Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (8 of 8) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 74 pages of information about Chronicles (1 of 6).

Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (8 of 8) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 74 pages of information about Chronicles (1 of 6).

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A notable aduertisement touching the summe of all the foresaid historie, wherin the foure great and notable conquests of this land are brieflie touched, being a conclusion introductorie, as is said in the argument.

In the former part of this historie it is manifest to the heedful [Sidenote:  Britaine inhabited by Brute.] reader, that (after the opinion of most writers) Brute did first inhabit this land; and called it then after his owne name, Britaine, in the yeere after the creation of the world 2855, and in the yeere [Sidenote:  1 Britaine conquered by the Romans.] before the incarnation of Christ 1108. ¶ Furthermore the said land of Britaine was conquered by C. Iulius Cesar, and made tributarie to the Romans in the 50 yeere before the natiuitie of Christ, and so continued 483 yeeres.  So that the Britains reigned without tribute and vnder tribute, from Brute, vntill the fourth yeere of the reigne of king Cadwalladar, which was in the yeere of our Lord 686.  And so the Britains had continuance of the gouernement of this land the space of 1794 yeeres.  Then was the realme of Britaine an heptarchie, that is, diuided into seuen kingdoms.  And Britaine receiued the faith of Christ [Sidenote:  2 Britaine conquered and ouercome by the Saxons.] in the 7 yeere of the reigne of king Lucius, which was in the 187 yeere after the birth of Christ. ¶ Next after the Britains entered the Saxons, in the third yeere of king Vortiger; and in the yeere of our Lord 450, and they gouerned vntill the last yeere of king Athelstane, which was in the yeere of Christ 938.  So that the time of the Saxons first entrance into this realme, and the time of their regiment [Sidenote:  3 Britaine conquered and ouercome by the Danes.] was the space of 487 yeeres. ¶ Howbeit, in the time of their gouernement, that is to say, in the 9 yeere of king Britricus, which was in the yeere of our Lord 387, the Danes entred into this land, spoiling and persecuting the people therin most greeuouslie.  At the last, Sweno or Swaine the Dane obteined possession roiall, in the yeere of Grace 1012, whose time of regiment lasted about three yeeres.  After whom his sonne Canutus succeeded, and reigned 19 yeeres.  After him Harold his sonne, who ruled three yeeres:  and after him Hardicnute the sonne of Canutus, whose gouernement continued but three yeeres.  This Hardicnute was the last king of the Danes, at which time the Danes were expelled and hunted out of the realme, which was in the yeere of our Lord 1042.  So that it may appeare by this collection, that the Danes ruled as kings in this land by the space of 28 yeeres.  Hereby also it is euident, that from the time of the first entrance of the Danes into this realme, vntill their last expulsion & [Sidenote:  4 Britaine conquered and possessed by the Normans.] riddance, was 255 yeeres. ¶ Finallie the Normans entred this land likewise, and conquered the same as before is expressed, in the yeere of our Lord 1067, which is since, vntill this present yeere of our Lord 1585, drawing neere to the number of 600 and od yeeres.

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Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (8 of 8) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.