Beacon Lights of History, Volume 08

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Beacon Lights of History,
Volume VIII, by

John Lord
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Title: Beacon Lights of History, Volume VIII
Author: John Lord
Release Date: January 8, 2004 [eBook #10627]
Language: English
Character set encoding: iso-8859-1
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BEACON
LIGHTS OF HISTORY, VOLUME VIII***
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LORD'S LECTURES
BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY, VOLUME VIII
GREAT RULERS.
BY JOHN LORD, LL.D.,
AUTHOR OF "THE OLD ROMAN WORLD," "MODERN
EUROPE," ETC., ETC.

CONTENTS.
ALFRED THE GREAT.
THE SAXONS IN ENGLAND.
The early Saxons Their conquest of England Division of England into
petty kingdoms Conversion of the Saxons The Saxon bishoprics Early
distinguished men Isadore, Caedmon, and Baeda, or Bede Birth and
early life of Alfred Succession to the throne of Wessex Danish
invasions Humiliation and defeat of Alfred His subsequent conquests
Final settlement of the Danes Alfred fortifies his kingdom Reorganizes
the army and navy His naval successes Renewed Danish invasions The
laws of Alfred Their severity Alfred's judicial reforms Establishment of
shires and parishes Administrative reforms Financial resources of
Alfred His efforts in behalf of education His literary labors Final defeat
of the Danes Death and character of Alfred His services to civilization
Authorities
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
WOMAN AS A SOVEREIGN.
The reign of Queen Elizabeth associated with progress Her birth and
education Her trials of the heart Her critical situation during the reign
of Mary Her expediences Her dissembling State of the kingdom on her

accession to the throne Rudeness and loyalty of the people Difficulties
of the Queen The policy she pursued Her able ministers Lord Burleigh
Archbishop Parker Favorites of Elizabeth The establishment of the
Church of England Its adaptation to the wants of the nation Religious
persecution Development of national resources Pacific policy of the
government Administration of justice Hatred of war Glory of Elizabeth
allied with the prosperity of England Good government Royal economy
Charge of tyranny considered Power of Parliament Mary, Queen of
Scots Palliating circumstances for her execution Character of Mary
Stuart Her plots and intrigues The execution of Essex Other charges
against Elizabeth Her coquetry Her defects Her virtues Her public
services Her great fame Her influence contrasted with power Verdict of
Lord Bacon Elizabethan era Constellation of men of genius
HENRY OF NAVARRE.
THE HUGUENOTS.
The Cause and the Hero The sixteenth century contrasted with the
nineteenth A New Spirit in the world Differences of progress Religious,
civil, and social upheavals John Calvin Reformed doctrines in France
Persecution of the Huguenots They arm in self-defence to secure
religious liberty Henry of Navarre Jeanne D'Albret Education of Henry
Coligny Slaughter of St. Bartholomew The Duke of Guise, Catherine
de Medicis, and Charles IX. Effects of the massacre Responsibility for
it Stand taken by the Protestants They retire to La Rochelle Bravery
and ability of Henry Battle of Coutras Battle of Ivry Abjuration of
Henry IV His motives The ceremony Edict of Nantes Henry's service to
France Effects of the Abjuration of Henry IV. on the Huguenots
Character of Henry
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS.
THIRTY YEARS' WAR.
The Thirty Years' War a political necessity Agitation which succeeded
the death of Luther Brilliancy of the period Persecution of the
Protestants Ferdinand II Bohemia Its insurrection Renewed persecution

Its success Elector Count Palatine Rallying of German princes against
the Emperor Wallenstein His successful warfare Consternation of
Germany Gustavus Adolphus comes to its relief Character of Gustavus
Adolphus His brilliant exploits Balance of power Dismissal and recall
of Wallenstein The contending forces Battle of Lutzen Death of
Gustavus Adolphus Peace of Westphalia Its political consequences
Ultimate effects of the Thirty Years' War
CARDINAL RICHELIEU.
ABSOLUTISM.
State of France in the 17th Century Elevation of Richelieu He perceives
the great necessities of the State Makes himself necessary to Louis XIII.
His aims as Prime Minister His executive ability His remorseless
tyranny His warfare on the Huguenots Aims of the Huguenots La
Rochelle Fall of the Huguenots Character of the Nobility; their
decimation The Queen-Mother The Duke of Orleans The justification
of Richelieu The Parliaments Their hostilities Their humiliation The
policy of Richelieu His services to the Crown His internal
improvements His defects of character Necessity of absolutism amid
treasons and anarchies Abuse of absolutism
OLIVER CROMWELL.
ENGLISH REVOLUTION.
The Puritans Their peculiarities Love of Civil Liberty Charles I. and his
ministers Laud Strafford Tyranny of the King Persecution of the
Puritans Petition of Right Reforms The Parliament Contest between the
King