THE KINGDOM OF WESSEX,
OR, WEST SAXONS.
Began 519.—Ended 1066,—Comprised Hants, Berks, Wilts,
Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Part of Cornwall, and the Isle
of Wight.—Chief City, Winchester.
THE KINGDOM OF WESSEX,
OR, WEST SAXONS.
A race of warlike princes, whose success
This realm increas'd, and other realms made less,
From Cerdic and his sons, to Brithric reign'd,
And still accession of domain obtain'd.
Wessex each neighbouring monarch could controul,
And spread, like snows that gather as they roll.
'Till Egbert's genius, by misfortune taught,
In camps and courts each gainful lesson caught;
By travel tutor'd, and by woes made wise,
By others' fall instructed how to rise,
Egbert securely mounted England's throne,
And made the Seven Kingdoms all his own.
