The Count of the Saxon Shore

e-download

PREFACE

"COUNT OF THE SAXON SHORE" was a title bestowed by Maximian (colleague of Diocletian in the Empire from 286 to 305 A.D.) on the officer whose task it was to protect the coasts of Britain and Gaul from the attacks of the Saxon pirates. It appears to have existed down to the abandonment of Britain by the Romans.

So little is known from history about the last years of the Roman occupation that the writer of fiction has almost a free hand. In this story a novel, but, it is hoped, not an improbable, view is taken in an important event—the withdrawal of the legions. This is commonly assigned to the year 410, when the Emperor Honorius formally withdrew the Imperial protection from Britain. But the usurper Constantine had actually removed the British army two years before; and, as he was busied with the conquest of Gaul and Spain for a considerable time after, it is not likely that they were ever sent back.

-Rev. Alfred J. Church, Ruth Putnam

The Count of the Saxon Shore, by Rev. Alfred J. Church, with the collaboration of Ruth Putnam, with sixteen illustrations New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1888

Table of Contents
A British Caesar
An Election
A Prize
The Villa in the Island
Carna
The Saxon
A Pretender's Difficulties
The News in the Camp
The Departure of the Legions
Dangers Ahead
The Priest's Demand
Lost
What Does It Mean?
The Pursuit
The Pursuit (continued)
The Great Temple
The British Village
The Picts
The Siege
Cedric in Trouble
The Escape
A Visitor
The Stranger's Story
News from Italy
Consultation
Farewell!
Martianus
A Rival
An Unexpected Arrival
At Last

e-download