History of England from the Earliest Period to the Present Time on a Plan; Recommanded by the Earl of Chesterfield (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1830 Excerpt: ... his conntenance was fair and rnddy, and his blne eyes were mild and engaging, except in a transport of passion, when they sparkled like lightning to the terror of the beholders. He was broad-chested, strong, and mnsenlar. He was eloqnent, agreeable, and facetions: remarkably conrteons and polite; compassionate to all in distress; and so charitable, that he constantly allotted one-tenth of his honsehold provisions to the poor. He also cnltivated his talents, which were natnrally good, and was a generons benefactor to learned men. He was, however, prone to anger, transported with the love of power, and accnsed of incontinence, not only in the affair of Rosamond, but also in a snpposed commerce with the French princess Adelais, who was bronght np in England, as the intended wife of his son Richard. REMARKABLE EVENTS IN THIS BEiGS. 1172. December 30, Becket mnrdered in the cathedral of Canterbnry, by fonr knights. 1176. The kingdom first divided into six circnits, and three jndges appointed for each circnit. 1177. The French king came in pilgrimage to visit Thomas a Becket's tomb. 1185. An earthqnake overthrew the chnrch of Lincoln and other chnrches; and at the same time, there was an almost total eelipse of the snn. RICHARD I. Ricnard I. snrnamed Coenr de Lion, or Lion's Heart, sncceeded his father, Henry II. on the 6th of Jnly 1189, at which time he was connt of Poiton, and dnke of Normandy. He commenced his reign by selling the erown lands, and exacting money on varions pretences, in order to go to the holy war. He nndertook this expedition in 1190, when he embarked with his whole army for France, where he joined the forces of the French king; and they, having ratified their alliances, marched together with their combined farces, which consisted of 100,000 ...