Frederickshald. A town of Norway, at the influx of the Tistedals-elf into the Idefiord, 55 miles southeast from Christiania. Charles XII. of Sweden was killed here in the trenches before the fortress of Fredericksteen, on December 11, 1718.
Frederickshamm, or Hamina. A fortified town of Finland. The treaty which ceded Finland to Russia was signed here in 1809.
Freebooter. One who wanders about for plunder; a robber; a pillager; a plunderer.
Freebootery. The act, practice, or gains of a freebooter; freebooting.
Freebooting. Robbery; plunder; a pillaging. Also acting the freebooter; practicing the freebooter; robbing.
Freehold. A village, the capital of Monmouth Co., N. J. Near here was fought the battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778.
Free-lances. Were roving companies of knights and men-at-arms, who, after the Crusades had ceased to give them employment, wandered from state to state, selling their services to any lord who was willing to purchase their aid in the perpetual feuds of the Middle Ages. They played their most prominent part in Italy, where they were known as [Condottieri] (which see).
Fregellæ (Fregellanus; now Ceprano). An ancient and important town of the Volsci, on the Liris, in Latium, conquered by the Romans, and colonized 328 B.C. It took part with the allies in the Social war, and was destroyed by Opimius.
Fregosa, or Fregose (in the plural Fregosi). A Genoese family, which in the 14th century gained distinction among the popular party, and by their rivalry with the Adorni occasioned frequent civil wars. Fregoso (Domenico), became doge of Genoa in 1370. He conquered the isle of Cyprus and was deposed in 1378. Pietro was a brother of the preceding; he commanded the armament which conquered Cyprus in 1373, and in 1393 was elected doge. Thomas was elected doge in 1415; being attacked by Alfonso of Aragon and the Duke of Milan, he made a brave resistance, and was forced to retire from Genoa in 1421. Pietro was elected in 1450, and for eight years maintained his power against Alfonso of Aragon and the Adorni; he was killed in an attempt to expel the French from Genoa in 1459. There were several other doges of this family in Genoa.
Fréjus. A town of France, in the department of the Var, 45 miles northeast from Toulon. It was here that Bonaparte landed on his return from Egypt in the autumn of 1799; and here also he disembarked after his escape from Elba in 1814.