1536. Francisco Berni, a Tuscan poet, died. He is the principal writer of Italian jocose poetry, which has ever since retained the name of poesia Bernesca.
1568. An estoddfod of the Welsh bards and minstrels held at Cayroes by commission of queen Elizabeth, when the great prize of the silver harp was adjudged to Simon ap Williams ap Sion.
1595. Philip Neri, founder of the oratorians, died. He was noted for his benevolence, and established a hospice for the accommodation of pilgrims, which has become one of the finest in Rome.
1608. Sir Thomas Sackville, that great servant of Apollo and the state, interred with pomp at Westminster. "There never was a better treasurer," observes sir Richard Baker, "both for the king's profit and the good of the subject."
1623. Francis Anthony, an English chemist, died; who took advantage of his knowledge to impose upon the credulous and unwary, by selling his panacea of potable gold.
1637. Fort Mistic, garrisoned by a large body of Indians under their grand sachem Sassacus, taken by assault, and about 70 wigwams burnt.
1689. Battle at the pass of Killicrankie, remarkable for the defeat of king William's troops by the Highlanders under lord Dundee.
1685. John Marsham died; a learned English chronologist.
1703. Samuel Pepys, a learned Englishman, died; celebrated for his collection of valuable documents, &c.
1746. Thomas Southern, an English dramatist, died.