Hermandad.
A confederation of the principal cities of Castile, formed during the middle ages for mutual protection against brigands and other lawless persons. By degrees the brotherhood usurped the functions of a legislative body, enforcing their rules, when necessary, by force of arms. It was also known as the Santa Hermandad, or Holy Brotherhood.
Herrings, Battle of the.
The name given to an unsuccessful attack by the French upon the entrenched camp of Sir John Fastolfe at Rouvray in 1429.
Hero of the Nile.
A sobriquet of Nelson.
Herschel System.
The system of State Education established in Cape Colony in 1838, and designed by Sir John Herschel, the astronomer. Public elementary schools were provided in all the principal centres of European population, where instruction was given free to all children of good conduct. Religious instruction was also given to all whose parents did not object, and clergymen of any denomination were permitted to catechise the children of their congregation at stated hours. Secondary schools were established in the principal villages, and a normal seminary in Capetown, to train teachers for the elementary schools.
Hersir.
In ancient Norse times, the hereditary chief of a Her, or tribunal community.