509 B. C. Lucius Junius Brutus, the avenger of the rape of Lucretia, and founder of the Roman republic, fell at the battle of the Œsuvian fields. So great was the fury of the encounter between him and his adversary, that their shields were mutually pierced, and each fell dead from his horse transfixed by the lance of his enemy.
628. Chosroes II, king of Persia, died. He carried his arms into Judea, Libya and Egypt, and made himself master of Carthage. He forced the Roman emperor Heraclius, to sue for peace; but his country was soon after penetrated by the Romans, his palace pillaged and burnt, and himself dethroned and cast into prison by his own son, after witnessing the massacre of 18 other sons.
1408. Battle of Bramham Moor.
1447. Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, murdered. He was the rival of Cardinal Beaufort, as the head of affairs in England, and was the friend and patron of learning. The cardinal lived to enjoy his triumph but six weeks.
1582. George Buchanan, a Scottish poet and historian, died. He occupied the last twelve years of his life in writing a history of his country in Latin.
1594. William Fleetwood, an English lawyer, died. He was recorder of the city of London in the reign of Elizabeth, and the author of several law treatises.
1604. John Whitgift, archbishop of Canterbury, died. He was unwearied in his efforts to make the puritans conform to the national church.
1610. The house of commons complained of the king's profusion, especially in the immense sums lavished on Scotch favorites.
1642. Charles I of England sent to the house of commons his reasons for refusing the militia bill; the house declared his advisers public enemies, and passed a vote of approval on the counties which had put themselves in a posture of defence.
1648. Christian IV of Denmark, died. He sustained the character of an able and wise sovereign.