King Alfred in the Cowherd's Cottage

Our Island Story, Part 1

by Henrietta Elizabeth MARSHALL (1867 - 1941)

Our Island Story was first published in 1905 and became an instant classic. Beginning with the Romans and following the triumphs and foibles of the good, not so good and the downright despicable figures of history; we are treated to a dazzling montage of kings, queens, barons, knights, explorers, movers and shakers that have played a key role in the history of England. Marshall freely mixes folk tale with historical fact and in so doing paints a very vivid picture of the past in a style reminiscent of all that is finest in the children’s story telling tradition.This is the first section of that work and will carry you from the time when Tacitus first sang the praises of Britannica to his Roman readers up to the vicious and bloodthirsty confusion that is the War of the Roses (about 1500 years). (Summary by Jim)Part 2 of this book may be found at http://librivox.org/our-island-story-part-2-by-he-marshall/.

Listen next episodes of Our Island Story, Part 1:
Canute and the Waves , Conquest of Ireland , Death of the King , Edward the Confessor , Ethelred the Unready , Gilbert and Rohesia , Harold , How Blondel Found the King , How Edmund Ironside Fought for the Crown , How King Richard II Lost his Throne , How Prince Hal was Sent to Prison , Hubert de Burgh , More About Alfred the Great , Prince Arthur , Richard Couer de Lion , Robert the Bruce and Bohun , Simon de Montfort , The Battle of Agincourt , The Battle of Bannockburn , The Battle of Crecy , The Battle of Hastings , The Battle of Poitiers , The Battle of Shrewsbury , The Battle of Sluys , The Battle of Stamford Bridge , The First Prince of Wales , The Great Charter , The Hammer of the Scots , The Little War of Chalons , The Maid of Orleans , The Siege of Calais , The Story of King Stephan , The Story of the Poisoned Dagger , The Story of the White Ship , Thomas a Becket , Wat Tyler's Rebellion , William the Conqueror , William the Red