JUNE 18.
64. The conflagration of Rome, attributed by Nero to the Christians, which was the ostensible cause of the first persecution. (See [24th June].)
741. Leo III (Isaurian), emperor of Constantinople, died. He was the son of a cobbler, and disgraced the imperial dignity by acts of barbarity and tyranny. He was the enemy of learning and learned men, and set fire to the valuable library of his capital, by which 30,000 volumes were destroyed, besides many of the choicest paintings and medals.
1053. Battle of Civitella; the forces of the pope, Leo IX, routed by Robert Guiscard, the Norman.
1314. Edward II marched upon Scotland from Berwick, with his vast army.
1429. Battle of Patray, in France; the English under Talbot defeated by Joan of Arc, with the loss of 1,500 slain, and 1,000 taken. It was in this conflict that the notable sir John Falstaff, considering discretion to be the better part of valor, dropped his thirsty lance, and ran away.
1538. Truce for 10 years between Charles V of Germany, and Francis I of France. Hostilities were renewed three years after.
1580. The colony of Virginia discouraged with their losses and various misfortunes embarked for England.
1588. Robert Crowley, a scholar, preacher and printer, died. One of his principal works was in metre, entitled:
Pleasure and pain, heaven and hell,