MAY 24.
1085. Gregory VII (Hildebrand), pope, died. He was the son of a carpenter, and when raised to the papal throne embroiled himself in disputes and dissensions till he was compelled to retire.
1153. David I, king of Scotland, died. He married Maud, daughter of William the conqueror, and is characterized as a mild and popular king.
1276. A capitation tax of three pennies
laid on every Jew in England above the age of 12 years, and all above the age of 7 to wear a yellow badge.
1357. Edward the black prince, conducted his captive, John, king of France, through the city of London, in triumph.
1430. Joan of Arc, after performing prodigies of valor, deserted and alone, was taken prisoner by the English, after her horse was slain, in a sally from Compiegne.
1543. Nicholas Copernicus, the great astronomer, died, aged 70. After a constant devotion of 43 years to the study, he produced his immortal work, De Orbium Cœlestium Revolutionibus. The work was excommunicated by the pope, and although the planets continued their revolutions, it was not till 278 years after, namely, in 1821, that the papal court annulled the sentence!
1551. Von Pannis, an eminent surgeon of England, burnt to death for denying the divinity of Christ.
1572. Drake sailed from England on his voyage of reprisal to the West-Indies, against the Spanish.