830. Leo V, emperor of Constantinople, assassinated. He was an Armenian, who became a general by his valor in the Roman armies, and prevailed on his troops to proclaim him emperor.
1066. William, the conqueror, was crowned at London, amid a tumult, and the better to secure the obedience of the citizens, granted them a charter.
1440. Gilles de Retz, the famous Bluebeard, executed at Nantes for his horrible crimes. The ruins of his castle, La Verriere, are seen on the banks of the Erde, in the Lower Loire.
1476. Geleas Marie Sforza, duke of Milan, assassinated. He rendered himself unpopular by his ferocity and debauchery.
1618. The first house erected at Plymouth, Mass., by the puritan settlers, after having spent more than a month in selecting a place for settlement. The company was divided into 19 families, and to each person was assigned a lot, half a rod in width, and three rods in length, for houses and gardens.
1658. Cromwell dispersed several
congregations, met to celebrate the birth of the Savior.
1676. Matthew Hale, a learned English judge, died. He was conversant with almost every branch of science, and has left valuable works in law, philosophy and religion.
1678. John Newton died; an English mathematician and chaplain to Charles II.
1698. James Houbracken, the celebrated Dutch engraver, was born at Dordrecht.