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 Cæsar here, there had reigned sixty-nine Kings, all natives of England.
In respect to the Roman Period we may observe, that Julius Cæsar 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.