1066. Battle of Hastings, and defeat of Harold by William of Normandy, which placed the latter upon the throne of England. The battle lasted from morning till sunset. William had three horses killed under him, and there fell about 15,000 Normans; but on the side of the vanquished, the loss was much greater, and included Harold and his two brothers, who were slain.
1066. The first earl created in England. Alfred in 920 used this word as king is now used.
1292. Edward I, of England, declared John Baliol king of Scotland.
1519. The Spaniards under Cortez entered without opposition the strong and
populous city of Cholula, where a plot was laid for their destruction, but which resulted in a terrible massacre of the inhabitants.
1529. A placard appeared at Brussels, whereby all such as had any prohibited books in their custody, not brought forth to be burnt, should be put to death.
1537. Jane Seymour, third queen of Henry VIII, died.
1644. Birthday of William Penn, the first proprietor of Pennsylvania, son of admiral sir William Penn.
1645. Battle of Basing, in which Cromwell at the head of the parliamentary forces stormed and took, after an action of only three-quarters of an hour, the fortress of Basing house, which the royalists considered almost impregnable. There was immense booty taken with the place, of every kind. The plunder of treasure and furniture amounted to more than $1,000,000; in one room was found a bed which cost nearly $6,000. The mansion was set fire to and destroyed, with most of the valuable paintings, papers, &c., by the roundheads, who acted up to the scripture, "cursed is he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently."
1656. Act of the Massachusetts authorities, prohibiting the immigration of quakers, and subjecting such as should arrive to 20 lashes, and imprisonment at hard labor until transported, and if they returned to suffer death.