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CHALLEN & SON'S NEW JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS. 
 ENGLISH HISTORY, 
 
 SIMPLIFIED AND CONDENSED FOR THE YOUNG. 
 
 By MRS. ANNA M. HYDE. 
 
 This is a brief compendium of English His- 
 tory, without the tedious details of ordinary 
 history, and designed to locate the most im- 
 portant events, and impress them on the mind 
 of the young, to be afterward filled up and 
 improved by more extensive study. Great 
 care has been taken that all its facts and 
 dates should be strictly correct ; while an im- 
 partial view has been aimed at in politics and 
 religion. Price 25 cents, iiost-paid. 
 
 The Publishers take great pleasure in re- 
 commending the above works to Parents, to 
 Teachers, and Superintendents of Sunday- 
 schools, and all others engaged in instructing 
 the young. 
 
 PICTURE BOOK FOR THE YOUNG. 
 By- MARY HO WITT. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY TWENTY QUARTO ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 This is an elegant book to present to good 
 children, and as a reward for Sunday-school 
 scholars. Price 50 cents. 
 
CHALLEN & SON'S NEW JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 LADDER TO LEARNING, 
 
 FOR LITTLE CLIMBERS. 
 
 By MRS. ANNA M. HYDE. 
 
 Among the numerous books for children, 
 this one presents some very novel and attractive 
 features, being prepared expressly on the plan 
 of making Learning both easy and pleasant 
 to the child. 
 
 Memory being the bottom round in the Lad- 
 der to Learning, a permanent foothold there is 
 of the first importance, as the after steps are 
 comparatively easy. 
 
 Outlines of Geography, Grammar, History, 
 Astronomy, &c., are here simply explained, or 
 versified, so as to be within the grasp of a 
 little child's comprehension ; and it will be 
 found that even the busy cares and thoughts 
 of after life can never efface these early im- 
 pressions. 
 
 A few suitable Poems, both original arfd 
 selected, are added at the close ; and the 
 religious tone of the whole work will recom- 
 mend it to every Christian parent and teacher. 
 Price -1^ cents, post-paid. 
 
ENGLISH HISTORY 
 
 CONDENSED AND SIMPLIFIED 
 
 CHILDREN. 
 
 BY 
 
 ANNA M. HYDE. 
 
 
 V 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 JAMES CHALLEN & SON. 
 
 1860. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1SJ9, Ly 
 
 ANNA M. HYDE, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States 
 in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Ddii. 
 
PKEFACE. 
 
 A brief compendium of English 
 History, fuller than a mere table of 
 Chronology, and yet avoiding the te- 
 dious detail of ordinary history, has 
 long been needed. History in out- 
 line, is the same as Geography taught 
 from outline maps ; it teaches us how 
 to locate the important events, and fix 
 them firmly in our minds, to be after- 
 ward filled up, and improved, by more 
 extensive study. 
 
 The artist sketches his picture be- 
 fore he applies the shading or coloring, 
 and in like manner, we would trace, 
 
 (ii) 
 
12 PREFACE. 
 
 first upon the memory, those general 
 outlines of events, which closer inves- 
 tigation will only more perfectly de- 
 velops 
 
 Priestly, in his excellent lectures on 
 History, says : " One of the most use- 
 ful directions that can be given for 
 facilitating the study of History, is to 
 begin with a compendium, or general 
 view of the whole subject." 
 
 In preparing this little work, great 
 care has been taken that all state- 
 ments, and data, should be strictly 
 correct; while an impartial view has 
 been aimed at, both in politics and 
 religion. 
 
A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 ENGLISH HISTORY 
 
 England, or Britain, as it was first 
 called, was little known until the reign 
 of the Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar, 
 about fifty years before Christ. The 
 inhabitants were called Britons, and 
 they were a wild and barbarous people 
 of Celtic origin. They were Pagans, 
 and their priests were called Druids. 
 
 These Druids were high in authori- 
 ty, and held the people in slavish sub- 
 jection, worshiping in groves of oak, 
 which, with the mistletoe, they re- 
 garded as sacred. Ruins of their tem- 
 
 1* (13) 
 
14 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 pies still exist, and some of their 
 maxims are also preserved; but these 
 throw little light upon their customs 
 or creed. 
 
 The name, Britain, is supposed to 
 mean an island in the outer sea ; the 
 Atlantic Ocean being thus distinguish- 
 ed from the Mediterranean, which was 
 known as the inner sea. The word is 
 no doubt derived from a Phenician 
 one, Brithan, signifying outer. 
 
 It had other names, however, given 
 by different foreign nations; Albion, 
 from the white cliffs on its coasts, was 
 derived from the Latin word Alb us — 
 white. Scotland was first called Cale- 
 donia, and Wales Cambria. The name 
 of England was derived from the 
 Angles, a Saxon tribe, who came from 
 the north. 
 
 The Romans, under Julius Caesar, 
 invaded Britain about the year 54, 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 15 
 
 before Christ; but its conquest was 
 not effected until A. D. 41, when the 
 Roman Government was established 
 there by the Emperor Claudius, and 
 the British king, Caractacus, was car- 
 ried a prisoner to Home. 
 
 The natives being constantly an- 
 noyed by the inroads of the Scots and 
 Picts, two warlike nations in the north 
 of Scotland, the Romans built walls 
 across the island to protect them, the 
 remains of which are still to be seen. 
 While the Romans held sway in 
 Britain, these enemies did not cross 
 the walls, but in the fifth century, the 
 Romans, finding enough to do in still- 
 ing the rebellions nearer home, aban- 
 doned their British possessions, and 
 the Britons were compelled to ask 
 protection from their Saxon neighbors. 
 This was the first entrance of the 
 Saxons into Britain, and in the sixth 
 
1G A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 century, they conquered and took pos- 
 session of the whole country, after 
 which the ancient Britons existed no 
 longer as a distinct people. Their 
 descendants are the present inhabit- 
 ants of Wales. 
 
 The Saxons divided the island into 
 seven kingdoms, called a Heptarchy, 
 and they were governed by seven 
 kings, an arrangement which con- 
 tinued for about two hundred years, 
 when, after much fighting among 
 themselves, the whole were united 
 under one of the kings — Egbert — and 
 thus it became one kingdom. Egbert 
 was, therefore, the first king of En- 
 gland, a name then given to it by 
 himself. 
 
 In his reign the Danes first began 
 to trouble England, and continued to 
 do so for more than two hundred 
 years. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. ' 17 
 
 Egbert's successors were first, his 
 son Ethelwolf, and then the sons of 
 Ethelwolf— Ethelbald, Ethelbert, Eth- 
 elred, and Alfred. During the reign 
 of Ethelbert, Augustine was sent by 
 Gregory, Bishop of Rome, to convert 
 the Anglo-Saxons ; and the Church of 
 Rome attempts from this fact to prove 
 that England derived its knowledge 
 of Christianity entirely from that 
 source. But it is confidently asserted 
 by Eusebius, Tertullian, and other 
 early historians, that the Gospel was 
 preached in Britain by some of the 
 Apostles themselves ; while it is well 
 known that St. Alban was martyred 
 there for his religion, nearly three 
 hundred years before St. Augustine 
 landed. 
 
 Alfred, (called " The Great,") who 
 reigned in the latter part of the ninth 
 century, was a good and pious prince, 
 
18 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 as well as an able statesman and 
 scholar. He founded the University 
 of Oxford, established trial by jury, 
 divided England into comities, pre- 
 pared laws, and introduced many im- 
 provements in architecture and ship- 
 building. During this reign the 
 Danes overrun the kingdom, and Al- 
 fred was obliged to abandon his 
 throne, and live in retirement, dis- 
 guising himself as a cowherd, and 
 hiring himself to do the commonest 
 labor. As soon as a favorable op- 
 portunity arrived, however, he re- 
 sumed command, and with a few 
 firm adherents, routed the Danes, 
 and once more seated himself on 
 the throne, where he proved him- 
 self the best king that ever reigned 
 in a barbarous age. Died A. D. 
 900. 
 
 He was succeeded by his son Ed- 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 19 
 
 ward, who, though a virtuous king, 
 was inferior to his father. 
 
 Next, Athelstan, who caused the 
 Scriptures to be translated into the 
 Saxon language. 
 
 Next — Edmund, Edred, Edwy, Ed- 
 gar, Edward, (called "The Martyr," 
 because he was murdered by his 
 mother-in-law to make way for her 
 own son,) Ethelred IT., and lastly, 
 Edmund, surnamed " Ironsides," be- 
 cause he was strong and powerful in 
 body. 
 
 At this time, (1017,) the Danes, 
 under Sweyn, King of Denmark, sub- 
 dued England, and he was proclaimed 
 King. Dying soon after, Sweyn was 
 succeeded by his son Canute, who held 
 also the throne of Denmark and Nor- 
 way. His successors were his two 
 sons, Harold and Hardicanute; at the 
 death of the latter, the English threw 
 
20 A CHILD'S BRIEF coMl'l-NDIUM 
 
 oft' the Danish yoke, and restored the 
 Saxon line by giving the crown to 
 Edward, son of Ethelred. 
 
 Edward was snrnamed " The Con- 
 fessor," because he affected a monkish 
 sanctity of life ; and as he was entirely 
 governed by the clergy, they honored 
 him as a saint, pretending that his 
 touch could cure the disease known as 
 " king's evil." That superstitious cus- 
 tom was continued until the reign of 
 Queen Anne, and it is said that the 
 learned Dr. Johnson was touched by 
 her for the cure of the same. 
 
 Edward the Confessor died in 
 1065, and was the last Saxon king. 
 He was the founder of "Westminster 
 Abbey. 
 
 Harold, brother-in-law of Edward, 
 caused himself to be proclaimed king; 
 but William, Duke of Normandy, re- 
 solved to dispute his claim, and having 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 21 
 
 landed with an army in England, they 
 met Harold and his followers at Hast- 
 ings, where a great battle was fought. 
 The result was that Harold was slain, 
 and William, hence called " The Con- 
 queror," became king. This is gen- 
 erally called the "Norman Conquest." 
 
 NORMAN LINE. 
 
 William the Conqueror. 
 
 Character. — He possessed some 
 good, but many bad qualities. He w T as 
 very tyrannical, and introduced the 
 Feudal system into England, by which 
 the whole tenure of landed property 
 was changed, and divided among his 
 Norman favorites. He possessed supe- 
 rior talents, and was the most powerful 
 sovereign of his time; but his great 
 love of power made him regardless of 
 justice or humanity. 
 
22 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Possessions. — England and Nor- 
 mandy. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 He planted a forest, in order to gratify 
 his taste for hunting, which has always 
 retained the name of New Forest, and 
 established the most severe laws to 
 protect the game for his own use. 
 Whoever dared to kill a stag, or even 
 a hare, had his eyes put out ! He 
 also made a law requiring that, at 
 eight o'clock in the evening, a bell 
 should be rung as a signal for extin- 
 guishing all lights and fires. This 
 was called the " Curfew," or cover-fire 
 bell. 
 
 Died.— 1087. 
 
 Children, — Robert, William, Rufus, 
 and Henry. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 23 
 
 William IT. (surnamed jRufus.) 
 
 Character. — Cruel and tyrannical, 
 with few redeeming virtues. 
 
 Possessions. — England and Nor- 
 mandy. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The Crusades were commenced. 
 These were called holy wars, and 
 their object was to regain possession 
 of the holy Sepulchre, which, with 
 other places in Palestine, had fallen 
 into the hands of the Turks and Sara- 
 cens. A superstitious zeal animated 
 all the kings and princes of Europe, 
 and they left their kingdoms and pos- 
 sessions to engage in the strange en- 
 terprise. 
 
 Died. — Accidentally shot while 
 hunting in the New Forest, A. D. 
 1100. 
 
 Children. — None. 
 
24 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Henry I. 
 
 Character. — A wise and learned 
 king; proficient in all the literature 
 of the times. 
 
 Possessions. — England and Nor- 
 mandy. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 He abolished the "Curfew," and re- 
 leased his subjects from many other 
 exacting laws made by his father, 
 William the Conqueror. His only 
 male heir was drowned while crossing 
 the channel from Normandy, and in 
 sight of the English shore ; this event 
 so sorely afflicted the king that he was 
 never afterward known to smile. He 
 married Matilda, great-grand-daugh- 
 ter of Edmund Ironsides, and thus 
 the Saxon and Norman lines became 
 united. 
 
 Died.— 1135. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 ( 'hildren. — William, who died be- 
 fore his father, and Maud, or Matilda, 
 who married Geoff'ry Plantagcnet. 
 From them sprang the house of Plan- 
 tagenet. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 Line of Blois. 
 
 Character. — He was the nephew of 
 Henry I., and grandson of William 
 the Conqueror. His reign was a 
 continual contest with his cousin Ma- 
 tilda, Henry's daughter, to whom her 
 father bequeathed the crown. The 
 difficulties were at length settled by 
 an agreement, whereby Stephen was 
 to keep possession during his life, after 
 which the crown was to revert to 
 Henry II. son of Matilda. He was 
 in some respects brave and generous, 
 
 2* 
 
26 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 but had the guilty conscience of the 
 usurper. 
 
 Possessions. — England. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The insecurity felt by Stephen made 
 him anxious to secure the good-will 
 and favor of the nobles. With this 
 view, he granted them liberty to for- 
 tify their castles, besides other privi- 
 leges, which made them all petty 
 sovereigns in their own dominions, 
 and weakened the king's own power. 
 Disputes and wars grew out of this 
 state of affairs, which continued dur- 
 ing the whole reign. 
 
 Died.— 1164, 
 
 Children. — William, Earl of Bou- 
 logne. 
 
 Henry II. 
 House of Plant a genet. 
 Character. — A powerful prince, who 
 
OF ENGLISH IIISTORY. 27 
 
 proved his wisdom by endeavoring to 
 restrain the power of the Pope, the 
 clergy, and the nobles. He granted 
 many privileges to the middle class of 
 the people, and although he was sensual 
 and haughty, with many vices, he had 
 also many virtues. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Normandy, 
 and Ireland. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 Thomas-a-Becket was one of the most 
 noted personages of the reign. He 
 had been raised from a humble station 
 to be Archbishop of Canterbury, and 
 lived in great magnificence ; but hav- 
 ing displeased the king, the latter ex- 
 pressed a hasty wish to be rid of him. 
 Four of his knights hearing this, went 
 and murdered Becket on the very 
 steps of the altar. Miracles were said 
 to be wrought at the martyr's tomb, 
 and this unhappy transaction resulted 
 
28 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 in favor of the church, rendering en- 
 tirely useless the king's former efforts 
 to free himself from the Pope's rule. 
 In order to keep the peace of his 
 kingdom, Henry was forced to make 
 a pilgrimage to the tomh of Becket, 
 there to be scourged by the monks of 
 Canterbury. The latter part of his 
 life was embittered by the undutiful 
 conduct of his children. 
 
 Died— 1189. 
 
 Children. — Henry, GeofTry, Rich- 
 ard, John, and three daughters; the 
 two younger sons succeeded. 
 
 Richard I. (surnamed Coeur de Lion, 
 or the Lion Hearted, from his 
 valor.) 
 
 Character. — He shared the general 
 zeal which animated so many others 
 of his day, and engaged in the Cru- 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 29 
 
 sades, thus neglecting his kingdom 
 and home affairs, while he was fighting 
 in the Holy Land. He was a man of 
 considerable mental ability, though 
 lacking discretion. 
 
 Possessions. — England and Nor- 
 mandy. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 At his coronation a disgraceful mas- 
 sacre of the Jews took place. In 
 order to raise money for his Crusade, 
 he sold many high offices, titles, &c., 
 and thus impoverished his kingdom, 
 whilst insurrections were occurring 
 continually during his absence. 
 
 On his way home from Palestine, 
 he was shipwrecked and taken pris- 
 oner in Austria, and a ransom of 
 one hundred thousand marks, or about 
 two thousand two hundred and twen- 
 ty-two dollars was paid by his poor 
 subjects before he was released. 
 
30 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Died. — He was shot at the siege of 
 Chalus, a castle in France, 1199. 
 Children. — None , 
 
 John (surnamed Lackland, because he 
 inherited none from his father). 
 
 Character. — Weak, unfortunate and 
 wicked; continually at war with the 
 Barons and the Popes. He is saixl to 
 have murdered Arthur, the rightful 
 heir to the crown, and as Arthur was 
 claimed as a subject of the king of 
 France, John was compelled to forfeit 
 his possessions in Normandy as a pen- 
 alty for the offense. Thus Normandy 
 passed from the dominion of England, 
 and was united to France. 
 
 Possessions. — England. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 John, having greatly displeased the 
 Pope, the whole kingdom was placed 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 31 
 
 under an interdict, which prevented 
 his subjects from obeying his laws, 
 and then the Pope granted England 
 to the king of France. This brought 
 John to terms, and in order to appease 
 the pontiff's anger, he went down on 
 his knees to the Pope's legate, de- 
 livering up his crown, and promis- 
 ing submission. After three days 
 suspense, it was restored to the 
 king, who received it again on his 
 knees. 
 
 The greatest act of the reign was 
 the signature of the Magna Charta, or 
 great charter of rights, which has al- 
 ways been considered the foundation 
 of English liberty. This was done 
 most reluctantly, but was forced from 
 him by the Barons, who saw that he 
 was trying to make himself an abso- 
 lute monarch. 
 
 Died.— 1216. 
 
32 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Children. — Five. Henry, the eldest, 
 succeeded. 
 
 Henry IIL 
 
 Character. — Weak, inefficient, and 
 led by favorites, who governed him 
 entirely. 
 
 Possessions. — England. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 His reign lasted fifty-six years, during 
 which civil wars and contentions were 
 incessant; but the Barons being suc- 
 cessful in their demands, obtained from 
 the weak-minded monarch a further 
 acknowledgment of their rights by his 
 confirmation of the great charter. 
 The shires or counties were first rep- 
 resented in Parliament in this reign, 
 two knights being sent from each 
 shire. 
 
 Died.— 1272. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 33 
 
 Children. — Several. Edward suc- 
 ceeded him. 
 
 Edward I. (surnamed Long Shanks.') 
 
 Character. — Unlike his father, he 
 was an able and excellent sovereign, 
 extending the commerce of his coun- 
 try and doing all in his power to 
 increase its glory and importance. 
 
 Possessions. — England and Wales. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The conquest of Wales. After this 
 occurred, his oldest son being born in 
 Wales, the title of Prince of Wales 
 was then, and ever since, given to the 
 oldest son of the king or queen of 
 England. In this reign the House of 
 Commons was modeled in its present 
 form. 
 
 Died.— 1301 
 
 Children. — Several. Edward, Prince 
 of Wales, was his successor. 
 
 3 
 
34 A CHILD'S BKlhF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Edward II. 
 
 Character. — Totally different from 
 his father, being neither a great man, 
 nor a good king. 
 
 Possessions. — England and Wales. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the lleign. — 
 In attempting to subdue Scotland, the 
 English were defeated at Bannock- 
 burn by the Scotch. 
 
 Died. — He was murdered in Berk- 
 ley Castle by order of his wife, Isa- 
 bella, 1328. 
 
 Children. — Edward, his successor, 
 and two daughters. 
 
 Edward III. 
 
 Character. — A wise and glorious 
 king, — one, of whom England may 
 well be proud. In the relations of 
 husband and father he is to be ad- 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 mired, and his faithful wife, Philippa, 
 with his son, the Black Prince, were 
 illustrious characters. The latter part 
 of his life, after their deaths, was 
 marked by more indolence and weak- 
 ness ; but he deserves a high place in 
 history. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Normandy, 
 Wales and Ireland. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The English regained some of their 
 possessions in France by the success- 
 ful battles of Cressy and Poictiers, in 
 which the Black Prince shone con- 
 spicuously. In the battle of Cressy, 
 cannon were first used by the English. 
 Chivalry was now at its height in En- 
 gland, and the Order of the Garter 
 was instituted in this reign. In these 
 days lived WicklifTe, the Reformer. 
 
 Edward, the Black Prince (so called 
 from the color of his armor), died 
 
36 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 during the lifetime of his father, aged 
 forty-five years, deeply regretted hy 
 the nation. He was brave and gener- 
 ous, and was but sixteen years old 
 when he took part in the battle of 
 Cressy. He left one son, Richard. 
 
 Died.— Edward III. died 1377. 
 
 Children. — Edward, the Black 
 Prince, William, Lionel, John of 
 Gaunt, and several others. 
 
 Richard II. 
 
 Character. — He was the son of the 
 Black Prince, and succeeded at the 
 age of eleven years. He was weak 
 and perfidious, unfit to rule, and was 
 therefore deposed by Parliament. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Xormandy, 
 Wales and Ireland. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 After Richard was deposed, Henry, 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 37 
 
 Duke of Lancaster, usurped the 
 throne, and that unfortunate king was 
 murdered in Pomfret Castle. This 
 usurpation gave rise to the contests 
 between the two rival houses of York 
 and Lancaster, commonly called the 
 Wars of the Koses, because each party 
 wore roses as badges. The first poll- 
 tax was levied in England. 
 
 Died.— Murdered in 1399. 
 
 Ch lichen . — None. 
 
 Henry IV. 
 
 House of Lancaster. 
 
 Character. — Being a usurper, he 
 was therefore constantly uneasy and 
 apprehensive of losing his crown. 
 Cruel and oppressive, in this reign 
 the first Protestant martyrs were 
 burnt at the stake. 
 
 3* 
 
38 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Possessions. — England, Normandy, 
 Wales and Ireland 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 
 As Richard II. left no children, the 
 rightful heir was the son of his next 
 brother, Lionel; Henry, being the son 
 of a still younger brother, had there- 
 fore no claim to the kingdom, and al- 
 though he succeeded in usurping the 
 crown, there arose fierce contests be- 
 tween the allies of the wronged house 
 of York, and that of Lancaster, to 
 which he belonged. These are known 
 in history as the "Wars of the Roses," 
 the house of York adopting a white 
 rose as a badge, and that of Lancaster 
 a red one. These wars lasted many 
 years, and were finally closed by the 
 marriage of Henry VII. of the house 
 of Lancaster with the legal heiress of 
 the house of York. 
 
 JDied.-UlS. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 39 
 
 Children. — Henry, who succeeded 
 him, Thomas, John and Humphrey. 
 
 Henry V. 
 
 Character. — Before his accession to 
 the throne, he was said to be dissipa- 
 ted and fond of low company; but 
 this was put away as soon as he be- 
 came a king. He was warlike and 
 brave, and won victorious laurels by 
 his successful invasion of France. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Normandy, 
 Wales, Ireland and France. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The battle of Agincourt was one of 
 the most celebrated in English his- 
 tory; and the English, though fight- 
 ing in an enemy's country, disabled in 
 a measure by sickness, and inferior in 
 numbers, gained a most decisive vic- 
 tory over the French. A treaty was 
 
40 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 then made between Henry V. of En- 
 gland and Charles VI. of France, by 
 which the latter country was to con- 
 tinue in possession of the French 
 king during his lifetime, and then to 
 become the property of England. 
 Charles also gave Henry his daughter 
 in marriage. 
 
 The principles of the Reformers be- 
 gan to gain ground, although persecu- 
 tion and martyrdom still prevailed. 
 ' Died. — 1422, aged thirty-four years. 
 
 Children. — One. Henry VI. 
 
 Henry VI. 
 
 Character. — He inherited the throne 
 when only nine months old, and 
 whether his mind was naturally weak, 
 or his education at fault, he showed 
 little capacity for government. He 
 possessed many of the more quiet and 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 41 
 
 gentle virtues, but wanted those quali- 
 ties especially needed in a king. 
 
 His wife, Margaret of Anjou, was 
 totally different from him, and fought 
 battles throughout England, against 
 the house of York, while he remained 
 at home, inactive. At Tewkesbury 
 she was defeated, and saw her only 
 son, Edward, murdered. She was af- 
 terward taken prisoner herself, but in 
 the next reign was ransomed, and sent 
 to Erance. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, and 
 Ireland. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 Before he was ten years old he was 
 crowned king of France, according to 
 the treaty made with his father ; but 
 owing to his inactivity and imbecility, 
 it gradually passed from his possession, 
 together with all that his predecessors 
 had gained there, except Calais. One 
 
42 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 of the most remarkable personages of 
 the times was Joan of Arc, a beauti- 
 ful maiden of eighteen, of humble 
 parentage, who took command of the 
 French troops at the siege of Orleans, 
 and having defeated the English, con- 
 ducted Charles the dauphin, to 
 Rheims, where he was crowned king 
 of France. 
 
 Died. — Murdered in the Tower, 
 1471. 
 
 Children. — Edward, murdered at 
 Tewkesbury before his father's death. 
 
 Edward IV. 
 
 Character. — He obtained his crown 
 by bloodshed and cruelty, and main- 
 tained his right in the same way. 
 Was handsome in person, but without 
 virtue. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, and 
 Ireland. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 43 
 
 Remarkable E rents of the Reign. — 
 The wars of the Hoses were still 
 waged furiously, and dreadful* battles 
 were continually taking place. Ed- 
 ward caused the murder of many 
 noblemen, and ordered his own 
 brother, the Duke of Clarence, to 
 be drowned in a butt of Malmsley 
 wine. 
 
 Died.— 1483. 
 
 Children. — Edward, Richard, and 
 Elizabeth, with perhaps other daugh- 
 ters. 
 
 Edward V. 
 
 He came to the throne at twelve 
 years of age, and reigned but two 
 months. He and his younger brother, 
 Richard, Duke of York, were smoth- 
 ered in the Tower, by their uncle and 
 guardian, Richard, Duke of Glouces- 
 ter, afterward Richard III., to whose 
 
44 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 care they had been committed by their 
 father. 
 
 Richard III. 
 
 Character. — No character in En- 
 glish history is more odious than this. 
 He was the murderer of his brother's 
 children, and although the crown be- 
 longed of right to his brother's daugh- 
 ter, still he took possession. He was 
 hump-backed, and ugly both in mind 
 and body, and was deceitful and 
 cruel. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, and 
 Ireland. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 Although for some time the throne 
 had been held by the house of York, 
 the contests between the two rival 
 houses still continued, and soon after 
 Richard ascended the throne, Henry 
 Tudor, Earl of Richmond, and repre- 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 45 
 
 sentative of the house of Lancaster, 
 came over from France, and landed in 
 Wales with a small army. King 
 Richard met them at Bosworth, with 
 a large force, but was slain on the 
 field, when Henry was proclaimed 
 king, with the title of Henry VII. 
 
 Died— 1485. 
 
 Children. — One, who died before 
 him. 
 
 Henry VII. 
 Line of Tudor. 
 
 Character. — Peaceable, and fond of 
 commerce, which he greatly promoted. 
 He was, however, very avaricious, and 
 loved to hoard money, using, in many 
 cases, dishonorable means in order to 
 increase his riches. 
 
 Possessions. — -England, Wales, and 
 Ireland. 
 
46 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 He married Elizabeth, daughter of 
 Edward IV., and by this means united 
 the houses of York and Lancaster, 
 ending the long wars of the Roses, 
 which had devastated the kingdom for 
 more than eighty years. 
 
 During this reign, Christopher Co- 
 lumbus, under the patronage of the 
 King and Queen of Spain, discovered 
 the new world. 
 
 Died— 1509. 
 
 Children. — Arthur, who died young; 
 Henry, who succeeded him ; Marga- 
 ret, wife of James IV. of Scotland, 
 and Mary, wife of Louis XII. of 
 France. 
 
 Henry VIII. 
 
 Character. — Learned, ambitious, 
 very tyrannical, and cruel. His treat- 
 ment of his six wives was a great blot 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 47 
 
 upon his character. His first wife 
 was Catherine of Arragon, his brother's 
 widow ; he grew tired of her, and di- 
 vorced her. The second was Anne 
 Bolcyn, who was beheaded. The 
 third was Jane Seymour, who died. 
 The fourth, Anne of Cleves, who was 
 also divorced; fifth, Catherine How- 
 ard, who was beheaded, and sixth, 
 Catherine Parr, who was fortunate 
 enough to outlive him. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, and 
 Ireland. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 At this time Ireland was made a king- 
 dom, although still united to England. 
 This reign is chiefly remarkable, as 
 being the era of the Reformation. 
 Henry's divorce from Catherine of 
 Arragon was opposed by the Pope, 
 and on account of that opposition, he 
 withdrew all allegiance to Home. As 
 
48 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 good is often permitted to grow out 
 of evil, so from this unworthy begin- 
 ning sprang the great and glorious 
 Reformation from the accumulated 
 errors of Popery, and the establish- 
 ment of the reformed religion in En- 
 gland. Henry also caused the first 
 English translation of the Bible to be 
 made. 
 
 Died— 1547. 
 
 Children. — Edward (son of Jane 
 Seymour), who succeeded him; Mary 
 (daughter of Catherine Arragon), who 
 reigned ; Elizabeth (daughter of Anne 
 Boleyn), who also reigned. 
 
 The Reformation. 
 
 When we speak of the Reformation, 
 we mean the reforming of the Chris- 
 tian religion from the gross errors of 
 Popery ; thus restoring it to the purity 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 of doctrine which marked it at the be- 
 ginning. 
 
 In a few centuries after our Sa- 
 viour's death these errors began, and 
 gradually increased and gained ground 
 until, at this time, the Church of En- 
 gland protested against the Pope's 
 supremacy, and thereby took the first 
 great step toward reformation in doc- 
 trine. 
 
 The Church of England is as old 
 as Christianity itself, only her Protest- 
 antism is new, and this, because the 
 corruptions against which she pro- 
 tested, are of modern origin. In the 
 same decided manner, the early Fath- 
 ers of the Church protested against 
 the other various heresies which, from 
 time to time, crept in. 
 
 From the first establishment of 
 
 Christianity there was a bishop of 
 
 Eome, hut not until the middle of the 
 4* 
 
50 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 eighth century did he attempt to claim 
 any supremacy over other bishops. 
 At that time he obtained some tempo- 
 ral dominions, and by degrees attained 
 to great power, adding many new 
 dogmas to the faith, and proclaiming 
 himself supreme head of the Church, 
 with the title of Christ's vicegerent on 
 earth. He also declared himself in- 
 fallible, and owing to the ignorance 
 and superstition of the times, soon 
 obtained an unlimited power over all 
 the kings and princes of Europe, 
 which continued from the seventh to 
 the sixteenth centuries. 
 
 Yet at different times individual 
 reformers arose, and protested against 
 these novelties and corruptions; but 
 little advance was made toward curing 
 the difficulties, and persecution await- 
 ed every one who dared to speak or 
 write any thing contrary to the pre- 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 51 
 
 vailing religion. But notwithstanding 
 this, the writings of Luther, Calvin, 
 Wickliffe, and other great men had 
 gained some ground in the minds of 
 the people, and the period of Henry 
 VIII. and his quarrels with the Pope, 
 was the one chosen by God for the 
 light of the Gospel to break in upon 
 the darkness. 
 
 Henry being angry at the Pope's 
 refusal to grant a divorce, at once 
 threw off his allegiance, and proclaim- 
 ed himself head of the English 
 Church. This was a most important 
 step, and under the protection of the 
 king, the Church was purged of many 
 of its grossest corruptions, the Bible 
 translated into English, English pray- 
 ers used in the churches, and all 
 monasteries and convents closed. In 
 the brief reijm of Edward VI. which 
 followed, these principles were more 
 
52 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 firmly established, and many other 
 States of Europe embraced the re- 
 formed religion. The sixteenth cen- 
 tury is therefore known as the Era of 
 the Reformation. 
 
 Edward VI. 
 
 Character. — He was only nine years 
 old when his father died, and his reign 
 lasted but seven years. He was reared 
 in the Protestant religion, and was 
 greatly instrumental in its promotion, 
 being pious, and fond of godly learn- 
 ing. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, and 
 Ireland. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The wonderful spread of the Protest- 
 ant religion. Edward, knowing how 
 bigoted a papist his sister Mary was, 
 made a will bequeathing the crown to 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 53 
 
 his cousin, Lady Jane Grey, a lovely, 
 pious, and accomplished person, great- 
 ly attached to the principles of the 
 Reformation. At his death, she was 
 unwillingly seated on the throne by 
 some of her ambitious relatives, but 
 before she was proclaimed Queen, 
 Mary's friends interposed, and poor 
 Lady Jane was sent to the tower, and 
 there beheaded, with her husband, 
 Lord Guilford Dudley. She met her 
 fate with calmness and resignation, at 
 the early age of sixteen, a rare exam- 
 ple of a truly Christian lady. 
 
 Died. — Edward died 1553, of con- 
 sumption. 
 
 Children. — None. 
 
 Mary. 
 Line of Tudor. 
 Character. — She was bigoted in her 
 attachment to the Romish Church, in 
 
54 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 which she had been educated, and her 
 inhuman persecutions of the Protest- 
 ants gained for her the title of the 
 " Bloody Mary." 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, and 
 Ireland. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The dreadful persecutions, during 
 which nine hundred persons suffered 
 death by order of the queen. Among 
 them were bishops Latimer, Cranmer, 
 Ridley and Hooper. Mary was mar- 
 ried to Philip of Spain, and through 
 that alliance was drawn into a war 
 with France, by which she lost Calais, 
 the only remaining possession held 
 there by the English. 
 
 Died— 1558. 
 
 Children. — None. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 55 
 
 Elizabeth. 
 Line of Tudor. 
 
 Character. — She was universally re- 
 spected for her sound judgment ; was 
 dignified and courteous, and well 
 versed in all the learning and accom- 
 plishments of her day. During her 
 reign, the nation enjoyed greater 
 prosperity than it had ever before 
 known. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, Ire- 
 land, and Colonies in America. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 Elizabeth, being a Protestant, restored 
 all the laws made by her brother, Ed- 
 ward VI., which had been repealed 
 by Mary, and the Church of England 
 was placed on a more permanent foot- 
 ing. 
 
 Virginia was discovered by Sir 
 
56 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Walter Raleigh, and named after her, 
 as the Virgin Queen. 
 
 The Spanish ^rmada was a formid- 
 able fleet, sent out by Philip II. of 
 Spain, to conquer England. The 
 Pope also assisted in the undertaking, 
 and it was styled the " Invincible Ar- 
 mada;" but owing to the skill and 
 daring of Admiral Drake and others, 
 it was destroyed. 
 
 The death of Mary, Queen of Scots, 
 next heir to the throne, was a great 
 stigma upon Elizabeth's fair name. 
 Partly from jealousy, and partly from 
 the persuasions of her friends, Eliza- 
 beth ordered her execution, and she 
 was accordingly beheaded. 
 
 Died.— 1603. 
 
 Children. — None, being never mar- 
 ried. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 57 
 
 James I. 
 Line of Stuart. 
 
 diameter. — He was the son of the 
 beheaded Mary, Queen of Scots, but 
 unlike his mother, was a Protestant. 
 Being arbitrary and vain, without 
 judgment or proper tact, he was much 
 disliked, and gained the title of "the 
 wisest fool in Europe." 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, Ire- 
 land, Scotland, and a part of Amer- 
 ica. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 By the accession of James, Scotland 
 was united to England, and has ever 
 since formed one monarchy, called 
 Great Britain. The Gunpowder Plot 
 was discovered. This was a plot by 
 which the Parliament house was to be 
 destroyed, and was planned by Roman 
 Catholics, in order to annihilate the 
 
 lb 
 
58 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 king and all the most prominent men 
 in the government. 
 
 Died.— 1622. 
 
 Children. — Henry, who died before 
 his father ; Charles, who succeeded ; 
 and Elizabeth, who married the king 
 of Bohemia, from whom the present 
 royal family is descended. 
 
 Charles I. 
 Line of Stuart. 
 
 Character. — His character has been 
 differently set down. Some consider 
 him a martyr, and others think that 
 he deserved his dreadful fate. With- 
 out doubt, he possessed many virtues ; 
 but his wife's influence, combined with 
 that of his court favorites, drew him 
 into most of his difficulties. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, Ire- 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 land, Scotland, and Colonies in Amer- 
 ica. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 Charles soon showed his love of 
 power, and disregard of Parliament, 
 which gave rise to many a sharp dis- 
 cussion, and finally ended in open war. 
 The king placed himself at the head 
 of one army, and the government 
 formed another ; several dreadful bat- 
 tles were fought, and after four years 
 of civil war, the king himself was 
 taken prisoner, tried by his own sub- 
 jects, and condemned to be beheaded 
 for making war against his Parlia- 
 ment. He was executed at White- 
 hall, in the prime of life, suffering 
 with calmness and fortitude. 
 
 Died— Beheaded, 1649. 
 
 Children. — Charles II.; a son who 
 died young; James, afterward king; 
 and several daughters, one of whom 
 
60 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 married the Prince of Orange, father 
 of William III. 
 
 INTERREGNUM, OR COMMON- 
 WEALTH. 
 
 Oliver Cromwell. 
 
 From the death of Charles I. in 
 1649, until 1653, the government was 
 administered by the "Long Parlia- 
 ment," so called from the length of its 
 continuance ; it was composed gener- 
 ally of able men, who displayed great 
 ability to govern. 
 
 In 1653, Oliver Cromwell, one of 
 its members, was chosen Protector, 
 and invested with power nearly equal 
 to that of a king. He was a shrewd 
 and able governor, an enthusiast, if 
 not a bigot, and wielded the sceptre 
 with a severity almost amounting to 
 tyranny. He was one of the most 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. (Jl 
 
 rigid of the Puritan sect, then just 
 risen in England and Scotland, and a 
 leader among them in their severe 
 quarrels with the government, con- 
 triving so to raise the storm of politi- 
 cal and religious fanaticism, as to dis- 
 turb entirely the old order of the 
 Church. 
 
 He was certainly a most remarkable 
 man, but partial historians give very 
 different views of his character. 
 
 Died,— 1658. 
 
 Children. — Richard Cromwell, who 
 succeeded him as Protector, and seve- 
 ral others. 
 
 Richard Cromwell possessed neither 
 the energy nor the ambition of his 
 father, and after retaining the dignity 
 of the Protectorate for a few months, 
 resigned his office. 
 
 5* 
 
62 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 KESTOKATION OF THE KING. 
 
 Charles II. 
 
 Line of Stuart. 
 
 Character. — He has been called the 
 " Merry Monarch," because he loved 
 pleasure better than business. He 
 was witty, but licentious, and his court 
 was noted for the loose state of its 
 morals. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, Ire- 
 land, Scotland, and Colonies in Amer- 
 ica, Asia, and Africa. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 During Cromwell's administration, 
 Charles II. was obliged to wander in 
 disguise, and made many narrow 
 escapes from his pursuers, who were 
 seeking him everywhere without suc- 
 cess. The violence of party spirit was 
 quelled by the successful management 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. G3 
 
 of Gen. Monk, a military commander 
 in Scotland, who prepared the way for 
 the king's restoration, an event very 
 welcome to the people, tired of the 
 republican experiment. In 1664, 
 Charles made war with Holland, by 
 which the State of New York, then a 
 Dutch colony, was transferred to the 
 English. In 1665, the plague ravaged 
 London, carrying off one hundred 
 thousand of its inhabitants ; in the 
 following year, a great fire destroyed 
 fourteen thousand of its houses, be- 
 sides eighty-nine churches. 
 
 Died.— 1685. 
 
 Children. — None legitimate. 
 
 James II. 
 
 Line of Stuart. 
 
 Character. — A bigot to the Roman 
 Catholic religion, weak minded and 
 
64 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 cruel. His blind zeal cost him his 
 kingdom. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, Ire- 
 land, Scotland, and Colonies in Amer- 
 ica, Asia, and Africa. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The king's gre*at desire was to restore 
 Popery to England, but this could not 
 be done; and the people, disgusted 
 with his principles and practice, invit- 
 ed William, Prince of Orange, who 
 was married to Mary, daughter of 
 James IT., to be their king. James 
 finding himself totally abandoned by 
 his subjects, and William and Mary 
 having been proclaimed sovereigns, he 
 left England, and thus abdicated his 
 throne, taking refuge in France. Af- 
 terward, assisted by France, James 
 made an effort to recover his kingdom, 
 and landed his army in Ireland. The 
 Irish Horn an Catholics rose in his 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 65 
 
 favor ; William hastened to meet him ; 
 and the two armies met on the hanks 
 of the Boyne, when William gained a 
 complete victory. James made other 
 ineffectual attempts to regain his lost 
 crown, hut finally retired to France, 
 where he died. 
 
 Died.— 1701. 
 
 Children. — Mary and Anne by his 
 first wife, Lady Anne Hyde, who both 
 succeeded ; by his second wife he had 
 one son, Edward, who being a Roman 
 Catholic, could not reign, though he 
 attempted it. He is called in history 
 " the Pretender." 
 
 William and Mary. 
 
 Line of Nassau. 
 
 Characters. — William was a great 
 warrior, and strongly attached to the 
 Protestant religion. In his private 
 
66 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 character he was gloomy and re- 
 served. 
 
 Mary being the eldest daughter of 
 James II., was the rightful heir to the 
 throne, her husband reigning with her 
 by invitation of the nation. She was 
 a firm Protestant, and an able woman, 
 yet she seldom meddled in the affairs 
 of government. She was an excellent 
 wife, and truly pious. 
 
 Possessions. — England, Wales, Ire- 
 land, Scotland, Orange, and Colonies 
 in America, Asia, and Africa. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The act of placing William and Mary 
 on the throne is known as the "glori- 
 ous revolution of 1688." At this 
 time many important additions were 
 made to the English Constitution, one 
 of the most important of which was, 
 that "the monarch must be of the 
 Protestant faith." 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 67 
 
 The Bank of England was estab- 
 lished. 
 
 Died— William in 1702. Mary in 
 1694. 
 
 Children. — None. 
 
 Anne. 
 
 Married: to Prince George of Ben- 
 mark. 
 
 Line of Stuart. 
 
 Character. — Queen Mary naving no 
 children, her sister Anne inherited the 
 crown. Her private character was ex- 
 cellent, but she had little ability for 
 government, being chiefly led by her 
 ministers. Her reign was, however, 
 prosperous and happy, and from her 
 many virtues she is called " the good 
 Queen Anne." 
 
 Possessions. — Great Britain and 
 
G8 A CIIILHS BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Ireland, with Colonics in America, 
 Asia, and Africa. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign, — 
 
 The constitutional union with Scot- 
 land ; it being now settled that sixteen 
 Scotch Peers should sit in the House 
 of Lords, with forty-five Commoners 
 in the House of Commons. This 
 period is known as the Augustan age 
 of English literature, and at this time 
 lived some of the most brilliant 
 authors in the language, among whom 
 were Pope, Addison, Doctor Johnson, 
 and Sir Isaac Newton. 
 
 Died— 17 14. 
 
 Children, — Several, but none sur- 
 vived her. 
 
 George I. 
 Line of Brunswick. 
 Character. — He was descended from 
 the daughter of James I., and was the 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 69 
 
 next Protestant heir. He was Duke 
 of Brunswick and Elector of Hanover, 
 and was fifty-four years of age when 
 he began to reign. He was a good 
 king, and free from the tyrannical 
 disposition of his predecessors, the 
 Stuarts. 
 
 Possessions. — Great Britain and 
 Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick, and 
 Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
 rica. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 In 1715, Prince Edward, son of 
 James II. (known as the Pretender), 
 headed a rebellion composed of To- 
 ries, who were anxious to restore the 
 Stuarts to the throne ; but this was 
 soon ended, and the Pretender was 
 compelled to take refuge in France. 
 
 The system of inoculation for the 
 small-pox was introduced in England, 
 being tried upon several condemned 
 
70 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 criminals, who were pardoned on their 
 recovery, 1721. 
 
 Died. — 1787, very suddenly, while 
 in Germany. 
 
 Children*. — George II., and a daugh- 
 ter, married to the king of Prussia. 
 
 George II. 
 Line of Brunswick. 
 
 Character. — He pursued the same 
 policy that gained his father so much 
 respect, and ever considered the rights 
 of his subjects. He is to be blamed, 
 however, for his oppressive and unjust 
 treatment of the American Colonies, 
 a course which soon led to the war of 
 independence. 
 
 Possessions. — Great Britain and 
 Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick, and 
 Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
 rica. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 71 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 Another rebellion, headed by the Pre- 
 tender, which was quelled, but cost 
 many lives. A war with France and 
 Spain, which was closed by the treaty 
 of Aix-la-Chapelle. 
 
 Another war with France, in which 
 the English were victorious, and the 
 French possessions in America became 
 those of England. An earthquake 
 occurred in London ; and the city of 
 Lisbon was destroyed by a severe one 
 during this reign. 
 
 Died. — 1760, very suddenly, aged 
 seventy-seven. 
 
 Children. — Frederick, Prince of 
 Wales, who died before his father; 
 William, Duke of Cumberland ; Loui- 
 sa, wife of the king of Denmark ; Car- 
 oline, died unmarried; and Amelia, 
 who died in 1785. 
 
72 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 George III. 
 
 Son of Frederick, Prince of Wales. 
 
 Line of Brunswick. 
 
 Character. — He was an estimable 
 king, faithful in his domestic relations, 
 and throughout his long reign was a 
 bright example of propriety and 
 virtue. 
 
 Possessions. — Great Britain and 
 Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick; and 
 Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
 rica. 
 
 • Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The war with America, known as the 
 American Revolution, in which the 
 Colonies fought bravely to free them- 
 selves from the English yoke, now 
 grown intolerable from the taxation 
 and oppressive measures forced upon 
 them by their rulers. After a seven 
 
OF ENGLISH HirfTO.i i. 
 
 years' war, the American arms, under 
 Gen. Washington, were victorious, 
 and England acknowledged the inde- 
 pendence of " The United States of 
 America." War with France com- 
 menced in 1778, and with Spain and 
 Holland in 1780. Peace was con- 
 cluded in 1783. 
 
 * 
 
 In 1789 the French Revolution be- 
 gan, and all Europe was engaged in 
 war. Napoleon Buonaparte, a Gen- 
 eral in the revolutionary army, rose 
 rapidly into notice, and soon assumed 
 the government of France, erecting a 
 military despotism, which extended 
 itself over Europe. At length, by the 
 united exertions of Great Britain, 
 Russia, Austria, and Prussia, Buona- 
 parte was dethroned, and driven from 
 France to the island of Elba, in the 
 Mediterranean Sea, but was there less 
 than a year when he escaped, and re- 
 
 6* 
 
74 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 turned to Paris. After a brief reign 
 of one hundred days, he was finally 
 overthrown at the great battle of 
 Waterloo, and surrendered himself to 
 the Duke of Wellington, leader of the 
 British army. He was now sent to 
 the island of St. Helena, where he 
 died in 1821, aged fifty-one. 
 
 Died. — 1820, aged eighty-two, hav- 
 ing reigned more than fifty-nine years 
 The last ten years of his life he was 
 insane. 
 
 Children. — Fifteen, two of whom 
 died in infancy. 
 
 George IV. 
 
 Line of Brunswick. 
 
 Character. — During the last ten 
 years of his father's life, he acted as 
 regent, and he was fifty-eight years 
 old when he became king. He was 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 75 
 
 not a spotless character, being too fond 
 of indulging his appetites; sensual, 
 selfish, and extravagant. 
 
 Possessions. — Great Britain and 
 Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick, and 
 Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
 rica. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 Most of the important events last 
 mentioned, as belonging to the reign 
 of George III., took place while 
 George IV. was regent. He was 
 crowned in 1821. The trial of Queen 
 Caroline, his wife, for political causes, 
 was a gross outrage upon decency. 
 
 The Catholic Relief Bill was passed, 
 by which members of that Church are 
 allowed to sit in both houses of Par- 
 liament. 
 
 Died.— 1830. 
 
 Children. — One, the Princess Char- 
 lotte, wife of Leopold, Prince of Saxe- 
 
76 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 Coburg. She died soon after her 
 marriage. 
 
 William IV. 
 
 Brother of George IV. 
 
 Line of Brunswick. 
 
 Character. — He was a good king, 
 who loved his country, and desired the 
 welfare of his people. 
 
 Possessions. — Great Britain and 
 Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick, and 
 Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
 rica. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 The most important were the passage 
 of an Act for Parliamentary Reform, 
 and the abolition of Slavery in the 
 British West Indies. 
 
 Died, — 1837, in the seventy-second 
 year of his age, and seventh of his 
 reign. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 77 
 
 Children. — Two, who died in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 Victoria I. 
 Line of Brunswick. 
 
 Character. — As William IV. left no 
 children, the crown descended to the 
 only child of his brother, the Duke of 
 Kent. She still fills the throne. She 
 is a virtuous and admirable queen, a 
 faithful wife, and judicious mother. 
 
 Possessions. — Great Britain and 
 Ireland, Brunswick, and Colonies in 
 America, Asia, and Africa. 
 
 Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
 On the death of William IV., the 
 kingdom of Hanover was inherited by 
 his brother, Ernest, Duke of Cumber- 
 land, because, according to the Salic 
 law, which is in force there, no female 
 can rule. 
 
78 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 The coronation of Victoria took 
 place in 1838, when she was about 
 nineteen years old; and in 1840 she 
 was married to her cousin, Prince 
 Albert, of Saxe-Coburg. During this 
 reign several important reforms have 
 been enacted by Parliament, and sev- 
 eral wars have taken place ; that of 
 the Crimea, in which England joined 
 the French and Turks, in protecting 
 Turkey from the encroachments of 
 Russia, and a war in India, caused by 
 a revolt among the Sepoys, or natives. 
 A dreadful massacre occurred there at 
 that time, in which many of the white 
 residents and missionaries, with their 
 wives and children, were butchered 
 by the Sepoys. 
 
 China, which has always refused 
 admission to her ports for foreign 
 trade, is now open, and was, until the 
 present year, on peaceable terms with 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 79 
 
 England; during- this year (1859), a 
 slight misunderstanding has arisen, 
 which may lead to serious results. 
 
 Among many other important im- 
 provements and discoveries of the 
 present reign, may be mentioned the 
 introduction of the Magnetic Tele- 
 graph ; extension of the Railway sys- 
 tem ; the building of the new Houses 
 of Parliament, and the invention of the 
 processes for taking Daguerreotype 
 likenesses. 
 
 Children. — Nine ; the eldest, Prin- 
 cess Royal, is married to Prince Fred- 
 erick William, of Prussia. The second 
 is the Prince of Wales, heir apparent 
 to the throne. 
 
 The Government. 
 
 The Government of Great Britain 
 is a limited monarchy, being composed 
 
80 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 
 
 of the King, Lords, and Commons. 
 No laws can bo made without the con- 
 sent of these throe powers. 
 
 The House of Lords is composed of 
 all the nobility in England, and six- 
 teen Poors from Scotland, who are 
 elected out of the other Scottish no- 
 bility. Ireland also sends twenty- 
 eight Peers, with four Bishops. All 
 other Bishops have seats in this House, 
 except the four who are last conse- 
 crated, and the Bishop of Sodor and 
 Man. 
 
 The House of Commons is the rep- 
 resentative of the whole nation, being 
 composed of Commoners, chosen by 
 Commoners, every seven years. The 
 whole House, including the Scottish, 
 Welch, and Irish representatives, con- 
 sists of six hundred and fifty-eight 
 members. 
 
OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 81 
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF THE SOVEREIGNS OF 
 ENGLAND. 
 
 BEFORE THE CONQUEST. 
 
 
 No. 
 
 r i ... 
 
 2 ... 
 
 3 ... 
 4 
 
 6 '.'.'.'. 
 
 7... 
 
 8.... 
 
 9.... 
 10... 
 11 
 
 12 .... 
 
 13 .... 
 It 
 
 Ll« 
 
 r 16 .... 
 
 17 
 
 IS.... 
 .19... 
 
 20 
 
 21 
 
 Begau to 
 Names. Heign. 
 
 ....Egbert 827 
 
 Ethelwolf S3S 
 
 Heign ed 
 Years. 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 s 
 
 ....Ethelbert S60 
 
 ....Ethelred I 860 
 
 ....Alfred the Great S72 
 
 ....Edward the Elder ooi 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 29 
 
 u 
 
 r'r- 
 
 ithelstan 323 
 
 IS 
 
 
 ....Edmund 1 940 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 £ 
 
 ....Edwy 935 
 
 4 
 
 
 ....Edgar 0.39 
 
 ... Edward II 975 
 
 ....Ethelred II 978 
 
 .... Edmund Ironsides II 1016 
 
 ....Sweyn 1017 
 
 16 
 
 3 
 
 37 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 ....Canute 1017 
 
 ....Harold 1 1036 
 
 19 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 f- 
 
 ....Edward III., the Confessor.! Oil 
 
 ....Harold II 1066 
 
 25 
 
 1 
 
 SINCE THE CONQUEST. 
 
 Began tc 
 fo. Names. Reign. 
 
 1... William 1 1066.. 
 
 2. ..William II 1087.. 
 
 3... Henry 1 1100.. 
 
 H 
 
 . Stephen. 
 
 7 
 
 To Whom Married. 
 
 .Matilda of Flanders. 
 
 .(Never married) 
 
 .Matilda of Scotland.. 
 
 .1135.. ..Matilda of Boulogi 
 
 Beigned 
 Years. 
 
82 A- CHILD'S BRIKF COMPENDIUM, ETC. 
 
 * 10 
 ii 
 
 £ J 12 
 
 Reigned 
 
 Yi :irs. 
 
 Began to 
 Names. Retgn. To Whom Married. 
 
 .Henry II 1154.. ..Eleanors of Aquilaine 34 
 
 ..Richard 1 1189. ...Berengaria of Navarre 10 
 
 .John 11U9. ...Karl Montague's daughter 17 
 
 Avisa of Gloucester. 
 
 Isabella of Angoaleme. 
 
 .Eleanor of Provence ;">6 
 
 85 
 
 ..Henry III 1216. 
 
 ..Edward 1 1272. 
 
 ..Eleanora of Castile.... 
 Mary of France. 
 
 ..Edward II 1307. ...Isabella of France 
 
 ..Edward III....1328....Philippaof liainault. 
 
 V. 
 
 .Richard II 1377.. 
 
 LANCASTER. 
 
 .Henry IV 1399.. 
 
 .Henry V 1413.. 
 
 .Henry VI 1422.. 
 
 YORK. 
 
 Edward IV 1461.. 
 
 Edward V 1483.. 
 
 ■ Anne of Bohemia. 
 Isabella of France. 
 
 ..Mary Bohun 14 
 
 Joanna of Navarre; 
 ..Catherine of France 10 
 
 • Margaret of Anjou 38 
 
 .Elizabeth Woodville 22 
 
 .(Never married) 
 
 ..Richard III. ...1483. ...Ann Nevil 2 
 
 • Henry VII 148.5.. ..Elizabeth of York 23 
 
 .Henry VIII. ...1309.... Catherine of Arragon 33 
 
 Anne Boleyn. 
 
 Jane Seymour. 
 
 Anne of Cleeves. 
 
 Catherine Howard 
 
 Catherine Parr. 
 
 .Edward VI lo47... (Never married) 
 
 .Mary I .1553.. ..Philip II. of Spain 5 
 
 .Elizabeth 1558.. ..(Never married' 44 
 
 1 28 
 
 3 1 29 
 
 ^27. 
 
 23. 
 29. 
 30. 
 31. 
 
 ? I 32. 
 
 33. 
 34. 
 
 .James 1 1603. ...Anne of Denmark 
 
 .Charles 1 1625.. ..'Henrietta of France.... 
 
 .Charles II 1640. ...Catherine of Portugal. 
 
 .James II 16SJ.. 
 
 Anne Hyde 4 
 
 Maria of Modena. 
 
 .William III...1689....Mary, daughtor of James II 13 
 
 Anne 1702. ...George, Prince of Denmark 12 
 
 .George 1 1714.. ..Sophia of Zell 13 
 
 .George II 1727....Wilhelmina of Anspach 33 
 
 George III 1760.. ..Charlotte ..f Mecklenburg-Strel- 
 
 itz 60 
 
 Ceortre IV 1820. ...Caroline of Brunswick 10 
 
 ..William IV....1830... Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen.... 7 
 3j... Victoria 1 1 837. ...Albert of Saxe-Cobnrg-C-otha. 
 
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