Evidence of sequence in the use of metal-Remains of the Paleolithic Age The Celtic languages-Their living forms in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Religion of the British tribes-Its influence on the literature of ro- times. A general idea of the country and its people at the time of the first Ro- PAGE I CHAPTER II. THE ROMAN CONQUEST. Character of the Roman conquest-The century of peace after Cæsar's regiments-Tyrannical administration-Revolt of the Iceni-Victory of Paullinus-The province constituted-Agricola's beneficial government- Extent of the Roman conquest after his retirement-The Caledonian tribes-The Picts and Scots-Their hostile enterprises-Hadrian sum- moned to Britain-His headquarters at Eburacum, the site of modern York-Roman camps the origin of many English towns-Their sites and system of fortification-Hadrian's wall-Description of its remains-The expedition of Severus-Death of the emperor at York-The revolt of Ca- rausius-Growing influence and final defeat of the Franks in Britain- Diocletian's scheme of government-Reigns of Constantius and Constan- tine the Great Division of Roman Britain into five provinces-Effect of the new constitution-Increase of taxation and extreme wretchedness of the natives-Establishment of Christianity in Britain—Gradual decay of Paganism-Pantheistic religions-State of the frontiers-Renewed attacks of the Picts and Scots-The Franks and Saxons-Victories of Theodosius -The revolt of Maximus-His successful campaign against the Picts and Scots-He raises a large army of Britons and Gauls, crosses over to the Continent, and establishes himself at Trêves as Emperor of the West- His drain upon the native population a cause of weakness to the country -Believed to have been the proximate cause of the English conquest- Combined attacks of Scots, Picts, and Saxons-Repulsed by Stilicho- Usurpation of Constantine-The treason of Gerontius-The cities of Brit- ain repel a German invasion-They refuse to return to their former subjec- tion-Honorius releases them from further allegiance-The independence Effects of four hundred years of Roman occupation upon the native Celtic language-Agricola endeavors to introduce Roman civilization among the native chiefs-Roman schools in Britain inferior to those in Gaul-British students frequenting the Gaulish law schools-No Latin author of distinction among the Britons-Latin indispensable to the native business people-In official transactions, imperative-Ancient British coins are stamped with Roman capitals-British monumental inscriptions in Latin-Latin words traceable in the Cambrian dialect-Few words in modern English of Latin origin referable to the early British period...... 34 Troubles of the independent Britons-They organize under their an- origin of the name-The legend of Hengist and Horsa-The Saxon Franks-Augustin takes with him, as interpreters to communicate with the people of Kent, some Salian Franks who spoke the ancient idiom of Hol- land-He lands in Britain on the isle of Thanet-Ethelbert, King of Kent, meets him there in the open air for fear of magic-The king is eventu- ally converted to Christianity-Slow progress of the new religion among the Saxons-The converts often relapse into idolatry-Heathen survivals -Character of Saxon Paganism-Heathen songs crowded out by stirring Christian hymns-Cadmon-Character of early Anglo-Saxon poetry- Christianity the cradle of English national literature-Celtic influence on the language-It is more literary than lexical-Common nouns of Celtic origin-Celtic local names-Roman local names—The Celtic population of England-Runes and Ogham inscriptions-Their origin and gradual dis- appearance The Roman alphabet-The Trish alphabet-Early Anglo- Saxon writing formed after the Irish model-Earliest specimens of Anglo- Saxon date back no farther than the end of the seventh century-They belong to the Anglian district-All tribal denominations abolished by Egbert, and the names of England and English for the country and its inhabitants proclaimed by royal decree, A. D. 827-Probable reason for the The Danes-Known by various names-Their origin and continental - remain pay tribute, and labor for the Danes- Alfred, known to a few Deterioration of the vernacular English-Lack of culture among the English people in Alfred's time-His endeavor to rescue his dominions from illiteracy and ignorance-He invites the most learned men from abroad to come as teachers to England-The studies that were cultivated in those ages-Alcuin and his methods-Dialectic differences in early Eng- lish-Like differences still existing in cognate idioms-Friesian and Dutch compared with modern English-The written Anglo-Saxon a conglomerate of various dialects-Its grammar, vocabulary, and literature-The scholars of the eighth and ninth century write mainly for the learned-Their writing only in Latin is detrimental to the progress of the vernacular language— Anglo-Saxon versions of the Gospel-Eighth and tenth century specimens of Anglo-Saxon scriptural language-A Northumberland gloss of the same passage-Danish influence on early English-Traceable especially in the dialects of northern England-Common names of Scandinavian origin- Proper names, descriptive of Scandinavian localities-Proper names, de- scriptive of Anglo-Saxon localities-Identity of local and patronymic names in England, Holland, Friesland, Westphalia, Belgium, and Northern France, showing identity of origin and race-The extent of Danish occu- pation best ascertained from geographical nomenclature-The presence of the Danes prejudicial to the development of national character-Low con- Origin of the Normans-King Harald Harfager prohibits piracy in |