Our Island Story
By H. E. Marshall
Classic narrative history of Britain from the legends of Albion and Roman eagles through Alfred the Great and the medieval realm.
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Chapter 1: The Stories of Albion and Brutus
The Stories of Albion and Brutus
Once upon a time there was a giant called Neptune. When he was quite a tiny boy, Neptune loved the sea. All day long he played in it, swimming, diving, and laughing gleefully as the waves dashed over him.
As he grew older he came to know and love the sea so well that the sea and the waves loved him too, and acknowledged him to be their king. At last people said he was not only king of the waves, but god of the sea.
Neptune had a very beautiful wife who was called Amphitrite. He had also many sons. As each son became old enough to reign, Neptune made him king over an island.
Neptune's fourth son was called Albion. When it came to his turn to receive a kingdom, a great council was called to decide upon an island for him.
Now Neptune and Amphitrite loved Albion more than any of their other children. This made it very difficult to chose which island should be his.
The mermaids and mermen, as the wonderful people who live in the sea are called, came from all parts of the world with news of beautiful islands. But after hearing about them, Neptune and Amphitrite would shake their heads and say, 'No, that is not good enough for Albion.'
At last a little mermaid swam into the pink and white coral cave in which the council was held. She was more beautiful than any mermaid who had yet come to the council. Her eyes were merry and honest, and they were blue as the sky and the sea. Her hair was as yellow as fine gold, and in her cheeks a lovely pink came and went. When she spoke, her voice sounded as clear as a bell and as soft as the whisper of the waves, as they ripple upon the shore.
'O Father Neptune,' she said, 'let Albion come to my island. It is a beautiful little island. It lies like a gem in the bluest of waters. There the trees and the grass are green, the cliffs are white and the sands are golden. There the sun shines and the birds sing. It is a land of beauty. Mountains and valleys, broad lakes and swift-flowing rivers, all are there. Let Albion come to my island.'
'Where is this island?' said Neptune and Amphitrite both at once. They thought it must indeed be a beautiful land if it were only half as lovely as the little mermaid said.
'Oh, come, and I will show it to you,' replied she. Then she swam away in a great hurry to show her beautiful island, and Neptune, Amphitrite, and all the mermaids and mermen followed.
It was a wonderful sight to see them as they swam along. Their white arms gleamed in the sunshine, and their golden hair floated out over the water like fine seaweed. Never before had so many of the sea-folk been gathered together at one place, and the noise of their tails flapping through the water brought all the little fishes and great sea monsters out, eager to know what was happening. They swam and swam until they came to the little green island with the white cliffs and yellow sands.
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Table of Contents
110 ChaptersEvery chapter below is pre-indexed for oral narration and easy 1-click scheduling into your weekly Charlotte Mason lesson plan.
Chapter 1: The Stories of Albion and Brutus
The Stories of Albion and Brutus
Chapter 2: The Coming of the Romans
The Coming of the Romans
Chapter 3: The Romans Come Again
The Romans Come Again
Chapter 4: How Caligula Conquered Britain, and How Caractacus Refused to Be Conquered
How Caligula Conquered Britain, and How Caractacus Refused to Be Conquered
Chapter 5: The Story of a Warrior Queen
The Story of a Warrior Queen
Chapter 6: The Last of the Romans
The Last of the Romans
Chapter 7: The Story of St. Alban
The Story of St. Alban
Chapter 8: Vortigern and King Constans
Vortigern and King Constans
Chapter 9: The Story of the Coming of Hengist and Horsa
The Story of the Coming of Hengist and Horsa
Chapter 10: Hengist's Treachery
Hengist's Treachery
Chapter 11: The Story of How the Giant's Dance Was Brought to Britain
The Story of How the Giant's Dance Was Brought to Britain
Chapter 12: The Coming of Arthur
The Coming of Arthur
Chapter 13: The Founding of the Round Table
The Founding of the Round Table
Chapter 14: The Story of Gregory and the Pretty Children
The Story of Gregory and the Pretty Children
Chapter 15: How King Alfred Learned to Read
How King Alfred Learned to Read
Chapter 16: King Alfred in the Cowherd's Cottage
King Alfred in the Cowherd's Cottage
Chapter 17: More About Alfred the Great
More About Alfred the Great
Chapter 18: Ethelred the Unready
Ethelred the Unready
Chapter 19: How Edmund Ironside Fought for the Crown
How Edmund Ironside Fought for the Crown
Chapter 20: Canute and the Waves
Canute and the Waves
Chapter 21: Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor
Chapter 22: Harold
Harold
Chapter 23: The Battle of Stamford Bridge
The Battle of Stamford Bridge
Chapter 24: The Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings
Chapter 25: William the Conqueror — The Story of Hereward the Wake
William the Conqueror — The Story of Hereward the Wake
Chapter 26: William the Conqueror — The Death of the King
William the Conqueror — The Death of the King
Chapter 27: The Story of William the Red
The Story of William the Red
Chapter 28: Henry I. — The Story of the White Ship
Henry I. — The Story of the White Ship
Chapter 29: The Story of King Stephen
The Story of King Stephen
Chapter 30: Henry Plantagenet — The Story of Gilbert and Rohesia
Henry Plantagenet — The Story of Gilbert and Rohesia
Chapter 31: Henry Plantagenet — The Story of Thomas À Becket
Henry Plantagenet — The Story of Thomas À Becket
Chapter 32: Henry Plantagenet — The Story of the Conquest of Ireland
Henry Plantagenet — The Story of the Conquest of Ireland
Chapter 33: The Story of Richard Coeur de Lion
The Story of Richard Coeur de Lion
Chapter 34: Richard I — How Blondel found the King
Richard I — How Blondel found the King
Chapter 35: John Lackland — The Story of Prince Arthur
John Lackland — The Story of Prince Arthur
Chapter 36: John Lackland — The Story of the Great Charter
John Lackland — The Story of the Great Charter
Chapter 37: Henry III. of Winchester — The Story of Hubert De Burgh
Henry III. of Winchester — The Story of Hubert De Burgh
Chapter 38: Henry III. of Winchester — The Story of Simon De Montfort
Henry III. of Winchester — The Story of Simon De Montfort
Chapter 39: Henry III. — The Story of the Poisoned Dagger
Henry III. — The Story of the Poisoned Dagger
Chapter 40: Edward I. — The Little War of Chalons
Edward I. — The Little War of Chalons
Chapter 41: Edward I. — The Lawgiver — The Story of the First Prince of Wales
Edward I. — The Lawgiver — The Story of the First Prince of Wales
Chapter 42: Edward I. — The Hammer of the Scots
Edward I. — The Hammer of the Scots
Chapter 43: Edward II. of Caernarvon — The Story of King Robert the Bruce and Bohun
Edward II. of Caernarvon — The Story of King Robert the Bruce and Bohun
Chapter 44: Edward II. of Caernarvon — The Story of the Battle of Bannockburn
Edward II. of Caernarvon — The Story of the Battle of Bannockburn
Chapter 45: Edward III. of Windsor — The Story of the Battle of Sluys
Edward III. of Windsor — The Story of the Battle of Sluys
Chapter 46: Edward III. of Windsor — The Story of the Battle of Crecy
Edward III. of Windsor — The Story of the Battle of Crecy
Chapter 47: Edward III. of Windsor — The Story of the Siege of Calais
Edward III. of Windsor — The Story of the Siege of Calais
Chapter 48: Edward III. of Windsor — The Story of the Battle of Poitiers
Edward III. of Windsor — The Story of the Battle of Poitiers
Chapter 49: Richard II. of Bordeaux — The Story of Wat Tyler's Rebellion
Richard II. of Bordeaux — The Story of Wat Tyler's Rebellion
Chapter 50: How King Richard II. Lost His Throne
How King Richard II. Lost His Throne
Chapter 51: Henry IV. of Bolingbroke — The Story of the Battle of Shrewsbury
Henry IV. of Bolingbroke — The Story of the Battle of Shrewsbury
Chapter 52: Henry IV. of Bolingbroke — The Story of How Prince Hal Was Sent to Prison
Henry IV. of Bolingbroke — The Story of How Prince Hal Was Sent to Prison
Chapter 53: Henry V. of Monmouth — The Story of the Battle of Agincourt
Henry V. of Monmouth — The Story of the Battle of Agincourt
Chapter 54: Henry VI. of Windsor — The Story of the Maid of Orleans
Henry VI. of Windsor — The Story of the Maid of Orleans
Chapter 55: Henry VI. of Windsor — The Red Rose and the White
Henry VI. of Windsor — The Red Rose and the White
Chapter 56: Edward IV. — The Story of Queen Margaret and the Robbers
Edward IV. — The Story of Queen Margaret and the Robbers
Chapter 57: Edward IV. — The Story of the King-maker
Edward IV. — The Story of the King-maker
Chapter 58: Edward V. — The Story of the King Who Was Never Crowned
Edward V. — The Story of the King Who Was Never Crowned
Chapter 59: Richard III. — The Story of the Two Little Princes in the Tower
Richard III. — The Story of the Two Little Princes in the Tower
Chapter 60: Henry VII. — The Story of a Make-believe Prince
Henry VII. — The Story of a Make-believe Prince
Chapter 61: Henry VII. — The Story of Another Make-Believe Prince
Henry VII. — The Story of Another Make-Believe Prince
Chapter 62: Henry VIII. — The Story of the Field of the Cloth of Gold
Henry VIII. — The Story of the Field of the Cloth of Gold
Chapter 63: Henry VIII. — How the King Became the Defender of the Faith and How the Great Cardinal Died
Henry VIII. — How the King Became the Defender of the Faith and How the Great Cardinal Died
Chapter 64: Henry VIII. — The Story of the King's Six Wives
Henry VIII. — The Story of the King's Six Wives
Chapter 65: Edward VI. — The Story of a Boy King
Edward VI. — The Story of a Boy King
Chapter 66: The Story of Lady Jane Grey
The Story of Lady Jane Grey
Chapter 67: Mary I. — How the Princess Elizabeth Became a Prisoner
Mary I. — How the Princess Elizabeth Became a Prisoner
Chapter 68: Mary I. — How a Candle Was Lit in England Which Has Never Been Put Out
Mary I. — How a Candle Was Lit in England Which Has Never Been Put Out
Chapter 69: Elizabeth — How the Imprisoned Princess Became a Queen
Elizabeth — How the Imprisoned Princess Became a Queen
Chapter 70: Elizabeth — The Story of a Most Unhappy Queen
Elizabeth — The Story of a Most Unhappy Queen
Chapter 71: Elizabeth — The Story of How England Was Saved from the Spaniards
Elizabeth — The Story of How England Was Saved from the Spaniards
Chapter 72: Elizabeth — The Story of Sir Walter Raleigh
Elizabeth — The Story of Sir Walter Raleigh
Chapter 73: Elizabeth — The Story of the Queen's Favourite
Elizabeth — The Story of the Queen's Favourite
Chapter 74: James VI. of Scotland, I. of England — The Story of Guy Fawkes
James VI. of Scotland, I. of England — The Story of Guy Fawkes
Chapter 75: James VI. of Scotland, I. of England — The Story of the Mayflower
James VI. of Scotland, I. of England — The Story of the Mayflower
Chapter 76: Charles I. — How a Woman Struck a Blow for Freedom
Charles I. — How a Woman Struck a Blow for Freedom
Chapter 77: Charles I. — The Story of How the King and the Parliament Quarrelled and at Last Fought
Charles I. — The Story of How the King and the Parliament Quarrelled and at Last Fought
Chapter 78: Charles I. — The Story of How the King Was Brought to His Death
Charles I. — The Story of How the King Was Brought to His Death
Chapter 79: The Commonwealth — The Adventures of a Prince
The Commonwealth — The Adventures of a Prince
Chapter 80: The Commonwealth — The Lord Protector
The Commonwealth — The Lord Protector
Chapter 81: Charles II. — How the King Came to His Own, and How Death Walked in the Streets of London
Charles II. — How the King Came to His Own, and How Death Walked in the Streets of London
Chapter 82: Charles II. — The Story of How London Was Burned
Charles II. — The Story of How London Was Burned
Chapter 83: James II. of England and VII. of Scotland — The Fiery Cross
James II. of England and VII. of Scotland — The Fiery Cross
Chapter 84: James II. of England and VII. of Scotland — The Story of King Monmouth
James II. of England and VII. of Scotland — The Story of King Monmouth
Chapter 85: James II. of England and VII. of Scotland — The Story of the Seven Bishops
James II. of England and VII. of Scotland — The Story of the Seven Bishops
Chapter 86: James II. of England and VII. of Scotland — William the Deliverer
James II. of England and VII. of Scotland — William the Deliverer
Chapter 87: William III. and Mary II. — The Story of Brave Londonderry
William III. and Mary II. — The Story of Brave Londonderry
Chapter 88: William III. and Mary II. — The Story of a Sad Day in a Highland Glen
William III. and Mary II. — The Story of a Sad Day in a Highland Glen
Chapter 89: Anne — How the Union Jack Was Made
Anne — How the Union Jack Was Made
Chapter 90: George I. — The Story of the Earl of Mar's Hunting-party
George I. — The Story of the Earl of Mar's Hunting-party
Chapter 91: George II. — The Story of Bonnie Prince Charlie
George II. — The Story of Bonnie Prince Charlie
Chapter 92: George II. — The Story of Flora Macdonald
George II. — The Story of Flora Macdonald
Chapter 93: George II. — The Story of the Black Hole of Calcutta
George II. — The Story of the Black Hole of Calcutta
Chapter 94: George II. — The Story of How Canada Was Won
George II. — The Story of How Canada Was Won
Chapter 95: George III. — The Story of How America Was Lost
George III. — The Story of How America Was Lost
Chapter 96: George III. — A Story of the Spinning-wheel
George III. — A Story of the Spinning-wheel
Chapter 97: George III. — England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty
George III. — England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty
Chapter 98: George III. — The Battle of Waterloo
George III. — The Battle of Waterloo
Chapter 99: George IV. — The First Gentleman in Europe
George IV. — The First Gentleman in Europe
Chapter 100: William IV. — The Story of Two Peaceful Victories
William IV. — The Story of Two Peaceful Victories
Chapter 101: Victoria — The Girl Queen
Victoria — The Girl Queen
Chapter 102: Victoria — When Bread Was Dear
Victoria — When Bread Was Dear
Chapter 103: Victoria — Peace
Victoria — Peace
Chapter 104: Victoria — War
Victoria — War
Chapter 105: Victoria — The Land of Snow
Victoria — The Land of Snow
Chapter 106: Victoria — The Siege of Delhi
Victoria — The Siege of Delhi
Chapter 107: Victoria — The Pipes at Lucknow
Victoria — The Pipes at Lucknow
Chapter 108: Victoria — Under the Southern Cross
Victoria — Under the Southern Cross
Chapter 109: Victoria — From Cannibal to Christian
Victoria — From Cannibal to Christian
Chapter 110: Victoria — Boer and Briton
Victoria — Boer and Briton
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