Rhenish League.
A league formed under the auspices of Mazarin in 1658, by the union of the Protestant and Catholic Leagues of German Princes which had been established in 1651. The league was supported financially by Louis XIV, and its affairs were managed by a Directory, sitting at Frankfort, under the presidency of the Elector of Mentz.
Rhine, Confederation of the.
A confederation of German States formed under the auspices of Napoleon in 1806. It was composed of Bavaria, Baden, Würtemberg, the Duchy of Berg, Hesse-Darmstadt, and some other States of minor importance, and was in alliance with France.
Rhodes, Knights of.
See Malta, Knights of.
Rhudlann, Statute of.
A statute of Edward I, enacted in 1204, by which Wales was annexed to the English Crown. It takes its name from Rhudlann Castle, where the King was staying at the time of its promulgation. (See Wales, Statute of.)
Ribbonism.
An agrarian movement in the South and West of Ireland, about 1869, its object being to agitate for security of tenure. Its methods, possibly harmless at first, soon degenerated into terrorism.