# A New and Improved System of Mnemonics/Chapter 4

Layout 2
CHAP IV.
CHRONOLOGY.
In the application of our system to Chronology, we shall confine ourselves to the succession of the English Kings, from William the Conqueror.
TABULAR ARRANGEMENT. :
| No. | | | | Symbols. Technical Words | Symbols. Technical Words |
| 1 | William I | 1066 | . . . . | Babel | Moon |
| 2 | William II | 1087 | . . . . | Dr. Faustus | Rope |
| 3 | Henry I | 1100 | . . . . | Greyhound | Stay |
| 4 | Stephen | 1135 | . . . . | King's Jester | Beguile |
| | PLANTAGENETS. | PLANTAGENETS. | PLANTAGENETS. | PLANTAGENETS. | PLANTAGENETS. |
| 5 | Henry II | 1154 | . . . . | Elephant | Bulk |
| 6 | Richard I | 1189 | . . . . | Magpie's Nest | Strove |
| 7 | John | 1199 | . . . . | William Penn | Caveat |
| 8 | Henry III | 1216 | . . . . | Rich Sailor | Dumb |
| 9 | Edward I | 1272 | . . . . | Tired Veteran | |
| 10 | Edward II | 1307 | . . . . | Boy and Hoop | |
| 11 | Edward III | 1327 | . . . . | Pillars of Hercules | |
| 12 | Richard II | 1377 | . . . . | Boy and Swan | |
| | LANCASTER. | LANCASTER. | LANCASTER. | LANCASTER. | LANCASTER. |
| 13 | Henry IV | 1399 | . . . . | Archer | |
| 14 | Henry V | 1413 | . . . . | Jobson, Cobler | |
| 15 | Henry VI | 1422 | . . . . | Esculapius | |
| | YORK. | YORK. | YORK. | YORK. | YORK. |
| 16 | Edward IV | 1461 | . . . . | Retort | |
| 17 | Edward V | 1483 | . . . . | Mower | |
| 18 | Richard III | 1483 | . . . . | Spectacle Maker | |
| YORK AND LANCASTER UNITED UNDER THE HOUSE OF TUDOR. ||||||
| 19 | Henry VII | 1485 | . . . . | Trumpeter | |
| 20 | Henry VIII | 1509 | . . . . | House | ​ |
| No. | | | | Symbols. Technical Words | Symbols. Technical Words |
| 21 | Edward VI | 1547 | . . . . | Hunting | |
| 22 | Mary | 1553 | . . . . | Glass | |
| 23 | Elizabeth | 1558 | . . . . | Shooting | |
| | HOUSE OF STEWART. | HOUSE OF STEWART. | HOUSE OF STEWART. | HOUSE OF STEWART. | HOUSE OF STEWART. |
| 24 | James I | 1603 | . . . . | My Wife | |
| 25 | Charles I | 1625 | . . . . | Fire | |
| Commonwealth | Commonwealth | 1649 | . . . . | to the Restoration | |
| 26 | Charles II | 1660 | . . . . | Myself | |
| 27 | James II | 1685 | . . . . | Harper | |
| 28 | Wm. & Mary | 1689 | . . . . | Cat | |
| 29 | Ann | 1702 | . . . . | Piana-forte | |
| | BRUNSWICK. | BRUNSWICK. | BRUNSWICK. | BRUNSWICK. | BRUNSWICK. |
| 30 | George I | 1714 | . . . . | Globe | |
| 31 | George II | 1727 | . . . . | Europe | |
| 32 | George III | 1760 | . . . . | Spring | |
To distinguish the first of the Plantagenets—of York, &c.—make use of a plant-of "Yorkminster," &c. &c.
ASSOCIATIONS.
1. The Labourers of Babel have placed a Willow Tree upon the top, and are working by the light of the (Moon.)
2d. Dr. Faustus has tied two Willow-Trees together with a (Rope.)—(of any colour you may think proper.)
3. The Greyhound is pursuing a Hen, but he had much better (stay) in his Kennel.
4. It was thus that Stephen's Jester (beguiled) the time.
5. Two saucy Hens, each determined to pick out an Eye of the Elephant; he having the advantage in bulk.
6. The Magpie's Nest was plundered by a Rich Man, who strove to conceal his meanness.
​7. William Penn, had Le lived in the time of King John, would have entered his (Caveat) against certain proceedings, &c.
We have purposely omitted the rest, in order that the pupil may exercise himself in the filling them up, and for which purpose there are blank spaces left.
Alas! how often have we, in the course of our lives, to refer to Chronological Tablets to ascertain what we have before read a thousand times. Who would not rather chuse this short and pleasant road to science?
Children may be taught the Succession of Kings ere they can scarcely read (technical words being avoided). Show them the "pleasing pictures," let their imagination supply the Name.—And be it observed, that any word that has a meaning, and is nearly in sound like the name, must be substituted for it; thus, Willow, William; Hen, for Henry; Sword, Ward, or Guard, for Edward; Merry, for Mary; Lizard, for Elizabeth; Chariot, for Charles. The Georges, being the three last, cannot be easily forgotten.
Chronology and Geography, having been denominated the Eyes of History, the means of their speedy attainment will be duly appreciated by every one whose mind aspires to rise above that attractive power which fixes the multitude to lower objects, and soars into those pure regions, where no clouds or vapours can obstruct the enjoyment of the high delights of exalted science.
Of fixing names on the memory, we may further add, that, as in the preceding chapter, we take a Noun resembling the Name in sound. What can be more natural and easy? Do we wish to recollect a name, we take the half first, and then use our efforts till we have it complete. A surgeon might remember the various turnings and windings through ​which he must pass to visit his patients, with their names, places of residence, and even the numbers of their houses; a collecting clerk, the sums he had to collect, and from whom; a collector of books might save the trouble of writing them down, by carrying them all in his memory. An insurance-broker might be equally benefited. An underwriter has only to take a symbol, place the ship's name (Image) upon it, get an assimilation for the place of destination, &c. and at the bottom place a word for the premium, and under it another for the return. See chapter on Figures. If 200ds, let the symbols 20 to 29 be filled up; if 300ds, 30 to 39, and so on. In fine, its universal application is undoubted, and already well attested.