landing, but they were unable long to resist so warlike a people as
the Romans, who soon after making themselves masters of the island,
maintained possession of the most fertile parts of it near 500 years.
Their own affairs then requiring their attention at home, they abandoned
it, and the Saxons made their appearance. These people came from a
province in Germany, and when they had subdued Britain, they divided it
into seven kingdoms called the Saxon Heptarchy.

Kent, which included the isles of Thanet and Sheppey.

Northumberland, contained Northumberland, Durham, Lancashire,
and Yorkshire.

East Anglia, contained Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk.

Mercia, contained all the middle countries from the Severn
between East Anglia and Wessex.

Essex, or East Saxony, contained Essex, Middlesex, and part of
Hertfordshire.

Sussex, or South Saxony, contained Surry, Sussex, and the New
Forest.

Wessex, or West Saxony, included Hampshire, Dorsetshire,
Wiltshire, Berkshire, and the Isle of Wight.

Egbert, king of Wessex, at length subduing the other princes of the
Heptarchy, united the whole country under one monarchy, and became
himself the first king of England, in the year 827 after Christ.

I will give you a chronological list of the kings of England, not that I
wish you to learn it at present, but because it will be useful to refer
to when you are reading the history. Some knowledge of dates is
desirable, as it enables you to ascertain the periods when any
particular events occurred, and under whose reign. The Danes made
frequent incursions into England during the time of the Saxons, and
caused great devastation in the country. Alfred, the most excellent
prince mentioned in history, was obliged, owing to these barbarians, to
abandon his throne and retire to an obscure cottage, where, however, he
occupied his time in forming the best plans for his own
re-establishment, and the restoration of tranquility to his distracted
country: his wise measures were successful and for some time the Danes
were entirely quelled, but they soon renewed their usual predatory
warfare, and Canute became king of England.

SAXON KINGS OF ENGLAND.

800 Egbert
838 Ethelwolf
857 Ethelbald
860 Ethelbert
866 Ethelred
871 Alfred the Great
901 Edward the Elder
925 Athelston
941 Edmund
946 Edred
955 Edwy
959 Edgar