1856. John Collins Warren, a distinguished Boston physician, died, aged 77. He was the first successful competitor for the Franklin medal. He had a long and brilliant career as a physician, and during the latter years of his life devoted much time to the study of the natural sciences, and collected a valuable museum, among which was the most perfect skeleton of the mastodon known to exist.
MAY 5.
1421. A holy convocation at Canterbury decreed that a bishop's barber should not receive a fee from any one on whom the bishop had conferred holy orders.
1432. Francesco Bussone di Carmagnola, count de Castlenuovo, executed. He was a celebrated Italian general, first in the service of the duke of Milan, afterwards led the Venetian army to repeated victories. His fortune at length turned, when the senate suspecting him of treachery, he was tortured and condemned to death.
1526. Frederick (the wise), elector of Savoy, died. He was one of the first and most zealous friends of Luther.
1529. Paulus Æmilius, a learned Italian, died. He was invited to France, where he employed a great number of years in writing a history of the French kings, but did not live to finish it.
1556. The company of London stationers received their first charter from Philip and Mary, under the title of "The master and keepers or wardens, and commonalty, of the mystery or art of the stationers of the city of London."
1586. Henry Sidney, an English statesman, died. He was the favorite of Edward VI, and afterwards employed by Mary and Elizabeth.
1618. One Williams, a barrister, arraigned for libeling the king, was executed.
1643. Parliament of England ordered the Book of Sports to be burned by the common hangman.