Boy's Own Magazine
Published 1855-1874. Monthly, 2d. Editor/proprietor was Samuel Beeton, ‘perhaps the first boys’ magazine to achieve significant and lasting success’ and offering ‘a robust combination of stirring tales and enlightening articles’. Sold to Ward, Lock in 1866. (See DNCJ, where all quotations appear, for further information and references to additional sources; online edition Gale Primary Sources, 19thc UK Periodicals.)
“OLIVER CROMWELL.” Boy’s Own Magazine, 1: (4 January 1855): 97.
Biography of Oliver Cromwell, born in Huntingdon in 1599. The author details his education, his marriage, and early career in politics, and involvement in the Parliamentary army. The author debates whether Cromwell had the ability to save the king, and claims that he died, ‘the greatest Englishman’ in 1658.
“CARDINAL WOLSEY.” Boy’s Own Magazine, 1: (1 August 1855): 255.
Biography of Thomas Wolsey, born in Ipswich in 1471. The author explains he did not gain favour because of his proper behaviour, but because of his attainments and noble appearance. The author details his achievements before his death in 1530.
“Untitled.” Boy’s Own Magazine, 4, no. 8: (8 January 1858): 228.
The untitled account chronicles an English ship’s arrival in Patagonia to find what they believed was a satyr. After hunting and capturing it, they realized it was a Scottish man, deserted in Chile for five years.
“BEETON’S HISTORIAN.” Boy’s Own Magazine, 4, no. 9: (9 January 1858)
Announcement that Motley’s great historical work, the Rise of the Dutch Republic is ready for sale.
“NORMANS AND SAXONS; OR, STORIES OF THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, 7, no. 1: (1 January 1861): 20.
Edgar De Roos tells the story of how the Normans conquered France in the ninth century and became more refined in manners. The second part details events leading to the Norman conquest of England in the eleventh century.
“NORMANS AND SAXONS; OR, STORIES OF THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, no. 2: (1 February 1861)
In the third part, De Roos begins in the fifth century with the arrival of the Saxons in England. He details how the Saxons helped free the Britons from the forces of the Picts and Scots, then discusses the arrival of the Danes in the ninth century and follows their influence in England until the twelfth century.
“NORMANS AND SAXONS; OR, STORIES OF THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, no. 3: (1 March 1861): 106.
De Roos begins chapter six by explaining that Edward the Confessor was made King in 1042, but had a strained relationship with Godwin due to Edward’s Norman characteristics and Godwin’s refusal to adopt Norman dress. William and Matilda’s marriage is discussed and the seventh chapter focuses on Siward the Dane’s time in England.
“NORMANS AND SAXONS; OR, STORIES OF THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, no. 4: (1 April 1861)
Chapter nine begins with the death of the Earl of Godwin and leads up to the events in 1066. Chapter ten discusses the preparations William made with continental Europe for the battle. Chapter eleven discusses the difficulties Harold had getting the Northumbrians to accept Tostig as their Earl and chapter twelve follows the story of Tostig.
“NORMANS AND SAXONS; OR, STORIES OF THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, no. 5: (1 May 1861)
Chapter thirteen begins in the summer of 1066 with William still gathering continental warriors and Harold attending to his regal duties and marriages. Chapters fourteen and fifteen detail the first steps of the Battle on Friday 13th October 1066.
“NORMANS AND SAXONS; OR, STORIES OF THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, no. 6: (1 June 1861)
In chapter eighteen, De Roos chronicles the Battle of Hastings from the Norman religious ceremonies to ‘William places the standard.’ Chapter nineteen discusses the retrieval of Harold’s body. In three short chapters De Roos overviews the victory ceremonies.
“NORMANS AND SAXONS; OR, STORIES OF THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, no. 7: (1 July 1861)
Chapter twenty-four tells the story of how Matilda gained revenge on Brihtrick for not returning her affections. Chapter twenty-five recounts a counter attack from the Saxons and Danes in the North. Chapters twenty-six to twenty-nine continue chronicling the attempts to reign in the North and the last deals with religious matters.
“NORMANS AND SAXONS; OR, STORIES OF THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, no. 8: (1 August 1861)
In chapter thirty DeRoos explains that William requested the presence of the Saxon Earls, Edwin and Morkar and they were slow to respond. Chapter thirty-one tells a side-story of Ivo-Taille Bois’s escapes in England. Chapter thirty-three investigates Scotland and Malcolm Canmore’s marriage to Margaret Athelby ensuring that the Scots eventually assisted with the conquest in the north.
“NORMANS AND SAXONS; OR, STORIES OF THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, no. 9: (1 September 1861)
In chapter thirty-five De Roos chronicles the last attempts of Cospatrick to maintain order in Northumberland before his death in 1073. In chapter thirty-six Edgar Atheling finds safe refuge in Scotland and chapter thirty-seven details the death of William the Conqueror’s comrade in arms, William Fitz Osbourne and the imprisonment of his son Roger.
“ENGLISH KINGS AND QUEENS FROM THE CONQUEST.” Boy’s Own Magazine, 1 April 1862
This article provides statistical data on the Kings and Queens of England. For example, their average lifespan, those with the longest lives, number of times certain monarchs were crowned and the longest reigns. Also included is the burial places of many monarchs.
“A BIOGRAPHY OF OLIVER CROMWELL.” Boy’s Own Magazine, 1 July 1867
The author reviews thirty-six essays written about Oliver Cromwell by readers ages twelve to eighteen. The reviewers provide a summary and analysis of each submission and also a ranking.
“THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND FROM A NEW POINT OF VIEW.” Boy’s Own Magazine, 1 June 1868
A short and comical history of England. The author tells of the series of invasions of Britain by the Romans, the Picts, the Scots, the Germans, Danes, and Normans. He discusses various wars with France, Henry VIII’s transformation of the country’s religion, the relationship with Scotland, the Stuarts and the Hanoverians.
“A HEAD FOR A HEAD; OR, FLODDEN FIELD: ITS HEROES AND SURVIVORS.” Boy’s Own Magazine, 1 January 1869
A semi-fictional account of the Battle of Flodden in 1513 , of which the first eight chapters were written by J.G. Edgar before he died. Edgar begins by describing Edinburgh and the political climate of Europe before the battle. The historical relationships between the Kings of Scotland, England, and France are discussed.