The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon : a history of the early inhabitants of Britain, down to the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity, illustrated by the ancient remains brought to light by recent research / by Thomas Wright.

  • Wright, Thomas, 1810-1877.
Date:
1852
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon : a history of the early inhabitants of Britain, down to the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity, illustrated by the ancient remains brought to light by recent research / by Thomas Wright. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    added, that there is no greater evidence of the independence and strength of the toNvns under the Saxons, than the circumstance that, while the king and his earls, w'ith the forces of the counties, were not able to make a successful stand against the Danish invaders, it frequently happened that a town singly drove a pow- erful army from its gates, and the townsmen sometimes issued forth and defeated the enemy in a pitched battle. The Saxon Chronicle furnishes many examjdes. In 855, the townsmen of Kochester made a brave defence against the Danes, till they were relieved by Alfred. The inhabitants of Exeter opposed the invaders with success on several occasions; the townsmen (burg- ware) beat them in battle in 895. In 918, the men of Hereford and Gloucester went out, and defeated the Danes in a pitched battle. In 921, the Danes were beaten by the men of Bedford, and also by the inhabitants of Maldon in Essex. In 1001, the people of Exmouth drove away the Danish army which came to attack that town. When the Saxons began to obtain the ascend- ancy by the abilities of the family of Alfred, we find the towns revolting from the Danes in a manner vvhich can hardly leave a doubt of their acting as free corporate bodies. The Saxon Chronicle, under the year 918, speaking of Athelfleda, tells us, “ in the early part of this year, by God’s help, she got into her power, by treaty, the burgh of Leicester, and the greater part of the army which owed obedience thereto (]?e ];aer-to h3’rde) became subject to her; and the people of York (Eforwicingas) had also covenanted with her, some having given a pledge, and some having bound themselves by oath, that they would be at her command.” And again, in the same year, “ Thurcytel the eorl sought king Edward to be his lord, and all the holdas and almost all the chief men who owed obedience to Bedford, and also many of those who owed obedience to Northampton.” In the year following, “ those who owe obedience to Bedford ” are called hurcjivara, burgesses. In 921, “the ai'my which owed obedience to Cambridge ” chose king Edward to be their lord. We can trace the power and independence of the citizens of London from the earliest period of our annals. We have no reason for believing that this city, which was a powerful com- mercial port, was ever taken and ravaged by the Saxon invaders. It appears to have afforded a shelter to the people of West Kent, when that district was overrun by the Saxons in their first