ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States PREFACE THE History of England, entitled Mrs. Markham's, was written by a mother for the instruction of her own children, and it has been, and still is, extensively used in England. In its original form the construction is essentially domestic, and to the narrative portions are appended conversations between a mother and children on that most important part of history, the successive changes that have taken place in Britain, and other civilized countries, in manners, arts, and humanity. Agreeable as this form of instruction may be in a family, it is altogether inconvenient in a school. There is nothing more needed in our schools than good histories; not the dry compends in present use, but elementary works that shall suggest the moral uses of history, and the Providence of God manifest in the affairs of men. Mrs. Markham's History was used by that moael for all teachers, the late Dr. Arnold, master of the great English school at Rugby, and agrees in its character with his enlightened and pious views of teaching history. It is now several years since I adapted this History to the form and the price acceptable in the schools in the United States. I have recently revised it, and trust that it may be extensively serviceable in education. The principal alterations from the original are a new and more convenient division of paragraphs, and entire omission of the conversations annexed to the chapters. In place of these I have affixed questions to every page, that may at once facilitate the work of the teacher and the pupil. The rational and moral features of this book first commended it to me, and I have used it successfully with my own scholars. The real author was Elizabeth, wife of the Rev. John Penrose, a native of England. Mrs. Penrose was a woman of rare gifts and accomplishments. She died at Lincoln, January 24th, 1837. ELIZA ROBBINS NEW YORK, March 8, 1848. CONTENTS CRAPTER I. Ancient Britons-Roman Invasion-The Druids-Antiquities-Pri Authur. Alfred-His education-His virtues-The Danes-Ther ravages- Defeated by Alfred-Alfred's death-State of England in this reign. From Canute to the Norman conquest-Saxon princes restored- Battle of Hastings-Condition of the people of England under the William of Normandy-Edgar Atheling-Robert and William, the conqueror's sons-Death of William-State of society under the Nor Character of Henry I.-Robert returns to England-Succession o prince William disputed-Prince William drowned-The Empress Ma tilda-Henry II. dies in Normandy-Arts, armor, and domestic man Usurpation of Stephen-Civil war in England-Stephen taken prison er-Matilda abuses her own power-withdraws into Normandy--The Henry II. his education-his abilities-grants a charter to the people |