JOHN MITCHELL KEMBLE, M.A., F.C.P.S.,

MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AT MUNICH, AND OF THE ROYAL
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AT BERLIN,

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF HISTORY IN STOCKHOLM, AND OF THE
ROYAL SOCIETY OF HISTORY IN COPENHAGEN,
ETC. ETC. ETC.

"Nobilis et strenua, iuxtaque dotem naturae sagacissima gens Saxonum, ab antiquis etiam
scriptoribus memorata."

A NEW EDITION, REVISED BY

WALTER DE GRAY BIRCH, F.R.S.L.,

Senior Assistant of the Department of Manuscripts in the British Museum, Honorary
Librarian of the Royal Society of Literature, Honorary Secretary of the
British Archæological Association, etc.

VOLUME I.

LONDON:

BERNARD QUARITCH, 15 PICCADILLY.

1876.

Durfee
6-23-36
32477
2 vol.

TO

THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY,

THIS HISTORY

OF THE PRINCIPLES WHICH HAVE GIVEN HER EMPIRE

ITS PREEMINENCE

AMONG THE NATIONS OF Europe,

IS,

WITH HER GRACIOUS PERMISSION,

INSCRIBED BY

THE MOST HUMBLE AND DEVOTED

OF HER SERVANTS.