A SIMPLE HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

INTRODUCTION.

ENGLAND BEFORE THE ROMAN INVASION

1. Two thousand years ago, when Rome was in her glory, and mistress of almost all the then known parts of the world, the country in which we live was wild and uncultivated, and almost covered with dense forests, where roamed the wolf, bear, buffalo, elk, and other wild animals. It was at that time inhabited by a savage race called Britons, and was scarcely known to other nations except for its tin mines in the south, which even then had been worked for hundreds of years.

2. In those days there were no large towns, pretty villages, nor well-built houses; but here and there, in clearings amongst the woods, were a few poor, miserable huts, made of mud, covered with sticks and turf, and surrounded by a trench or fence to keep out the wild beasts.

3. The Britons sowed no corn, but lived on roots, wild fruits, milk, and the flesh of animals killed in hunting. In winter they wore skins to keep them warm; but in summer they went naked, and stained their bodies blue with woad-juice to make them look terrible to their enemies.

Those who lived near the south coast were not so savage. They traded in tin and pearls with merchants who sometimes visited the island. They were fond of wearing gay clothing, and made chains of gold, silver, or bronze for their arms and necks. They had been taught to cultivate the land by some Gauls who had settled amongst them, so that they had patches of corn growing, and raised tame cattle.

4. The Britons were fond of war, and fought with bows and arrows, spears, and clubs; on foot, on horseback, or in chariots armed with scythes, which they drove furiously amongst their foes.

5. Their religion was idolatry. Instead of worshipping the true God, they worshipped the sun, moon, serpent, oak, mistletoe, and many other objects. Their priests were called Druids, because they lived amongst the oak trees (the word drus means an oak). The Druids wore long white robes and long beards, and fed on coarse food. They made laws, gave instruction to the young, and offered sacrifices to their gods-sometimes burning a number of men, women, and children in large wicker baskets placed upon heaps of wood. Their victims were mostly prisoners taken in battle, and those who had been found guilty of crime.

QUESTIONS TO THE INTRODUCTION.

1. What sort of a country was animals roamed in the forests?

England two thousand years ago? What What were the inhabitants called? Was it much known to other nations? Was it known at all? For what? 2. What sort of towns had they in those days?

3. What was their food? What clothes did they wear? How did they stain their bodies in summer? Why? Was this the state of all the Britons? Describe those who lived near the south coast. What trade had they? What had they been taught? By whom?

4. What did the Britons use in war? Name three different ways of fighting? How did they use their chariots?

5. What was their religion? What idols did they worship? Who were their priests? Why called Druids? What was their employment? What cruelties did they commit in their sacrifices? Who were their usual victims ?

ROMAN PERIOD.

B.C. 55.-A.D. 410.

1. ABOUT fifty-five years before Christ was born, Julius Cæsar, a famous Roman general, having conquered the Gauls, who inhabited the country which is now called France, came over into Britain with a number of ships and men; and landing near Dover in Kent, fought against the Britons, who went in great numbers to oppose him. The Romans, being well armed and trained to war, soon put the Britons to flight; and having forced them to submit and pay tribute, Cæsar drew off his troops and returned to Gaul. The next year, however, he came again with a much larger army; and defeating the Britons in several battles, took possession of the southern parts of the country.

2. About a hundred years after this Claudius, Emperor of Rome, sent over two generals and a number of troops, with orders to subdue the whole of Britain, and soon after came himself. But he found it no easy task; for the Britons fought very bravely under their general, Caractacus, who however was at last taken prisoner and sent to Rome. As he was led in triumph through the streets of that city-then so great and noble-he looked around, and said, "Alas! is it possible that a nation possessed of such magnificence can covet my humble cottage in Britain ?" His conduct so pleased the Emperor that he was pardoned and set free.

3. In the reign of Nero another Roman general, named Paulinus, was sent to Britain. He landed on the Isle of Anglesey, destroyed the sacred groves and altars of the Druids, and so cruelly treated Queen Boadicea and her daughters that the Britons rose in rebellion, raised a great army under the command of Boadicea herself, gained a victory over the Romans, and burned London. They were, however, soon after defeated in a great battle, in which eighty thousand Britons were slain ; and Boadicea, in despair, poisoned herself.

4. Then came the great Agricola, another Roman general, more brave and less cruel than the rest. He conquered more of Britain than any of them, and even a part of Scotland, then

called Caledonia. He taught the Britons the arts of peace, and many Roman laws and customs. He made good roads across the country, and built two great walls to keep out the northern tribes who were not subdued. It was his sailors who found this country to be an island, by sailing round it.

5. It is said that soon after this the Gospel was preached in Britain by Peter or Paul; and two hundred years afterwards St. Alban was put to death for being a Christian (A.D. 303). The Emperor Constantine the Great, who was born at York, greatly encouraged Christianity in the country.

The Romans continued to govern England until the year 410, when all their soldiers were called home to defend Rome from the Goths.

QUESTIONS ON THE ROMAN PERIOD.

Who was Julius Cæsar? When did he invade Britain? What nation had he just conquered? What is their country now called? Where did Cæsar land? What advantage had his soldiers? What did he compel the Britons to do? When did he next visit Britain? With what success? 2. Who next invaded Britain? When? What British chief opposed Claudius? What did Caractacus say of the Romans? What effect had his conduct at Rome on the Emperor?

3. In whose reign did Paulinus come? Where did he land? What did he do? Whom did he cruelly use? What was the consequence? What became of Boadicea's army? And of herself?

4. What Roman general next came? When? What was Agricola's character? What conquests did he make? What was Scotland then called? What did he teach the Britons? What improvements did he make? What discovery was made by his sailors?

5. Who first brought Christianity to Britain? Who was the first Christian martyr in Britain ?. When did he suffer? What emperor encouraged Christianity? Where was he born? When did the Romans leave Britain ? Why?

a. Give events for the following dates, viz., B.C. 55; A.D. 43, 78, 303, 410.