1300. Edward I of England forbade the circulation of crockards, pollards, rosaries, and other foreign coins, as sterlings. They were all called in and a new sterling money coined, so called from the Easterlings, who were the first coiners of silver of that fineness in England.
1530. Zahir-Eddin Mohammed Baber, founder of the Tartar empire in Hindostan, died, aged 47. He made the first irruption into Hindostan in 1505, which was unsuccessful; but in 1524 he again undertook the invasion, defeated and killed the sultan in battle, and extended his conquests far and wide with astonishing rapidity. He was one of the most distinguished sovereigns that ever sat upon an Asiatic throne.
1552. Charles V raised the siege of Metz, with the loss of 30,000 men.
1679. Thomas Blount, an English barrister at law, died; distinguished for his talents and learning, and as a respectable writer.
1729. Honore Tournely, a distinguished French ecclesiastic, died. He was professor of philosophy at Douay, and a popular preacher.
1731. Anthony Houdart de la Motte, an ingenious French critic and miscellaneous author, died. His works consist of epic poetry, tragedy, comedy, lyric, pastoral, and fable; besides a vast variety of discourses, critical and academical.
1732. William Leland, of Lisnaken, in Ireland, died, aged 139. He was alike remarkable for his stature and longevity.
1762. Everard Titon du Tillet, a French Jesuit, died; distinguished for his learning, and for a brazen Parnassus which he planned and erected in honor of Louis XIV.
1771. Claude Adrian Helvetius, a French writer, died. He was a wealthy and benevolent man, but his works were irreligious.
1776. Battle of Trenton, New Jersey. The Americans under Washington crossed the Delaware on a cold and stormy night, and surprised the Hessians at sunrise. Col. Rhalle and 20 men were killed and the remainder surrendered, to the number of 1,000. Of the Americans 2 were killed