Chapter I: Preface: To the American Edition

A juvenile history of England has long been needed in our primary schools.

Those already prepared, and in use, are written in a style entirely beyond the capacities of young children, and too comprehensive in detail.

“History for children ought to be told in their own simple language, or it fails to interest them; while all that is unfitted for childish ears, or unsuited to a childish understanding, should be carefully omitted; at the same time, it is essential to avoid making false or imperfect impressions by an injudicious brevity.”

_Philadelphia_, 1853.

The Publisher invites the attention of those engaged in tuition, to the following reviews, selected from a large number, recommendatory of Miss Corner, as an historian for the school-room:

“Miss Corner is an excellent historian for the school-room; she narrates with fluency and clearness, and in a concise and lively manner.”--_London Spectator._

“It is written with clearness and simplicity, the principal events are accurately and briefly described, and the whole is well adapted to the comprehension of young persons.”--_London Atlas._

“Miss Corner is concise in matter, yet perspicuous in style, delicate in narration, yet accurate in record, comprehensive in reference, yet simple in arrangement.”--_Devonport Independent._

“Miss Corner writes intelligently and fluently, with much ease and winning grace.”--_London Magazine of Arts and Sciences._

“The beauty of composition throughout the writings of Miss Corner is singular and fascinating.”--_London Sun._

“This meritorious work is written in a very easy and agreeable style, perfectly adapted to the capacities of the young persons for whom it is intended.”--_London Times._

“Miss Corner has acquired a deserved celebrity for the singularly-attractive and intelligible manner she has in narrating history.”--_London Critic._

Contents.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE
THE ANCIENT BRITONS, 9

CHAPTER II.

THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN, 16

CHAPTER III.

THE SAXON HEPTARCHY, 24

CHAPTER IV.

MANNERS OF THE SAXONS, 33

CHAPTER V.

THE DANES AND ALFRED THE GREAT, 41

CHAPTER VI.

FROM THE DEATH OF ALFRED TO THE NORMAN CONQUEST, 50

CHAPTER VII.

THE NORMAN CONQUEST, 59

CHAPTER VIII.

THE NORMAN PERIOD--1087 TO 1154, 68

CHAPTER IX.

HENRY THE SECOND, RICHARD THE FIRST, AND JOHN--1154
TO 1216, 82

CHAPTER X.

FROM THE DEATH OF KING JOHN TO THE ACCESSION OF
RICHARD THE SECOND--1216 TO 1377, 95

CHAPTER XI.

FROM THE ACCESSION OF RICHARD THE SECOND TO THE
WAR OF THE ROSES--1377 TO 1422, 110

CHAPTER XII.

THE WARS OF THE ROSES--1422 TO 1461, 119

CHAPTER XIII.

FROM THE BATTLE OF BOSWORTH, TO QUEEN ELIZABETH--1461
TO 1558, 128

CHAPTER XIV.

QUEEN ELIZABETH--1558 TO 1603, 140

CHAPTER XV.

THE STUARTS. FROM THE UNION TO THE REVOLUTION--1603
TO 1689, 150

CHAPTER XVI.

THE REVOLUTION--1689 TO 1714, 168

CHAPTER XVII.

HOUSE OF HANOVER--1714 TO 1830, 175

CHAPTER XVIII.

FROM THE DEATH OF GEORGE THE THIRD, 1830, TO THE
PRESENT TIME, 190