A Museum for Young Gentlemen and Ladies | Page 5

as possible, which they did, and with their slings, engines, and arrows so pelted the Britons, that their courage began to abate. But the Romans were unwilling to throw themselves into the water, till one of the standard-bearers leaped in first with his colours in his hand, crying out aloud, Follow me, fellow soldiers, unless you will betray the Roman Eagle into the hands of the enemy. For my part I am resolved to discharge my duty to Caesar and the Commonwealth. Whereupon all the soldiers followed him, and began to fight. But their resolution was not able to compel the Britons to give ground; nay, it was feared they would have been repelled, had not C?sar caused armed boats to supply them with recruits, which made the enemy fall back a little. The Romans improving this advantage advanced, and getting firm footing on land, pressed the Britons so vigorously that they put them to the rout. The Britons, astonished at the Roman valour, and fearing a more obstinate resistance would but expose them to greater mischiefs, sent to sue for peace and offer hostages, which C?sar accepted, and a peace was concluded four days after their landing. Thus having given an account of Ancient Britain, and C?sar's invasion, we shall proceed to the History of England, and the several Kings by whom it has been governed.

A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. II.
AS England was long governed by Kings who were natives of the country, so it may not be improper to distinguish that tract of time by the name of the British Period. Those Kings were afterwards subdued by the Romans, and the time that warlike people retained their conquest we shall call the Roman Period. When the Saxons brought this country under their subjection, we shall denominate the time of their sway the Saxon Period. Lastly, when the Danes invaded England, and conquered it, we shall term the series of years they possessed it the Danish Period.
This country was originally called Albion; but one Brutus, a Grecian hero, having landed here about 1100 years before Christ, changed the ancient name to Britannia; from which time, to the arrival of Julius C?sar here, there had reigned sixty-nine Kings, all natives of England.
In respect to the Roman Period we may observe, that Julius C?sar first landed in Britain from Gallia, and made it tributary to the Romans; but soon after the birth of Christ the Emperor Claudius brought this country entirely under his subjection, and the Emperor Adrian built the long wall between England and Scotland.
In the beginning of the second century the Christian religion was planted in England; and in the fifth century the Britons, finding themselves overpowered by the Scots, called over the Saxons to their assistance, who were so charmed with the country that they determined to continue here, and subdue it.
The most remarkable occurrences in the Saxon Period are, that such of them who embarked for England had been particularly distinguished by the name of Angles, and from them the name of Britannia was changed to that of Anglia. The Saxons also divided the country among themselves into seven kingdoms, known by the name of the Saxon Heptarchy, viz. 1. Kent, 2. Essex, 3. Sussex, 4. Wessex, 5. East Anglia, 6. Mercia, 7. Northumberland. But at length Wessex over-powering the rest, formed them all into one monarchy.
One of those West-Saxon Kings, called Ina, made many good laws, some of which are still extant: he also was the first that granted Peter's pence to the Pope.
In regard to the Danish Period we shall only remark, that the Danes had for a long time acted as pirates or sea robbers upon the English coasts, and made several incursions into the country, when their King Canute possessed himself of the crown of England; however their government did not continue long.
Canute reigned eighteen years, and left three sons, Harold, Canute, and Sueno; to the first he gave England, to the second Denmark, and to the third Norway.
Harold reigned five years, and was succeeded by his half-brother Hardi-Canute, who died two years after, and with him ended the tyrannical government of the Danes in England.

THE INTERMEDIATE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. III.
WE shall divide this part of our history into four periods; 1. The Kings of the Norman Line; 2. Those of the House of Anjou; 3. Of the House of Lancaster; 4. Of the House of York.
The NORMAN KINGS.
WILLIAM I. sirnamed [sic] the Conqueror, gained a signal victory over King Harold, by which means he procured the crown of England. This Prince was the son of Robert, Duke of Normandy, by one of his mistresses called Harlotte, from whom some think the word harlot is derived; however, as this amour seems odd, we shall entertain the reader with an account of