The British Nation

British Nation     Title   The British Nation
Author   George Wrong
Pages   648 pages
Date   From 1903 edition
Extras   291 illustrations; 7 genealogy tables; 6 full page maps; 17 maps and plans
   
Description  

British History is a very well illustrated and written textbook on the history of England from its beginning to 1900. It includes genealogy tables of the kings, many illustrations of artifacts, people and places, as well as maps and layouts of cities, etc.

This aid the pastor, teacher and Bible Student helps in placing events in their historical setting, and serves as a reference to make sure of facts before going public with a message. Many important Bible Study resources come from England, (Bullinger, Meyer, Morgan, Kitto, Spurgeon, etc.) and their mentions of English events and people assumes the reader is familiar with English history and current events. This book helps fill in this void.

Secondly, there has been a long history of testimony, courage, and bloodshed as Christians have stood valiantly in the faith, and in the truth of Scripture in England. This book touches briefly on the current events of the time, enabling a better understanding of the habits and culture to provide a background for each event.

Third, the illustrations serve as a handy aid for those who need clip art and a means to illustrate their work.

Fourth, it is just plain interesting reading, just to brush up on English history or to learn it!
Show/Hide the Table of Contents
  • I. Questions of Geography and Race
    • Britain's place in history, 1
    • Her independent development, 2
    • Physical features of Britain, 2
    • The influence of climate, 3
    • The distribution of mineral resources, 5
    • Race questions: the Paleolithic culture, 6
    • The Neolithic culture, 9
    • The Celtic culture and race, 11
    • The political effect of insularity, 12
    • The racial types in Britain, 13
    • The robust activity of the English type, 15
    • The growth of population, 16
    • Books for reference, 17
  • II. The Roman and English Conquests, 55 B.C. to about 577 A.D.—632 years
    • The period in Europe, 18
    • The culture of the early Britons, 18
    • Their government and religion, 20
    • The Roman invasion, 20
    • Roman civilization in Britain, 23
    • Extension and decline of Roman influence, 25
    • The coming of the English conquerors, 26
    • The culture of the English conquerors, 28
    • The relations of the English and the Britons, 29
    • Books for reference, 29
  • III. The Conversion of England
    • The period in Europe, 30
    • Pope Gregory the Great and the Roman mission, 30
    • The early British Church, 32
    • The planting of Christianity in Ireland, 33
    • The Scottish mission in conflict with the Roman, 34
    • The vigor of the English Church, 35
    • The later corruptions of the English Church, 36
    • Books for reference, 37
  • IV. From the English to the Norman Conquest, 577 to 1060—489 years
    • The period in Europe, 39
    • The supremacy of Wessex and the Danish invasion, 39
    • The work of Alfred the Great, 41
    • The successors of Alfred, 42
    • The reign of Ethelred and the Danish conquest, 44
    • The rule of the Danish kings, 44
    • The reign of Edward the Confessor and the growth of Norman influence, 40
    • The house of Godwin, 48
    • The succession of Harold as king, 49
    • Position of William, Duke of Normandy, 50
    • Harold's difficulties, 51
    • William's claims to the English throne, 52
    • The Norwegian attack on England, 53
    • Harold's overthrow of the Norwegians at Stamford Bridge, 55
    • William's invasion of England and victory at Hastings, 57
    • William becomes king of England, 59
    • Books for reference, 61
  • V. Pre-Norman Civilization in England
    • The English village community, 62
    • The manor, 63
    • Conditions in the English villages, 64
    • Food of the English, 65
    • Festivities of the English, 66
    • Dress of the English, 67
    • Dwelling-houses and furniture, 68
    • Industry and amusements, 68
    • Education and literature, 69
    • The laws of the English, 70
    • The hundred and the hundred-moot, 71
    • The folkmoot and the kingship, 72
    • The witenagemot, 73
    • Lack of unity in early England, 74
    • Summary of dates, 74
    • Books for reference, 75
  • VI. From the beginning of Foreign Rule under William the Conqueror to the Reforming Era of Henry II, 1066 to 1189—123 years
    • The period in Europe, 76
    • Reign of William 1, 1066-1087
      • The completion of the conquest, 77
      • The Norman supremacy, 78
      • The Church is conceded a separate legal system, 80
      • Domesday Book, 80
      • The great court at Salisbury, 81
      • The death of William the Conqueror, 82
    • Reign of William II, 1087-1100
      • The character of William, 83
      • His oppressions, 84
      • Pillage of the Church, 85
    • The Reign of Henry I, 1100-1135
      • Henry's Charter of Liberties, 87
      • His struggle with the baronage, 87
      • Quarrel with the Church about investiture, 88
      • Character of Henry's rule, 88
    • The Reign of Stephen, 1135-1154
      • Baronial independence, 90
      • Civil war and anarchy, 90
    • The Reign of Henry II, 1154-1189
      • Character and position of Henry, 92
      • His quarrel with Thomas a Becket, 95
      • The constitutions of Clarendon, 90
      • The murder of Becket, 98
      • Results of Becket's murder, 99
      • Henry's struggle with the baronage, 100
      • The conquest of Ireland, 102
      • The disasters and death of Henry II, 103
      • Summary of dates, 104
      • Books for reference, 105
  • VII. The Struggle against Royal Despotism and the Rise of the Commons as a Factor in Government, 1180 to 1307—118 years
    • The period in Europe, 106
    • The Reign of Richard I, 1189-1199
      • The character of Richard, 107
      • His crusading zeal, 107
      • Political progress during his reign, 109
    • The Reign of John, 1199-1216
      • John's depraved character, 109
      • The loss of Normandy, 110
      • John's oppressions of the baronage, 111
      • His attack upon the Church, 112
      • John compelled to sign the Great Charter, 113
      • The terms of the Great Charter, 113
    • The Reign of Henry III, 1216-1272
      • Character of Henry III, 115
      • His concessions to the Church, 115
      • Foreign influences encouraged by him, 116
      • His bad government, 117
      • The opposition of Simon de Montfort, 118
      • Civil war, 119
    • The Reign of Edward I, 1272-1307
      • The character of Edward, 120
      • His conquest of Wales, 122
      • He makes Balliol king of Scotland, 123
      • His reforms of the law, 123
      • His checks upon the Church, 124
      • His reform of land tenure, 125
      • The expulsion of the Jews, 126
      • The enfranchisement of the Commons, 127
      • Foreign affairs, 128
      • The conquest of Scotland, 128
      • The revolt of Scotland, 129
      • Edward's place in history, 130
      • Summary of dates, 130
      • Books for reference, 131
  • VIII. English Civilization in the Thirteenth Century
    • The important influence of the Church, 132
    • Life in the monasteries, 133
    • St. Francis of Assisi and the mendicant movement, 135
    • The principles of feudal tenure, 136
    • The principles of chivalry, 137
    • The manorial system, 138
    • The condition of the villeins, 140
    • The medieval village, 141
    • Criminal justice and its defects, 143
    • The frequence of the death penalty, 145
    • The lawlessness of mediaeval England, 145
    • The Tithing and the Frank-pledge, 146
    • The growth of the towns, 147
    • The guilds, 148
    • Trade matters, 149
    • The extent of travel, 151
    • The Norman architecture, 152
    • The beginnings of Gothic architecture, 153
    • The mediaeval castle, 154
    • The manor-house, 159
    • Food, sanitation, etc., 160
    • Dress, 161
    • Arms and armour, 162
    • Amusements, 164
    • Manners, 164
    • The rise of the universities, 165
    • The beginning of the colleges, 166
    • University discipline and studies, 167
    • Language and literature, 168
    • Books for reference, 169
  • IX. England in the Fourteenth Century, 1307 to 1399—72 years
    • The period in Europe, 170.
    • The Reign of Edward II, 1307-1327
      • The position of the Commons, 171
      • The character of Edward II, 171
      • His favorite Gaveston, 171
      • English defeat by the Scots at Bannockburn, 172
      • Deposition and death of Edward II, 173
    • The Reign of Edward III, 1327-1377
      • Edward's character, 174
      • Wars with Scotland and France, 175
      • Victory at Crecy, 177
      • The Black Death, 178
      • Victory at Poitiers and treaty of Bretigny, 179
      • Renewed war and English reverses, 181
      • Edward's domestic policy, 183
      • His restraints upon the Church, 184
      • The misrule of Edward's later years, 185
    • The Reign of Richard II, 1377-1399
      • The discontent of the peasants, 187
      • The teaching of John Wycliffe, 189
      • The armed rising of the peasants, 190
      • The end of the revolt, 193
      • Richard's attempted despotism, 194
      • His unpopularity and overthrow, 196
      • Intellectual progress, 197
      • Summary of dates, 198
      • Books for reference, 199
  • X. A Century of Civil and Foreign War, 1399 to 1509—110 years
    • The period in Europe, 201
    • The Reign of Henry IV, 1399-1413
      • Rule and character of Henry IV, 202
      • The revolt in Wales, 203
      • The supremacy of the Commons, 204
    • The Reign of Henry V, 1418-1422
      • Character of Henry V, 204
      • The persecution of the Lollards, 205
      • Henry's claim to the throne of France, 206
      • Victory of Agincourt and treaty of Troyes, 207
    • The Reign of Henry VI, 1422-1461
      • Child rule of Henry VI, 209
      • The war in France; Joan of Are, 211
      • Factions in England, 213
      • Defeat of the English in France, 215
      • The beginning of the Wars of the Roses, 216
      • The nature of the civil war, 217
      • The battle of Wakefield and Lancastrian triumph, 219
    • The Reign of Edward IV, 1461-1483
      • Edward IV's victory at Towton, 220
      • Warwick the "kingmaker," 221
      • Quarrel of Edward IV and Warwick, 222
      • Overthrow of Edward by Warwick, 224
      • Final victories of Edward IV at Barnet and Tewkesbury, 225
      • The rule of Edward IV, 227
    • The Reign of Edward V, 1483
      • The succession of the child Edward V, 228
      • The usurpation of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 228
    • The Reign of Richard III, 1483-1485
      • Unpopularity of Richard III, 231
      • The Earl of Richmond attacks and overthrows him, 232
    • The Reign of Henry VII, 1483-1509
      • The character of Henry VII, 233
      • Revolts against his rule, 234
      • His restraints upon the baronage, 236
      • The revived royal despotism, 237
      • Henry's domestic and foreign policy, 238
      • The art of printing and the discovery of America, 239
      • Summary of dates, 240
      • Books for reference, 241
  • XI. Society in England at the Close of the Medieval Period
    • The independent power of the nobles, 242
    • The decline of the manorial system, 243
    • The spirit of violence in all classes, 243
    • Henry VII's enforcement of order, 246
    • The weakness of Parliament, 246
    • The decline of the monasteries, 247
    • The condition of rural England, 249
    • Means of communication, 250
    • The growth of the towns, 251
    • The guilds, 253
    • The government of the towns, 255
    • The increase of wealth, 256
    • The architecture of the period, 257
    • The art, etc., of the period, 258
    • Amusements, travel, food, manners, 260
    • Marks of progress and decline, 263
    • Literature and language, 264
    • Books for reference, 265
  • XII. The Sixteenth Century in England, 1509 to 1603—94 years
    • The period in Europe, 266
    • The Reign of Henry VIII, 1509-1547
      • Character of Henry VIII, 267
      • The career of Cardinal Wolsey, 268
      • Wolsey's foreign policy, 269
      • Wolsey's attack on the monasteries, 271
      • The marriage question and the fall of Wolsey, 272
      • Henry VIII's despotic rule, 274
      • The bloodshed accompanying the breach with Rome, 275
      • The condition of the monasteries, 278
      • The career of Thomas Cromwell, 279
      • The dissolution of the monasteries, 281
      • The revolt against the policy of dissolution, 282
      • Henry's Church policy of Roman doctrine without papal supremacy, 284
      • Henry's marriages, 285
      • His statesmanship, 286
      • His financial policy, 288
      • The question of the succession, 288
    • The Reign of Edward VI, 1547-1553
      • The reversal of Henry's Church policy, 289
      • The desolation of the parish churches, 291
      • The sway of Northumberland and the death of Edward VI, 292
    • The Reign of Mary I, 1553-1558
      • The overthrow of Lady Jane Grey, 295
      • Revolts against Mary's Spanish marriage, 295
      • The reconciliation with Rome and persecution of the Protestants, 296
      • Failure of Mary's policy, 298
    • The Reign of Elizabeth, 1558-1603
      • The character of Elizabeth, 299
      • The Protestant settlement of Elizabeth, 300
      • Elizabeth's dangers, 302
      • Plots in favour of Mary Stuart, 304
      • England's final broach with Rome, 305
      • Elizabeth's defiance of Spain, 307
      • Execution of Mary Stuart, 308
      • The Spanish Armada and its defeat, 311
      • Persecution of Protestant nonconformity, 315
      • The Elizabethan seamen, 318
      • Parliament under Elizabeth, 319
      • The revolts in Ireland, 320
      • Death of Elizabeth, 321
      • Summary of dates, 322
      • Books for reference, 323
  • XIII. The England of Elizabeth
    • The strong government of the Tudors, 324
    • The literary activity of the age, 324
    • English mercantile enterprise, 326
    • The beginnings of colonial expansion, 326
    • Agriculture and the labouring classes, 328
    • Art, architecture, etc., 329
    • Manners and morals of the age, 332
    • Dress, 333
    • Food, weapons, amusements, 334
  • XIV. The Stuart Monarchy to the Execution of Charles I, 1603 to 1649—46 years
    • The period in Europe, 336
    • The Reign of James I, 1603-1625
      • The relations between Scotland and England, 337
      • The Stuart monarchy in Scotland, 338
      • Religious troubles in Scotland, 338
      • Scotland under James VI, 339
      • The position and character of James, 340
      • The Hampton Court Conference, 341
      • The persecution of Roman Catholics, 343
      • The Gunpowder Plot, 343
      • James's financial difficulties, 346
      • The monopoly evil and the fall of Bacon, 347
      • James's foreign policy, 349
      • War with Spain, 350
      • Colonization and literature, 351
    • The Reign of Charles I, 1625-1649
      • The character of Charles I, 351
      • His quarrel with Parliament, 352
      • The Parliament's attack on Buckingham, 354
      • Suspension of life of Parliament for eleven years, 356
      • The tyranny of Laud, 357
      • Charles's means of raising revenue, 358
      • The career of Strafford: his work in Ireland, 359
      • The revolt in Scotland, 360
      • The summoning of Parliament in 1640, 362
      • The meeting of the Long Parliament and the execution of Strafford, 363
      • The Grand Remonstrance, 365
      • The outbreak of civil war, 366
      • The course of the civil war, 367
      • The victory of the New Model Army, 369
      • The disputes of Presbyterians and Independents, 371
      • The army seizes supreme power, 371
      • Failure of negotiations with Charles, 373
      • The renewed outbreak of war, 374
      • Trial and execution of Charles I, 375
      • Summary of dates, 377
      • Books for reference, 378
  • XV. The Commonwealth and the Protectorate, 1649 to 1660—11 years
    • The period in Europe, 379
    • England becomes a republic, 379
    • Cromwell in Ireland, 380
    • The Protestant settlement in Ireland, 382
    • Cromwell in Scotland, 383
    • The conquest of Scotland, 385
    • War with Holland, 386
    • The decline of the Long Parliament, 387
    • The expulsion of the Long Parliament, 388
    • The Nominated Parliament, 389
    • Cromwell becomes Protector, 390
    • The character of Cromwell, 391
    • Cromwell's difficulties, 892
    • Cromwell becomes a second time Protector, 393
    • His last quarrel with Parliament, 394
    • The Dutch War, 395
    • The seizure of Jamaica, 395.
    • Cromwell's foreign policy, 396
    • Cromwell's colonial policy, 397
    • Cromwell's religious policy, 398
    • The death of Cromwell, 400
    • The succession and deposition of Richard Cromwell, 401
    • General Monk and the restoration, 402
    • Summary of dates, 404
    • Books for reference, 404
  • XVI. The Restoration and the Revolution, 1660 to 1689—29 years
    • The period in Europe, 405
    • The Reign of Charles II, 1660-1685
      • Vengeance of the restored monarchy, 405
      • Insistence upon church uniformity, 407
      • Persecution of non-conformity, 409
      • The cause of the ruined cavaliers, 410
      • Charles II’s attempts at arbitrary rule, 410
      • War with Holland, plague and fire, 411
      • The fall of Clarendon, 413
      • Charles's subservience to France, 413
      • The persecution of Roman Catholics, 415
      • The struggle between Charles and Parliament, 416
      • The "Tory" reaction and the "Rye House" plot, 417
    • The Reign of James II, 1685-1688
      • The policy of James II, 419
      • Monmouth's rebellion, 420
      • James's attempts to reestablish Roman Catholicism, 420
      • His Declaration of Indulgence and the trial of the seven bishops, 422
      • The coming of William of Orange, 424
      • Summary of dates, 425
      • Books for reference, 426
  • XVII. From the English Revolution to the Close of the Seven Years' War, 1689 to 1763—74 years
    • The period in Europe, 427
    • The Reign of William III and Mary, 1689-1702; Mary to 1694 only
      • The religious struggle in Scotland, 428
      • The course of the revolution in Scotland, 430
      • The course of the revolution in Ireland, 431
      • Final defeat of James II’s cause, 432
      • William III's character and religious policy, 432
      • Party government under William, 434
      • Finance under William, 434
      • William's dispute with Parliament, 435
      • His later years, 436
    • The Reign of Anne, 1702-1714
      • The character of Anne's rule, 436
      • Renewed war and the career of Marlborough, 437
      • The union with Scotland, 438
      • The overthrow of the Whigs and fall of Marlborough, 440
      • Intrigues for the Stuart pretender, 441
    • The Reign of George I, 1714-1727
      • The Hanoverian succession, 442
      • The Jacobite rising of 1715, 443
      • The South Sea Bubble, 444
      • Walpole's supremacy, 445
    • The Reign of George II, 1727-1760
      • The King and Caroline of Anspach, 446
      • Walpole's policy of peace, 447
      • The extent of corruption under Walpole, 448
      • The fall of Walpole, 449
      • The outbreak of war and the Jacobite rising of 1745, 450
      • The Seven Years' War, 451
      • The career of William Pitt, 452
      • The British conquests, 453
    • The Reign of George III, 1760-1820
      • The succession of George III and fall of Pitt, 453
      • The Peace of Paris, 1763, 454
      • Summary of dates, 455
      • Books for reference, 456
  • XVIII. The Era of the American Revolution, 1763 to 1789—26 years
    • The Reign of George III, 1760-1820
      • Aims of George and changes of ministry, 457
      • Character of George's rule, 458
      • The case of Wilkes and the birth of radicalism, 460
      • The Gordon riots, 462
      • The taxation of the American colonies, 463
      • Opposition in America and repeal of the Stamp Act, 465
      • Townshend's tax on tea, etc., 466
      • Further causes of dispute, 467
      • The "Boston Tea Party," 468
      • The resolution to coerce the colonies, 469
      • The outbreak of hostilities and defeat of Britain, 470
      • The effect of the struggle upon Britain, 472
      • Summary of dates, 473
      • Books for reference, 474
  • XIX. Society in England in the Eighteenth Century
    • The great changes of the era, 475
    • The building of roads and canals, 475
    • Village agriculture, 477
    • The village community, 478
    • The new agriculture, 479
    • The industrial revolution, 479
    • The state of criminal law, 481
    • The condition of the prisons, 483
    • The lawlessness of England, 485
    • Gambling and drinking habits, 486
    • Indifference of the age to human life, 487
    • The state of religion and the work of Wesley, 487
    • Literature in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, 489
    • Art, 492
    • Education and the professions, 492
    • Food, dress, etc., 494
    • Constructive forces of the age, 495
    • Books for reference, 496
  • XX. The Era of the French Revolution, 1789-1815—26 years
    • The period in Europe, 497
    • The Reign of George III, 1760-1820
      • The supremacy and character of the younger Pitt, 498
      • War with revolutionary France, 499
      • The course of the French war; Nelson's victory at Trafalgar, 501
      • Napoleon's success in Europe and the death of Pitt, 503
      • Britain and Napoleon's "Continental system," 503
      • The successor of Pitt, 504
      • The Peninsular war and the fall of Napoleon, 505
      • Britain's war with the United States, 506
      • The Hundred Days and Waterloo, 506
      • The condition of Ireland, 507
      • Grattan's Parliament and the Irish union, 508
      • Summary of dates, 510
      • Books for reference, 511
  • XXI. The Modern Era, 1815-1903—88 years
    • The period in Europe, 512
    • The Reign of George III, 1760-1820
      • Distress after the war, 513
      • The agitation for reform, 514
    • The Reign of George IV, 1820-1830
      • Succession of George IV, 515
      • The decline of Toryism, 516
      • Relieving the Catholics from disabilities, 517
    • The Reign of William IV, 1880-1887
      • Renewed demand for reform, 518
      • The reform bill of 1832, 518
      • The abolition of slavery, 520
      • The factory act, 521
      • Poor law amendment, 521
      • Death of William IV, 522
    • The Reign of Victoria, 1837-1901
      • The character of Victoria and the declining authority of the crown, 523
      • Peel and the corn laws, 525
      • The completion of free trade, 527
      • Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston, 528
      • The Chartists, 529
      • Minor wars to 1854, 530
      • The causes of the Russian war, 531
      • The course of the Crimean war, 533
      • The Indian mutiny, 534
      • Later minor wars and dangers of war, 535
      • The second reform bill, 1867, 537
      • Gladstone and Disraeli, 538
      • The third reform bill, 1884, 539
      • The home rule problem, 540
      • The results of the Irish famine, 541
      • The disestablishment of the Irish Church, 542
      • The land question in Ireland, 542
      • Mr. Gladstone and home rule, 543
      • The Conservatives and the Irish question, 544
      • The death of Victoria and accession of Edward VII, 545
      • The Boer war, 546
      • Books for reference, 547
  • XXII. Social Changes in the Nineteenth Century
    • Improved means of communication; railways, etc., 548
    • The newspapers and the telegraph, 548
    • Penny postage, 550
    • The introduction of police and the softening of the criminal law, 551
    • "Tractarianism" and Church reform, 552
    • Secession from the Church of Scotland, 554
    • Electoral, civil service, and other reforms, 555
    • The growth of scientific knowledge, 556
    • Improvements in the professions, 557
    • Advances in education, 558
    • Art and literature, 560
    • Improvements in social conditions and manners, 561
    • The decline of the village, 563
    • Summary of dates, 563
    • Books for reference, 564
  • XXIII. The Growth of the British Dominions The different classes of British territory, 565
    • The acquisition of Canada, 566
    • The growth of constitutional liberty in Canada, 566
    • The formation of the Dominion of Canada, 568
    • The Canadian type of federal government, 568
    • The founding of Australia, 569
    • The growth of settlement, 571
    • The progress of Australia, 572
    • The federal commonwealth of Australia, 573
    • The British in South Africa, 574
    • The conflict with the Dutch in South Africa, 575
    • The European invasion of India, 576
    • Britain's struggle for supremacy in India, 577
    • Final winning of British supremacy in India, 578
    • The growth of British dominion in India, 579
    • The era of Warren Hastings, 580
    • Present-day problems in India, 581
    • Britain's influence in India, 582
    • The colonial situation at the present time, 583
    • The population of the British Empire, 583
    • Summary of dates, 584
    • Books for reference, 585

Link(s) to Collection Webpage(s)

C4 Cross Compatible Goodly Heritage Library Shelf 4

Link(s) to Online Store Page(s)

C4 Goodly Heritage Library Shelf 4 in Cross Compatible format