In the Saxon invasion this county was the scene of conflict : the battle of Montt Radon, in which the Britons under Arthur repulsed the Saxons under Cerdio, founder of the West-Saxon kingdom, is com monly fixed at or near Bath. In the reign of Cealwin of Wessex (la. 577), Bath was taken by the Saxons. About 659 the county was Incorporated with Wessex by Cenwalch, who defeated the Britons at Penselwood, near Wincanton. In the reign of Ethelwulf (845), a body of Danes was repulsed with great slaughter at Pedridan-muth, or the mouth of the Parrot; and iu the reign of Alfred, Sotnersetshire was again attacked by them. Alfred, when driven from his throne, I found security in the marshes of the Isle of Athelney, at the junction of the Tone and Parrot. After the battle of Edington, Guthrum the Dane was baptised at Aire, now Allcr, near Langport; and Alfred and Guthrum spent twelve days at Wedmore, between Glastonbury and Axbridge, on the occasion. Edgar, in the latter part of his reign, was consecrated king at Acernannesceastre, now Bath (973). On his death he was buried at Glastonbury. In the short reign of Edmund 11. (Ironside), a severe battle took place between him and Canute at Pen selwood ; and on the death of Edmund, the same year, he was buried et Glastonbury, near his grandfather Edgar. In the rising of Odo and other supporters of Robert of Normandy against William Rufus (10SS), Bath and the neighbourhood were plundered by the iusurgents. Some military operations were carried on in the reign of Stephen, who took Castle Cary end Richmont castles.
Of the middle ages there are several memorials, some of which are noticed above, and others in the articles on BATH, WELLS, LUTON VERY, &c. The Augustinian priories of Stavordale near Wineanton, and Woodapring, near Weston-super-Mare, are tolerably entire, and are now converted into farm-houses. The remains of Montacuts Moine priory, near Yeovil, and of Muchelney Benedictine Abbey, founded by King Athelstan, near Langport, are of considerable interest. Of the Carthusian priory of Hintou Charterhouse, near Bath, there are several remains : the present manor-house was built out of the ruins. Cannington church and Stoguraey church, north-west of Bridgewater, and Witham Friary church, between Frome and Bruton, were all conventual churches: the first is a very fine building. Tho only important castellated remains are —Farleigh Castle, between Bath and Frome; Nunney, near Frome; and Walton Castle, near Clevedon. The ancient mansions of Montacute, near Yeovil; Shapwick, between Olestonbury and Bridgewater ; Fairfield, near Stogursey, north-west of Bridgewater; Sutton Court, near Chew Magna, between Keynolunn and Abridge; Hinton St. George, near Crewkerne ; and Barrow Court, near Bristol, all belong to the period which preceded the general revival of classical architecture.
In the civil war of Charles I. several memorable events occurred in this county, the principal of which were the defeat of the Parliament arian. under Sir W. Waller, on Lansdown Hill, near Bath, by a Royalist force under Prince Maurice and the Earl of Caernarvon, July 5th,, 1643; and the blockade and siege of Taunton in 1645. [T•tieroN.J In the actioo on Lansdown Hill the Royalists lost many of their chiefs, among others Sir Bevil Grenville, to whom a monument, still remaining, was erected on the hill. Somersetshire was the principal scene of Mon month's rebellion against James II. From Lyme iu Dorsetehire, where se lauded June 11th, 1685, Monmouth marched against Bridport, which he took by assault, and thence advanced by Axminster to Taunton, where he was received with great enthusiasm, and declared himself king. After a delay of some days at Taunton, lie proceeded to pridgewater and Glastonbury. The duke, after an unsuccessful attack upon Bristol, retired towards Wiltshire. A fierce engagcnaeut took place on the 6th July, in which Monmouth's army was defeated with great logs. In the subsequent severities under the commission of which Chief-Justice Jaffna was at the head, Somerectshire was made to bear a full share. The prisoners for trial in this county exceeded 1000, of whom at least 239 were executed, the sentences being carried into effect in thirty-six different towua aud villages, among which they were distributed.
Statistics Rdigions Worship and Education.—According to the Returns of the Census for 1851 there were then In the county 1129 places of worship, of which 553 belonged to the Church of England, 313 to six bodies of Methodists, 110 to Independents, 89 to Baptists, 15 to Quakers, 12 to Plymouth Brethren, 8 to Romau Catholics, 8 to aud 6 to Mormons. The total number of sittings provided was 233,333. There were 1331 day schools, of which 400 were public schools, with 36,512 scholars, and 891 were private echoole, with 17,203 scholars. The, number of Sunday schools was 719, with 50,090 scholars ; of these, 430 schools, with 32,444 scholars, belonged to the Church of England. Of evening schools for adults there were 19, with 272 scholars. There were 14 literary and scientific institutes in the county, with 1744 members, and possessing libraries numbering about 10,000 volumes.
Savings Banks.—In 1353 the county possessed 10 savings banks, at Bath, Bridgewater, Castle Cary, Crewkcrue, Frome Selwood, Nether Stowey, Taunton, Wells, Wrington, and Yeovil. The amount owing to depositors on November 20th, 1853, was 778,8971. 2s.