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[Illustration: LANDING OF THE ROMANS 54 B.C.]
Bill Nye's
Comic History of England
HEREIN WILL BE FOUND A RECITAL OF THE MANY EVENTFUL EVENTS WHICHTRANSPIRED IN ENGLAND FROM THE DRUIDS TO HENRY VIII. THE AUTHOR DOES NOTFEEL IT INCUMBENT ON HIM TO PRESERVE MORE THAN THE DATES AND FACTS, ANDTHESE ARE CORRECT, BUT THE LIGHTS AND SHADES OF THE VARIOUS PICTURES ANDTHE ORNAMENTAL WORDS FURNISHED TO ADORN THE CHARACTERS AND EVENTS ARETHE SOLE INVENTION OF THIS HISTORIAN.
[Illustration: KING RICHARD TRAVELING INCOG. THROUGH GERMANY.]
ILLUSTRATED BY
W.W. GOODES & A.M. RICHARDS
1896
PREFACE.
The readers of this volume will share our regret that the preface cannotbe written by Mr. Nye, who would have introduced his volume with acharacteristically appropriate and humorous foreword in perfect harmonywith the succeeding narrative.
We need only say that this work is in the author's best vein, and willprove not only amusing, but instructive as well; for the events,successions, dates, etc., are correct, and the trend of actual facts isadhered to. Of course, these facts are "embellished," as Mr. Nye wouldsay, by his fancy, and the leading historical characters are made toplay in fantastic rôles. Underneath all, however, a shrewd knowledgeof human nature is betrayed, which unmasks motives and reveals the trueinwardness of men and events with a humorous fidelity.
The unfortunate illness to which Mr. Nye finally succumbed prevented thecompletion of his history beyond the marriage of Henry VIII. to AnneBoleyn.
[Illustration: LANDING OF WILLIAM, PRINCE OF ORANGE, AT TORBAY(1688).]
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
INVASION OF CAESAR: THE DISCOVERY OF TIN AND CONSEQUENT ENLIGHTENMENT OFBRITAIN
CHAPTER II.
THE VARIOUS ROMAN YOKES: THEIR GROWTH, DEGENERATION, AND FINALELIMINATION
CHAPTER III.
THE ADVENT OF THE ANGLES: CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE REHABILITATION OFBRITAIN ON NEW LINES
CHAPTER IV.
THE INFLUX OF THE DANES: FACTS SHOWING CONCLUSIVELY THEIR INFLUENCE ONTHE BRITON OF TO-DAY
CHAPTER V.
THE TROUBLOUS MIDDLE AGES: DEMONSTRATING A SHORT REIGN FOR THOSE WHOTRAVEL AT A ROYAL GAIT
CHAPTER VI.
THE DANISH OLIGARCHY: DISAFFECTIONS ATTENDING CHRONIC USURPATIONPROCLIVITIES
CHAPTER VII.
OTHER DISAGREEABLE CLAIMANTS: FOREIGN FOIBLES INTRODUCED, ONLY TO BEEXPUNGED WITH CHARACTERISTIC PUGNACITY
CHAPTER VIII.
THE NORMAN CONQUEST: COMPLEX COMMINGLING OF FACETIOUS ACCORD ANDIMPLACABLE DISCORD
CHAPTER IX.
THE FEUDAL SYSTEM: SUCCESSFUL INAUGURATION OF HOMOGENEAL METHODS FORRESTRICTING INCOMPATIBLE DEMAGOGUES
CHAPTER X.
THE AGE OF CHIVALRY: LIGHT DISSERTATION ON THE KNIGHTS-ERRANT, MAIDS,FOOLS, PRELATES, AND OTHER NOTORIOUS CHARACTERS OF THAT PERIOD
CHAPTER XI
CONQUEST OF IRELAND: UNCOMFORTABLE EFFECTS FOLLOWING THE CULTIVATI