present, was so provoked at the issue of tne trial that he struck the judge in opent:ourt. Sir William, fully sensible of ti^e reverence due to his authority^ committed the prince to prison. c ■ Q. What did the king say when he heard of it ? A. Heexclaim^^d, " 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." Q. How many children had Henry 7 A. Six ; four sons and two daughters. He was succeeded by his eldest son Henry. He died of apoplexy at West- minster, March 20th, 1413. CHAPTER XXVI. )^' ■'- Reign of Henry the F%flh* Q. What was the character jf Henry the Fifth? A. His valour was such that no danger could startle and no difficulty resist ; nor was his pi iicy inff rior to his cour- age. He was chaste, temperate, ana modest, and without an equal in the art of war and ({overnment. Q. What was the principal event of his reign 7 A. The conquest of France, which he undertook as scon as he came to the throne* It was Henry who gained the celebrated victory of Jgincourt (28.) No battle was ever more i ial to the French from the number ot princes and nobility slain and taken prisoners. Henry was afterwards declared Regent of Frince, and heir to the French mon- archy. Q. How many children had the king ? * a; Only one, the Prince of Walei, who wai not « year ' Aglncourt, i. a village in France. ■«^'- 40 * CATECHISM OP THE old in 1422, when his father died. The queen, after the death of Henry, married Sir Owen Tudor, a Welch gentle- man, who is said to have been descended from the princes of that country, by whom she had two sons. CHAPTER XXVIf. Beign of Henry fhe Sixth. »H;^:'-'i:'"M-\ j^fe ■iij^tmi Q. What were the most remarkable events of thisreigfnl A. The loss ol France through the celebrated Maid of Or- leans, and the jirtadlul 'contest between the houses of Lan- caster and York, called the factions of the Red and While Roses ; that of Lancaster beini; tf^rmed the Red Rose, and York the White. The Duke of York was killed, but his son Edward continuei the claim, and routed H»>nry the Sixth, who was imprisoned in the Tower^ and ii^gst nrpl)a]]!iy murdered, AD. 1471. ' ^* !L« v^ r ffi^^ Q. Had Henry any children ? :^^^'' ' .:; j; A. Yes: a son Edward, Prince of Wales, who was also murdered. .^u. ,. ... ^ .. . *, -^ .*-4i CHAPTER XXVni; THE LINE OF YORK. .J,- Edward the Fourth^ Earl of March. .:{;< '^r it. ..if." Q. What was the character of Edward the IV 1 A. He was brave, active, and enterprising;, but severe, 1^7 ' . an^". 1. rious. Q. What was the most memorable invention of this'period? A. The art of printing was discovered in Gerirany, ; nd introduced into England by Caxton in the year 1471. Q. What strange event happened in his reign ? A. 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 mistrefs of this king, '^.^^j .^ -,!j:- ■t'tt HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 41 ho was also Q. How long Edvvard V. ' Q. Wlirtt was tne character of his prince 1 A. \s he cam- to th- throne so young, and was either murdered, or carried out of the kinjjdum.soon after his ac- ces'jion, his character cannot be known Some say he was smotl.ered in the Tower with his oroiher, the duke of York, in 1483. CHAPTER XXIX. Reign of Hkhard the Third. m Q. Who succeeded Edward the Fifth? » A. Richurd the Third, surnanned Crooked-back, duka of Gloucester. He was brother to Edward the Fourth, and appointed guardian to Edward the Fifth and his brother. Q. How long did he reign 1 ,H''^t* A. Two years ; he was proclaimed king England the 20th of Junf',l483,and was killed at the lamous battle of Bos worth in Leicestershire (26), cDiiteiiding for the kingdom with Henry, then earl of Richmond, August 24lh, 1485. Q. What was his character i A. He was the supposed murderer of his two nephews, and has gent^rally Itet^u represented as a compound, both in mind and person, of cruelty and defonnity. He nevertheless passed several excellent luws; and, its all the accounts given otnim were written by hisenemies, it is probable ihut many ot the allegations against hitii are false and all exaggerated. Q. What children had Richard 1 A. On** son who died before him. and, according to some wriiers anoth: »*, who survived him, lived to a great age in obscurity With Richard ended the line of York, or Plautageiiet. -:^^.^T;^- :;-:.>:..-':;-.,-^'-, 42 CATECHISM OF THE ■>>i ..<'•'« , CHAPTER XXX. J THE LINE OP TUDOR. Reign of Henry the Cevenih, Q. Who succeeded Richard the Third 1 A. Henry the Seventh,earl of Richmond, who was crown- ed in Bosworth field itn'nediately after the battle. Henry was the son of Edmond Tudor, earl of JRichnnond and of Mar- garet, a descendant from John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster. He, by marrvinc; Elizabeth,da»ghterof Edward IV, united the houses of York and Lancaster, and by that means put ap end to the civil war. Q. What discoveries were made in this reign ? A, America was discovered by Christopher Columbus, a native*of Genoa*, and & passage to the East Indies was discovered by the Portuguese. Q. What rebellions happened in this reign 7 A. One by Lambert Simnel . which was speedily suppres- sed ;. and a second, more prolonged and dangerous, headed by Perkin Warbeck,who pretended to be the son of Edward th^ Fourth ; but the prudence and sagacity of Henry de- feated these and every other plot against the government. Q. How many children had Henry % A. Seven ; Arthur and Edmund, who died before him ; Kenrv, his successor; and Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, and Catherine. Q How long did he reign ? A. He reigned twenty-three years, and died at Rich- mond. (30) April 22, 1509, aged fifty-four. CHAPTER XXXf. Reign of Henry the Eighth. Q. What was the character of Henry VIII 7 A. Henry was learned, but impetuous and vain, obsti- nate, despotic, and cruet. I * Genoa is a city in the north of Italy, and capital of a republic of the same name. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 43 vas crown- ed at Rich- Q* Relate the most remarkable events of his reign 1 A. The Ref- mation was bejj;un ; church registers were enacted to be kept ; and the famous battle of Flodden Field (31) was fought ; in which James the Fourth, King of Scotland, with the flower of his nobility, fell. Q. Who were the wives of Henry the Eighth ? A. 1st, Catherine, was his brother's widow, from whom he was divorced ; 2d, Anna Boleyn,who was falsely accused and beheaded ; 3d, Jane Seymour, wh6 died in childbed ; 4th, Anne of Cleves, whom he disliked and divorced ; 5th. Oatherine Howard, who was beheaded ; Gth, Catherine Parr, who survived him. Q. How many children had Henry the Eighth ? A. Three ; Edward, Prince of Wales, by Lad Jane Sey- mour; this prince suticeeded him: Mary, his daughter, by his first queen ; and Elizabeth, daughter of Anna fioleyn. Q. How long did the king reign 1 A. Thirty-eight years ; he died of a fever, Jan. 28, 1547* ^ f CHAPTER XXXH. , i fif the Ref(nination. Q. What is meant by the Rsformation 1 A. By the Reformation, is meant the reforming of the Christian religion from the errors of Popery, and reducing it nearer to its primitive purity. . v ^ Q. Who made the first attack on the extravagant super- (Ititions then prevailing % A. Martin Luther, a native of Isleben, (32) in Germany. Q. What was the rc-ligion called which was professed in England before the Reformation ? A. It was called the Roman Catholic ; and it is curious that Henry, who was declared by the Pope " Defender of Primative, a. origioal, firat u ;•:, \.' CATECHISM OP THE the Faith,'* for writing a traci against Luther, should be the first king to throw off the Romish yoke. ; .j^:^ .■"■•';*•, CHAPTER XXXI 11. Reign of Edward the Sixth. ^.-H iiL .»,■- ■ ■' i.ijtVi'*'-'^' ;#. :;A>j|ii-A Q. When d»d Edward the Sixth come to the crown, and what was his character ? y-/f^i A. He succeeded his fiither at the age of nine year; and three months, A.D., 1547: he was a very amiable, learned, and pious young man, and died July 6th, 1553, in the sixteenth year of his age. He li^ft the crown to Lady Jane Grey, his cousin ; she reigned only ten days, and was then deposed by Mary, Edward's sister. CHAPTER XXXIV. Reign of Queen Mary, Q. Who was Queen Mary ? A. The daughter of Henry the Eighth. She was crowned October 1st, 1553. Q. What was the character of Mary ? ^^ " A. She was extremely bigoted to the Roman Catholic religion ; apd was also proud, impmous, and austere. Q. To whom was Mary married? ^. i- A. To Philip the Second, king of Spain. -''^— -^-^v-'f^ Q. What are the most remarkable events in the reign of Mary? ^;-:^!. **!' .it-v-^i^-itv./ .. .^i^i^bWrW^^^ir^- ■■. A. The persecution of the Pro'estants, great numbers ol whom were burnt in Smithfield as heretics; amongst the most remarkable were archbishop Cranner, and bishops Latimer, Hooper, and Ridley. Talais (2fi), the last of the English possessions in France, was lost i!> tijis reign. Bigoted, a tbolishly attached in an opinion. Imperious, a. overbearing, haughty, msolent. Persecution, s. the act of pursuing with hatred, enmity, &c. •^jtf ,,,m-^'^.4.,^.^„ i.-^ «„<..* .4»**'4b should be rown,and yrarj and J, learned, >3, in the ^ady Jane was then s crowned Catholic tere. le reign of unnbers ot Tion«;st the id bishops last of the eisjn. .,.^, . lily, &c. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Q. How long did Mary reign % A. About five years; she died Nov. 17lh, 1558, aged ,forty-two, and was succeeded by her sister Elizabeth. CHAPTER XXXV. Reign of Queen Elizabeth. Q. Who was Queen Elizabeth 1 A. The daughter of Henry the Eighth by Anna BoleyQi and half-sister to Mary and Edward. Q. What was her character ? A. She was a woman of great spirit, judgment, and ad-* dresi ; she understood the dead and living languages^ made great proficiency in tlTe sciences, and was Wttll read in his* tory ; but the putting of Ma>'y Stuart, Queen of Scots, to death, is a great stain on her character. Q. Who was Mary, queen of Scots 7 A. Daughter of James the Fifth, king of Scotland, and cousin of Elizabeth ; she was famed for her beauty and misfortunes jt Q. How lorg was Mary prisoner in England 1 A. Eighteen years, and was at length beheaded at Fotheringay (33) castle in Northamptonshire. Q. What are the other principal events in the reign of Elizabeth? A. The destruction, in 158S, of the Spanish armida intended for the conquest of England, and, perhaps, the largest fleet ever fitted out by any^nation ; the success of the Reformation, a most important event, which fixed the present religious establishment of the country ; and the discovery of Virginia in America. Q. How long did Elizabeth reign 1 . A. Queen Elizabeth reigned forty-four years ; she died J)Md language, a language not upoken in any country. Armada, s. a fleet of men of war, but geaerally applied, by war of eminence, to the large one fitted out by the Spaniards with the intentiQn to conquer England, as raentibned above. b2 y..-^ • *. 46 " ■' . v. CATECHISM OF THB March 26th, 1603, aged seventy, and was succeeded by James the First of England, and Sixth of Scotland. Eng- land was prosperous at home and abroad duiing her reign. CHAPTER XXXVi. CROWNS OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND UNITED., TJie Reign of James the First of England and Sixth of 'Scotland. Q. Who was JanDes the First? A. The great grandson bf Margaret, eldest daughter of Henry the Seventh, who married James the Fourth of Scot- land : he was son of the unfortunate Mary Stuart, queen of Scotland. Q. Relate the piincipal evrnts of this reign? A. The gunpowder plot, and the beheading of the cele- brat«rd Sir Walter Raleigh. Q. What was the gunpowder plot t JTL, A scheme.of the Rom m Catholics to blow up both houses of parliament by laying a train of gunpowder under them, when the kings, princes, lords, and commons, should be assembled, Nov. 5th, 1605. Q. How did the conspirators cause the powder to be placed under the parliament house? A. They bad hired a cell.jr under the parliament house Under the pretence of using it as a storehouse for coals. Here they placed 36 barrels of gunpowder, which they covered wi*h coals and faggofs ; and one Guy Faux, who was to set fire to the train, was taken m the cellar, with a dark lantern, tinder-bdx, and matches in his pocket. Q. In what manner was the plot discovered 1 A. By an ananynous letter, ^-ent throiigb private friend- ship from one of the conspirators to Lord Monteagle, to prevent his going that day to parliament, and thus to avoid the dreadful catastrophe. Anonymous, a. wanting; a name. Catastrophe, s. a dreadful event, or accident. -''*''■. HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 47 :eeded by d. Eng- her reign. ITED., Sixth of ughter of ■thofScot- \j queen of f the cele- >w up both wrder under ons, should ivder to be ment house coals. Here ley covered who was to ^•ith a dark vate friend- ^nteftgle, to hus to avoid Q. Who v first published; the circulation of the blood was discovered; and coffee was brought to England. NnviiGfator, s. a seaman, one who conducts a ship. Barometer, s. an instrument for measuring the wei^-ht of the air or atmosphere, in order to dfctermine the change oithe weather. A weaiher-glass. The word barometer comes from two Greek words signifying wdght and measure. Thermomeier. s. an instrument for measurmg the decree -of heat or coWofair, or any oihrr body. It is derived from two Greek words, heat and measure. 48 CAT£CHISM OF THE N m^ CHAPTER XXXVIII. - v^ g^ THE COMMONWEALTH. >' J Q. When was Oliver Cromwell chosen Protector of England? ^ A. A.D. 1653, being foar vears and three months afte" the commencement of the Conimonwealth ; which had before been managed by the parliament. ^^ Q. How long was Cromwell Protector t A. Nearly five years; he died September 3, 1658 ; ;«nd was succeeded by his eldest son Richard, who retained the situation only three months. Q. What was the character of Oliver Cromwell? A. He was a man of great courage^ ambition, and hypocrisy. Q. What are the principal events of his time ? A. A war with the Dutch, who were defeated in several great sea-fights; and the conquest of Jamaica^ which was made an English colony. The great i)oet Milton lived in the time of Cromwell, to whom be was Latin Secretary. Cromwell was a native of Huntingdon (36). , ,. ,, CHAPTER XXXIX. , RESTORATION OF THE REOAL POWER. RHgn of CharUi the Second, Q. Who was king Charles the Second t A. The son of Charles the First, born May 29, 1630. On July 3, 1646, he went from Jersey (34) into France, he recovered the crown in May, 1660, when he arrived at Whitehall, and he entered London in triumph, as king, on his birth-day, the 29th ot the same month. Q. What are the principal events of his reign ? A. The great fire in London, 1666, and the plague the Dutch, s. the inhtbitauts of Ilnllnnd. Jamaioa, d. an iilaod in the West iuUies. It was discovered b/ Columbuf. - » J 29, 1630. France, he arrived at as king, on I? plague the itcovered b/ f •• • )tector of nihs afte- bich had 658; i^nd tained the U? ition, and in several ■ vhich was Dn lived in Secretary. HISTORY OF SNGLiND. 49 year before. In this reign the Royal iSociety was estab- lished, and the Test-act passed. Q. What men of genius flourished in this reign 1 A. Shaftesbury, Boyle, Dryden, Otway, Butler, Hobbes, Temple, Waller, Cowley, Halley, and earl Clarendon. Q. How long did Charles the Second reigii 1 A. He reigned twentcfour years, and died Feb. 6, 1685, in the 55th year of his age, and wiis succeeded by his brother James. v^ . CHAPTER XL. ^ ?v ^ Reign of James the Second, ^'' Q. What was the character of James the Second 1 oBition to lawful authority. . ., .. Abdicate, to resign, to give up. > ,4 r. - s3 n 'if 50 :*.'; CATECHISM OP THE of Eleniietta Maria, dausjhterof Charles I. He was born at the Hajjue (37) in Holland in 1660, and was noarried to Mary, the eldest daughter of James II. . Q. What was the character of this prince 1 ^ - A. He was a great warrior, and a steady friend to the Protestant religion and civil liberty. ^ ,- . Q. What was the characterof Mary? A. Though her father was a devout 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. >^v .■^^■f^ Q. Relate the principal events of this reign 1 -^r • , A. The Bittle of the Boyne'in Ireland, where kinj? James IT. was defeated ; the defeat of the French fleet at Cape La Hague (3S)) and the establishment of the Bank of England. Q. What great men shed lustre on this reign ? A. Newton, Locke, Tillotson, Prior, and Burnet - " t? Q. Had William and Mary any children 1 *' A. No; they were succeeded by Anne, second daughter of James II. who was married to prince George, brother to the king of Denmark. ^-^z-- *• v*-. » ■ ,-- -^ CHAPTER XrjI. Reis:n of Queen June. Q. What was the character of queen Anne? If ,A' A. Queen Anne possessed manv excellent qualities; her memory is cherished on account of her piety and unlimited charity. Q. Relate the principal events of her r^^'gn 1 A. The Battles of Blenheim (39) RamiUies (40), and Bayne, s. a river rising lu the county of Kildnre in Ireland. Ia H(»«^ue, s. a cape near the town of La Ilofjue in France. Blenhie.im. s, a small villuire in Germany : hence i« nan)0(l the Tna >• several defeat < George Union - Britain Q. H and Ar A. S reigned Q. \^ her reifi A. P Bolingb Q. Vi A. G ly electc He arqi was thfi testant species *Q. W A. James tender ot Hanr Q. W A. 1 success Gihral Eleetf Inocn pox whf HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 51 born at Tried lo '-V? i to the IS a firm y pious d before jj James Ddpe La Snsiand. daui^hler •rot her to ■•',.'.■ •* ' • ties; her inlimit^d [40), and ind. ranee, iinmrd the 'oodstock, irongl I'gr lory. '• I several others, won by the great dnke of Marlborough ; the defeat of the combined fleets of France and Spain by Sir George Rooke ; the capture of Gibraltar (41); and the Union of England and Scotland under the title of Great Britain, A.D., 1707. Q. How many children had prince George of Denmark, and Anne ? ' !??^«'> * A. Six; but all died in their infancy. Queen Anne reigned twelve years and a half. She died A.D., 1714. Q. Who were the most celebrated literary characters in her reign ? A. Pope, Swift, Congreve. Rowp, Prior, Philips, Gay, Bolingbroke, Shaftesbury, Addison, Steele, &c. ^ , - „ CHAPTER XLIII. LINE OF BRUNSWICK, OR HANOVER. Rei^n of George the First, Q. Who succeeded Anne 1 A. George the First, A.D., 1714. He had been previous- ly elector of Hanover,(42) Brunswick and Lunenburgh (43). He acquired the crown in right of his mother Sophia, wo was the grand-daughter of James I., and the nearest Pro- testant heir. He was a good king, and an enemy to every species of tyranny. * Q. What are the principal events of this reign ? A. The rebellion "f the Scots in favour of the son of James the Second, which was soon quelled, and the Pre- tendnr obliged to retire into France, 1717. The electorate ot Hanover was annexed to the British Crown. Q. Were there any others ? A. Inoculation was first introduced into En^fland, and successfully tried upon two condemned criminals, who were Gihraltar, a. a irnvn and cape in Iho sonthern part of Spain. EleetoraUi, s. the t«5rritory or dominion of an elector. Inocnlation, 5. (in medicine.) Ihount of communicating the small- pox by means of insertiMj^ its matter into the veins of a person who ha." noi had the distemper. t'-.t ■ '*' 52 HISTORY OF T^E pardoned oh submitting to the operation, 1721. Thousands 'f people wert ruined by the fraudulent South-sea scheme or buying up the «iebts of ihe nation. > Q. How old was the king at the time of his death ? A. He was in the sixty-eip^'ath year of his age, and thir- teenth of his ^'eign. lie die^l in Osnaburgb, June 11, 1727. . CHAPTER XLIV. ^ Rii^n of George the Second, Q. By whom was George the First succeeded ? A. By his son, Geo'^ge the Second, who reigned from 1727 to October 1760, when he died suddenly, aged 77. Q. Relate the principal events of this reign ? A. The river Thames was frozen, and a fair held on i 1740. The Scots again, in If 45, rebelled m favour of the Pretender, but were finally defeated at Gulloden; West* minster bridge was bu It; admiral Anson circumnavigated the world, and took a Spanish ship with treasure to an immense amount. Q. Was it distinguished by any remarkable military events 1 i> A. The battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy were fought ; an unsuccessful war on the continent terminated by the shameful peace of Aix-ia-Chapelle in 1748 ; our Indian Empire was formed by the victories of Colonel Clive and other commanders; Quebec, with which ail North America fell, was taken, and General Wolfe killed. Q. Hov many ch'ldren had George the ''^econd'? A. Seven ; two sons and five daughters ; the eldest son » Frederick, prince of Wales, died before his father, but left nine children, the pldest of whom Avas George the Third. Queber, s. the capital of Canada in Nurth America* (J. W on ibn 1 A. Or years of of M.!ck of Spptot Q. Wl George t A. A that cour Britain, a was deck 1779. Q. Wh ■■A.Ac on accour Roman C Q. Wh A. A Hood, Ho of Enijlar the slave- 1807. Q. Wh A. Th. Americar inf?- resist! on open lation of Q. Wh ♦ Meek This houst Slrelitz. I HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 53 'V,>, housands X scheme J tb? and thir- 11, 1727. '' '.<>■.■ from 1727 r. held on i our of the >n; West* inavigated • ure to an e military >re fought ; ed by the lour Indian Clive and h America idt eldest son % er, but left the Third. *' CHAPTER XLV. Reign of George the Third. ^ ' '' Q. When did Georere the Third succeed his grandfather on ihp Throne of England *? A. On the 25lh of Oct'»bHr, 1760, being then twenty-two years of a^e. He married to Charlotte Sophia, Princess of M.«ctdcnbur«ih Strelitz,* and they were crowned the 20'h of Spptomher, 1761. Q. What iniporJant events occurred duriig the reign of George the Thiid? A. A wa'- was declared with Anr.erica, through which that country eventually threw off its allegiance to Great Britain, and became in lependent in the y^ar 1776 ; and war was dech^red, against France, Spain, and Holland, 1778 and 1779. Q. What dangerous riot took place in this reign 1 A. A dangerous riot was excited in London, A.D., 1780, on account of some concessions that were made to the Roman Catholics. Q. Wiiat were the principal glories of this reign ? A. 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 slave-trade during the administration of Mr Fox, A.D., 1807. Q. What save rise to the war with America ? A. The levyinir of certain duties to be payable by the American colonies in aid of the public revenue, which be- inef resisted, measures were resorted to, which occasioned an open defiance, on the part of that country, to the legis- lation of the British government. Q. When did the revolution take place in France 1 * Me'ckleiiburf;: is a duchy iu the north pari of Lower Saxony. This house is divided between two lines ; namely, Schweriu and Strelitz. Revenue, s. income. B 4> ^■nhagen (52), and on the 7th September, 1807, they obliged the Danes to deliver up by capi'ulntion, their whole fl^et, consisting of eijjhteen ships of the line, fifteen frigates, six small vessels, and twenty-five gun-boats, together with the stores. Q. What was the most remarkable event of the year 181 2 1 A. The assassination of the Right Hon. Spencer Perceval* Prime Minister of England, by a man named Bellingham* Q. Where did this occur? A. As Mr. Perceval was entering the lobby of the House of Commons, he was shot in his breast; and, after advan- cin_; two or three pac<»s, he exclaimed,.*' Oh ! lam mur- dered !" and fell on his face. ♦ The lale Duke of Wellington. Q. Wha A. He cutfd. Q Wer continent, by the Fr A. The tria, Pruss Stalt'S, to I pt^lled to i: condition ( any of the commerce Q. Did 1 ces prejud A. The nierce hav pressive c( was found tilliance w to invude 3i)0,(m m Q. How A. The; buint, and treat in th on every s anvihliatec Q. Wha vourable t A. The to Russia . Pyrenees, s. a range of mounlains between France and Spain: C-^pitulation, s. the surrender of a place upon certain condiiloiis. iver to Ihpm hose impor- ,and whose :iia(47).AI- irid Vittoria in obliying tories 1 yrenees into , while the ther side of year 1807 1 infoimalion le control of , and a land nhagen (52), the Danes to onsisting of nail vessels, tores. eyearl812'? er Perceval* BellinghaiTi* of the House after advan- 1 am tnur- ;'■??* te HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 9f nd Spain: conditions. Q. What became of the murderer ? '" ' w <4 A. He was tried for the offence, foi gu^ty, and exe-' cuted. Q Were there not some very important events on the continent, affecting the welfare of England, brought about by the French ruler? v* • '^ vi-ivvic;;- .■:;."[ ; A. The French power hdvinj; prevailed in reducing Aus- tria, Prussia, Russia, Holland, Swiizprland, and the Italian Stales, to a state of numiiiation, those countries were com- pplleil to njake peace with France, and to submit to the condition of resisting the iniroduction of English goods into any of theii respective ports, wiih the view of ruining the- commerce of this kingdom. . ,,. , ^ i.m ^-m^j ^%-u_.i ../,.; Q. Did net this state of things lead to some consequen- ces /^re/wdicia/ to the French arms? A. The shutting- up of the Continent fiom English com- merce having been enforced by the most tt7*6riirttri/ and op- pressive conduct on the part of the French government, it was found intolerable ; Russia, therefore, abandoned her alliance with France, and this rupture induced the F.i?nch to invude the Russian dominions with a force of nearly 300,1)00 men. Q. How did the French succeed in the Russian invasion 1 A. They reached the city of Moscow (53), which was buint, and Buonaparte was compelled to commence a re- treat in the depth of winter. Harassed by the Russians on every side, his army was not only defeated, but almost anvihiiated by sickness and various calamities. >" ^*' Q. What other events occurred upon the Continent, fa- vourable to the welfare ot England J . ., , , , . .j.-,. ..j A. The disastrous tHrmination of t tie French expedition to Russia gave an opportunity lor Austria and Prussia to Prejudicial, a. injarious, hurtful. , / Arbritrary, a. absolute, positive. * .^ , Annihilated, part.^ destroyed. r • 98 CATECHISM OF THE abandon their connection with France) and enter into an alliance with Russia. Q. What was the consequence ? ^ A. Ti counteract this, Buonaparte the followinaf year, 1613, collected a powerful army inSaxnny; and, having been attacked by the allied powers, and defeated at the tremendous battle of Leipsic (54), he was compelled to retreat to France, pursued by the united forces of his ene*^ mies, who in their turn invaded and penetrated into the very heart of France. Q. To what important events did the |?rowws of Great Britain and her allies more immediately lead? A. The overthrow of Buonaparte, who, having abdicated the throne which he had usurped) was allowed to retire to the island ot Elb^. (55) in the Mediterranean Sea, the sovereignty of which island he accepted in lieu of his form- er extensive dominions. Louis XVIU. wao placed on the throne of his ancestors^ and a treaty of peace signed by all the belligerent powers. Q. What part did England take in the cause ? A. England, after sustaining the burden of a continned war of more than twenty ^ears, was still ready to assist and animate her allies on every occasion, and put forth her strength ^vith undiminished ardour. England was unitorm, persevering, undaunted, and undismayed in a contest of un- exampled difficulty. Q. What wa% the slate of Europe after the peace of Paris ? A. A general congress was held at Vienna (56) by the Prowess, «. bravery, military courage. Ancestors, s forefathers. Belligerent, a. {beUidge-reni) carrying on war, engaging in war. Animate, v. to enliven, to stir up. Ardour, s, zeOfl, warmth. Congress, 9. meeting, assembly. principal blishincr < of the Cc .ed with fi mination from Elb the field Q. Wh what wa A. He and, havi who owei which hai ed withoi the Frenc Q. Ho^ A. Nos the allied unanimou French rt Q. Wh A.Bot and Buor Prussians led a verj Prussian Charleroi promises stand the ' ellingt( gained a * Balam should not ter into an wine: year, sincl) having ated at the ampelled to of his ene- ted into the ess of Great ig abdicated ired to retire ean Sea, the 1 of his form- laced on the igned by all e? ' a continied ady to assist put forth her vas unitorm, ontest of un- ace of Paris 7 (56) by the HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 59 principal sovereigns of Europe for the purpose of esta- blishinor a balance of power,* and securing the tranquility of the Continent. Their deliberations were at first attend- ed with success, and seemed to prognosticate a happy ter- mination of their labours ; when the escape of Buonaparte from Elba obliged them once more to lead their armies to the field of battle. Q. When did Napoleon Buonaparte make his escape, and what was his success ? ... v/:/ - A. 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 favour, and by that army which had been so long^accustomed to serve him, he march- ed without opposition to Paris, and again seated himself on the French throne, Louis Laving retired to Ghent. Q. How did th^ allied sovereigns determine to act ? A. No sooner was the news of this event communicated to the 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. Q. What was the result of their endeavours ? A. Both sides prepared with great energy to take he field and Buonaparte, in hopes ol overthrowing the British and Prussians before the other allies ronld assemble their forces, led a very powerful army into Belgium. After defeating the Prussians, an action commenced in the neighbourhood of Charleroi (57) on the 16th of June, which seemed at fi st to promise success to Napoleon ; but nothing was able to with- stand the courage of the brave English under the Duke of ' ellington, who, after a most obstinate battle on the IStb, r engaging in I gained a complete victory at Waterloo (58.) * Balatice of power, an equality of power, so thai one state should not infruige upon the rights of another* V!' M M Prognosticate, v. to foretcl. \ ' . ■•^-:pily recovered in the following year. The malady, however, returned in 181 0, and he was not afterwards able to exercise the duties oi his high station ; in consequence of which thi? Prince of Wales, who was the heir apparent* to the crown, governf i the kingdom under the title of Regcjnt. , . ^ Q. Did not Great Britain signalize herseK by the chast- isement of the Algerines? A. Yes, many atrocities having been committed by the Algerines in their piratical attacks on the ships of almost every European nation, and their barbarity to the unhappy victims who fell into their hands, the English government equipped a fleet under the command of Loid Exmouth, in the year 1816, to compel them to abandon their inhuman practices. y Q. How did he succeed 1 A. In the first instance, willing to effect his object by treaty, for the sake ol humanitv 1,- entered intoanegocia- tion with the Dry^ and received liis assurances that every satisfaction should be rendered to those nations and indivi- * Heir apparent is* he on whom the gucce^sion is so settled that it ca'inot be altered but by duath, or by altering the laws of succes- tion : the heir presumptiv* is one whose succesSvjOn, unless by the birth of a direct heir, cmimoi be set aside, * ' ■ - ." ' Malady, 5. a disease, an illness. Dey, s the aovereiga prince of Algiers, as the Bey is of Tunis. V. tif %i CATECHISM OF THE duals who had suffered from their merciless depredations. ^ Q. Was the treaty observed? '■ ■"'"■' ' " ' - A. N'o, Bi'iiish forbaarance only served to in'»rease the insolence of the pira'es; and his Lordship had scarcely reached England before he received orders from governwient to return, and satisfy the vengeance of insulted Europe. Q. Did Lord Exmouth succeed ? A. Yes, on the 27lh of August, in coiijiinci ion with a small D'atrh squadron, he cornnrienced a homhardment on the city and port of Algiers (02,) destroyin;^ t wo-thiids of their city, their whole navy, aiuJ nearly all iheir forts and arsenah. It was a tremendous conflict : the Algerines lost nearly 7000 men in killed and wounded ; and liie British and Dutch, Q. What advahta,?es did Be gain by this attack ? ./ A. The entire submission of the Dey to the terms pro- posed to him : namely, the abolition of Christian s);ivery forever; the delivery of Chrstian slaves in his domi- riions ; and reparation tor all losses sustainei inagazuie, a place wlicreiii all warlike stores ore kept. (. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 4.63 Rations. ?ase the [scarcely prnment irope. a small the city eir city, trse7iais. 'ly 7000 Butch, ms pro- sl'ivery 8 (lorni- 56 Kiiro- objecrs 1 at this ' that of Icssings manu" and the B lower t'd by ? bombs >res are numerous meetings of the populace which took place in various parts of this countiy. . , <; »; ; «, A. Yes, under pretence of petitioning the legislature for a refornn of pirliament, immense multitudes assembled in London and other large towns, and the inflammatory speeches whi h were there delivered excited the turbulent part of the populace to acts of violence. ' "i'i'>" • i ^,y Q. At what places did this spirit of Insubordination chiefly manifest itself ? > v .f - <• * v r. A. 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 ring- Iead«:!rs were apprehended under warrants from the .Secre- tary of Slate. Q. What was the consequence 1 y •' . -. ;» - A. Several were tried on charges of High Treason, and acquitted ; others were found guilty, and executed ; while the greater part, after having been confined for a consider- able length of lime, were liberated, and the Suspension Bill was repealed. Q. Wliat tragical event in the history of the country look place in 1817 'I A. The death of the Princess Charlotte of Wales. On the 5th of November this accomplished and amiable prin- cess died after having given birth to a still born son. Q. How did the public feel on this melancholy occasion ? A. So unexpected and c;ilamitous an event, happening at a tnoment when the whole nation was elated with the pro.«pec* of having an heir to the throne, the offspring of th'jir beloved princess, filled the heart of every one with unexampM grief. Q. Was not her funeral observed with great solemnity? ♦ Tlie writ of Habeas Corpus is the greai barrier against arbi- tniry iniprisouiimui, as by ii a prisoner may compel the courts of law lushuw a ca<:sc why he should not be set at liberty. CATECHISM OF THb A. Yes, never was grief more sincere, or the expression of it more respectful. The day of her funeral was observed in every part ot the empire as one of general mourning and humiliation ; and the sorrow that pervaded every heart on this occasion, affords an undeniable testimony of the high estimation in which her virtues were held. Q. To what events did the lamented death of the Prin- cess Charlotte give rise ? A. Her death having interrupted the direct line of suc- cession to the throne, her unmarried uncles sought such al- liance as their own rank and the interests of the kingdom d imanded. Q. What marriages took place in consequence ? A. The Duke of Cambridge was married in April, 181 8» to the Princess of Hesse Cassel ; in the July following the Duke of Clarence wedded the Princess of Saxe Meiningen ; and on the same day the Duke of Kent was united to Victo- ria Maria Louisa, the daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Sael- field-Gobourg, and widow of the prince of Leiningen. The Pnncess Elizabeth was also married to the Pxince ot Hombourg.* Q. What important political transactions distinguished the year 1818 7 A. The first that demands notice is the general election which took place throughout the United Kingdom, and which, as is usual, occupied the attention of all classes. Q. Did not a meeting of those sovereigns, with whom England had lately been in alliance, take place about the game time 7 A. Y >s, peace having been fully established in Rurope, a meeting of the allied sovereigns was held at Aix-La- Chapelle, where it was agreed that the troops, left in Fi ance ♦ Hesse Hombourgh, Hesse Cassel, liCiningen, ami Saxe Mein- ingen, are small GerniHii principalities, unequal in point of extent and value to the estates of some of our Kn^^lish nobility ; but by the laws of England no meml>ers of the Royaf Family are permitted to espouse a subject, or any foreigner who ii not a Protestant. tor th( were recall Q. A. rees, pire, vigorc Ihem HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 65 expression IS observed urning and y heart on r the high the Pfin- ne of suc- it such al- ii ingdom pnl, 1818» owing the einingen ; 1 to Victo- >axe-Sael- Jgen. The Prince ot itigui«hed i\ election dom, and lasses, iih whom ibout the Europe, Ai\'-La- n France xe Mein- "f oxieiu t>ut l>y the "riiiictl lo «Jl. tor the purpose of givinji: stability to the monarchial power, were now no longer necessary, and they were accordingly recalled. Q. What occurred in India at this period ? A. A very numerous body of the natives, called Pinda- rees, having resisted the British power in that extensive em- pire, the Marquis of Hastings, the governor, undertook a vigorous campaign agaiost them, and ultimately reduced them to obedience, thus adding considerably to the British possessions. Q. What illustrious person died during this year? A. Queen Charlotte, who expired at Kew on the 17th of- November, 1818, a?ed seventy-fire, having been married to his Majesty fifty-seven years. Q. What evenls of a political nature took place in Eng- land in tLe year 1819 1 A. The country was in a slate of considerable agitation- from the large and numerous meetings of the populace, who • were styled Radical Reformers. One of these meetings at- length terminated very fatally at Manchester. Q. Relate the circumstances attending^Jt *? A. On the 16th August an immense multitude of persons* assembled at Manchester, with banners indicative ot their principles hnaded by Mr. Hunt, a person who had made* bimsr If notorious at similar meetings on former occasions. The magistracy, considering such an assemblage likely to • proceed to violence, had called to the aid of the civil powet/ two regiments of yeomanry and some regular tioops; a* f>arty of the loira<'r being ordered to assist in securing the • eaders, and to disperse the people, a scene of terror andi confusion ensued, whereby some persons lost their lives, and many were seriously wounded. Q. To what did this lead ? A. The government thought it expedient to prevent such* meetings of the people in future, unless they were convened • by persons in authority ; and for this and other purposes* reslnctive acts were passed, not, howevei. without consi- derable opposition from those members who advocated the ; cause of parliamentary reform. CATECHISM OP THE Q. Was not the commencement of the year 1820 ren- dered remarkable in a melancholy manner by the death of two illustriour, persons 1 A. Yes, ou the 23rdof January the Duke o^Kent expired at his cottaga ai Sidmouth, in Devonshire, from inflamma- tion brougl 4 on by cold. His royal highness, who was sin- cerely lamented, left an infant daughter, Alexandrina Vic- toria (her present Majesty), whose birth on the 24th of May, 1819, had been a source ot the greater delight to him. Q. Who was the other illustrious person who died at this Beriod ? ""-'"' ^i''-'^-' '"*^"' '^'>''?;--t^|-.'j4,i''»f :,, j-^w*.; ■'-'•>■, ■• .'•' , A. His venerable Majesty George the Third, who ex- pired on the 29lh of January, 1820, in the 60th year of his reign, and the 82nd of his age. The long and severe ma- lady, that this just and amiable monarch had endured, had prepared his affectionate subjects for the melancholy event ; but though long expected, his death was sincerely lamented. Q. Was not his reign signalized by many important dis- coveries, inventions, and improvements ? A. YeS; by the discovery of various islands and coun- tries in different parts of the world ; by the introduction of vaccination,* as a protection against the small-pox ; by the use of gas for the purpose of lightiu)^ our streets, churches, manufactories, and shops ; by the employment of steam for the purpose of propelling ships at sea, and various machines on land ; also by numerous improvements in chemistr t/and other sciences. > Q. Was not George the Third celebrated likewise for the encouragement which he gave to the arts of painting and sculpture? • Vaccinntiony inoculation for the cow-pox, a disease to which Iho lu'els of cows are subject. This disease, milU and safe in iis action, is a protection against flie snialUpox. It wa> ori^finally im- parled to the human frame hy the insertion, beneath the sliin, of matter from the diseased heel of the cow ; but it is now generally transferred from one human suDjccl to another. • A. Y( mv for a W A. In Fuseli, Thomas kens, Bi Gas, 9. vapour from burning coals, ka Q.B] A. P] time Re of Januj mins'er, Q. W accossu A. T individi; arrange! his Maj ner at t Q. W A. A Birnie, commai pair to and the' • one of by Artl Q. B guished • Chemi •/ byfi '} u^^ 820 ren- ; death of it expired nflamma- I was sin- rina Vic- h of May, him. led at this who ex- !ar of his veve ma- ured, had lyevent ; amen ted. Ttant dis- nd coun- 'uctionof : ; by the churches, steam for machines listn/and ise for the )ting and I to which safe in Us piiirJly jm- lu skin, of ' generally » ■ ^f % '■ ■-•''. » ' • 'V^'''''i' HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. Yes, it was under his auspices that the Royal Acade- my for Painting was founded at Somerset House. Q- What great artists tiourished in this reign ? ^ A. In painting, West, Romiiey, Loulherbourgh, Barry, Fuseli, Beechy, Opie, Wilson, Gainsborough, Shee, Sir Thomas Lawrence, &c.,and m sculpture, Flaxm&n, ^3olle- kens, Bacon, Chantrey, Westmacoot, &c. _;'. ^-'^.v. i.; CHAPTER XLVI. Reign of George the Fourth, ! 1 Q. By whom was Georgpe the Third succeeded ? A. Py his eldest son, Georgp, Prince of Wales, at that time Regent of the kingdom ; who, on Monday, the 3lst of January, was publicly proclaimed in London and West- mi ns'er. Q. What remarkable event occurred soon af:er the king's accession ? ' A. The discovery that a number of obscure and wretched individufJs had treasonabl)' associated together, and ha A. George. Lord Byron, whilst assisting the Greeks against their Turkish oppressors. >* Q. What celebrated men died in the year 1827 1 A.Frederick, Duke of York, Heir Presumptive to the throne : the Right Hon. George Canning, Prime Minister of Great Britain ; Dr. Pelham, Bishop of Lmcoln ; and Dr. Tomline, Bishop of Winchester. «i ^ v ' - Q. What political changes occurred at this period 1 ' A. 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. Q. How long did Mr. Canning hold office ? A. Only until the 8th of August following. The fatigue and difficulties he had to contend with having aggravated a disease he bad already neglected, he expired on that day. Q. Who succeeded him as Prime Minister 1 A. Lord Goderich. formerly Mr. Robinson. Q. What remarkable naval event occurred in the year 1827 7 A. The Turkish government having refused to adop* pacific measures respecting its Greek subjects, a serious misunderstanding; arose ; and a combined fleet of English, French, and Russian ships encountered the Turkish fleet in the harbour of Navarino, and a furious battle ensued, in which the Turks were completely defeated. Incapacitated v. to be disabled, rendered incapablc\ Pacific, a. mild, gentle, appeasing. >:: t 70 CATECHISM OF THE l,'. Q. What was the state of affairs in 1828 ? A. The Duke of Wellington, with a new ministry, suc- ceeded Lord Goderich, and repealed the Test and Corpora- tion Acts. Q. What vennarkable characters died in the year 1828? ;„ A. Dr. Sutton, -Archbishop of Canterbury, having filled that high station twenty-three years ; and the Earl of Liver- pool, many years Prime Minister of England. Q. What were the events of 1829 ? , A. The i assing of the act on the 13th of April, admitting the Roman Catholics to the fullest political privileges. Q When did the death of George the Fourth occur 1 A. On the 26th of June, 1830, after a reign principally remarked for the long continued peace, and for the great architectural improvements made in the capital. CHAPTER XLVI L 1 ReUn of Wtllian the Fou*th. i Q. By whom was George the Fourth succeeded % A. By his brother the Duke of Clarence, who ascended the throne as William the Fourth. Q. What were the chief events of the early part of his reign ? A. The great pplitical excitement caused by the agitation of the question of the Reform of the Dommons* House of Parlia-nent. Q. What was the progress of that question? * V A On the assembling of the Parliament the Duke of Wel- lington, as Prime Minister, declaretl his determination not tc advocate the measure in anyshaiie; andanew adminisira' tion, with Ea 1 Grey at its head, was formed in Nov., 1830 On the 18th ofMarch following Lord John Russell presentet a t^illin the house of Commons for a very extensive alteratio' of the representation ; but it was carried, after much sevei debating, by a majority of one only, and on the 22nd of Apn the Parliament was dissolved. The bill was again introduce' on the re-assemblit)g of the Parliament in June, and w;i carried up to the House of Loids by a majority of 123 on ih. 21st of September,Wiience it was rejectedby a majorityof 41 • Q. Wh A. Th( which mi the assen Q. Hoi A. In] some w ha mons' Ho the Uppei It was pa! of His Me Peers to c The royal portant ac 7lh of Jur Q. Wh; A. Refc passed wi Q. Wh; A. The India- Conr of August amendme cion bill, country. Q. Wh A. {(\ J\1 Althorp, of his fatl] up. Earl sui'ceede^ ministry ter frreat the Melb continued Q. Wh A. Th a painful fortitude. nistry, suc- id Corpora- rear 1828? ^ laving filled arlof Liver- il, admitting ivileges. 1 occur 1 I principally for the grfat al. ededl ho ascended y part of his the agitation ns* House of )ukeofWel- ination not tc V adminisira' n Nov.,) 830 sell presentee ive alleratio' much sevei 22nd of Apn lin introduce' ine, and wa otl23on th- najorityof 41 BISTORT OF ENGLAND. 71 Q. What was the result of this rejection ? A. The greatest political excitement all over the country, which manifested itself in the formation of associations, and the assemblage of large multitudes to agitate the question. Q. How did the Parliament proceed i A. In December it re-assembled, and the Reform bill, somewhat modified, was ag^in introduc?d into the Com- mons* House, which, after a protracted debate, was sent to the Upper House ; where, after a most animated discussion, It was passed, several Lords withdrawinif 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 ;he most im- portant act since the settlement of the Crown in 1688, on the 7thof June, 1832. Q. What were the other measures of the Session ? -<' • A. Reform Acts applymg to Ireland and Scotland, which passed with little opposi:ion. Q. What w'ere the other important events in this reign ? A. The renewal of the Charters of the Bank and East IndiaCompany ; the total Abolition of Slavery from the ^st of August 183 1, in the British dominions ; the bill for the amendment of the Poor Law ; the renewal of the Irish Coer- cion bill, in consequence of the tumultuous state of that country. Q, What were the changes in the ministry? A. In Nov., 1834, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Althorp, was removed to the House of Peers by the death of his father, Earl Spencer, and the ministry was broken up, Earl Grey having previously retired, and hav'ng been sui'ceeded by Lord Melbourne as Prime Minister. A new ministry was now formed under Sir Robert Peel, which af- ter irieat stJUiig es in the House of t'ommons, gave v^ay to the Melbourne ministry, who again came into office, and continued to the close of this reign. , , , ., ..,* . i . ^,„, Q. What other events occurred ? ' A. The death of the king on the 20th June, 1837, after a painful illness, which he bore with the most Christian fortitude. 72 CATECHISM OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. -^ CHAPTER XLVIII. ^ - ' ' Reign of Queen Victoria, Q. By whom was William the Fourth succeeded? A. By her present Majesty, Victoria, daughter of the Duke of Kent, fourth son of George Third, who ascended the throne in her 19th year amidst the enthusiastic wish* et and expectations of all classes. Q. What events of importance have taken place in Her Majesty's personal history? ■ A. On the 10th of February, 1840, Her Majesty was married to His Royal Highness Prince Albert, of the an^ cient and illustrious House of Saxe Oobourg Gotha ; on the 21st of November of the same year the Princess Royal was horn ; on the 9th of November, 1841, the Prince of Wales (who is Heir Apparent to the throne),!iince when, Her Ma- jesty has given birth to two Princes and three Princesses. Q. What public events, worthy of notice,have occurred up to the present period? A. The summoning of a Parliament in July, 1841, the treaty of peace between England and China in Augn*t 1842 ; the successful close of ihe war in Aff^hanistan in the foilowina; month ; the adoption in the same year of the Ash- burton Treaty between England and the United States ; the brilliant succes3 of Major General Sir Charles Napier in Sclnde in Febiuarv 1843, against the hostile Beloochees; the great reduction in 1845 in the duties on produce imported into Britain ; the immense number of railways constructed ; the employment ot steam vessels to cross the Atlantic, and in other long voyages ; the gi«:iintic victories achieved by the British troops in India at Moodkie, Xliwal, Sobraon, &c. ; the repeal in 1846 of the duties on corn ; the Revolu- tion in France in 1848 ; the flight of king Louis Phillippe ; the success of Louis Napoleon, (nephew of the Emperor Napoleon,) in securing th«4 throne of France ; the opening of the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 ; and the death of the illustrious Duke of Wellington in September, 1852. THB END. ■.i '-''A ■ AND. ^ '- ded? ter of the I ascended istic wish- ice in Her « ijesty was of the an- ha ; on the Royal was e of Wales n, Her Ma- Princesses. >ccurred up 1841, the in Augu«l listanin the of I he Ash- States ; the Napier in ieloochecs ; ce imported onstructed ; tlantic, and chieved by il. Sobraon, the Revolu- s Phillippe ; 16 Emperor the opening id the death aber, 1852. -*^'^- f. . • -« ^^p '\:- .;>•st*t^^,^^^,^ '-* ■, »» , /J ^' ; t>. ;> \i l^r^^. ' . V ? i ■ '■^ , '.i--'^'