History Trivia - Vercingetorix surrenders to Julius Caesar

October 3

52 BC Vercingetorix, leader of the Gauls, surrendered to the Romans under Julius Caesar, ending the siege and Battle of Alesia. 

1226 Saint Francis of Assisi, the great Roman Catholic churchman and founder of the Franciscan order died at his beloved Poriuncula chapel at age 44. 

1283 Dafydd ap Gruffydd, prince of Gwynedd in Wales, was executed for what from that time onwards would be described as high treason against the King. King Edward I ensured that Dafydd's death was to be slow and agonizing, and also historic; he became the first prominent person in recorded history to have been hanged, drawn and quartered, preceded by a number of minor knights earlier in the thirteenth century.

History Trivia - Charlemagne, King of the Franks, crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor

December 25

 The date recognized by the Roman Catholic Church for the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas was also known as Yule (Anglo-Saxon) or Noel (French). 337 Earliest possible date that Christmas was celebrated on Dec 25th. 352 First definite date that Christmas was celebrated on Dec 25th.

498 French king Clovis baptized himself.

597 England adopted the Julian calendar.

795 Pope Adrian I died. The relationship of Adrian to Charlemagne was considered an ideal expression of Church and State in a united Christian society.

 800 Charlemagne, King of the Franks, was crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome.

875 Charles the Bald was crowned Holy Roman Emperor.

1066 William the Conqueror was crowned king of England, at Westminster Abbey, London.

1100 Baldwin of Boulogne was crowned the first King of Jerusalem in the Church of the Nativity.

1156 Peter the Venerable died. As Abbot of Cluny, Peter of Montboissier made great reforms to the monastery that restored its influence in European religious politics.

1223 St. Francis of Assisi assembled the first Nativity scene.