EARLY BRITAIN. The Ancient Britons are with reason supposed to have been Celts, and Cimbri, having originally come from the East. The inhabitants nearest the South coast were in Cæsar's time the most civilized. Their dress consisted of a square mantle, covering a vest and trousers, chiefly of their own manufacture. They wore rings and chains of brass and iron. Their huts were circular made of wicker-work or beams of wood, covered with thatch and supported on stone foundations; a collection of these, surrounded by a trench formed their towns. Their land was manured with marl, so that they were able to raise corn. They were brave and skilful, especially in the management of war-chariots and the taming of wild horses. In the interior their dress consisted only of the skins of beasts, they had no corn and lived entirely on flesh and milk. In the North they were more savage still, using no clothing, but staining their bodies with the juice of a plant called woad, and lived on the scanty produce of the chase. The Druids were the religious rulers of the Britons, and exercised immense influence over them. They settled all disputes, redressed grievances, and subjected all who rebelled against their authority to the most terrible punishments. They had the power of excommunication and taught the doctrine of the transmigration of souls. They worshipped in groves of oak (hence the name, drus meaning an oak), and held the misletoe in great respect. They were also bards and the teachers of youth in religious and all other kinds of knowledge, the art of war excepted. They gave oral instruction in the form of verses, which were committed to memory. Human sacrifices were sometimes offered, and on particular occasions hundreds of persons in a wicker frame were burnt as offerings to their deities. The patriotism of the Britons was kept alive by the Druids, and the Romans failed in obtaining undisputed sway over the land until they were massacred in the Isle of Mona (Anglesey) by Suetonius Paulinus A.D. 59. Commerce was carried on with the South Britons by the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians. The British isles, including the Scilly, (called by the Greeks Cassiterides) were discovered by the Phoenicians, 450 years B.C., who gave to the country the name of Bratanack, which in their language signifies The Land of Tin. The chief articles of commerce were copper, tin, lead, and skins. The Warlike Weapons consisted of the broad sword and dagger, together with javelins and arrows. The common people had only sharpened sticks, and long staves edged with flint, or headed with copper. They had neither coats of mail nor helmets, but defended themselves with light round targets of wood, or twigs covered with leather and studded with nails of brass. Their war-chariot was their characteristic weapon. It had long scythes fixed to the axletree of the wheels, was generally drawn by two horses, and contained the driver and a single warrior, who were so expert in the management of those machines, that they could stop or turn them at full speed, sit, stand, run upon the beam, and leap out and in as occasion required. The following are some of the existing memorials of the British period: Numerous Tumuli or Barrows of which Salisbury Hill in Wiltshire is thought to be one. The British Camp on the Malvern Hills, better known as the Hereford Beacon. Remains of Druidical Temples, of which Stonehenge and Abury are the most conspicuous. Canoes of rude workmanship, formed by hollow trunks of trees, of which a good specimen is preserved in the British Museum. Spear-heads, and other fragments of arms and armour. Ella founds the kingdom of Sussex or south Saxons, 500 Cerdic founds the kingdom of Wessex, or west Saxons, 519 Erkenwin founds the kingdom of Essex, or east Saxons, 530 ... which, by the addition of Deira founded shortly Uffa founds the kingdom of east Anglia, ... Cridda founds the kingdom of Mercia, 547 571 586 The boundaries of the several kingdoms of the Hep- A. D. Scandinavian, i. e. the Danish and Norwegian. The Danes first land in Northumbria ... The Danes land and are defeated by Egbert at The Danes land in Cornwall, and are defeated by ... The Danes make several inroads during the reigns ... ... The Anglo-Danes under Anlaf rebel, and combined 787 833 835 924 934 The Danes violate the Peace, but are defeated by ... ... 944 The Danes renew their incursions, take possession 991 Sweyn lands at Exeter 1007, and is proclaimed 1013 The kingdom divided between Canute and Edmund ... Partition of the kingdom between Harold and Earl Godwin with Sweyn and Tostig invades Tostig and the King of Norway defeated at York Magnus, King of Norway, effects a landing at (This was the last attempt made by that nation on England) Norman. William, Duke of Normandy lands near Pevensey, Sussex, and by the defeat of Harold II. at Hast- F 1097 1066 ROMAN PERIOD. Julius Cæsar after his conquest of Gaul, equipped a fleet with which to attack Britain. He landed near Dover after a fierce struggle, in which a standard-bearer of the Tenth Legion greatly distinguished himself. The Britons were driven back, but a storm arising which seriously injured the Roman fleet, they took advantage of it to make an assault upon the Romans. Though they were again defeated with prodigious slaughter, Cæsar thought it expedient to retire to Gaul. In the following year he renewed his attempt with five legions. The Britons did not oppose his landing, but under Cassibelaunus maintained a steady and determined resistance. Having retreated across the Thames, which he tried to defend by fixing sharp stakes in the bottom of the fords, Cassibelaunus endured a siege in his fortress (near the present St. Alban's) where he was at length compelled to submit. Cæsar did not think it prudent either to push his conquests further, or retain the districts he had overrun, so having accepted hostages and imposed a tribute, he withdrew all his forces into Gaul. Caligula with the intention of subduing Britain, marched an army to the coast, but having only made a collection of sea shells, &c., returned to enjoy at Rome the honours of an empty triumph. Claudius Cæsar resolved upon conquering Britain, and accordingly sent over Plautius and Vespasian with four legions. Caractacus for nine years maintained a brave defence, but was at last defeated by Ostorius Scapula and sent to Rome; (A. D. 51.) When led through the city in triumph he exclaimed," Alas! Is it possible that a nation possessed of such magnificence should envy me my humble cottage in Britain." The emperor was so struck with his noble demeanour that he immediately released him. Suetonius Paulinus in the reign of Nero, laid waste Anglesey and massacred the Druids, which in addition to the |