1492. Adolphus, emperor of Germany, killed. He was a poor count, elected partly through intrigue, and his reign was a series of intrigues to maintain himself in
power. The throne was finally given to Albert of Austria, and when the two emperors met in battle, they fought hand to hand, and Adolphus was killed by the lance of his rival. His abilities were inadequate to his station.
1566. Michael Nostrodamus died; an able French physician and celebrated astrologer.
1609. Hudson on his first voyage, after various vicissitudes, through storm and ice, loss of foremast and sails, arrived off the banks of Newfoundland, and refreshed his men by a heavy catch of cod.
1644. Battle of Marston Moor; the parliament army under Cromwell and Fairfax, defeated the royalists under prince Rupert, who lost the whole of his artillery and left the northern counties in the hands of the confederates.
1692. Adrian de Valois (or Valesius) died; a learned French historian and critic.
1704. Battle of Donauworth, in Bavaria; the French and Bavarians defeated by the duke of Marlborough. Loss about 6,000 on each side.
1730. Laurence Corsini was elected pope by the conclave, after it had sat four months. He took the name of Clement XII.
1740. Thomas Baker, a learned and ingenious English antiquary, died. He wrote with great purity of style.
1741. Thomas Morecroft died; the person who figures in the Spectator as Will Wimble.