Notes from James history of England
Bremo. Friday Decr 24th. 1819.[1]
The history of all ancient nations is much involved in
obscurity, uncertainty, and contradiction. But as these
adventures of barbarous nations even if they were correctly
recorded could afford no entertainment to men born in a more
cultivated age this uncertainty is not to be regretted. All
Ancient writers agreed in representing the first inhabitants
of Britain as a tribe of Gauls or Belta who setteled that
island from the neighboring continent. The south-east parts
of Britain had allready, before the age of Reason made the
requisite step towards a civil settlement by the
introduction of tillage & agriculture. The other inhabitants
of the island still maintained themselves by pasture. They
were cloathed with the skins of beasts. The religion of the
Britons was one of the most considerable parts of their
government. The Druids who were their priests held great
authority among them. They were the most superstitious
nation in the world at that time.
Caesar having overrun all Gaul by his victories first
cast his eye on Britain determining to destroy it. A.D. 55
In the reign of Suetonius Paulinus was invested with the
command of an army & carried
his victorious arms northwards defeated numberless
barbarians and burnt London to ashes. and finding that the
island of Mona non Anglesey was the chief seat of the Druids
he resolved to attack it. The Britons endeavored to prevent
them from approaching by running about with flaming torches
in the hands howling & setting every thing on fire they came
near but the Romans drove them from the field and put the
Druids to death. After this the Britons often had entertene
broils and whenever they wanted assistence they called on
the Romans to help them and thus it was when they were
called upon by the Britons that instead of defeating them
they fought them and nearly overran them. The Britons had
already began to grow quite effeminate and the Romans having
assisted them so frequently that they were unable any longer
to afford them any relief sent them word that they must take
up arms & fight in their own defense But as the[y] had been
entirely unaccustomed to fighting they came off badly. The
Picts of Scots who dwelt in the northern parts beyon the
Wall of Antonious taking advantage of the absence of the
Romans began to make incursions upon their peasible and
effeminate neighbours who accustomed to have recourse to the
emperors again made supplications to Rome for their
assistance and one Legion was sent over for their
protection. This force repelled their invasion routed their
army & having driven them to their former limits went back
to the assistance of the southern provinces
of the empire. This was the last time that the Britons got
any help from the Romans. They rebuilt the wall of Serverus
which was built entirely of stone and having completed this
last good office to the inhabitants, they bid a final adieu
to Briton in the year 448.
The Heptarchy was established in Briton after a violent
contest of more than a hundred years. It consisted of 7
Saxon kingdoms namely, Kent, Northumberland, East Anglia,
Mercia, Essex, Sussex Wessex. In the reign of Ethelbert the
Christian religion was introduced into Kent & some other
kingdoms of the heptarchy and although the king Ethelbert
was not convicted he permitted the missionaries to remain in
peace saying that as they had undertaken the journey solely
for the benefit of his subjects he would allow them to
remain & deliver their doctrines to the people.
Gregory and Augustine were the two Romans sent to
introduce the Christian religion in Britain and they nearly
effected their
design. After many intreaties they brought over Ethelbert to
their wishes and he was baptized. His example had great
influence with his subjects but he employed no force to
bring them over to his new doctrine. Ethelbert governed the
kingdom of Kent 50 years and dying in the year 616 left the
crown to his son Eadbald. This prince deserted for some time
the Christian faith and his whole people immediately
returned with him to idolatry.
But Eadbald returned again to the profession of
Christianity and all his people returned with him. He died
in 640 having reigned 24 years. he left two sons Erminford
and Ercombert, who inherited the right of succession.
Ercombert though the younger son found means to mount the
throne. He reigned 24 years and left the crown to Egbert his
son who reigned 9 years. he murdered the two sons of his
uncle Erminford. Edrie son of Egbert & Lothaire his uncle
reigned jointly and at their death Widred brother of the
latter obtained possession of the crown. Eadbert, Ethelbert
and Alric his descendants successively mounted the throne.
After the death of the last mentioned
the royal family of Kent was extinguished and Egbert king of
Wessen, who dissolved the Saxon Heptarchy and united the
several kingdoms under his dominion.
The kings of all the other kingdoms of the heptarchy
ascended to the throne in a legal manner untill it was
finally destined by all it's kingdoms being united in one
great state. It's territories were nearly of the same extent
with what is now properly termed England and a favourable
opportunity presented itself to the Anglo-Saxons, of
establishing a civilized monarchy. This great event took
place about the year 827.
The kingdoms of the Heptarchy though united by so recent
a conquest appeared to be firmly cemented into one state
under the government of Egbert, and as their language, laws,
and religion of the different peoples resembled very much
a union also in government opened to them the pleasant
prospect of future tranquillity. But these flattering views
were soon overcast for the Danes committed the most savage
inroads upon them and at last
reduced them to grievous servitude. this was in the year 827
and about 5 years after the[y] invaded it a second time. At
that time Egbert had established his monarchy over England.
The Danes landed on the island of Shepay and having pillaged
it escaped without any opposition. When they entered
Dorcetshire in their next expedition they were encountered
by Egbert at Charmouth. They fought and the battle was
bloody. The Danes maintained their post which they had taken
and made good their retreat to their ships. Two years after
they entered into an alliance with the Britons of Cornwall &
made an inroad with them into the county of Devon but were
met at Hengesdown and entirely defeated. In this deplorable
state of Britain Egbert unfortunately died and left the
government to his son Ethelnolf. This prince was nothing
like his father in talents or vigour. He began his reign
with dividing his dominions and delivering up to his son
Wthelstan the conquered provinces of Kent, Essex and Sussex.
The Danes continued to make frequent incursions upon the
Briton but they did not do much injury to the country nor
the inhabitants. Ethelnolf dying left the government to
Ethelbald &
Ethelbert his two sons between whom England was equally
shared. Ethelbald was a profligate prince . His reign was
short and Ethelbert, his brother succeding to the
government, behaved himself during a reign of 5 years in a
manner more worthy of his rank. Their kingdom was often
infested by the danes but they were allmost always
defeated.
Ethered succeeded his brother Ethelbert. He defended
himself with as much bravery as his predecessor but enjoyed
no tranquility during the whole of his reign from the
repeted invasions of the Danes. Alfred the younger brother
of this prince accompanied him in all his enterprises. The
first landing of the Danes in the reign of Ethered was among
the East Angles who were more anxious for their own present
safety than for the common entered into a separate treaty
with them & furnished them with horses by which means the[y]
went by land into the Kingdom of Northumberland where they
seized the city of York and defended against two princes of
that kingdom who died in the assault. They ventured as far
as Mercia & took up
winter quarters at Nottingham. The Mercians applying to
Ethered he set out with Alfred conducting a large army to
Nottingham and went into Northumberland; Thence they broke
into East-Anglia defeated and took prisoner Edmund their
king and afterwards murdered him. The Danes went next to
Reading from whence they committed great ravages upon the
neighbouring county. The Mercians anxious of shaking off
their dependence on Ethered would not join their forces to
his, and that prince accompanied by Alfred was forced to
march against the enemy, with the West-Saxons alone. The
Danes having been defeated in a union shut themselves up in
their garrisons but very soon quitted them routed the West-Saxons
& obliged them to raise the siege. An action followed
at Aston in Berkshire, where the English were very near
being entirely defeated in the forepart of the day but they
afterwards obtained the victory. Another battle was fought
at Bassing where the Danes were more successful and having a
reinforcement from their own country they became very
terrible to the English. In these confusions Ethered died of
a wound & left the government to Alfred.
This prince showed early marks of great virtue & shining
talents he acquired an extensive knowledge of the Latin
tongue, he learnt to read the Saxon poems. His whole mind
being absorbed in these elegant pursuits, he looked upon his
succession to the throne as more of an object of regret than
of triumph, but being called to the throne in preference to
his brothers children & as it was by his fathers will he
shook off his propensities to literature and exerted himself
in the defence of his people. Immediately after the death of
his brother he was forced to take up arms in opposition to
the Danes who had seized Wilton and were laying waste the
county around it. He had a small army which contained those
whom he assembled in a sudden gave them battle and was near
gaining the advantage but by pursuing the victory too far he
lost it. The loss of the Danes was so great that fearing
Alfred would receive daily reinforcement from his subjects
the[y] were very willing to stipulate for a false retreat to
leave the kingdom. They were for that purpose carried to
London where they were to take up winter quarters but they
made so much havoc in there
that they were removed to Lincolnshire a county which they
had before reduced to desolation. They suddenly turned back
upon Mercia and laid the whole county desolate by fire &
sword. The next year a numerous army of the Danes again
entered England under 3 princes, Guthram, Oscital, and
Amund. Part of these under the command of Haldene marched
into Northumberland & took up quarters another part took
quarters at Cambridge and then seized Wereham in Dorset the
very centre of Alfreds dominions, they routed his army and
marching westward got possession of Exeter, whilst the
exasperated Britons were engaged in defence of this place
they learned that another Army of the Danes had landed at
Chippenham and were ravaging the whole county around. They
were so disheartened at this that some left the county and
went into Wales or fled beyond the sea. After the Danes had
ravaged the county until it became very desolate Alfred
finding it a thing almost impossible to drive them out of
the
county entirely and knowing that the kingdom of the East
Angles and Northumberland were totally desolate by their
frequent inroads he proposed to go there and settle with
Guthram their leader provided that they would become
Christians. To this they all readily consented & they were
all baptized. Alfred gave Guthram the name of Athelstan &
took him as his adopted Son.
The few remaining Danes Alfred settled in the five
counties of Derby, Leicestor, Stanford, Lincoln, and
Nottingham. He was not molested by these barbarian savages
for 5 years after and he employed this interval of peace in
restoring order to his kingdom.
The king rebuilt all the cities which were destroyed
particularly London. he built a considerable road fare the
first that ever was in England. At length Hastings the
famous Danish chief landed in Kent with 330 sail—he entered
the Thames and fortifying Milton spread his forces over the
county and committed great depredations. Alfred flew to the
defense of his people with a select band of soldiers and
gathering his armed militia from all parts appeared in the
field with a larger army than
the enemy. He routed them in almost every axion. The Danes
left after attempting in vain to destroy it & went to
Banflete where another army of the English met them did
great execution and carried off the wife & two sons of
Hastings but Alfred generally gave them back to him provided
they would leave the kingdom. Thus did Alfred restore full
tranquility to England & provide for the future security of
the government. The East-Anglians and the Northumbrian Danes
paid humble submission to him whenever he appeared. The
Welsh also acknowledged his authority. He died in the vigour
of his age in the year 901 after a reign of 29 years and a
half in which he deservedly attained the appellation of
Alfred the Great and the title of Founder of the English
monarchy. Edward the Elder ascended the throne at the death
of his father and although he equalled him in military
talents he was his inferior in erudition. He found
immediately on his accession that Ethalwald his cousin
german who insisted on a preferable title was among his
partisans and marching to Wenboarne he took it and
determined to
defend himself to the last extremity. But Edward went to the
town with a great army and Ethalwald finding he would be
routed with all his men made his escape and went first into
Normandy then into Northumberland. There he got a great
number of them to join him and march against the king, the
East Anglian Danes joined his party they made an incursion
into the counties of Glocester Oxford and Welts and having
ravaged these places the[y] appeared with their booty before
the king who had comman[d]ed a large army he routed them
entirely killed Ethalwald and having freed himself from the
fear of so dangerous a competitor made peace on advantageous
terms and went to work to restore England to a state of
tranquillity. In order to do this nothing was wanting but to
subject the Northumbrians, who assisted by the Danes who
were settled over the kingdom of Mercia and often produced
troubles in the centere of England. Edward to divert the
force of these enemies sent a fleet to attack them at sea.
he fell upon them at Kent hall in the county of Stafford put
them to rout, got a great deal
of booty, and pursued them with great slaughter to their own
country. All the rest of Edwards reign was a series of
continued and successful action against the Northumbrians,
the East-Angles and the foreign Danes. He subdued the East
Angles & the Northumbrians. Several tribes of the Britons
were subdued by him and even the Picts & Scotts were obliged
to show him marks of submission. He died in 925. His kingdom
devolved to Athelstan his natural son. He reigned about 16
years during which time nothing of any importance occurred.
The Danes did not produce any disturbances amoung the
Britons whilst he sat upon the throne and he occupied his
reign very advantageously in endeavoring to give security to
his kingdom & government. He was succeeded by Edward his
brother, who immediately on his accession met with
disturbances from the restless Northumbrians. But he marched
suddenly with an army into their country & almost entirely
overcame them. In order to assure him of their obedience
they offered to embrace Christianity. He conquered
Cumberland.
This prince was murdered whilst he was solemnizing a
festival in Glocester by Leolf a robber. He reigned 5 years.
His children being to young to govern a kingdom his brother
Edred was promoted to the throne. His reign like those of
all most all of his ancestors was disturbed by the invasions
of the Northumbrian Danes who though often quelled, had
never been entirely conquered. He attacked them & having put
them to flight wasted their country with fire & sword; he
then returned with his forces. He fought frequent battles
against them afterwards and dying after a reign of 9 years,
his nephew Edway was placed upon the throne as his children
were infants. This prince came to the throne in the seven-teenth year of his age. During his short reign he was not
molested by wars and tumults and was killed to give
peaceable possession of the government to Edgar his younger
brother. He mounted the throne very young and
notwithstanding, Soon discovered an excellent understanding
in the management of his public affairs and his whole reign
was employed in supporting and improving the internal
government of his kingdom.
He built & maintained a considerable Navy. and he was always
so well prepared for the inroads of the Danes that they
darst not approach the country. It was in the reign of Edgar
that England was cleared of wolves which did nearly as much
mischief as any enemy. He took great pains in hunting these
animals and finding that they had all fled and had taken
shelter in the mountains of Wales he altered the tribute of
money and imposed on their Princes an annual tribute of
three hundred wolves. and in this way they were as nearly
exterpated that one has never been seen on the island since.
Edgar died after a reign of 16 years and in the 33 year of
his age. He was succeeded by Edward his son.—This prince
was only 15 years old at the time he was promoted to the
throne. he reigned four years and there passed nothing
memorable during that time. His death alone was memorable
and tragical. He was hunting one day in Dorsetshire and
being led by the chase near Corfe-castle where Elfrida his
step mother resided (who was opposed to his accession under
pretence that her son who was not the lawful heir should be
made king) he went to see her being very fond of her and as
he was
not accompanied by any of his retinue he presented her with
a favourable opportunity of doing what she had long had a
desire to accomplish. He asked for something to drink and
whilst he was drinking, a servant of Elfrida came up behind
him as he was sitting on his horse and have him a stab.
Finding he was wounded he put spurs to his horse; but
becoming faint by loss of blood he fell from the saddle, his
foot remained in the stirrup, and he was dragged along by
his unruly horse untill he expired. He was privately
interred by his servants and they gave him the name of
Edward the martyr. Ethelred was his successor. This prince
died after an unhappy and inglorius reign of 35 years. He
left two sons by his first marriage, Edmond who succeeded
him, and Ednoy, who was afterwards killed by Canate. His two
sons by his second marriage, Edward & Alfred, were
immediately, upon Ethelred's death carried into Normandy by
queen Emma. Edmond who received the name of Ironside on
account of his hardy valour possessed courage & abilities
capable of keeping his country from sinking under the
calamities to wh. it was exposed when he came to the throne
And found no better expedient for stopping the miseries into
which it was falling but to lead his army immediately to the
field and fight against the common enemy. After meeting with
some good luck he made ready for deciding in one general
battle, the fate of his crown. Fortune in the beginning of
the day declared for him but Edrice cut off the head of one
Osmer & stuck on a pole & carried it through the ranks in
triumph and it being very much like Edmond cried aloud to
the English, saying "Tis time to fly, for behold! the head
of their king.["] And although Edmond took off his helmet &
showed himself to them the utmost he could do was to leave
the victory undecided. He fought another battle but the
English were put to much slaughter & many of the nobility
killed. He was ready to fight again when the Danish &
English nobility equally tired of war made him come to a
promise to divide the kingdom between them. It was
accordingly done. And he being afterwards killed they made
way for the succession of Canute the Dane to the English
crown.
Before he took the dominions of the English princes he
summoned a general assembly of the states, in order to fix
the succession of the kingdom. He sent the two sons of his
predecessor to Swedon under pretence of finishing their
educations but sent word to the king of that country to kill
them immediately on their arrival for as they were the
lawful heirs to the throne he feared they might put some
obstacles in his way to the crown. The Swedish monarch was
to generous to perform a request so barbarous but as he was
afraid that Canute might get into a quarrel with him for
protecting the young princes, he sent them to Soloman king
of Hungary to be educated in his court. Edwin the eldest was
afterwards married to the sister of that King and Edward was
married to Agatha daughter of the Emperor Henry II and he
had three children. Edgar Atheling, Margaret, who afterwards
was queen of Scotland, and Christina, who went into a
convent. Although Canute had reached
the height of his ambition, in getting the English throne
yet he was forced at first to make great sacrifices to it by
bestowing on the principal of the nobility the most
extensive governments. but afterwards he put a number of
them to death. He was obliged to load the people with very
heavy taxes in the commencement of his reign to make
presents to his Danish followers. He made no difference
between Danes and English in any point of justice and sent
back to Denmark as many of his followers as he could with
safety dispense with. But they were afterwards gradually
incorporated with his new subjects and were as one nation.
Canute having settled his authority in England beyon all
danger of a revolution went into Denmark in order to resist
the attacks of the king of Sweden and succeeded in the
attempt. He then went into Norway & expelling the king Plaas
kept possession of the kingdom untill his death. He
afterwards built churches in different parts of his kingdom.
And undertook a pilgrimage to Rome and staid there
some time. Canute was now become the greatest & most
powerful monarch being sovereign of Denmark,
Norway, and England. Also the greater part of Scotland was
subject to his authority. He was almost idolized by his
subjects. One of them in admiration of his grandeur, said to
him one day that nothing was impossible for him. He then set
his chair on the sea side as the tide rose. when the sea
still advanced towards him & began to wash him with its
bellows he turned to the people & observed that every
creature in the world was feeble when compared to that Being
alone, in whose hands were all the elements of nature, "who"
said he "can say to the ocean, thus far shalt thou go, & no
further, and who can level with his rod the most towering
piles of human pride and ambition."—This prince died at
Shaftsburg; he left 3 sons, Sweyn, Harold, & Hardicanute.
Sweyn was put in possession of Norway, Hardicanute was
crowned in Denmark and Harrold was made king of England.
Nothing of any importance passed during his reign which
continued 4 years; he gave a bad specimen of his
character. his bodily accomplishments, alone are known by
his appellation of Harefoot because he could run & walk so
fast. He died in 1039; little regretted by his subjects and
left the succession to his brother Hardicanute, whose whole
reign was spent in undoing everything his predecessors had
done. He plundered a number of cities & inhumanely massacred
all their inhabitants. He was so enraged at Harold for
depriving of his part of the kingdom that he had his body to
be dug up and to be thrown into the Thames. it was found by
some fishermen and buried in London. he had it thrown in a
second time but it was found again and secretly interred.
The violent government of Hardicanute was of short duration.
He died in a state of intoxication at a large party.
Edward being at his brothers court at the time of his
decease he was made king. The reign of this prince was
peaceable and fortunate. The most commendable circumstance
of Edwards government, was his attention to justice. he died
sudenly on the 5th of January 1066, in the 65th year of his
age and twenty fifth of his
reign. Harold succeeded him in his government. He had so
well prepared all things before the death of Edward that he
immediately stepped into the vacant throne with little
opposition. It was in the reign of this prince that the
decisive battle of Hastings was fought and gained by
William, duke of Normandy. he being the rightful heir to the
throne he made war against Harrold and having gotten entire
possession of the kingdom was proclaimed king. Harrold was
killed in the battle of Hastings and his body being brought
to William after the battle he generously restored it to his
mother, to be disposed of as she wished. The consternation &
grief of the English on recovery the intelligence of this
unfortunate battle in which their king was killed and most
of their nobility slain was excessive. They immediately
elected Edgar Atheling for their king. William marched into
the kingdom & and every city, every little town, and in
short the whole country almost, made submissions to him and
without opposition was crowned king. Afterwards there were
many insurrections of
the people but they were generally soon defeated by the king
who was always prepared to overthrow them. He died in [the]
sixty third year of his age & twenty first of his reign. He
died of a wound which he received from his horse. William
the Conqueror bequeathed his kingdom to William Rafas his
son. Immediately after the death of his father he hastened
to make preparations for securing his government.
Conspiraces were forced against the new king which seemed to
be about to produce a sudden revolution. He however
succeeded so well in subduing the abject Britons that he
soon found himself secure enough at home to march an army
against his brother Henry who was then prince of Normandy he
succeeded in the attempt of getting possession of that
country and returning home remained in tolerably quiet
possession of his throne for some years when an accident put
an end to his life & to all his ambitious projects he was
killed in hunting which was the sole amusement of all the
kings in those days. He was killed by an arrow.
Prince Henry was hunting in the new forest with Rafas
when intelligence of the death of that king was brought him
and being aware of the advantages of his presence hastened
to Winchester to secure the royal treasure. He met with much
opposition from the keeper of the treasure but as he drew
his sword & threatened him with immediate death if he oppoed
his designs he forced his to acquiece in this violence. He
then went to London with the money where by gaining the
addresses of the number of nobility he was suddenly saluted
king. all this was done in less then 5 days after his
brother's death. Robert another brother of the king went to
Normandy & took possession of that country. Henry hearing
heard this sent an army there and conquered it.
This prince was one of the most decomplished that has
filled the English throne. He paid a visit to his daughter
Matilda whose husband was possesor of Normandy and staid
some time. whilst he was there the Welsh made an invasion
into England and whilst he was preparing to return to his
throne he died very
suddenly in the 67 year of his age 35 of his reign leaving
by will his daughter Matilda heir of all his dominions.
Stephen notwithstanding the will of his uncle with regard
to his daughter Matilda hastened to England & was proclaimed
king. There was however an insurrection in favour of Matilda
and she was crowned. Stephen was sent to prison but as he
was released in some short time he was again restored to his
crown. The greater part of his reign was spent in civil
wars. His advancement to the throne was not the means of
procuring him either tranquillity nor happiness. Henry made
an invasion on England & soon subduing it was proclaimed
king. In the midst of these calamities Stephen seized with a
violent illness and died.
No sooner had Henry II his successor seated himself on
the throne than he began the establishment of justice and
tranquillity, to which the kingdom had so long been a
stranger & which was very successful in restoring. In the
beginning of
his reign there was nothing very interesting but about the middle of
it he went to Ireland & took possession of the whole country. William
king of Scotland was defeated with a good deal of his kingdom & he was
taken prisoner. It was said that Henry died of Grief from the
undutiful behavior of his sons all of which but one (Geoffrey) treated
him very cruely & caused him much pain. The day after his death his
son Richard who went to visit his dead body although his conduct
towards him had been so criminal he was struck with horror at the
sight & cried out that
he was the
murderer of his father.
Thus died in the 58[th] year of his age & 31 of his reign
the greatest prince of his time for wisdom, virtue, &
abilitites, and the most powerful in extent of dominions of
any that had ever filled the English throne.
