tection of his family, made Nero co-heir to his estates with his daughters; but the emperor, on the death of Prasutagus, seized the whole, whipped Boadicea his widow, and violated his daughters. Whereupon Boadicea incited the Britons to revenge her wrongs, and assembling 250,000 men, attacked the Romans in London, Camelodunum, Verulam, and other places, and destroyed upwards of 70,000 Romans, without regard to age or sex; but Sue tonius Paulinus the Roman general, returning from the conquest of Mona (Anglesey) engaged the Britons commanded by Boadicea, and totally defeated them, killing 80,000. Boadicea, to avoid being taken prisoner, poisoned herself. 69. Julius Frontinus, governor of Britain, subdued the Silures. 78. Julius Agricola succeeded Frontinus; he reduced South Britain (83) into the form of a Roman province, introducing the laws, customs, &c. of the Romans, he also defeated Galgacus in North Britain. 84. Agricola built a chain of castles from the Clyde to the Forth. He afterwards subdued the Orkney Islands, and reduced the Caledonians. At this time Britain first discovered to be an island. 88 The Caledonians made an irruption into Britain, destroyed part of the chain of castles, and retreated with great booty. 93. Josephus the Jewish historian died, aged 56. 99. Julius Severus appointed governor of Britain. 104. The Emperor Adrian landed in Britain, and (121) built a wall of earth from Carlisle to the river Tyne containing eighty miles in length, as a defence against the Caledonians. 117. St. John the Evangelist died, aged 92. Also Tacitus the Roman historian. Martial the poet died, aged 75. 119. Plutarch died. 134. Lollius Urbicus, lieutenant to Antoninus Pius, built another wall beyond the former from Edinburgh to Dunbritton Frith. 161. Epictetus the stoic philosopher and Ptolemy the astronomer died. 162. The Caledonians renew their inroads, but are repulsed by Ulpius Marcellus. 180. England had the honour of having Lucius the first Christian king. The bishopric of Landaff founded by Dubritius the first bishop. Pertinax made governor in Britain, upon whose dismissal, in 190, Clodius Albinus is made governor. 193. Galen the physician died. 205. A dreadful earthquake in Wales. 207. Fifty thousand of Severus's troops died of a pestilence. He kept his court at York. 208. The Emperor Severus came into Britain, repulsed the Caledonians, and built a wall of stone where the Emperor Adrian's wall of earth stood; he was killed at York. 211. Severus dying at York, his brother Caracalla was chosen, who ordered his brother Geta and others to be put to death. 212. Scotland received the Christian faith. Gold and silver coin was first introduced there. 217. Caracalla died, and the Britons revolted. 220. Asclepiadotus, duke of Cornwall, chosen king of Britain. A great frost in England which continued five months. 238. The sixth persecution of the Christians by Maximus. 250. Another great frost, when the Thames was frozen nine weeks. 253. The seventh persecution by Tra jan. 255. The eighth persecution by Valerian. 259. Asclepiadotus slain in battle with the duke of Colchester. 270. Constantine, afterwards the Great, born at York. He was grandson to Coil, a chief of the Cumbrians. 272. The ninth persecution by Valerius Aurelianus. 273. Longinus the astronomer died. 276. Wines first made in Britain. 282. Victorinus arrived in Britain and suppressed a revolt. 283. The tenth persecution by Diocletian and Maximianus, when the Christians of Britain endured a severe persecution; and St. Alban, said to have been the first martyr in Britain, was beheaded at Holmehurst, now St. Albans. 284. Carausius arrived, and proclaimed emperor in Britain, and is said to be the first who bestowed Scotland on the Picts, as a recompense for their assistance. Till this period the Picts are not mentioned in history. 293. Carausius assassinated by Alectus, who then assumed the purple. Constantius arrived with a fleet and landed in the isle of Wight, and is received by the Britons as their deliverer. 294. Constantius repulsed the Scots. He married Helena, daughter of Coilus, duke of Colchester, by whom he had Constantine the Great; she first walled the city of London. 306. Constantius died at York, and was succeeded by his son Constantine, who, with the assistance of British forces, defeated Maxentius who had assumed the purple at Rome; he embraced the Christian religion, and was unanimously saluted by the name of Constantine the Great. 310. He divided Britain into four governments, viz. Britannia Prima, comprehending the country between the river Thames and the sea; Britannia Secunda, consisting of all that lay west of the Severn to the Irish sea; Flavia Cæsariensis, comprehending Cornwall, Devonshire, Somersetshire, and part of Wilts and Gloucestershire; and the fourth division was named Maxima Cesariensis, including the northern counties of England, with Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Lincolnshire. 314. Three British bishops deputed, go to the council of Arles in France. 336. Arius the heretic died. 337. May 22, Constantine died, and was buried at Constantinople. 338. Constantinus succeeded to that division of the empire which included Britain; but by invading the territory of his brother Constans he was slain, and the victor inherited Britain, and arrived here to repel the still turbulent Picts. 340. The vices of Constans subjected him to the contempt of his subjects, and he was deprived of his crown and life by Magnentius, a Gaul of British extraction, who as sumed the regal dignity; but the friends of Constantius, the youngest son of Constantine the Great, prevailing against him, after a struggle of three years, the usurper put an end to his own life at Lyons (344), and the whole province of Britain acknowledged the authority of the victor. 346. Constantius erected a court of confiscation in Britain, under the direction of Paulus, a Spanish notary, who prosecuted with rigour the adherents of Magnentius, on whom he committed the greatest outrages. 347. The garrisons in Germany are supplied with corn from Britain, so very fertile was this island. 360. Julian, afterwards named the Apostate, sent a vicar to Britain to repel the Picts. The Scots now began to appear and constitute a kingdom. 364. Britain is harassed by the Picts, Scots, and Saxons. 365. The Britons rebelled against the Romans, in conjunction with the Piets. 366. Theodosius, a Roman general, landed at Sandwich in Kent, routed the in 370. Maximus, governor in Britain, repaired the walls of Severus and Agricola, and erected a separate province called Valentia, situate between the two boundaries. 371. St. Athanasius died. 382. Maximus, the Roman general in Britain, declared himself emperor, and carried over all the youth of Britain into France, as well as the Roman forces, whereby Britain was exposed to the excursions of the Scots and Picts. 385. Theodosius defeated and killed Maximus. In this contest the flower of the British youth fell in battle. Chrysanthius made vicar in Britain, who subdued the northern enemies. 392. Ausonius the poet died. 393. Theodosius died, and his son Honorius governed the western division of the empire, who sent Victorius as vicar into Britain; he carried his authority so far as to interpose in the election of a chief. Encouraged by the example of the Celts, and other nations, who were daily falling off from their obedience to the Roman empire, the northern Britons joined the Picts, and determined to expel the Romans the island. In this the inhabitants of the south refused to concur, and even implored the assistance of Rome against the Picts, which induced these northerns to treat them as common enemies, and lay waste their flourishing provinces. 396. Two legions were sent to the relief of the south Britons by Honorius the emperor. 408. St. Chrysostom died. 410. More troops sent under a Roman general. 420. St. Jerome died. 426. Assistance was again sent from Rome to Britain. 427. And the year following was the last assistance the Romans afforded the Britons. 428. The emperor Honorius abandoned Britain, and discharged the Britons from their allegiance. This was 480 years after the first attempt of Julius Cæsar against this island. 444. St. Cyril died. 447. When the Romans abandoned South Britain, the natives elected a king, whom they soon after dethroned. They proceeded to elect others, who were successively dethroned, or murdered; till they fixed at length upon Vortigern, a prince of the Dunmonii (inhabitants of Devon and Cornwall) who was elected sole monarch of South Britain: this prince, with the consent of his subjects, invited over the Saxons (who inhabited the north-west of Germany) to defend them against the ravages and devastations of the Picts and Scots, who had invaded and harrassed South Britain in a terrible manner, ever since the departure of the Romans. 449. The first embarkation of Saxons arrived at Ebbsfleet, in the isle of Thanet, in three gallies, being commanded by Hengist and Horsa, two brothers; king Vortigern agreed to take them into his pay; they stipulated to defend his country against the Picts and Scots, and accordingly advanced against them, met them near Stamford in Lincolnshire, where they were repulsed, and compelled to retire further northward. 450. The Saxons sent for further reinforcements, which arrived in sixteen large ships, consisting of Saxons, Jutes (Danes) and Angles (of Sleswick), and with them came Rowena, the beautiful niece of Hengist, whom Vortigern married, and made her father king of Kent. 451. The Saxons having driven the Picts and Scots into the north part of the island, introduced still greater numbers of their countrymen. 452. Hengist sent for a further supply; with whom arrived Octa his brother, who brought with him his son Ebusa. 454. Vortigern, compelled by his subjects to admit his son Vortimer partner in the throne, was deprived of all authority. The Britons endeavoured to rid the kingdom of the Saxons; but were resisted by them, when a war commenced, which ter minated in favour of the latter. 455. The first battle was fought at Aylesford in Kent, when the Saxons were commanded by Hengist and Horsa, and the Britons by Vortimer. Here Horsa was slain and buried near the spot which is now called Horsted; and Hengist with his own hand slew Catigern the brother of Vortimer, who was buried near Aylesford; and, notwithstanding the Saxons had not the advantage of the day, immediately after the battle Hengist first took upon him the title of king of Kent. 457. Two years after, another battle was fought near Crayford in Kent, where Vortimer was entirely defeated, with the loss of more than 4000 men and his best officers. Vortimer shut himself up in London, not being able to keep the field; and Hengist, to terrify the Britons, ravaged the country in a merciless manner: they that were most exposed to the fury of the Saxons left their habitations and fled to the woods for shelter. 458. The Britons desired assistance of the kings of Arraorica, when Ambrosius was sent with 10000 men, but through jealousy prevented from being joined by the Britons, who became a prey to their intestine broils, instead of uniting against the common enemy. Numbers of the Britons retired into Wales, and some went to Holland, and landed near Leyden. Thus the unhappy Britons, for seven or eight years, suffered all the calamities of a civil war, till, by agreement, a division of the kingdom put an end to their animosities. 466. The war was again renewed against their common enemy the Saxons, and in the first engagement Hengist lost Wipped his general, at Ipswich in Suffolk. 467. It was in this war the famous Arthur, at fourteen years of age, first made his appearance. He was king of Cornwall and Devon. 473. A battle was lost by the Britons, which enabled the Saxons to enlarge their dominions. 475. Vortimer died by poison, given by his mother-in-law Rowena, at the instigation of Hengist, and was buried at Lincoln. 476. Hengist entertained Vortigern and 300 of his principal noblemen, whom he murdered on May 1, and in memory of it Ambrosius erected Stone-henge in Wiltshire. Ambrosius assumed the purple in Britain, after the manner of the Romans. 477. Hengist's treachery and murder of the British nobles rendered him hated, and his country became depopulated, by the inhabitants retiring to other parts; which induced him to send to Germany for Ella, who landed at Whitering in Sussex, but not without opposition. With him arrived his sons, the youngest of whom was Cissa. He had continual wars with the Britons, the particulars whereof are unknown, except that they settled on the sea-coast, and were called the South Saxons, and their country Sussex. Those that were settled on the east coast were called East Saxons, and their country Essex. The country between Essex and Sussex was termed Middlesex, but Kent retained its ancient name. 485. The Britons took arms against Vortigern, pursued him into Wales, where they besieged him in a castle which took fire, and he perished in the flames, after a troublesome reign of thirty years. 487. Ambrosius renewed the war against the Saxons, and obtained a signal victory over Ella and his two eldest sons. 488. Hengist died, aged sixty-nine, having been in Britain thirty-nine years, and on the throne of Kent thirty-three. 490. Ireland was called, from the number of religious establishments and learned men, "the Isle of Saints." 491. St. Patrick died. Prince Arthur defeated the Northumbrian Saxons. Ella having taken a strong place, where now Pevensey is, in Sussex, assumed the title of King of the South Saxons, and was elected the monarch or general, in the room of Hengist. 494. Arthur again defeated the Northumbrian Saxons, on the river Dugles, near Wigan in Lancashire. 495. Cerdic, a Saxon general, arrived in Britain, from whom descended the kings of England, in the male line, to Edward the Confessor, and in the female line, to his present majesty. The same year Arthur besieged York, but was obliged to raise the siege, as Cerdic's landing had brought fresh troops. 497. Arthur defeated the revolted subjects of Ambrosius, and drove their leader into Wales, where he procured the possession of Brecknock and Radnorshire, which he erected into a kingdom. 501. Porta, another Saxon, landed at the place now called Portsmouth, with more Saxons, who became so very numerous, that Arthur quitted the field and retired to London. 504. The valiant Arthur again took the field at the head of 15000 men, and defeated the Saxons under Cerdic near Boston, and soon after a second time, near Gainsford. 50S. The Britons were defeated at Chardford in Hampshire, 5000 men were slaiz, and Ambrosius died in a very advanced age. Arthur succeeded Ambrosius in the 'government, and his name was terrible to the Saxons: he was crowned at Caerleon, and defeated the Northumbrians on the borders of the river Ribroit, which runs through Lancashire, being his tenth victory over the Saxons; and soon after again defeated another army of theirs at Cadbury in Somersetshire. 511. The battle of Baden-Hill, near Bath, where a most complete victory was gained by Arthur, wherein two of the Saxon chiefs were slain, and Cerdic was obliged to retire to an inaccessible post, Here Arthur slew 400 with his own hand. 512. The Picts made a descent in the north in favour of the Saxons; Arthur defeated them, and ravaged their country. The same year died Gueniver, the wife of Arthur, and she was buried in the county of Angus in Scotland. Arthur retired to York to regulate the affairs of the church, and about this time he is said to have begun his reign. 513. Cerdic received a supply of troops, which landed at Calshot in Hampshire, from Germany, to reinforce his army, after his defeat at Baden-Hill; took the field again, and committed great devastations. 519. Cerdic defeated the Britons, which made them despair of extirpating the Saxons. 520. The bishopric of St. David's founded by Arthur, and Dubritius was the first bishop. 521. Cerdic founded the West Saxon kingdom, and was crowned at Winchester, twenty-three years after his arrival in Britain. 527. Erchenwin began to assume the title of king of the East Saxons. About the same time multitudes of Angles landed on the eastern coast of Britain, where without difficulty they settled, and founded a fifth kingdom under the name of East Angles. Arthur was in the north when they landed, and Cerdic gave him battle and defeated him at Cherdsey in Buckinghamshire. 528. Arthur made a treaty with Cerdic and assumed the title of emperor. 530. Cerdic subdued the Isle of Wight and cruelly destroyed the inhabitants. 531. Modred, Arthur's nephew, debauched the queen in private, and married her publicly; surrendered a great part of Arthur's dominions to Cerdic, and was crowned king of the remainder at London. 532. Cerdic invited over more Saxons. 533. Cerdic gave the isle of Wight to his nephew. 533. Arthur returned from Armorica and discovering Modred's villany, raised forces, and after several defeats in favour of Arthur, a decisive one was fought in 542, near Camelford, wherein both fell, and with Arthur all the hopes of the Britons. Arthur was buried at Glastonbury, aged ninety years, seventy-six of which were spent in continual exercise of arms. He was born at Tindagel in Cornwall. 547. Ida, an Angle, landed at Flamborough, and became the first king of Northumberland. 552. The Britons made a weak effort against the Saxons without success. 560. The bishopric of St. Asaph founded by Kentiger, a Scot. Himself the first bishop. 570. Gildas the British historian died. 571. Uffa assumed the title of King of the East Angles. 572. Ceaulin obliged the kings of Kent, Essex, and Sussex to submit to him as their superior. He then attacked the Britons, but death seized him in the midst of his victories. 584. Crida, a Saxon chief, arrived in Britain with a large fleet, and made great conquests, which obliged the Britons to retire entirely into Cambria, and Crida founded the kingdom of Mercia, which was the last of the seven Saxon kingdoms, called the Heptarchy. 585. The Saxons change the name of Cambria into Wales. About the same time the Anglo Saxons unanimously agreed to call the seven kingdoms in general by the name of England, that is the country of the Angles. 2 Eske SAXON HEPTARCHY. 16 Kenwolfe began 727 740 455. THE first of the seven kingdoms 13 Ethelard began erected by the Saxon's, was Kent, of which Hengist was the first monarch, and contained the county of Kent; its kings were, 1 Hengist began 455 10 Edrick began 488 685 626 14 Cuthred 15 Sigebert 754 This kingdom began 519, ended 800, having continued 381 years. Its first Christian king was Cinigisil. 527. The fourth kingdom was that of the East Saxons, of whom Erchewin was the first king. It contained Middlesex, Essex, and part of Hertfordshire. Its kings 16 Cuthred 798 were, 9 Lothaire 673 This kingdom began 455, ended having continued 368 years. Christian king was Ethelbert. 477. The second kingdom they erected was that of the South Saxons, whereof Ella was the first king, and contained the counties of Sussex and Surry. Its kings 634 5 Authum This kingdom began 491, ended 754, having continued 263 years. Its first Christian king was Ethelwolf. 4 This kingdom began 527, ended 746, having continued 219 years. Its first Christian king was Sebert. 547. The fifth kingdom was that of Northumberland: it contained Yorkshire, Durham, Lancashire, Westmoreland, Cumberland and Northumberland. were, 521. The third kingdom was that of the West Saxons, whereof Cerdic was the first king, reigned twenty-three years: it contained the counties of Cornwall, Devon, 1 Ella or Ida began Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, Hants, and Berks. Its kings were, Its kings 10 Oswald began 527 655 first 2 Sledda 587 8 Sighere 670 9 Sebba 683 5 Sigebert 6 Sigebert the good 653 623 |