History Trivia

March 10, 241 BC A crushing Roman naval victory over the Carthaginians in the Battle of Aegusa ended the First Punic War. 1173 Richard of St. Victor died.A theologian, philosopher and monk at the Abbey of St. Victor, Richard profoundly influenced
medieval and modern mysticism with his writings and teachings, which made the school of St. Victor renowned through Europe in the 12th century. 1302 Dante Alighieri was condemned to death.1452 Ferdinand II of Aragon was born. The marriage of Ferdinand to Isabella of Castile eventually resulted in a united Spain. During their reign the monarchs completed the reconquest of Muslim Spain by taking back Granada, sponsored the expeditions of Columbus, expelled the Jews from the kingdom and established the Spanish Inquisition to enforce religious uniformity. 1586 Saint Margaret Clitherow was arrested.Raised in Protestant England, Margaret converted to Roman Catholicism and was repeatedly fined for refusing to attend the Anglican Church. She allowed secret masses to be held in her home and hid Roman Catholic missionary priests. She was imprisoned and released on several occasions, until during a raid on her home she was seized and, according to a recent law, sentenced to death for aiding Jesuits. She was executed on March 25, 1586. 1629 Charles I began 11 years of personal rule - the 'Eleven Years Tyranny' - by dissolving parliament.