History Trivia

February 12, 881 Pope John VIII crowned Charles the Fat, the King of Italy, Holy Roman Emperor. 1429 English forces under Sir John Fastolf defended a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the Comte de Clermont and Sir John Stewart of Darnley in the Battle of Rouvray (also known as the Battle of the Herrings). 1554 Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen of England, was executed. An extraordinarily accomplished and brilliant young woman, Lady Jane was eligible for the throne of England as the great-granddaughter of King Henry VII. Her misfortune was to become the pawn of her father (the Duke of Suffolk) and father-in-law (John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland) in their plans to control the crown.Upon the death of her cousin King Edward VI, Suffolk and Northumberland maneuvered Jane onto the throne, then removed her when Mary obviously had the support of the populace. Jane was arrested, but her sentence of death was suspended until Jane's father participated in Sir Thomas Wyat's rebellion, whereupon Jane was beheaded. She was 16.

History Trivia

February 11, 55 Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman Emperorship, died under mysterious circumstances in Rome. This cleared the way for Nero to become Emperor. 1466 Elizabeth of York, Queen of England was born. Elizabeth was the daughter of Edward IV, wife of Henry VII, mother of Henry VIII. Shortly after her father's death, her parents' marriage was declared invalid, and she and her brothers Edward and Richard were declared illegitimate and barred from succession to the throne. After Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth and took the crown, he had the legislation that decreed Elizabeth illegitimate overturned. His marriage to the legitimate daughter of a king bolstered his claim to the throne. At this time Elizabeth's brothers were most likely already dead, but who killed them is still a mystery. Elizabeth had seven children and died in childbirth on February 11th, 1503. 1531 Henry VIII of England was recognized as supreme head of the Church of England.

History Trivia

February 10 1258 Baghdad fell to the Mongols and the Abbasid Caliphate was destroyed.
1306 Robert the Bruce murdered his leading political rival John Comyn in front of the high altar of Greyfriars Church in Dumfries and sparked revolution in the Scottish Wars of Independence. 1355 the St. Scholastica's Day riot broke out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead in two days. 1567 an explosion destroyed the Kirk o' Field house in Edinburgh, Scotland. The second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, Lord Darnley was found strangled, in what many believed to be an assassination.

History Trivia

February 9, 474 Zeno was crowned co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1119 Callistus II became pope. Born Guy of Viennes, Callistus was a popular bishop from a noble family. During his reign as pope he settled the lay investiture disagreement and presided over the ninth Ecumenical Council (the First Lateran Council). 1649 Charles I was buried without a funeral at Windsor rather than Westminster to avoid public disturbances.

History Trivia

February 8, 421 – Constantius III became co-Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
1587 After twenty years of captivity in England, Mary, Queen of Scots was executed at Fotheringay Castle,Northamptonshire, on suspicion of having been involved in the Babington Plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. 1601 Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, rebelled against Queen Elizabeth I but the revolt was quickly crushed.1622 King James I of England disbanded the English Parliament.

History Trivia

February 7, 457 Leo I became emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 Pandulf IV of Benevento was killed battling the invading Normans at the Battle of Montesarchio.
1238 the Mongols burned the Russian city of Vladimir. 1301 Edward, eldest son of Edward I was made the first English Prince of Wales, a tradition continued to this day. 1477 Saint Thomas More was born. More was martyred for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. He was a lawyer, humanist, author, chancellor of England, and a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Among his many literary works, the most celebrated is Utopia. 1497 the bonfire of the vanities occurred in which supporters of Girolamo Savonarola burned thousands of objects like cosmetics, art, and books in Florence, Italy.

History Trivia

February 6, 1685 James II of England and VII of Scotland became King upon the death of his brother Charles II.

History Trivia

February 5, 46 BC, Marcus Cato, the Roman philosopher, committed suicide by stabbing himself,after learning of the victory of his enemy, Julius Caesar, over Pompey at Thapsus. 62 AD, there was an earthquake in Pompeii Italy. 1204 Alexius V was proclaimed Eastern Roman Emperor. 1265 Pope Clement IV was elected. Before Gui Folques became a priest in 1256, after the death of his wife,he had been a respected
jurist in the service of King Louis IX. Once ordained, he rose quickly through the Church hierarchy, became a bishop in 1257, an archbishop two years later, and cardinal two years after that. As pope, Clement carried out the plans of his predecessor, Urban IV, nearly eradicating the powerful Hohenstaufen family of Germany (rulers of the Holy Roman Empire) with the help of Charles of Anjou. After he died, it took almost three years before another pope was consecrated. 1576 Henry of Navarre abjured Catholicism at Tours and rejoined the Protestant forces in the French Wars of Religion.

History Trivia

February 4 211 Roman emperor Septimius Severus died at York while campaigning to subdue northern Britain. 1194 King Richard I of England was freed. On his way home from the Crusades, a storm drove Richard's ship ashore and he was taken prisoner and turned over to Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor. Henry kept Richard in several different castles in Germany, and kept the king's whereabouts unknown to friends and enemies alike. Henry threatened to turn Richard over to Philip of France, with whom Richard had begun a bitter feud. To avoid falling into his enemy's hands, Richard agreed to pay an outrageous ransom. The ransom was raised primarily by heavy taxing of the people of England and was paid nearly in full to Henry. Richard was released and returned home, only to set out once more for France,where he fought Philip off and on until his death five years later. 1454, in the Thirteen Years' War, the Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sent a formal act of disobedience to the Grand Master.

History Trivia

February 3, 590 Gregory I, the Great, was elected Roman Catholic pope. 1377: more than 2,000 people of the Italian city of Cesena were slaughtered by Papal Troops (Cesena Bloodbath). 1461 Battle of Mortimer's Cross: The Yorkists, led by the future Edward IV, defeated Lancastrian forces in this significant battle of the Wars of the Roses.

History Trivia

February 2, 506, The Breviarium Alaricianum or Lex Romana Visigothorum, a collection of Roman law, was drafted at Toulouse under Alaric II, King of the Visigoths. 962 Pope John XII crowned Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor in nearly 40 years. 1032 Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor became King of Burgundy. 1208 James I (the Conqueror) King of Aragon was born.

History Trivia

February 1, 772 Adrian I was elected pope. During one of the longest pontificates in history, the popular Adrian forged a strong bond with Charlemagne and presided over the Second Council at Nicea. 1327 Edward III was crowned King of England, but the country was ruled by his mother Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer. 1411 The First Peace of Thorn was signed in Thorn, Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights (Prussia).

History Trivia

January 31, in the early 9th century, several men supposedly stole the body of St. Mark from Alexandria and transferred it to Venice. 314 Silvester I began his reign as Pope of the Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Miltiades. 1504 France ceded Naples to Aragon. 1606 Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes was executed for his plotting against Parliament and James I of England. Guy Fawkes and fellow surviving Gunpowder Plotters were hanged, drawn and quartered at Westminster.

History Trivia

January 30, 1048 Protestantism: The villagers around today's Baden-Baden elect their own priest in defiance of the local bishop. Later, in a move that would not be seen before the Protestant Reformation, he was also elected Pope by acclamatio, just to die that same day. It is rumored that Ildebrando di Soana heard of the acclamatio and used it later to get elected himself as Pope Gregory VII. 1648 Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster and Osnabrück was signed, which ended the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain. 1649 King Charles I of England was beheaded.
1661 Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England was ritually executed two years after his death, on the anniversary of the execution of the monarch he himself deposed.

History Trivia

January 29, 904 Pope Sergius III came out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed antipope Christopher. The late ninth century was a highly unstable time for the papacy, plagued by serious controversy and intrigue, and Sergius was in the midst of it. Elected pope in 898 at the same time as Pope John IX (whom he considered an antipope), Sergius seized the papacy with military support after an earlier failed attempt and the election of several other popes. It is possible (but not proven) that Sergius had an illicit affair with Marozia, the daughter of the powerful count Theophylactus, and fathered Marozia's son, who later became Pope John XI. 1119: Pope Gelasius II died. The brief reign of Gelasius II was plagued by the lingering investiture controversy and the aggressive actions of Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor. Henry took possession of Rome and twice drove the pope from the city, installing in his place the antipope Gregory VIII.

History Trivia

January 28, 814 Charlemagne, King of the Franks and creator of the Holy Roman Empire, died in Aachen. 1077 the excommunication of Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor was lifted by Pope Gregory VII. 1547 Henry VIII died. His nine year old son, Edward VI became King, and the first Protestant ruler of England.

History Trivia

January 27, 484 BC, the temple of Castor and Pollux, the Heavenly Twins, was dedicated. They had helped Rome to victory over the Latins twelve years earlier at Lake Regillus. In 98 Trajan became Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. 1186 Henry VI, the son and heir of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I, married Constance of Sicily. 1606 Gunpowder Plot: The trial of Guy Fawkes and other conspirators began, ending with their execution on January 31.

History Trivia

January 26, 1340 King Edward III of England was declared King of France. 1531 An earthquake killed thousands in Lisbon, Portugal.1564 The Council of Trent issued its conclusions in the Tridentinum, which established a distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.

History Trivia

January 25, 41 AD Tiberius Claudius Drusus was proclaimed as emperor by the Praetorian Guard. After a night of negotiation, Claudius was accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate. 98 AD, the Emperor Nerva died of natural causes. 1327 Edward III became King of England. 1494 Alfonso II became King of Naples. 1533 Henry VIII of England secretly married his second wife Anne Boleyn.

History Trivia

January 24, 41 AD, Caligula was murdered along with his wife and infant child by a Praetorian tribune while attending the Palatine games. Claudius succeeded his nephew.
76 AD the Emperor Hadrian was born. Also the Sementivae or Paganalia which was a movable festival was held around this time. This was a festival of spring sowing or for protection of seed sown the previous autumn or both. Offerings were made to Tellus on the first day and to Ceres on the second day.

History Trivia

January 23, 27 BC, Augustus Caesar (Octavian) founded the Roman Empire that would last until A.D. 476. Octavian was granted the title 'Augustus', meaning lofty or serene,by the Roman senate. 393 Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaimed his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor. 1510 18 year old Henry VIII of England appeared incognito in the lists at Richmond, and was applauded for his jousting before he revealed his identity. 1533 Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII of England, discovered she was pregnant. 1570 The assassination of regent James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray threw Scotland into civil war. 1571 The Royal Exchange opened in London. 1579 The Union of Utrecht formed a Protestant republic in the Netherlands.

History Trivia

January 22, 565 Eutychius was deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. 1506 The first contingent of 150 Swiss Guards arrived at the Vatican.
1521 Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, opened the Diet of Worms. 1552 Sir Edward Seymour was executed. As an uncle to King Edward VI of England, Seymour was able to procure the protectorship of his nephew, whereby he was created the first Duke of Somerset. His success caused jealousy amongst his enemies; he was arrested twice before finally being executed.

History Trivia

January 21 1189 King Philip Augustus of France, King Henry II of England (shortly followed by his son, King Richard I), and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I began building their armies to take on the Third Crusade in response to the victory of Saladin in 1187.

History Trivia

January 20, 250 AD, Fabian who was created Pope in 236, was martyred under the persecution of Decius. 1265 The first English parliament was held by Simon de Montfortin at the Palace of Westminister (Houses of Parliament)and was attended by elected burgesses and knights. 1356 Edward Balliol abdicated as King of Scotland. 1523 Christian II was forced to abdicate as King of Denmark and Norway. 1649 Charles I of England went on trial for treason and other high crimes.

History Trivia

January 19, 1419 Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrendered to Henry V of England completing his reconquest of Normandy. 1520 Sten Sture the Younger, the Regent of Sweden, whose purpose was to keep Sweden independent of Denmark, was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bogesund (important conflict in the campaign of Christian II (King of Denmark) to gain power over Sweden).

History Trivia

January 18: Flavius Julius Constans,commonly known as Constans, was Roman Emperor from 337 to 350. He defeated his brother Constantine II in 340, but anger in the army over his personal life and preference for his barbarian bodyguards caused a rebellion led by General Magnentius which resulted in Constans’ assassination on January 18,350. Generallus Magnentius proclaimed himself Emperor. 474 Leo II briefly became Byzantine emperor. 532 Nika riots in Constantinople fail. 1486 King Henry VII of England married Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV. 1520 King Christian II of Denmark and Norway defeated the Swedes at Lake Åsunden. 1562 Pope Pius IV reopened the Council of Trent for its third and final session.

History Trivia

January 17, 38 BC Octavian married Livia Drusilla. 69 AD Otho committed suicide after a night of meditation in his tent. 395 AD the Roman Empire was split into eastern and western parts upon the death of Emperor Theodosius I, whose will provided that his two sons would inherit the two parts. 1287 King Alfonso III of Aragon invaded Minorca. 1377 Pope Gregory XI moved the Papacy back to Rome from Avignon. 1562 France recognized the Huguenots under the Edict of Saint-Germain. 1595 Henry IV of France declared war on Spain. 1605 First publication of Don Quixote.
1648 England's Long Parliament passed the Vote of No Addresses, breaking off negotiations with King Charles I and thereby setting the scene for the second phase of the English Civil War.

History Trivia

January 16, 27 BC – The title Augustus was bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate. 550 during the Gothic War (535–552), the Ostrogoths, under King Totila, conquered Rome after a long siege, by bribing the Isaurian garrison. 1120 The Council of Nablus was held, establishing the earliest surviving written laws of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.1245 Edmund Lancaster was born. Edmund was the founder of the House of Lancaster and son of King Henry III of England and Eleanor of Provence. 1362 a storm tide in the North Sea destroyed the German city of Rungholt on the island of Strand.1412 the Medici family was appointed official banker of the Papacy. 1492 the first grammar of the Spanish language was presented to Queen Isabella I. 1547 Ivan IV of Russia aka Ivan the Terrible became Tsar of Russia. 1556 Philip II became King of Spain. 1556 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V abdicated. Charles, who inherited a vast empire from his grandfather, Maximilian, had difficulty holding his lands together under the pressures of growing Protestant rebellion, the antagonism of Pope Adrian VI, and Turkish and French incursions. At last he yielded his claims to the Netherlands and Spain in favor of his son, Philip II, and entered a monastery after ceding his title to his brother, Ferdinand I. 1572 Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk was tried for treason for his part in the Ridolfi plot to restore Catholicism in England. 1581 The English Parliament outlawed Roman Catholicism. 1605 The first edition of El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha (Book One of Don Quixote) by Miguel de Cervantes was published in Madrid.

History Trivia

January 15, 588 BC Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon lay siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah's reign. The siege lasted until July 23, 586 BC. 69 the Emperor Galba was murdered in the streets of Rome. Otho (Marcus Salvius Otho Caesar Augustus) seized power and proclaimed himself Emperor of Rome, but ruled for only three months before he committed suicide. 1559 Elizabeth I was crowned Queen of England in Westminster Abbey, London.

History Trivia

January 14, 1129 The Council of Troyes was convened by Pope Honorius II; among other things, it recognized and confirmed the Order of the Knights Templar under papal authority. 1301 Andrew III of Hungary died, ending the Arpad dynasty in Hungary. 1343Arnost of Pardubice became the last bishop of Prague. 1514 Pope Leo X issued a papal bull against slavery.

History Trivia

January 13, 888 Odo, Count of Paris became King of the Franks. 1328 Edward III of England married Philippa of Hainault, daughter of the Count of Hainault. 1547 Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey was sentenced to death. 1605 The controversial play Eastward Hoe by Ben Jonson, George Chapman, and John Marston was performed, landing two of the authors in prison. 1607 The Bank of Genoa failed after announcement of national bankruptcy in Spain. 1610 Galileo Galilei discovered Ganymede (moon of Jupiter).

History Trivia

January 12 - On some calendars, it was on this day that Jesus returned from Egypt when He was a child. In 475 Basiliscus became Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople. 1528 Gustav I of Sweden was crowned king of Sweden. 1539 the Treaty of Toledo was signed by King Francis I of France and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V whereby both parties agreed to make no further alliances with England. The treaty came after Henry VIII of England split with Rome and Pope Paul III.

History Trivia

January 11 1055 Theodora was crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. 1158 Vladislav II became King of Bohemia. 1569 First recorded lottery in England. 1571 the Austrian nobility were granted freedom of religion. 1693 Mt. Etna erupted in Sicily, Italy. The powerful earthquake destroyed parts of Sicily and Malta.

History Trivia

January 10, 49 BC Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon without disbanding his army, which signaled the start of civil war in Rome. 69 Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus was appointed by Galba to deputy Roman Emperor. 236 Pope Fabian succeeded Anterus as the twentieth pope of Rome. 1072 Robert Guiscard conquered Palermo. 1475 Stephen III of Moldavia defeated the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Vaslui. 1645 Archbishop William Laud is beheaded at the Tower of London.

History Trivia

January 9, 475 Byzantine Emperor Zeno was forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. 1349 The Jewish population of Basel, Switzerland, believed by the residents to be the cause of the ongoing Black Death, were rounded up and incinerated. 1431 Judges' investigations for the trial of Joan of Arc began in Rouen, France, the seat of the English occupation government

History Trivia

January 8, 871 King Ethelred of Wessex and his brother Alfred (the Great) defeated the Danes at the Battle of Ashdown. 1081 Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor was born. The last of the Salic or Frankish family of rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, Henry was crowned in 1111. During his reign he was constantly at odds with the papacy and was excommunicated no less than four times. He also made war on Bohemia, Flanders, Hungary and Poland. 1297 Monaco gained its independence. 1499 Louis XII of France married Anne of Brittany.