that the true history of a nation is to be sought. During the rule and misrule of the two s

in old Saxon England, the people had sought a larger protection in c

e: The "

misdo, let all bear it," Alfred saw simply an enlarged conception of the "family," which was the basis of the Saxon social structure; and the adoption of this idea of a larger unity, in combination, was one of the first phases of an expanding national li

nd free meeting, and of equal justice across the ages of tyranny. One freedom after another was being won, and the battle with oppression was being fought, not by Knig

1017-1100. The Crusade

1100

ried on by the chivalry of Europe against the Saracens in the East. Robert, in order to raise money to join the first crusade, mortgaged Normandy to his brother, and an absorption of West

bore the title of Chancellor. He created also another tribunal, which represented the body of royal vassals who had all hitherto been summoned together three times a year. This "King's Court," as it was called, considered everything relating to the revenues of the state. Its meetings were about a table with a top like

of foreign conquest, in restoring the old Saxon blood to the royal line. But the young Prince who embodied this hope, went down with 140 young nobles in the "White

rey, Count of Anjou. This Geoffrey, called "the handsome," always wore in his helmet a sprig of the broom-

1154-1189. House of

ecket's De

man; a practical reformer, without sentiment, but

bdue. Henry was furious when he found himself resisted and confronted by the very man he had created as an instrument of his will. These were years of conflict. At last, in a moment of exasperation, the king exclaimed, "Is there none brave enough to rid me of this low-born priest!" This was construed into a command. Four knights sped swiftly to Canterbury Cathedral, and murdered the Archbishop at the altar. Henry was stricken with remorse, and cau

I. He divided the kingdom into judicial districts. This completely effaced the legal jurisdiction of the nobles. The Circuits thus defined correspond roughly with those existing

lly than the restoration of a national militia, which freed the

arrel was adjusted, Ireland found herself annexed to the English crown, and ruled by a viceroy appoin

left England greater and freer, and yet with more of a personal despotism than he had found her. T

m. He turned his face to the wall and died (1189), the practical hard-headed old king leav

concerns of his kingdom had no charm for him. His eye was fixed upon Jerusalem, n

ood spilled in Palestine, she received a few architectural devices and the science of Heraldry. But to Europe, the benefits were incalculable. The barons were impoverishe

mantic adventurer. He was shot by an arrow while trying to secure fabulou

99-1216. Prince Art

a rival claimant for the English throne. Shakespeare has not exaggerated the cruel fate of this boy, whose monstrous uncle really purposed having his eyes burnt out, being sure that if he were blind he would no longer be eligible for king. B

ed. When John refused to appear, the French provinces were torn from him. In 1204 he saw an Empire stretching fro

ern half of France, we realize how much stronger she has been on "that snug little island, that rig

tality, and disregard of his subjects' rights, induced a crisis which laid th

Magna Cha

rawn together against the King. They framed a Charter, its provisions securing protection and justice to every freeman in England. On Easter Day, 1215, the barons, attended by two thousand armed knigh

of this appointment. That old Oak at Runnymede, under whose spreading branches the name of J

on the floor, biting straw, and gnawing a stick! "They have placed twenty-five kings over me," he shouted in a fury; mea

surfeit of peaches and cider, or poison, history does not positively say. But Engl