"My dear son, sit thou now beside me, and I will deliver thee true instruction. My son, I feel that my hour is coming. My days are almost done. We must now part. I shall go to another world, and thou wilt be left in all my wealth. I pray thee, (for thou art my dear child,) strive to be a father and a lord to thy people. Be thou the children's father and the widow's friend. Comfort thou the poor, and shelter the weak; and with all thy might, right that which is wrong. And, son, govern thyself by law, then shall the Lord love thee, and God above all things be thy reward. Call thou upon him to counsel thee in thy need, and so shall he help thee the better to compass what thou wouldst have." The state of society under the Saxons appears to have been extremely rude till the age of Alfred, who enlarged his views of the true happiness and glory of mankind by observation of the better condition of men at that time in France and Italy. The inhabitants of monasteries were the only persons who thought much of cultivating their minds, and many of them were unable to read and write, others, however, were better informed. The more intelligent of the monks recorded the history of the times, and from their histories, we obtain the facts which are related in modern history. Among the older British historians, was one called the venerable Bede, who is honored for his fidelity of description. Coined money was not in use among the English at that time. Things were bought and sold in the way of barter or exchange; and rents, till long afterwards, were paid in corn and cattle, instead of money. The Romans made use of money as we do; and though it is so long since they left the island, people to this day find their coins, and the more frequently because they had a custom of burying money with the dead. What advice did Alfred give his son? What was the state of society in England under the Saxons? What money was used by the Saxons and Romans ? The houses of Alfred's time were very different from those of our age; his palace was probably inferior to our common habitations. Most houses were in his time made of wood. There is an account of the chief palace of the kings of Wales called the White Palace, which was made of peeled rods woven together. Houses were then never built of stone, which was only used in constructing castles and strong places for defence. Even the churches were commonly of wood. William of Malmesbury, an historian of the twelfth century, says, that the first Christian church in Britain, was made with wattles, which are stakes interlaced, or interwoven, with osiers. We are told that the first stone church was built at Lincoln, and that it was thought a great curiosity. The first glass that was ever seen in England was at Hexham Abbey, in Northumberland, and was made by some workmen who came from France, and taught the English how to make it: but it was a long time before it became general. At first it was only used for the windows of churches. The windows of their houses were covered with cloth to keep out the wind, or else with lattice-work. Clocks were unknown, as is proved by a contrivance of the wise Alfred. One-third of his time he devoted to religious exercises and to study; another third to sleep and necessary refreshment, and the other to the affairs of his kingdom. Thus every thing was attended to, and nothing neglected; and he was so much afraid of losing a moment, that as there were no clocks or watches, he contrived a sort of candle, by the burning of which he could measure time. These candles were painted in rings or belts of different breadths and colours, so many colours as he had things to attend to; and thus he knew, by the burning of these candles, when he had been employed long enough upon any one occupation. The Saxon nobles were not much better informed than the inferior orders, they could neither write nor read. Much of their time hung heavily upon their hands, namely, What was the early architecture of England? Were clocks known in Alfred's time? How did the Saxon nobles sometimes divert themselves? the time when they were neither hunting nor fighting; and they were not fighting every day in the year, nor hunting every hour of the day. And in rainy weather and winter evenings, when they had played with their dogs, and sharpened their arrows, and brightened their spears, (for to have bright arms was an essential part of a Saxon gentleman's appearance,) they often did not know what to do with themselves. A man who could sing a song, or play on the harp, or tell an entertaining story, was consequently much courted and valued and this occasioned some persons to make it their business to learn all these accomplishments. These persons, whom the Saxons called glee-men, but who now go usually under the name of minstrels, used to rove about the country from house to house, and from castle to castle, singing their songs, and telling their stories, which were commonly in verse: and every body made them welcome, and was glad to see them. And even when the country was in a state of warfare, and other people could not travel without danger, they went every where without molestation, for nobody would hurt or molest the poor minstrel, who was always so acceptable and amusing a guest. The Danes were acquainted with the game of chess, Backgammon was also played in England, having been invented, it is said, by the Welsh, and called by them, from two words in their language, bach cammon, or little battle. What was the condition of the Saxon minstrels ? What were favourite games of the Danes, English, and Welsh, in the time of the Saxons, and when was that time? (Latter answer from the pupils' judgment.) Alfred was succeeded by his son Edward, who had a turbulent reign of twenty-four years, the early part of which was disturbed by the attempts of his cousin Ethelwald to wrest the kingdom from him. This cousin Ethelwald was the son of Alfred's elder brother; but, being an infant at the time of his father's death, the nobles passed him by, and made Alfred king. The nephew, now that his uncle was dead, naturally put in his claim to the crown. After much fighting, and the loss of many of his adherents, he was killed, and then Edward's right remained undisputed. Edward was a man of great abilities, but A. D. 925. more warlike than peaceable in his disposition. He had also a sister named Ethelfleda, who assisted him in many of his enterprises. Athelstan, his eldest son, succeeded Edward. His reign, like that of his father, was a continual conflict with the Danes. One of their generals, a prince called Anlaff, disguised himself like a minstrel, and went into Athelstan's Who was Alfred's successor ? What was the history of Edward the Elder? Who succeeded Edward the Elder? What Danish prince entered Athelstan's camp? camp. The king was much pleased with his music, and, thinking he was a poor boy, gave him a piece of money. Anlaff was too proud to keep it, and when he got out of the king's tent, and thought nobody was in sight, he buried it in the ground. It happened that a soldier saw him, and, thinking this very strange, examined the pretended minstrel's face, and knew him to be prince Anlaff, but did not prevent his departure. When the Danish prince had got some distance from the camp, the soldier informed Athelstan of the discovery he had made. The king reproved him for letting such a dangerous enemy escape. I once served Anlaff,” replied the man, "And gave him the same faith that I have now given to you; and if I had betrayed him, what trust could you have reposed in my truth? Let him die, if such be his fate; but not through my treachery. Yet now he has escaped, secure yourself from danger, and remove your tent, lest he should assail you unawares." Athelstan was pleased with the honest soldier's answer, and took his advice, and it was well he did; for an English bishop, who came the next day, and pitched his tent in the same spot where the king's had stood, was in the night attacked by the Danes; and both he and all his servants were killed. The noise of this attack waked the Saxons, and the battle became general between them and the Danes. It lasted all that night and all the following day, and is distinguished in Saxon history by the name of the long battle. It ended in Athelstan's gaining a complete victory, which secured to him the entire possession of the kingdom. But he did not enjoy it long; for he died three years afterwards, in 941. Athelstan was succeeded by his brother Edmund, who was at first molested by the persevering Danes. They, however, were soon subdued, and Edmund displayed so much bravery and wisdom, that there was every hope his reign would be a happy one; when a sudden end was put What trait of honour was exhibited by one of Athelstan's soldiers? What battle is called the long battle, and when did Athelstan die? |