The Civil, Ecclesiastical [&C.] History of Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield and the Manufacturing District of Yorkshire - Softcover

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. 1834. Excerpt: ... SECTON II. SAXON HISTORY. The Saxons filled the cup of British misery to the brim. These terrible and invincible barbarians, whose prowess and fury have been described by a contemporary Christian bishop, whose fearful ravages have been recorded by a pagan historian,t and whose formidable valour has been celebrated by a Roman emperor, J became the cruel oppressors of the people they professed to assist; and the Angles, one of their most active and victorious tribes, have permanently imposed their name upon the fairest, the most extensive, and the most valuable portion of the island. With the general transactions of these invaders and conquerors, this work has no connexion; the district, however, which forms the subject of its investigations, was the scene of one of the most important and interesting events in their annals--an event which merits a particular description. jElla, an Anglian chieftain, at the head of a band of hardy and resolute followers, obtained possession of Deira, to which A-D'560Bernicia was afterwards added, and the kingdom constituted by this union, received the general appellation of Northumbria. Edwin, the son of jElla, was driven from his paternal dominions by Eldifrid his brother in law, and found a refuge at the court of Redwald King of East Anglia, who determined to restore the exile to his throne. He succeeded; Edwin resumed his sceptre, and one of his royal residences was placed at Osmundthorp, the remains of which will shortly be described. Edwin was the first Christian monarch of Northumbria; he was the most magnificent and renowned prince of his age; on all public occasions, the Tufa, or Saxon emblem of sovereignty over the whole island, was carried before him with great solemnity; and such was the vigour of his administrati...