Great Rulers (Illustrated) Book PDF, ePub eBook

Join our eBook service for unlimited books & audiobooks. Get a free 7 day subscription! ↓↓↓↓↓


Book Descriptions:

Beacon Lights of History, Volume VIII, by John Lord

EXCERPT:

Alfred is one of the most interesting characters in all history for those blended virtues and talents which remind us of a David, a Marcus Aurelius, or a Saint Louis,—a man whom everybody loved, whose deeds were a boon, whose graces were a radiance, and whose words were a benediction; alike a saint, a poet, a warrior, and a statesman. He ruled a little kingdom, but left a great name, second only to Charlemagne, among the civilizers of his people and nation in the Middle Ages. As a man of military genius he yields to many of the kings of England, to say nothing of the heroes of ancient and modern times.

When he was born, A.D. 849, the Saxons had occupied Britain, or England, about four hundred years, having conquered it from the old Celtic inhabitants soon after the Romans had retired to defend their own imperial capital from the Goths. Like the Goths, Vandals, Franks, Burgundians, Lombards, and Heruli, the Saxons belonged to the same Teutonic race, whose remotest origin can be traced to Central Asia,—kindred, indeed, to the early inhabitants of Italy and Greece, whom we call Indo-European, or Aryan. These Saxons—one of the fiercest tribes of the Teutonic barbarians;—lived, before the invasion of Britain, in that part of Europe which we now call Schleswig, in the heart of the peninsula which parts the Baltic from the northern seas; also in those parts of Germany which now belong to Hanover and Oldenburg. It does not appear from the best authorities that these tribes—called Engle, Saxon, and Jute—wandered about seeking a precarious living, but they were settled in villages, in the government of which we trace the germs of the subsequent social and political institutions of England. The social centre was the homestead of the oetheling or corl, distinguished from his fellow-villagers by his greater wealth and nobler blood, and held by them in hereditary reverence. From him and his brother-oethelings the leaders of a warlike expedition were chosen. He alone was armed with spear and sword, and his long hair floated in the wind. He was bound to protect his kinsmen from wrong and injustice. The land which inclosed the village, whether reserved for pasture, wood, or tillage, was undivided, and every free villager had the right of turning his cattle and swine upon it, and also of sharing in the division of the harvest. The basis of the life was agricultural. Our Saxon ancestors in Germany did not subsist exclusively by hunting or fishing, although these pursuits were not neglected. They were as skilful with the plough and mattock as they were in steering a boat or hunting a deer or pursuing a whale. They were coarse in their pleasures, but religious in their turn of mind; Pagans, indeed, but worshipping the powers of Nature with poetic ardor. They were born warriors, and their passion for the sea led to adventurous enterprise. Before the close of the third century their boats, driven by fifty oars, had been seen in the British waters; and after the Romans had left the Britons to defend themselves against the Scots and Picts, the harassed rulers of the land invoked the aid of these Saxon pirates, and, headed by two ealdormen,—Hengist and Horsa,—they landed on the Isle of Thanet in the year 449.

Great Rulers (Illustrated) by John Lord

From reader reviews:

Michael Madden:

Nowadays reading books be a little more than want or need but also get a life style. This reading behavior give you lot of advantages. The huge benefits you got of course the knowledge the particular information inside the book which improve your knowledge and information. The information you get based on what kind of book you read, if you want have more knowledge just go with education and learning books but if you want truly feel happy read one together with theme for entertaining for instance comic or novel. Often the Great Rulers (Illustrated) is kind of reserve which is giving the reader unstable experience.

Lenore Cortez:

The particular book Great Rulers (Illustrated) has a lot of knowledge on it. So when you make sure to read this book you can get a lot of help. The book was written by the very famous author. Mcdougal makes some research ahead of write this book. This kind of book very easy to read you may get the point easily after looking over this book.

Edward Chavez:

In this age globalization it is important to someone to obtain information. The information will make a professional understand the condition of the world. The fitness of the world makes the information easier to share. You can find a lot of referrals to get information example: internet, newspapers, book, and soon. You will see that now, a lot of publisher in which print many kinds of book. Often the book that recommended for your requirements is Great Rulers (Illustrated) this reserve consist a lot of the information on the condition of this world now. This kind of book was represented how can the world has grown up. The dialect styles that writer make usage of to explain it is easy to understand. The actual writer made some investigation when he makes this book. Here is why this book ideal all of you.

John Rivera:

As a university student exactly feel bored to be able to reading. If their teacher requested them to go to the library or even make summary for some publication, they are complained. Just little students that has reading's heart or real their interest. They just do what the educator want, like asked to go to the library. They go to there but nothing reading seriously. Any students feel that reading through is not important, boring and can't see colorful images on there. Yeah, it is to be complicated. Book is very important for you. As we know that on this age, many ways to get whatever we really wish for. Likewise word says, many ways to reach Chinese's country. Therefore , this Great Rulers (Illustrated) can make you really feel more interested to read.