1560. A phenomenon observed at London, called the burning spears, being one of the earliest records of that appearance now well known by the name of aurora borealis.
1601. Scipio Ammirati, an Italian historian, died. He wrote a history of Florence, published in 2 vols, folio.
1606. Everard Digby hanged, drawn and quartered at the west end of St. Paul's church, London. He was concerned in the gunpowder plot, having offered £1500 towards defraying the expenses of that dreadful affair. He also entertained Fawkes, who was to have executed it in his house, and was taken in open rebellion with other papists after the plot was detected and had miscarried.
1644. William Chillingworth died; celebrated for his skill as a religious controversialist, and a defender of protestantism against popery.
1647. King Charles I delivered up to parliament by the Scots for £200,000. Some think it unworthy of the nation.
1649. Charles I beheaded. He was born in Scotland 1600, and succeeded to the British throne 1625. His reign was signalized by a struggle with his parliaments, in procuring supplies, which finally ended in his execution. He was tried for treason against the people, and condemned with only three days' grace.
1660. William Oughtred, an English divine and mathematician, died, it is said, in consequence of excess of joy at the restoration of Charles II, whom he called Christ's anointed.
1661. The heads of Oliver Cromwell, John Bradshaw, and Henry Ireton set on poles at Westminster hall, and their bodies buried under the gallows at Tyburn, where their disinterred bodies had been hung.
1678. The expense of the equestrian statue of Charles I at Charing Cross, London, was defrayed with part of £70,000, voted for his funeral celebration.
1691. Pope Alexander III died, after a reign of only 15 months.