Page The Duke of Buckingham rebels-Battle of Bosworth-Useful NOTES ON THE LANCASTRIAN AND YORKIST PERIOD. Commencement of modern history-Modes of warfare-Feasting Simnel's insurrection-Affairs of Brittany-Perkin Warbeck-His execution-Battle of Blackheath-Exactions of Empson and Execution of Empson and Dudley-Battle of Spurs-Wolsey-The Field of the Cloth of Gold-Question of the king's divorce- Separation from Rome-Suppression of the monasteries-The Battle of Pinkie-Progress of the Reformation-Kett's insurrection Lady Jane Grey proclaimed queen-Success of Mary-Restoration of Roman Catholic worship-Wyatt's rebellion-Persecution of the Protestants-Battle of St. Quentin-Queen's death .. 89 Restoration of the Protestant worship-Mary Queen of Scots- Her marriage-Her flight to England and execution-Babing- ton conspiracy-The Armada-Affairs of Ireland-Treatment 92 NOTES ON THE TUDOR PERIOD. The Reformation-Corruption of the Romish church-Martin Alleged conspiracy against the king-Conference on religious matters-Gunpowder plot-Execution of Raleigh-The elector Parliamentary discussions-The Petition of Right-Arbitrary conduct of the government-Ship money-Troubles in Scot- THE COMMONWEALTH, 1649-1660. Page Cromwell sent to Ireland-His successes-He goes to Scotland- Battles of Dunbar and Worcester-War with the Dutch- New taxes-Execution of the regicides-Act of Uniformity-Fire of London-War with the Dutch-The Triple Alliance-Test King's speech-Argyle's insurrection-Monmouth's insurrection -James tries to establish Catholicism-The declaration of indulgence-William of Orange invited to invade England- Bill of Rights-War in Ireland and Scotland-War with France The Whigs placed in office-Rebellion in Scotland-The Quad- The Excise bill-Porteous riot-Battle of Dettingen-Rebellion in Scotland-Seven Years' War-War with France-Affairs of India-Religious revivals-Important events-King's death 135 Success of the war-Treaty of Paris-Wilkes and the North Briton-Disturbances in America-American war-Close of the contest-Gordon riot-Pitt, prime minister-French Re- volution-War with the Republic-Irish rebellion-Treaty of Amiens-Battle of Trafalgar Peninsular war-Napoleon NOTES ON THE REIGNS OF GEORGE I, II, III. The Chartists-Disasters in Cabul-Chinese war-Wars in India Commercial panic-Great Exhibition-Russian war- Chinese war-Indian Mutiny-Important events-Conclusion 151 ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. THE BRITONS AND ROMANS. FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO A.D. 449. WE learn from the Scripture narrative that the islands of the Gentiles were originally divided among the sons of Japhet; and it is traditionally believed that Gomer, the eldest of these sons, was the common father of the Celtic people, a portion of whom, long before the Christian era, crossed the channel which separates Britain from the continent of Europe, and formed a settlement in the hitherto unpeopled isle. At an early period, Phoenician and, subsequently, other traders visited the south-west coasts to obtain thence cargoes of tin, which they carried to the ports of the Mediterranean: but they have left no record of their observations; and it is to the graphic pen of Julius Cæsar, a Roman general of consummate skill, that we owe the first definite and authentic particulars relative to the physical conformation of the country, and the religion, manners, and customs of its inhabitants. Cæsar had for three years been employed in subduing the various tribes which occupied Gaul (France), when he deter B mined to make a military expedition into Britain. He sailed with two legions from the neighbourhood of the modern town of Boulogne, and landed at Deal after encountering a severe and stubborn resistance from the natives (B.c. 55). The lateness of the season, and the injury which his ships experienced from a storm, led him to return to Gaul before a month had elapsed; but he made ample preparations for another campaign; and in the following spring (B.c. 54), he re-invaded the country with five legions of infantry and two thousand cavalry. He gained several victories over the natives, compelled the submission of Cassivelaunus, the most heroic of their chieftains, and received the promise of an annual tribute; but there is no reason to believe that the terms of the treaty were observed after Cæsar and his soldiers had retired from the island (Sept.) At this time Britain was occupied by about forty tribes, the best known of which were the Cantii, who dwelt in Kent; the Trinobantes in Middlesex and Essex; the Cenimagni in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridge; the Ancalites and Bibroci in parts of Berkshire and Wiltshire; the Segontiaci in parts of Berkshire and Hampshire; and the Cassi in Hertfordshire. These tribes were governed by chiefs whose influence was not extensive except in time of war. The most powerful members of each community were the priests or Druids. Like all other Gentile nations, the Britons were ignorant of the true God. They were the slaves of a form of idolatry known as Druidism—a term which some suppose to be derived from the Greek word, drus, an oak, inasmuch as that tree was regarded by the people with peculiar reverence. Cæsar tells us that the Druids did not commit their instructions to writing, and that the principal doctrine which they inculcated, was that souls do not perish, but after death pass into other bodies. At periods of danger human sacrifices were offered up; and sometimes enormous images of wicker-work were constructed, and filled with living men, who were then destroyed by fire. The immense circle of rough stones at Stonehenge, near Salisbury, |