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Adendorff Trek.
A threatened trek of a large
number of Transvaal Boers,
under a leader named Aden-
dorff, into Mashonaland, in
1 89 1. Sir Henry Loch raised
a protest, on the ground that
the trek would be an infringe-
ment of the Swaziland Conven-
tion of 1890, and an act of
hostility towards Great Britain,
whereupon President Kruger
issued a proclamation forbidding
all Transvaal burghers to take
part in the movement.
Adis Ababa, Treaty of.
A treaty signed May 15, 1902,
between Great Britain and
Ethiopia (Abyssinia), It pro-
vides for the rectification and
delimitation of the frontier be-
tween Abyssinia and the Soudan.
The Negus undertakes not to
sanction any damming of the
Sobat or the Blue Nile without
the consent of Great Britain,
grants a lease of a tract of
country on the Baro river, for
the formation of a commercial
entrepot, and gives Great Britain
the right to connect Uganda
and the Soudan by a railway
running through Abyssinia. A
further treaty, to which Italy is
also a party, provides for the
rectification of the frontiers of
Eritrea with Abyssinia and the
Soudan.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Adjutators.
Delegates elected by each
regiment of the Parliamentary
Army in 1647, to act with the
officers in placing their demands
and grievances before Parlia-
ment prior to disbandment.
Admonition,
A document issued by Thomas
Cartwright, the leader of the
Puritans, in 1572, demanding
the establishment of Presbyter-
ianism, as being a divine in-
stitution.
Admonition, Cardinal Allen's.
A pamphlet addressed to the
" Nobility and People of Eng-
land," bringing a series of
scandalous charges against
Queen Elizabeth, issued by
Cardinal Allen in 1588.
Adonis of Fifty.
A nickname of George IV.
Adrian, Bull of.
A bull issued by Adrian IV,
in 1 1 56, granting the sovereignty
of Ireland to Henry II. in re-
turn for his undertaking to
support the Papal authority, and
to pay Peter's Pence.
Adrianople, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia
and Turkey, signed in 1829,
following the capture by Russia
of the fortresses of Varna,
Silistria, and Adrianople. It
gave Russia control over the
mouths of the Danube, and the
appointment of protector of the
privileges of Moldavia and
Wallachia.
Adriatic, Marriage of the.
An ancient ceremony cele-
brated yearly at Venice on
Ascension Day, and typifying
the greatness of Venice as a
maritime power. The Doge
was conveyed in his state barge
to the sea, and threw into the
water a consecrated ring. The
ceremony was established in
1 1 74 by Pope Alexander III, in
memory of the victory of the
Venetians over the fleet of Bar-
barossa.
Adscriptus Glebas.
A person who was compelled
to remain on his lord's estate.
The condition of a villein or
serf in feudal times.
Adullamites.
A small section of the Liberal
party, headed by Mr. Lowe
(Lord Sherbrooke) who opposed
Mr. Gladstone's Reform Bill of
1866. The name had its
origin in a speech of John
Bright, who likened the mal-
contents to those who took
refuge in the Cave of AduUam.
The term "cave " is now applied
to any small knot of dissentients
within the ranks of one of the
great political parties.
Adventurers of 1642.
The gentlemen and others
who had advanced money to
the Government during the
Irish Rebellion of 1641, to be
repaid by grants of forfeited
land. In 1653 these claims
were recognized by grants in
various parts of Leinster and
Munster.
Afrancesados.
The partizans of Napoleon
in Spain and the Spanish
Colonies.
Afrikander Bond.
An organization formed in
Cape Colony in 1881, with the
avowed object of securing for
the Afrikanders a larger share
of political power. Its moving
4 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
spirit was Mr. Hofmeyr, a mem-
ber of the Cape Ministry. It
has taken a leading part in Cape
pohtics, generally in opposition
to British rule, and during the
Boer war of 1 899-1902 gave
strong evidence of disloyalty.
Agraviados.
The Catalan insurgents, in
1825, called themselves the
Agraviados, or men with a
grievance.
Agrarian League.
A league formed in Berlin in
1893, to advocate bimetalism
and a return to protection. In
the latter portion of its pro-
gramme, it has had considerable
success.
Agricultural Alliance Bill.
The name given to a bill
passed by the Prussian Parlia-
ment in 1896, at the instigation
of the Agricultural Alliance, It
prohibited time bargains in
corn, mining shares, etc., and
provided for the regulation of the
Berlin Bourse, Corn Exchange,
and other Exchanges, by a com-
mitteee under a Government
official. To escape these vexa-
tious restrictions, the produce
brokers deserted the Exchange
and formed a Free Commercial
Union, meeting in another
building to carry on their busi-
ness.
Aids.
Taxes levied on their feuda-
tories by the English kings,
prior to Magna Charta. By
that instrument, however, it was
provided that they were to be
granted only by the Great
Council, except in three speci-
fied cases : the delivery of the
king from prison, the knighting
of the king's eldest son, or the
marriage of his eldest daughter.
Aigun, Convention of.
A treaty between Russia and
China, signed in 1858, by which
Russia obtained all the territory
eastward of the Ussuri river to
the Japan Sea, and fixed her
southern boundary at the
frontier of Corea.
Aix-la-Chapelle, Congress of.
A congress held in 1818, and
attended by plenipotentiaries
from Great Britain, Prussia,
Austria and Russia, to arrange
for the evacuation of France by
the army of occupation, and the
readmission of France, as one
of the Great Powers, to the
Councils of Europe.
Aix-la-Chapelle, Treaty of.
A treaty between the Triple
Alliance (England, Holland and
Sweden) and Louis XIV of
France, signed in May, 1668.
Spain, which acceded to the
Treaty, received Franche Comte
from France, and surrendered
certain frontier towns, including
Lille, Courtray, and Tournay.
The Triple Alliance were thus
enabled to checkmate Louis'
designs in the Low Countries.
Aix-la-Chapelle, Treaty of.
A treaty signed by England,
France, Austria, Spain, and
Holland, in 1748, putting an
end to the War of the Austrian
Succession. Territorially, its
provisions in the main amounted
to a return to the status quo
ante, but it was provided that
the Pretender should be expelled
from France, that Spain should
renew the Asiento treaty with
England, and that Austria was
to receive the acknowledgment
by the signatories of the Duke
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
of Lorraine, husband of Maria
Theresa, as Emperor, in return
for the cession of Silesia to
Prussia.
Akerman, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and
Turkey, supplementary to the
Treaty of Bucharest, signed in
1826. It provided that the
Hospodars of Moldavia and
Wallachia should rule inde-
pendently, each with a council
of Boyars, and should not be
deposed without the Czar's con-
sent ; that Servia should elect her
own princes, and that Russia
should occupy the East coast of
the Black Sea, and should have
free access to all Turkish waters.
Alabama.
A privateer fitted out in Eng-
land during the American Civil
War, to prey upon the commerce
of the Northern States. After
the war the United States made
an enormous claim for compensa-
tion, which was submitted to
arbitration, with the result that
England was condemned to pay
about three and a half millions
sterHng.
Alais, Treaty of.
A treaty between the Cathohcs
and the Huguenots in France,
signed in 1629, after the fall of
La Rochelle. By this treaty the
Huguenots were finally de-
prived of their political rights.
Alaric Cottin.
A sobriquet of Frederick the
Great of Prussia, given him by
Voltaire. It infers that he was
a great soldier but a very poor
poet.
Alascans.
The name given to the foreign
Protestant refugees in Eng-
land during the reign of Ed-
ward VI. The name is derived
from Laski, the superintendent of
foreign church communities.
Alaska Purchase.
By a treaty between the
United States and Russia, in
1867, the latter Power surren-
dered all her possessions on the
continent of the United States,
together with the Probyloff Is-
lands, in consideration of a
payment of 7,200,000 dols.
Alaska Treaty.
A treaty between Great Brit-
ain and the United States,
signed in 1903, by which it was
agreed to submit the question
of the boundary between Alaska
and Canada to a commission of
six jurists, three to be nomin-
ated by each side. This ques-
tion had been pending since the
cession of Alaska to the United
States by Russia in 1867, the
doubt as to the true frontier
arising from the very indefinite
terms of the Anglo-Russian Con-
vention of 1825,
Albanian League.
A league founded by the
Porte in 1880, to oppose the
aspirations of Montenegro to-
wards an increase of territory.
In 1887 the league presented to
the Sultan a petition for auto-
nomy, under an Albanian
governor, and receiving no
answer, rose in rebellion. The
outbreak, however, was easily
suppressed.
Albany Regency.
A coterie of Democrats who
from 1820 to 1854 exercised a
controlling influence over the
politics of New York State, and
had consequently considerable
power in national politics.
Their headquarters were at
Albany.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Albigenses.
A sect of dissenters from the
Romish doctrine, settled in the
South of France, under the pro-
tection of Raymond, Count of
Toulouse, their name being de-
rived from the town of Albi.
Innocent III organiced a crusade
against them in 121 5, under the
leadership of Simon de Montfort,
and at the siege of Beziers it is
estimated that 15,000 Albi-
genses were put to the sword.
They nevertheless held out until
1229, when Raymond capitu-
lated, and the Inquisition was
established in Toulouse. The sect,
though dispersed, was not des-
troyed, and its members carried
the seeds of Protestantism into
Bohemia, Germany and Eng-
land.
Alcantara, Knights of.
A Spanish order of religious
chivalry, established in 1177,
and directed against Moham-
medanism.
Ale Conner.
An official appointed annually
by the Court-Leet to test and
examine the ale sold in the
borough, and to prosecute dis-
honest vendors.
Alexander of Bulgaria, Abduc-
tion of.
A conspiracy of the pro-Russian
party in Bulgaria, in 1886.
Prince Alexander, whose policy
was to free his country from
Russian influence, was kid-
napped by some Bulgarian
officers, and carried off in his
yacht to Russian territory.
An attempt was then made to
establish a pro-Russian govern-
ment under M. Zankoff, but
the sympathies of the Bulgar-
ians were with the Prince, and
M. Stambuloff set up a Council
of Regency, and demanded his
return. The Prince came back,
but with nerves completely
shattered by his experiences, or,
as was alleged, by the adminis-
tration of certain drugs, and
he shortly afterwards abdicated.
There seems little doubt that
the Russian Foreign Office was
privy to the plot.
Alexander of the North.
A sobriquet of Charles XII of
Sweden (1682-17 18).
Alexander, The Albanian.
Iskander Beg (George Cas-
triot, 1404-1467) was so called.
Alexander, The English.
A sobriquet of Henry V.
Alexander Newski, Order of.
A Russian order of knight-
hood, founded by Peter the Great
in 1722.
Alien Act.
An act passed in 1793, to deal
with the enormous influx of
foreigners into England, due
to the French Revolution. Aliens
were required to state the object
of their visit, to register their
names, and to obtain passports
for moving to and fro.
Alien and Sedition Laws.
A series of Acts of Congress
passed in 1798, to deal with the
situation caused by the residence
in the United States of a large
number of naturalized French-
men who sympathized with
France in the difficulties then
pending between the two
countries. They gave the
President the power to banish
undesirable aliens. They were
very unpopular, and were, in
fact, never enforced with any
stringency, but are noticeable
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
as having led to the first
declaration of States Rights,
Kentucky and Virginia declar-
ing them unconstitutional.
Aliwal North, First Treaty of.
A treaty, signed in 1858 be-
tween the Orange Free State
and Moshesh, the Basuto chief,
through the mediation of Sir
George Grey. This treaty
rectified the frontier somewhat
in favour of the Basutos, and
made other provisions tending
to the maintenance of peace,
Aliwal North, Second Treaty of.
A treaty between Great
Britain and the Orange Free
State, signed in 1869, seftling
the boundary between the two
contracting parties in Basuto-
land. After the annexation by
Great Britain of the territories
of Moshesh, the Orange Free
State claimed the boundary line
fixed by the treaty of Thaba
Bosigo, while Great Britain
claimed that in existence before
the war of 1865. A compromise
was eventually arrived at, and
the frontier thus fixed is that
at present existing between the
Orange River Colony and the
Cape.
All Red Cable.
A cable route from England
to Australia, touching only
British soil, projected by the
Otta.wa Conference in 1894.
The scheme met with the ap-
proval and support of the
Imperial Parliament, and the
cable was completed in 1902.
Allgemeines Landrecht.
The Prussian Code of Law,
amplified from the Landrecht
of Frederick the Great.
Alliance Society.
A political association formed
in Belgium in 1897, with the
object of uniting the different
branches of the Liberal Party.
Allodial Lands.
Among the Franks, lands
held in absolute proprietorship,
as opposed to lands held as
fiefs, and dependent upon a
superior. They were subject
to no burden, except the call
to arms for national defence, and
passed at death to all the chil-
dren equally, or, failing issue, to
the next of kin.
Alte Fritz.
Frederick the Great of
Prussia is constantly referred
to by this sobriquet.
Althing.
The general assembly of the
Norsemen, {See also Thing.)
Alumbrados.
A sect of mystics, founded in
Spain about 1520, the fore-
runners of the better known
lUuminati of Germany. They
were finally suppressed by the
Inquisition.
Amalfitan Code.
A code of maritime law, drawn
up during the First Crusade by
the mercantile community of
Amalfi. It is the oldest known
maritime code,
Amboise, Conspiracy of.
A plot on the part of Conde and
the Bourbons, in 1560, to seize
the Guises, and the King,
Francis II, who was a mere
puppet in their hands. The
plot was discovered, and several
of the leaders were executed.
Amboise, Convention of.
An agreement between Cathe-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
rine de' Medici and the Hugue-
nots in 1563, after the first civil
war, by which the Huguenots
were allowed the free exercise of
their religion.
Amboyna, Massacre of.
The murder of ten English-
men, in the employment of the
India Company, at the Dutch
factory of Amboyna in 1623.
America Act.
An Act passed in 1775, con-
solidating all the previous penal
acts relating to the American
Colonies. It declared that all
American vessels were lawful
prizes, and that all Americans
captured in them, or elsewhere,
could be forced to take service
against America. Commission-
ers were appointed to receive
the submission of the revolted
colonies, but no provisions were
made for the redress of griev-
ances.
America, Discovery of.
According to the Norse Sagas,
the discovery of America should
be placed to the credit of the
Vikings, who made five ex-
peditions to the coast between
985 and loii, the first being
that of Eric the Red, who settled
in Greenland in 986, and the
most famous that of Thorfinn
Karlsefne, about 1007. The
rediscovery by Columbus took
place in 1492.
American Customs Act.
An Act passed in 1764, levying
customs duties on goods im-
ported into the American
Colonies. These duties were
to be levied for the benefit of
England, and the proceeds there-
of paid into the English Treasury.
The assertion of this right to tax
the Colonies for the benefit of
the Mother Country may be
considered the cause of the loss
of the American Colonies.
American-Japanese Treaty.
A treaty negotiated between the
Shogun and Commodore Perry
on behalf of the United States
in 1854, by which Japan opened
the ports of Yokohama, Kobe,
Nagasaki, and Hakodate to
foreign commerce. Foreigners
had been excluded from Japan
for 216 years before this date,
with the exception of the Dutch,
who however were strictly con-
fined to their factory at De-
shima.
American-Spanish Treaty.
A treaty signed in 1898, at
the close of the war, by which
Spain surrendered her sove-
reign rights over Cuba, and
ceded Porto Rico and her other
West Indian possessions. The
United States undertook to
pay twenty million dollars for
the Philippines and Sulu
Islands, but did not assume any
responsibility for the Cuban
debt.
Ami des Hommes.
A sobriquet of the Marquis
de Mirabeau (1715-1789).
Ami du Peuple.
Jean Paul Marat, the French
revolutionary leader, was known
as the Friend of the People. It
was also the title of the journal
which he edited.
Amiens, Award of.
The award of Louis IX of
France, in 1264, in the dispute
between Henry III of England
and his Barons, which had been
referred to the arbitration of the
French King. He pronounced
entirely in favour of the Crown,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
annulling the Provisions of Ox-
ford, especially with regard, to
the King's right to employ-
aliens as governors of his castles.
Also known as the Mise of
Amiens,
Amiens, Peace of.
A treaty signed by France and
England, in 1801, after the
defeat of the French army in
Egypt. England restored all
her conquests from France,
Spain and Holland, excepting
Ceylon and Trinidad. Both
parties agreed to the evacuation
of Egypt, and the independence
of Portugal was guaranteed.
This peace was of very short
duration, England and France
being at war again in 1803.
Amistad Case.
The case of a Spanish slaver in
1839, in which the slaves had
broken out and seized the ship.
She was afterwards captured by
a U.S. cruiser, and the Supreme
Court declared that the seizure
of the vessel by the slaves was
not an act of piracy.
Amour, Loi d'.
The name ironically applied
to a severely repressive measure
against the Press, introduced
in the French Chamber by
Peyronnet in 1827.
Amoureux, Guerre des.
The name given to the war
between Henry III and Henry
of Navarre in 1580. It arose
purely out of a court intrigue,
and its only event of importance
was the capture of Cahors by
the Huguenots.
Ampoule, La Sainte.
The Holy Vase, containing the
consecrated oil with which the
French kings were anointed
at their coronation at Reims.
It was preserved in the Church
of Saint Remi in that city.
Anabaptists.
A fanatical sect which had
its rise in Westphalia, early in
the sixteenth century. In 1535
the Anabaptists seized the city
of Miinster, and under their
leader Boccold, otherwise John
of Leyden, who had arrogated
to himself royal prerogatives,
they held out for some time
against the forces of the Bishop
of Miinster. They were, how-
ever, eventually overpowered,
and their leaders put to death.
Among other extreme doctrines,
they advocated communism and
polygamy.
Anarchist Riots, Chicago.
Riots arising out of the Labour
agitation in Chicago in the
spring of 1886. The Anar-
chists took advantage of the
disturbed condition of the city,
and in the course of a meeting
which they summoned, a bomb
was thrown at the police, which
was followed by shooting.
Sixty poHce were wounded.
Seven of the rioters, mostly
Germans, were convicted of
murder.
Ancients, Council of.
The second chamber of the
French Directory (i 794-1 799).
It was composed of 250 members.
Ancon, Treaty of.
A treaty of peace between
Chile and Peru, putting an end
to the War of the Pacific, signed
in 1883. Chile obtained by this
treaty and one concluded shortly
afterwards with Bolivia, the
coast region of the latter state,
and the district of Tarapaca in
lo DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Peru. She further secured impor-
tant concessions with regard to
the guano deposits.
Andrassy Note.
A note of remonstrance pre-
pared by Count Andrassy, the
Austrian Foreign Minister, and
addressed to the Porte in 1876
by the Powers signatory of the
Treaty of Paris, insisting on
Turkey fulfilling her engage-
ments.
Anes, Journee des.
The name given by the French
to the defeat of the Papal Army,
under the Duke of Urbino, near
Bologna, on May 22, 1571, by
the Bolognese and the French
men-at-arms. The name was
given to this battle on account
of the enormous number of
baggage animals captured.
Anglo-Chinese Agreement, 1902.
An agreement between Great
Britain and China providing for
the abolition of Likin, and an
increase of duties at the port of
entry, to compensate for the
loss of revenue thus incurred.
This agreement, however, can
only come into operation if the
other nations having commercial
treaties with China agree to the
increase of the import duties.
Anglo-Dutch Treaty, 1872.
A treaty by which Holland
surrendered to Great Britain all
her possessions on the Gold
Coast.
Anglo-French Agreement, 1896.
An agreement with respect to
Siam, by which Great Britain
agreed to the cession to France
of Mongain, and a strip of
territory, twenty-five kilometres
wide, on the right bank of the
Mekong. Both parties agreed
not to invade the territory
left to Siam by this arrange-
ment, and it was further stipu-
lated that any commercial privi-
leges in Yunnan and Sze-Chuan
accorded by China to either
nation should be common to
both.
Anglo-German Agreement, 1 890.
An agreement, fixing the
limits of the spheres of influence
of the two Powers in East, West,
and South-West Africa, with
the exception of the southern
limit of Walfisch Bay, left open
for further inquiry. The agree-
ment further provided for the
cession of Heligoland to Ger-
many, and the recognition by
the latter of Great Britain's
protectorate over Zanzibar.
Anglo-German Agreement, 1900.
An agreement, also known
as the Yang-tse Agreement,
signed May 16, 1900, defining
the policy of the two Powers in
China. It was agreed to sup-
port the policy of the " Open
Door," and to permit free
access for all nations to the ports,
rivers and littorals where the
signatories have influence ; to
refrain from seeking special
territorial advantages, and to
oppose the grant of such to
other Powers, the right being
reserved to concert measures
in the event of such advantages
being sought. Germany has
since declared that she does not
consider this agreement to
have any bearing on the Russian
occupation of Manchuria.
Anglo-Italian Agreement, 1885.
An agreement by which Great
Britain recognizes Italy's rights
to the East Coast of Africa
between Massowah and Obock,
and further agrees to give her
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS ii
her moral support in Tripoli.
Italy in return undertakes the
same friendly of&ces for Great
Britain in Egypt.
Anglo- Japanese Agreement, 1902.
An agreement signed in
London, January 30, 1902, by
which the relations of the
two Powers in the 'China seas
are defined. It is provided
that if one of the signato-
ries be involved in war, in
defence of her interests in
these regions, the other shall
maintain a strict neutrality, but
that if the belligerent be at-
tacked by a second Power, the
other signatory shall join her
ally, and that the war shall
thenceforward be conducted in
common, and peace made only
by mutual agreement. It is
further stipulated that neither
party shall enter into a separate
agreement with another Power,
to the prejudice of the joint
interests of the allies, these
interests being defined as the
maintenance of the territorial
integrity of China and Korea,
and the securing therein equal
opportunities for the commerce
of all nations.
Anglo- Japanese Treaty, 1895.
A treaty between Great Brit-
ain and Japan, signed in 1895,
abolishing extra-territorial juris-
diction in Japan for British
subjects. Great Britain was
thus the first European nation
to acknowledge the entry of
Japan into the comity of nations.
The treaty became operative in
1899.
Anglo-Portuguese Treaty, 1891.
Following the disturbances
on the Mashonaland border,
where a collision had taken
place between Portuguese troops
and British South African Police,
an ultimatum was despatched
to Portugal, demanding the
withdrawal of her troops from
the disputed territory. A treaty
was subsequently signed de-
limiting the spheres of influence
of the two Powers and declaring
the navigation of the Shire and
the Zambesi open to all nations,
while Portugal agreed to facili-
tate communication by these
and other river and land routes.
Anglo-Russian Convention, 1825.
A convention by which it was
agreed that both Powers should
enjoy equal fishing rights in the
Pacific Ocean. A line of de-
marcation was also drawn be-
tween Alaska and British Colum-
bia, but it was never properly de-
marcated, and the vagueness of
the boundary has been a fruit-
ful source of dissension be-
tween England and the United
States, probably to be ended by
the Alaska Treaty of 1903.
Ankarstrom's Conspiracy.
A conspiracy of Swedish
nobles, headed by Counts Rib-
bing and Horn and Captain
Ankarstrom, to assassinate Gus-
tavus III of Sweden. Captain
Ankarstrom, who had a per-
sonal grievance against the king,
shot him at a masquerade in
the Opera House at Stockholm
on March 16, 1792.
Annates.
The first year's income of a
benefice, claimed as tribute by
the Popes. This and all other
tributes to the Roman See were
abolished in England in the
reign of Henry VIII. by the
Annates Act, passed in 1534-
12 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Annunziata.
An Italian order of knight-
hood, holding the third place
(after the Garter and the
Golden Fleece) among the
orders of chivalry. It was
founded by Amadeus V of
Savo}?- in 1362, and has been
twice remodelled, namely, by
Charles III in 15 18, and by
Victor Emmanuel in 1869. It
is restricted to twenty members,
exclusive of royal knights.
Annus Mirabilis.
The year 1666, famous in
English history for two decisive
victories over the Dutch fleet,
and for the Great Fire of London.
Dryden's poem of this name
commemorates these events,
Anti-Corn Law League.
An association founded in
Manchester in 1838, to work
for the repeal of the Corn
Laws, which imposed heavy
duties on imported corn. Its
leaders were Richard Cobden
and Charles Villiers. The agita-
tion bore fruit in 1846, in which
year the Act repealing the Corn
Laws was passed.
Anti-federalists.
See Federalists.
Antigone, The Modern.
Marie Ther^se, the daughter
of Louis XVI, was so called.
Anti-Parnellites.
The majority of the Irish
Parliamentary Party, who
deposed Mr. Parnell from the
leadership, after the O'Shea
divorce case, at the bidding of
Mr. Gladstone and the Irish
Bishops.
Anti-Remonstrants.
A party among the Irish
Catholics, who declined to sign
the Petition of Remonstrance,
drawn up by Peter Walsh, in
1666, protesting against the
belief prevalent in England
that toleration of Catholicism
was incompatible with the
safety of the State.
Anti-Semitism.
An anti-Jewish crusade
which broke out in Eastern
Europe in the latter part of
the nineteenth century. It was
especially virulent in Russia and
Austria, while in Germany an
Anti-Semitic League was formed
in Berlin in 1880, to "prevent
the Judification of Germany."
The Judenhetze, as it was
called, was carried to such
lengths as to call for the inter-
ference of the Emperor. Still
later the crusade against the
Jews extended to France, where
the anti-Semitic party is strong.
As a consequence of this perse-
cution, thousands of Jews have
emigrated from the Continent
to England and to the United
States.
Anti-Slavery Society.
A society formed at Phila-
delphia in 1833, under the
presidency of William Lloyd
Garrison, to work for the
abolition of slavery in the
United States. It was dissolved
in 1870, having accomplished
its object.
Anziani.
The Council of the Ancients
of Florence, established about
the middle of the thirteenth
century, to control all matters
relating to the government of
the State. It consisted of
fourteen leading citizens.
Apologie of William of Orange.
A justification of his actions.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 13
presented by William of Orange
to the States-General of Holland
in 1580, in reply to the pro-
scription edict of Philip II.
The States declared Philip's
charges against the Prince to
be without foundation.
Appanages (France).
The provision made for the
younger sons of the French
Kings. It consisted of feudal
lands held by the Crown.
Appanages (Russia).
The Russian Imperial estates
are so called.
Apparel, Statutes of.
A series of sumptuary laws,
passed about 1540, regulating
the dress of the labouring and
farming classes.
Appeals, Act of.
An Act passed in 1533, under
Henry VIII, declaring the
Church of England capable of
dealing with its own spiritual
questions, and forbidding ap-
peals to any dignitary higher
than the Archbishop.
Apprentices, Statute of.
A statute of Elizabeth, passed
in 1 563, by which no person was
permitted to exercise a trade in
England unless he had previously
served an apprenticeship to it of
seven years.
Apprenticeship (Transvaal).
This question was much de-
bated in England in the early
seventies, some people alleging
that the apprenticeship of black
children was a covert form of
slavery, especially as indentures
were transferable before a land-
drost. On the annexation of the
country in 1877, however, . it
was found that the charge was
quite groundless.
Arabi's Rebellion.
This revolt arose originally
from a quarrel between the
Circassian and the Arab officers
of the Egyptian Army in 1881.
Three Arab colonels, one of
them Arabi, headed a successful
mutiny, demanding a change
at the Ministry of War, which
was controlled entirely by the
Circassians. Later in the year
further trouble arose, and Arabi,
supported by the whole army,
obtained the appointment of
Under Secretary, and subse-
quently that of War Minister.
By June, 1882, he was practi-
cally a military dictator, and
commenced fortifying Alex-
andria. An ultimatum from
the British Government was
without effect, and Alexandria
was bombarded by the British
fleet. The defeat of Arabi at
Tel-el-Kebir put an end to the
rebellion.
Aragon, Privilege of.
A charter granted to the
nobles of Aragon by Alfonso III
in 1287. It gave them a con-
stitutional right to federate
against the king, if he infringed
their immunities, and at need
to depose him and elect a
successor. The Privilege was
withdrawn by Pedro IV in 1348.
Arbitration Court.
See Hague Congress.
Arbitrations.
See Alabama, Amiens, Beh-
ring Sea, Caroline Islands, Keate,
San Juan, Venezuela.
Argonauts of Forty-nine.
The name given to the early
settlers in California after the
discovery of gold in 1849.
They are also called Forty-
14 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Arima, Rebellion of.
A rising of his dependents
against the Daimio of Arima,
which was joined by a large
number of Japanese Christians.
The rebels were finally subdued
in 1658, the Shogun having had
recourse to the Dutch for help,
and the result was the complete
suppression of Christianity in
Japan.
Arkansas Civil War.
A dispute, in 1874, between the
factions of Brooks and Baxter,
each of whom claimed to be the
duly elected Governor of Ar-
kansas and was backed by
an armed force, dignified by
the name of the State Militia,
It was found necessary to call
out United States troops, where-
upon Baxter relieved the situa-
tion by withdrawing.
Armagh, Synod of.
A Synod of the Irish Prelates,
held in 11 70, at which, in view
of the threatened English inva-
sion, it was resolved to release
all English captives held in
slavery.
Armagnac War.
The war between Frederick
III of Germany and the Swiss
in 1444, so called because
Frederick's forces were princi-
pally composed of mercenaries
who had been engaged in the
French civil war on the
Armagnac side.
Armagnacs.
The party of the Orleans Princes
in the French civil war, which
broke out in 1410, during the
reign of the imbecile Charles VI.
Their opponents, the Burgun-
dians, succeeded in obtaining
possession of Paris by treachery
in 14 1 8, and the Armagnac
leaders were captured and
thrown into prison. The Paris
mob, always hostile to this
party, broke into the prisons
and murdered all the prisoners.
In this affair, which is known
as the Massacre of the Armag-
nacs, it is said that 3,500
persons perished, including the
Comte d' Armagnac, the Chan-
cellor, and many nobles and
members of the Parlement.
Amiatoli.
A body of Greek mercenaries
in the service of the Sultans
of Turkey from the fifteenth to
the early nineteenth centuries.
Armed Neutrality.
A league of the northern
nations of Europe, formed under
the leadership of Prussia and
Russia in 1870, to contest the
right of search exercised by
British ships of war over
neutrals. The contentions of
the league were that the flag
covers the merchandise, except
in the case of contraband of
war, and that a blockade must
be effective to be respected.
Armenian Massacres.
In 1895 aiid. 1896 terrible
massacres of the Armenians
took place in Anatolia, at the
hands of the Kurds, who were
probably aided, and certainly
not hindered, by the regular
Turkish garrison. In 1896, on
the ground that a dangerous
conspiracy was on foot, the
authorities connived at a
massacre of Armenians in Con-
stantinople, in which over two
thousand are believed to have
perished. This produced a
strong joint protest from the
Powers, followed by the re-
establishment of some sem-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 15
blance of order in the disturbed
districts.
Arminians.
The followers of Arminius, a
Leyden professor, in the early
part of the seventeenth century,
who dissented from the strict
Calvinism of the Dutch Protest-
ants, and endeavoured to intro-
duce a milder system. By a
decree of the Synod of Dort, in
161 8, the Arminian preachers
were banished, while the Great
Pensioner, Barneveldt, the chief
lay supporter of the sect, was
executed. The English High
Church party in the reign of
Charles I were sometimes called
Arminians.
Army Plot.
An abortive conspiracy in
the army, in 1641, under Wil-
mot, the Commissary- General,
formed, with the connivance, of
Charles I, to overawe the Parlia-
ment. Goring, one of the ring-
leaders, becoming dissatisfied,
betrayed the plot to Pym, but
by that time the conspirators
had already decided against
active measures.
Army Purchase.
The system of purchase of
commissions in the army was
abolished by an Act of Parlia-
ment introduced by Mr. Card-
well in I 87 I.
Arrabiati.
The party of the Medici,
during the existence of the
Florentine Republic, established
in 1493.
Arras, Congress of.
The first instance of a con-
gress of the European Powers,
held at Arras in 1435. All the
leading States were represented,
and an attempt was made to
settle the peace of Europe, but
the rival claims of France and
England, the two countries
most immediately concerned,
proved irreconcilable, and no
solution was arrived at.
Arras, Treaty of.
During the Congress of Arras,
in 143 s, France succeeded in
detaching Burgundy from the
English alliance, and a treaty
was signed by which the Duke
of Burgundy acknowledged the
sovereignty of Charles VII,
but stipulated that he himself
should be freed from personal
homage during his own and
Charles' lifetime. In return
his claim was admitted to the
Boulonnais, and he received
Macon, Arcis-sur-Aube and
Auxerre. Burgundy renounced
the English alliance, and France
that of the Emperor.
Arriere Fief.
Land held by the vassal of
a vassal is an arriere fief of the
overlord.
Artels.
Associations of workmen in
Russia, living and working
together, and dividing the
profits of each job. They are
sometimes of a temporary nature
and sometimes more nearly
resembling a guild, as in the
case of the bank porters, where
the association is responsible
to the employers for the acts
of its members.
Articles.
See Eleven, Five, Forty-two,
Henry, Lambeth, Louvain, Nine,
Schmalkald, Six, Ten. Thirty-
nine, Thirty-three.
i6 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Articles, Lords of the.
The Committee which prepared
measures to be submitted to
the Scottish Parliament was so
called.
Articles of Henry.
See Pacta Conventa.
Articles of Prague.
The confession of faith of
the Hussites, issued by John
Zisca in 1420.
Articuli super Cartas.
Twenty clauses added to
Magna Charta, when it was
confirmed by Edward I during
the Parliament of 1300. The
most important are those deal-
ing with purveyance, the juris-
diction of the officers of the
Crown, and the jury system.
Arya Somaj.
A Hindu sect founded by
Dayanandu Sarasvati (died
1882). While reforming many
of the grosser superstitions of
the Brahminical faith, its
followers still hold by the
doctrinal teachings of the Vedas.
Aschaffenburg, Concordat of.
An agreement between the
Emperor Ferdinand III and
Pope Nicholas V, in 1448,
regulating the Papal rights in
ecclesiastical matters in Ger-
many. The Pope surrendered
the right of appointing arbit-
rarily to all benefices, but
retained it for those falling in
during each alternate six months.
He retained the annates, and
gave the chapters the right of
electing to bishoprics, except
in the case of translations, or
of the appointment of some
notoriously unfit person.
Ashbourne's Act, Lord.
See Irish Land Act, 1885.
Ashburton Treaty.
A treaty between England
and the United States, signed
in 1842, finally settling the
boundary line between Canada
and the States. This treaty is
also known as the Treaty of
Washington.
Asiento.
The right to trade in slaves
with the American Colonies was
claimed by Spain, and was at
different periods granted by
treaty to France or to England.
The permission thus granted
was known as the Asiento.
Assassination Plot.
A Jacobite plot in 1696, to
assassinate William III. He
was to be shot while returning
from hunting in Richmond
Forest. It is probable that
James was privy to it, but the
actual ringleader was Sir George
Barclay. The plot was dis-
covered, and several of the
leaders convicted and executed.
Assassins.
The followers of the Old Man
of the Mountain, Hassan ben
Sabah, who founded the sect
on the borders of the Caspian
Sea about 1090. The motto of
the Society was " To the faithful
nothing is forbidden," and its
adherents were guilty of the
foulest murders. Among its
other well-known victims, was
Conrad of Montferrat, in 1192.
Asssertion of the Seven Sacra-
ments.
The book written by Henry
VIII against Luther, which
procured for him from Leo X
the title of Defender of the
Faith.
Assignats.
An issue of paper money
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS ij
authorized by the French Na-
tional Assembly in December,
1789, secured on the lands and
buildings of the church, which
were to be confiscated and sold.
They were largely forged by
Royalists and others, and went
to an extraordinary discount;
thus in February, 1796, a gold
louis of 20 francs was worth
on the Paris Bourse 5,300
francs in assignats.
Assize of Arms.
A reorganization of the old
Militia of England, carried out
by Henry II in 1181.
Assize of Bread.
An ordinance of Henry III of
England in 1266, regulating
the prices to be charged by
bakers, in accordance with the
fluctuations in the value of
Assize of Clarendon.
An ordinance issued by Henry
II in 1 166, to provide for the
trial of criminal cases in the
Shire Courts. It was ordained
that twelve men should be
selected from each hundred,
and four from each township,
to determine whether there
were any criminals in their
district, and if so to present
them for trial. This is the
origin of the Grand Jury system.
This Assize also abolished trial
by compurgation.
Assize of Northampton.
An ordinance issued by
Henry II in 1176, confirming
and strengthening the Assize
of Clarendon.
Assize of Woodstock.
An ordinance issued by
Henry II in 11 84, containing
regulations for the government
of the royal forests. Many of
the rules were very oppressive,
and were considerably modified
by the Charter of Forests, in
1217.
Association, The.
A bond drawn up by the
Council and nobles of England
in 1 5 84, whereby the signatories
bound themselves to take arms
against all who should attempt
to harm the person of Queen
Elizabeth. It was signed by
Catholics and Protestants aUke,
and Parliament was speedily
summoned to endorse it.
Association, The.
A union of the Eastern
counties, formed in 1643, with
the object of keeping the civil
war beyond its borders.
Association Treaty.
A treaty, signed in 1682, be-
tween Holland, Sweden, the
Emperor and certain German
Princes, pledging the signatories
to defend the treaties of Utrecht
and Nimeguen. It provided that
any of the contracting parties
accused of violating the pro-
visions of these treaties should
submit the matter to the arbi-
tration of the other signatories,
who, in the event of his refusal,
agreed to unite against him in
arms. Similar provisions were
agreed to to meet the case of a
non-signatory power violating
the peace of Europe and re-
fusing to submit to arbitration.
Associations Act, Ireland.
An Act passed in 1826, di-
rected mainly against the Catho-
lic Association. It restricted
the right of meeting of political
associations, and forbade the
levying of subscriptions or the
administration of oaths.
c
i8 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Associations Law, 1833.
A law passed by the French.
Government in 1833, forbidding
any association, even literary
or religious, to exist without
Government authorization.
Associations Law, 1901.
A law passed by the French
Assembly in 1901, requiring all
religious associations engaged
in teaching or charitable work
to apply to the Government for
authorization. It was specially
aimed at associations like the
Assumptionist Fathers, who had
taken an active part in politics
in opposition to the Govern-
ment. In 1902 the law was
strenuously enforced by M.
Combes, the French Premier,
against many harmless com-
munities of nuns and others
engaged in teaching, causing
serious disturbances in Brittany
and other Catholic centres.
Assurance, The.
A form of oath exacted in
Scotland after the accession of
William III from all persons
holding positions of trust. It
set forth that William was King
not only de facto but de jure
and by just title, and was in-
tended' to discriminate, in the
Church, between those Episco-
palians who were at heart
Jacobites, and those who were
honestly ready to accept the
new regime. About a hundred
Episcopalian divines took the
oath, and were permitted to
retain their benefices.
Assured Lords.
The Scottish lords captured
at Sol way Moss, and allowed to
return to Scotland under the ob-
ligation to further the interests
of Henry VIII, in 1542. Among
them were the Earl of Angus,
Lords Cassilis, Glencairn, and
Maxwell.
Assysthement.
The ancient Scottish law of
the assessment of the 'value of
a life, to be paid by the mur-
derer.
Astor Place Riot.
A serious riot in New York
in 1849, arising out of a dispute
between Macready, the English
actor, and Edwin Forest, the
American actor. A mob of
20,000 men attacked the Astor
Place Opera House, where
Macready was playing in " Mac-
beth," and it was found necessary
to call out the troops in order
to quell the disturbance.
Ataman.
The chief of a community of
Cossacks. The office was
elective.
Ateliers Nationaux.
Government workshops estab-
lished in Paris in 1 848 to provide
work for the unemployed.
Within the year the workers
rose against the Government,
and erected barricades in the
streets of Paris. They were,
however, promptly suppressed
by General Cavaignac, and their
leaders arrested and condemned
to transportation. *
Attainder, Act of.
An Act passed by the Irish
Parliament, summoned by
James after the landing of
William III in England in 1689.
The Act contained a list of
between two and three thousand
names, and was made the ve-
hicle of many private ven-
geances.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 19
Attalik Ghazi.
The title bestowed on Yakoub
Beg, the leader of the revolt
against China in Kashgar in
1870. The revolt was sup-
pressed in 1877, after the death
of Yakoub Beg.
Atterbury's Plot.
A Jacobite plot to depose
George I in 1722, and to place
the old Pretender, James Ed-
ward, on the throne. The ring-
leaders were Lord Orrery, Lord
North, Lord Gower, and Atter-
bury, Bishop of Rochester. The
plot included a plan for an
expedition under James and
Lord Ormonde, to sail from
Spain. The scheme, however,
was disclosed to the British
Minister in Paris, and the
leaders, including Atterbury,
were arrested.
Audiencias.
The final courts of appeal in
South America, under Spanish
rule. They were eleven in
number, and in addition to
their judicial functions, acted
as advisory boards to the
Viceroys and Captains-General.
Augmentations, Court of.
A Court appointed by Henry
VIII, after the dissolution of
the monasteries, to deal with
all questions arising out of
the confiscation of the Church
Lands.
Augsburg, Confession of.
A statement of the Protestant
doctrine drawn up by Melanc-
thon at the Diet of Augsburg,
in 1529.
Augsburg, League of.
A league between the
Emperor, Spain, the Nether-
lands, Sweden, Bavaria, and
the circles of Suabia and Fran-
conia, formed in 1682, to pre-
serve the peace of Europe
against the encroachments of
Louis XIV. The war, which
began in 1688 and was ended
by the Peace of Ryswick in
1697, is known as the War of
the League of Augsburg.
Augsburg, Peace of.
See Religious Peace.
Aulic Council.
A tribunal established by
the Emperor Maximilian I in
1 501. It was reorganized by
Rudolf II, to deal with questions
arising out of the interpretation
of the Peace of Augsburg, dur-
ing the counter-reformation in
Germany. The Council accom-
panied the Emperor, having
no fixed place of meeting, and
was almost entirely under the
domination of the Court, and
thoroughly Catholic in its tend-
encies.
Aurum Reginae.
See Queen's Gold.
Ausculta Fill, Bull.
A bull, also known as the
Greater Bull, issued by Pope
Boniface VIII against Philip IV
of France in 1302. It calls on
Philip to cease his opposition
to the claims of the Church,
and reminds him that he holds
his throne only by the goodwill
of the Pope. The bull was
publicly burnt in Philip's pres-
ence.
Ausgleich.
The agreement settling the
economic relations between
Austria and Hungary. The
first Ausgleich was signed in
1867, for a period of ten years,
and was renewed with slight
20
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
variations in 1877 and 1887.
The Austrian Reichsrath refused
to sanction the Ausgleich of
1897, and it was promulgated
by what is known as the Dic-
tatorship paragraph of the
Austrian Constitution, in other
words by Imperial decree. In
1899 it was amended by the
Szell formula, by which M.
Szell, the Hungarian premier,
stipulated that if the Aus-
gleich were not formally re-
newed before the end of 1902,
the economic union between the
two countries should come
to an end in 1907. On New
Year's Eve, 1902, a new Aus-
gleich, to run for ten years, was
agreed to by the Austrian
and Hungarian Premiers.
Austin Riots.
An outbreak of the Coloured
League against the White
League, at Austin, Mississippi,
in 1874. Several sanguinary
engagements took place, in
which the blacks were worsted,
and many killed.
Austragal Court.
A court consisting of several
members of the Germanic
Confederation, convened to de-
cide whether questions pending
between one of the Confederated
States and a foreign power
could be taken up by the Con-
federation as a whole.
Australasian League.
A society established in Mel-
bourne in 185 1, under the
auspices of the Rev. John West,
to secure " by moral means
only " the abolition of the
transportation of convicts to
any part of the Australasian
continent.
Australian Colonies Act.
An Act passed in 1849,
separating Victoria from New
South Wales, and providing
a constitution for the new
colony, as well as for Tasmania,
South Australia, and (subject
to the fulfilment of certain
conditions ) Western Australia.
Australian Commonwealth Act.
An Act to give force to the
Constitution drafted by Aus-
tralian statesmen for the union
into a Commonwealth of the
Colonies of New South Wales,
Victoria, South Australia,
Queensland, Western Aus-
tralia, and Tasmania, power
being reserved to New Zealand
to enter the union if she so
desire. The Act provides for
the establishment of a central
Government, with the control
of the customs, postage, and
certain other matters, each
colony retaining its own Parlia-
ment, with power to manage
its internal affairs as before.
Considerable difference of opin-
ion arose as to the right of
appeal from the Supreme Court
of the Commonwealth to the
Privy Council, and it was
finally enacted that in the case
of constitutional questions
affecting the rights of the
Commonwealth or individual
States no appeal should lie,
unless the Supreme Court certi-
fied that the matter was one
which should be determined by
the Privy Council.
Austrian Succession, War of the.
The war which broke out in
1 74 1, in connexion with the
Pragmatic Sanction of Charles
VI. It was ended by the Peace
of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 21
Auto de fe.
The Act of Faith, the name
given to the ceremony which
accompanied the execution of
persons condemned for heresy
by the Inquisition in Spain and
Portugal. The last Auto de Fe
took place at Valencia, in 1826.
Avignon Captivity.
The period of seventy years
during which the Popes resided
at Avignon, practically in a
condition of vassalage to the
French Crown. It lasted from
1305 to 1377, or from the Papacy
of Clement V to that of Gregory
XI. It is also known as the
Babylonish Captivity.
Avignon, Reunion of.
From the time of the return
of the Popes to Rome in 1377,
until 1 79 1, Avignon was, with
certain short intervals, governed
by Papal Legates. In the latter
year, by a decree of the National
Assembly, it was reunited to
France, and this reunion was
acknowledged by the Pope, by
the Treaty of Tolentino in
1797.
Ayankeeados.
The name given by the Mexi-
cans to the sympathizers with
America during the Mexican
War of 1846.
B
Babington Plot.
A plot set on foot by Babing-
ton and a Jesuit, named Ballard,
in 1585, to assassinate Queen
Elizabeth. Letters secured by
Walsingham were said to have
proved the complicity of Mary
Queen of Scots, and led to her
imprisonment at Fotheringay,
and subsequent trial and exe-
cution.
Babylonish Captivity.
See Avignon.
Back Lane Parliament.
An assembly of Delegates
from the whole of Ireland,
which met in Dublin in 1792.
They prepared an address ex-
pressing their loyalty to the
throne, and asking for the
franchise.
Baconists.
The Liberal Party in Virginia
in 1676, who rose in rebellion
under Nathaniel Bacon. The
name was afterwards adopted
by the Maryland Liberals in
1678.
Badger State.
The popular name of the
State of Wisconsin, U.S.A.,
from the badger in its coat of
arms.
Badinguet.
A nickname of Napoleon III.
It was the name of the workman
in whose clothes he escaped
from the Chateau of Ham, in
1846.
Bag and Baggage Policy.
The policy advocated in
speech and pamphlet by Mr.
Gladstone in 1876 (while in
opposition), at the time of the
Bulgarian Atrocities. It was to
the effect that if Turkey would
not reform the administration
of her Christian provinces, she
must be turned out of Europe
" bag and baggage."
Bagimont's Roll.
A valuation of the ecclesi-
astical benefices of Scotland,
compiled by Bagimont of Vicci in
1274. On this .valuation the
22
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
tithes payable to the Roman
See were computed, up to the
time of the Reformation.
Bailli.
In French feudal times the
bailli was the representative of
the king in the territories of
the great feudal lords. He
held a court which took cogni-
zance of matters concerning
the rights of the Crown, and
outside the jurisdiction of the
feudal courts.
Baiser de Lamourette.
A reconciliation between the
extreme parties in the French
Legislative Assembly in 1792,
effected by the persuasive elo-
quence of Lamourette, Bishop
of Lyons. It was purely emo-
tional and irrational, and only
lasted a few days. It is also
called the Norman Reconcilia-
tion.
Balafre, Le.
The sobriquet of Henry de
Guise (1550-1589).
Balkan Agreement.
An agreement between Aus-
tria and Russia, officially com-
municated to the Balkan States
in 1897, by which the parties
announced their intention of
maintaining the status quo in
the Balkan Peninsula.
Ballarat Reform League.
An association of miners,
formed at Ballarat (Victoria) in
1854, to agitate for reforms in
the administration of the gold-
fields, as well as for certain
political reforms, including man-
hood suffrage, payment of mem-
bers, and short Parliaments.
The more militant members
eventually took up arms against
the Government.
Ballot Act.
The Act to substitute secret
for open voting at Parlia-
mentary elections was passed
in 1 87 1.
Banbury Man.
A term applied to the Puritans
during the sixteenth and seven-
teenth centuries.
Banda Oriental.
The old name of the Republic
of Uruguay.
Bandes d'Ordonnance.
A body of 3,000 cavalry
which formed the only standing
army of the Netherlands, circ.
1550.
Bank Charter Act, 1833.
An Act renewing the charter
of the Bank of England, origin-
ally granted in 1694. It made
the notes of the bank legal
tender, and provided that the
notes issued should bear to the
specie in hand a ratio not
exceeding three to one.
Bank Charter Act, 1844.
By this Act it was provided
that the Bank of England should
not issue notes in excess of
;^ 1 4,000,000, unless a corre-
sponding reserve of specie were
held. It also restricted the note
issue of other banks, and pro-
vided that no banks established
after the passing of the Act
should have the right to issue
notes.
Bar, Confederation of.
A league of Polish nobles,
formed in 1876, with the object
of dethroning Stanislas Augustus
(Poniatowski), and freeing the
country from foreign influence.
Barbarossa.
Frederick II, Emperor of
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 23
Germany (11 52-1 190), so called was also known as the Little
from his red beard. Parliament.
Barbons.
The name given to Sillery,
Jeannin, and Villeroy, the
veteran councillors of Louis
XIII, circ. 161 2.
Barcelona, Treaty of, 1493.
A treaty between Charles
VIII of France and Ferdinand
and Isabella of Spain, by which
Roussillon and Cerdagne were
restored to the Crown of Arragon.
Barcelona, Treaty of, 1529.
A treaty between Charles V
and Pope Clement VII, by
which the Emperor undertook
to proceed to Rome to receive
the crown at the Pope's hands,
and to take all the steps in his
power to check the spread of
the reformed religion.
Bardo, Treaty of.
A treaty between France and
Tunis, signed in 1861. The Bey
recognized the French right
to occupy military positions
securing the frontier and the
sea coast, France in return
guaranteed to the Bey his
personal security, and that of
his dynasty and dominions.
She also undertook the due
execution of all treaty obliga-
tions to foreign powers, but
for the future reserved the right
to control all the international
relations of the Bey.
Barebone's Parliament.
A Parliament summoned by
Cromwell on July 4, 1653,
which lasted only till December
12 of the same year. It took
its name from one of its mem-
bers, a leather merchant named
Praise-God Barebone, and it
Bari, Council of.
At this council, summoned
by Pope Urban II in 1098, the
orthodox doctrine of the Holy
Ghost was established.
Barmecides.
A celebrated Persian family,
who rose to the highest offices
of state under the Abbaside
Khalifs. One of their number,
Jaafar, was the favourite Vizier
of Haroun-al-Raschid. For
some reason not sufficiently ex-
plained by the Arab historians,
Haroun, without warning, caused
the whole family, numbering
over a thousand, to be massacred
in 802.
Barnburners.
Bands of agricultural labour-
ers who, from 1830 to 1833, ^^•
deavoured, by burning ricks
and farm buildings, to terrorize
the landlords into the concession
of improved conditions. The
threatening letters written to
their employers were generally
signed "Captain Swing."
Barnburners.
A name given to the Radical
wing of the Democratic party in
New York in 1844. The Barn-
burners joined the Freesoilers
Baroda Commission.
A commission appointed in
1875, composed of three Euro-
peans and three natives, to in-
vestigate the charge against the
Gaekwar of Baroda of attempt-
ing to poison Colonel Phayre,
the English Resident. The com-
mission disagreed, the English-
men considering the charge
proved, while the natives were
24 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
of the contrary opinion. Lord
Northbrook, however, decided
on deposing him.
Barons, League of the.
A league of the Barons of
Northern France, under Peter,
Count of Brittany, during the
regency of Blanche of Castile,
in support of the rights of their
order against the usurpations
of the Crown.
Barons' War.
The war which broke out
under Simon de Montfort in
1263, in consequence of the
failure of Henry III to fulfil his
various engagements to his
Barons. The war lasted till
1267, though only desultory
fighting took place after the
death of de Montfort at the
battle of Evesham in 1265.
Barrackpur Mutiny,
A mutiny of the 42nd Native
Infantry Regiment in 1826, the
reason assigned being the harsh
treatment to which they were
subjected by their officers. The
mutiny was promptly sup-
pressed.
Barricades, Journee des.
May 12, 1588, on which date
Henri III sent his Swiss Guards
to oppose the return to Paris
of Henri de Guise. The Parisian
mob formed barricades of paving
stones, from behind which they
shot down the Swiss. The same
name has been given to other
days on which the Parisians
have erected barricades against
the constituted authorities.
Barrier Treaty, First.
A treaty between England
and Holland, signed in 1709,
by which Holland agreed to
recognize the Protestant suc-
cession in England, and to make
the expulsion of the Pretender
a sine qua non of peace with
France. In return England
guaranteed to Holland a barrier
line of strong places, including
Nieuport, Lille, Ryssel, Tournay,
Maubeuge, Charleroi and Namur.
Barrier Treaty, Second. ,
A treaty between England and
the Netherlands signed in 17 13,
by which the line of fortresses,
as set out in the Barrier Treaty
of 1709, was altered, somewhat
to the disadvantage of the
Dutch. The Treaty of Utrecht
in the same year confirmed the
principle of the Barrier.
Barwalde, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1631 be-
tween Louis XIII. and Gustavus
Adolphus, providing for the
security of the Ocean and the
Baltic, with liberty of com-
merce to the ships of both
nations. It was also provided
that the forts on both seas and
in the Canton of the Grisons
should be demolished.
Bashi-Bazouks.
Turkish irregular troops,
generally recruited amongst the
Kurds and other Asiatic tribes
in the Ottoman Empire. They
became notorious during the
Bulgarian atrocities of 1875.
Basilikon Doron.
A book written in iS99Tby
James VI of Scotland (after-
wards James I of England) , con-
taining advice on the art of
government, and intended for
the instruction of his eldest son,
Henry.
Basle, Council of.
A council summoned by Mar-
tin V, but held under Eugenius
IV, in 1433. The council
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 25
abolished many of the privileges
claimed by the Popes, including
annates and the reservation of
benefices. Finding the Pope
obdurate in his refusal to accept
their decrees, they suspended
and finally deposed him.
Basle Treaties.
Two treaties made by Na-
poleon with Prussia and Spain
respectively in 1795, by which
he detached these two powers
from the European coalition.
His bribe to Prussia was the
withdrawal of the French troops
from the right bank of the
Rhine, while the inducement
offered to Spain was the return
to her of the Spanish half of the
island of San Domingo.
Basle, Treaty of.
A treaty between Austria
and the Swiss Cantons in 1499,
whereby the virtual indepen-
dence of the thirteen cantons
was recognized.
Bassein, Treaty of.
A treaty between the British
and Baji Rao II, Peshwa of
Poonah, signed in 1802. The
Peshwa agreed to receive a
subsidiary force, and to pay for
its maintenance ; to admit into
the Mahratta States no European
hostile to England; to surrender
all claims to Surat, and to re-
main the faithful ally of the
English. This treaty practi-
cally put an end to the Mahratta
independence.
Bastard of Orleans.
Jean Dunois (natural son of
Louis of Orleans), the famous
French general ( 1402- 146 8), was
so called.
Bastille.
The famous state prison of
Paris, built in 1370 by Charles
V, and destroyed by the mob
in 1789, at the beginning of the
French Revolution.
Bates' Case.
A case decided in 1606, in the
reign of James I, in which the
judges held that it was lawful
for the King to raise the customs
duties without the consent of
Parliament,
Bath, Order of the.
An order of knighthood,
founded by Henry IV in 1399-
From the time of Charles I it
lapsed, until revived by George
I in 1725 as a military order,
which it remained until 1845,
when it was established on its
present basis with a military and
a civil division.
Bats, Parliament of.
See Club Parliament.
Battles.
See Brothers, Chapter of Mit-
ton, Clan Chattan, Clouds, Death
Ride, Dingaan, Dysiefald,
Eperons, Field of Mourning,
Giants, Glorious, Herrings, Last,
Loose Coat, Nations, Seven
Days, Soldiers, Spurs, Standard,
Thirty, Three Emperors.
Bavarian Succession, War of the.
A war between Austria and
Prussia, arising out of the failure
of the male line of the Bavarian
princely house. No fighting took
place, and the pending questions
were settled by the Peace of
Teschen in 1779.
Bay State.
A name given to the State of
Massachusetts, U.S.A., from the
old name of the Colony, namely
" Massachusetts Bay."
Bayonne Decree.
A decree issued by Napoleon
26 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
in 1808, ordering that all foreign
vessels then in French ports
should be seized.
Bayou State.
The State of Mississippi, U.S.A.,
is so called from the number of
creeks or bayous along its
shores.
Bear State.
Arkansas, U.S.A., is so called
from the bears that in former
days infested its forests.
Bearnais, Le.
Henri IV of France was so
called from Beam, his native
province.
Beau Sabreur, Le.
The sobriquet of Joachim
Murat, Napoleon's best cavalry
leader, created by him King of
Naples.
Beauclerc.
The sobriquet of Henry I of
England, in allusion to his
scholarship, which was superior
to that of most mediaeval
monarchs.
Bee, Compromise of.
An arrangement between
Henry I and Anselm, Archbishop
of Canterbury, in 1 106, by which
the long standing dispute as to
the King's right of investiture
was settled. By this arrange-
ment the King retained the right
of exacting from the Bishops
the oath of fealty and homage,
surrendering the purely formal
right of bestowing the ring and
crozier.
Bedchamber Question.
The dif&culty that arose be-
tween Queen Victoria and Sir
Robert Peel, on the resignation
of the Melbourne Ministry in
1839. Through some misunder-
standing the Queen thought that
Peel wished her to change all
the ladies holding Court ap-
pointments, a step she refused
to take. It ended in Peel re-
fusing to take office, and Lord
Melbourne coming back.
Bedford Protest.
A protest signed by a hastily
summoned meeting of the min-
ority of the House of Lords in
March, 1766, on the night that
the repeal of the Stamp Act,
imposing stamp duties on the
American Colonies, passed that
House. The signatories to the
protest were headed by the Duke
of Bedford.
Beggars, The.
See Gueux.
Beggars of the Sea.
A company of Dutch priva-
teersmen, commissioned by the
Prince of Orange, circ. 1570, to
prey upon Spanish commerce.
Their chief was William de la
Marck.
Beggars, The Wild.
A brotherhood of freebooters,
who, under the guise of a
revolutionary faction, infested
the Netherlands about 1568.
Behring Sea Fisheries.
The question as to the right
of Canadian sealers to capture
seals in Behring Sea (known as
Pelagic Sealing), after being
long in dispute, was submitted
to arbitration in 1892. The
United States claimed to have
acquired from Russia, by the
purchase of Alaska, the ex-
clusive right to the seal fisheries
of the Behring Sea, alleging
that this right had always been
claimed by Russia, without pro-
test from Great Britain, and that
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 27
their interest in the seal herd
justified them in putting a stop
to pelagic sealing. In 1893 the
arbitrators decided that the
United States had not acquired
any such exclusive right. Fur-
ther, as authorized by the terms
of the reference, they made the
following regulations : all seal-
ing within sixty maritime miles
of the ProbylofE Islands to be
forbidden; a close time for seals
to be established, and all sealing
vessels to be licensed.
Bekcagsog, Convention of.
A treaty between Great Brit-
ain and Sweden, by v/hich Great
Britain undertook to pay 12,000
men to be employed in Pom-
erania in aid of the coalition
against Napoleon in 1805,
Bel Anglais, Le.
A name given by the French
to John Churchill, the great
Duke of Marlborough.
Belgian Neutrality Treaty.
The neutrality of Belgium
being threatened by the Franco-
German War in 1870, treaties
were signed by Great Britain
with France and Germany re-
spectively, by which the bel-
ligerents agreed to respect the
neutrality of Belgium during
the war and for one year after its
close, from which date the Treaty
of London of 1839 was again to
become operative.
Belgrade, Treaty of.
A treaty between Austria and
Russia on the one hand, and
Turkey on the other, by which
Austria surrendered Wallachia
and Servia, while Russia with-
drew from her conquests in
Moldavia and Bessarabia, and
renounced her rights of navi-
gation in the Black Sea. This
treaty was signed in 1739, after
the capture of Belgrade by the
Turks.
Bell the Cat.
The sobriquet of Archibald
Douglas, the " great " Earl of
Angus, which he earned by
undertaking to take the lead
in removing James III of Scot-
land from the pernicious in-
fluence of Cochrane, Earl of
Mar, in 1481.
Belski.
One of the two factions of
nobles who between them ruled
Russia during the minority of
Ivan IV (The Terrible), circ.
1533, The other faction was
that of the Chouiski.
Belted Will.
Lord WilUam Howard (1563-
1640), Warden of the Marches,
was so called,
Benares, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1773 be-
tween Warren Hastings and the
Vizier of Oude, by which it was
stipulated that an English force
should be lent to Oude for ser-
vice against the Rohillas, the
Vizier paying forty lacs down
and two lacs per month for their
services. Further, Hastings
agreed to cede Oorah and Alla-
habad to Oude, in return for an
annual tribute of fifty lacs of
rupees.
Benedictines.
The first regular monastic
order, founded by St. Benedict
in 527.
Benefit of Clergy.
The right claimed by the
Church to withdraw its members
from the jurisdiction of the
secular courts, to be dealt with by
the ecclesiastical coiirts. In the
28 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
dark ages " clerk " was held to
cover all who could read, but
with the spread of education
after the Renaissance, the abuse
of this definition became in-
tolerable, and in 1532, an act
was passed limiting the right
of pleading benefit of clergy,
in cases of felony, to those of the
rank of sub-deacon and above.
Benevolences.
An arbitrary method of tax-
ation without the consent of
Parliament, introduced by Ed-
ward IV of England. Benevo-
lences were declared illegal by
the Parliament of Richard III.
Bengal Land Law.
An Indian Act passed in 1859,
by which the proprietary rights
of the cultivators under the
Zemindari system in Bengal
were recognized with certain
restrictions.
Bengal Mutiny.
An agitation in the East India
Company's regiments in 1795-6
for the assimilation of the con-
ditions of pay and pensions to
those established by Lord Corn-
wallis in the Civil Service. The
Company handled the matter
with very little discretion, pro-
moting one of the leading mal-
contents to an important post,
but Lord Wellesley on his
arrival took stern measures, and
the embryo mutiny quickly
subsided.
Bergara, Convention of.
The surrender of the Carlists
under General Maroto in 1839,
which ended the great Carlist
war.
Berlin Congress.
A congress held at Berlin in
1878, after the conclusion of the
Russo-Turkish war. The out-
come of the Congress was a
Treaty, which modified the
terms of the Treaty of San
Stefano. By its provisions
Roumania, Servia and Monte-
negro were made independent
States, the latter also obtaining
a port on the Adriatic. The
northern portion of Bulgaria
was made a self-governing State,
under the suzerainty of the
Porte, and the southern portion,
known as Eastern Roumelia,
remained Turkish territory, but
under a Christian governor.
Austria was to administer Bos-
nia and Herzegovina, Roumania
returned a portion of Bessarabia
to Russia, while in Asia Turkey
ceded Ardalian, Kars, and
Batoum to Russia. It is of this
treaty that Lord Beaconsfield
used the famous phrase " We
have brought back Peace with
Honour."
Berlin Decree.
A decree issued by Napoleon
in 1806, proclaiming the Con-
tinental Blockade.
Berserker.
The bravest champions of the
Vikings were so called, perhaps
because they fought in their
shirts, without coats of mail.
They seem in battle to have
worked themselves into a kind
of frenzy, known as the Berserk
rage, somewhat resembling that
of the Mohammedan " Ghazi."
Berwick, Treaty of.
A treaty between Charles'|i
and the Scotch in 1639, following
Charles' abortive attempt to
invade Scotland, by which it
was agreed that a free Scottish
Parliament should be held, in
return for which concession
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 29
the royal castles were to be re-
turned, and the army of the
Covenanters disbanded.
Bessborough Commission.
A commission, under the
chairmanship of the Earl of
Bessborough, appointed to re-
port on the Irish Land Laws.
Following on its report, Mr.
Gladstone introduced the Irish
Land Bill of 189 1.
Betterment.
The increase in the value of
property in a certain limited
area, owing to municipal im-
provements, such as roads and
bridges. Certain municipal re-
formers advocate the levying
of a special rate from persons
thus benefiting, instead of
throwing the whole cost of the
improvements upon the rate-
payers as a body.
Betting Act.
See Cockburn's Act.
Bezaaygeld.
A tax levied in Holland about
the middle of the eighteenth
century on seed put into the
ground.
Bianchi.
A sect of fanatics who appeared
in Italy in 1399. They dressed
always in long white garments,
and lived entirely on bread and
water. They are said to have
brought about a remarkable im-
provement in the morals of the
time, but they were neverthe-
less opposed by the Pope.
Bianchi and Neri.
The two factions of the Guelf
party in Florence, circ. 1300.
Modern Italian society is di-
vided into sections, also bearing
these two names, of which the
former are supporters of the
House of Savoy, while the latter
uphold the temporal claims of
the Vatican.
Biatagh.
A tenant in Ireland, in the
Celtic times, who held his land
on the tenure of providing hos-
pitality for travellers.
Bien Aime, Le.
The sobriquet of Louis XV of
France (17 15-1774).
Bien Public, Guerre du.
An insurrection against Louis
XI of certain malcontent nobles,
aided by the Dukes of Bur-
gundy, Brittany, and Bourbon.
It was ended by the Treaty of
Conflans, in 1465.
Big Beggarman.
Daniel O'ConneU was so called
by the Irish landlords.
Bill of Right.
The Act passed by the Con-
vention Parliament in 1689,
embodying as a statute the
Declaration of Rights accepted
by William III.
Bills of Exchange Act.
An Act passed in 1882, codi-
fying the various acts and de-
cisions relating to Bills of Ex-
change. It is practically the
only codification in the law of
Great Britain.
Bimetallists.
The advocates of a monetary
system which would place gold
and silver on the same basis
for coinage purposes, by making
silver legal tender to any amount,
and establishing a fixed ratio of
value between the two metals.
Birkenhead, Wreck of the.
The Birkenhead, a troopshipi
was wrecked near the Cape of
30 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Good Hope in 1852. There
were not sufficient boats to save
all on board, and while the
women and children were all
saved, the troops stood to at-
tention on the main deck, and
went down with the ship.
Birmingham Riots.
An outbreak in Birmingham
in 1 79 1, directed against Dr.
Priestley, who had organized a
dinner of sympathizers with the
French Revolution, to celebrate
the anniversary of the fall of
the Bastille. Dr. Priestley's
house and library were wrecked.
Biron's Plot.
An attempt by the Baron de
Biron, one of the King's most
trusted generals, to unite the
Catholic and Huguenot mal-
contents against Henri IV, in
conjunction with a league of
Spain and Savoy against the
French king. The plot was be-
trayed by a subordinate, named
La Fin, and Biron was con-
demned and executed in 1602.
Bishop Usher's Model.
A compromise between the
Episcopalians and Presby-
terians, proposed by Bishop
Usher after the Restoration.
He suggested that while the
bishops were restored, a number
of suffragan bishops should be
appointed, each of whom was
to be president of a council of
Presbyters. Charles II de-
clared himself in favour of this
form of union, but when a bill
was prepared to carry it into
effect, the whole power of the
Court was utilized to secure its
rejection.
Bishops in Partibus Infidelium.
In theRoman Catholic Church,
Bishops holding imaginary sees,
in countries where there is no
Catholic community, were for-
merly so called. Since 1882
they have been styled Titular
Bishops.
Bismarck of Asia.
Li Hung Chang, the Chinese
statesman, was so called.
Black Act.
An Act passed in 1722 to put
a stop to the depredations of
certain persons who frequented
Epping Forest in disguise and
killed the deer. The Act was
repealed in 1827.
Black Agnes.
Agnes, wife of the Earl of
March, who was distinguished for
her gallant defence of Dunbar
against the English in 1339.
Black Assize.
The assize held at Oxford
in July, 1577, when an' outbreak
of typhus fever carried off three
hundred persons, including many
of the officials and jurors at-
tending the court.
Black Bands.
A body of German soldiers
enlisted by Louis XII of France,
and employed in the Italian wars
of the sixteenth century.
Black Bartholomew.
St. Bartholomew's Day, 1662,
is so called. On this day all
beneficed clergy had to declare
their assent to the Book of
Common Prayer, in accordance
with the provisions of the Act of
Uniformity, and those who re-
fused were deprived of their
livings. Over two thousand
Presbyterians were ejected from
their parishes on this day.
Black Book.
The name given to the report
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 31
of the committee appointed by-
Henry VIII in 1535 to investi-
gate the condition of the monas-
teries.
Black Box.
A box said to have contained
the marriage certificate of Charles
II and Lucy Waters, the mother
of the Duke of Monmouth, and
to have been stolen from her.
Had the documents it purported
to contain been forthcoming,
they would, of course, have es-
tablished the Duke's right to
the throne in the place of
James II.
Black Brunswickers.
A regiment of horse raised by
the Duke of Brunswick in 1809,
to avenge the death of his father
who was killed at Auerstadt.
They wore black uniforms, and
their badge was the skull and
crossbones.
Black Circuit.
A circuit held in Cape Colony
in 18 12 to investigate the
charges brought by the London
Missionary Society against the
Dutch settlers of iUtreating their
native slaves. The results
showed that the charges were
grossly exaggerated, but a great
deal of illfeehngwas engendered
amongst the Dutch by the
thoroughness with which the
EngUsh Government went into
the matter.
Black Clergy.
The members of the regular
monastic orders in Russia. They
alone take any part in the
ecclesiastical administration.
Black Death.
A pestilence which passed over
Europe, and finally reached
England in 1349. Its ravages
were terrible, amounting, ac-
cording to some chroniclers,
to a third of the population. It
probably had its origin in the
East, and is thought by some
to have been the disease now
known as the Bubonic Plague.
Black Eagle, Order of the.
The most coveted of the
Prussian orders of knighthood.
It was founded by Frederick I
in 1 70 1, to commemorate his
assumption of the royal title.
It is limited to thirty members,
who must be of noble descent
for four generations.
Black Flags.
Rebel Chinese in the service
of the King of Annam, who
were the most dangerous op-
ponents of the French during
the Tong-King war.
Black Friday.
May II, 1866, on which day
the failure of Overend and Gur-
ney was announced. There was
a terrible panic in financial circles,
and, among other extraordinary
measures, it was found necessary
to suspend the Bank Charter.
Black Hole of Calcutta.
The dungeon in which some
200 English prisoners were con-
fined when Calcutta was taken
by Surabjah Dowlah, the Subah-
dar of Bengal, in 1756. Only
twenty-three survived the night.
Black Monday.
The name given to an Irish
rising in County Dublin in
1209, which nearly exterminated
the newly-established English
Colony.
Black Popes.
The chiefs of the Society of
Jesus, during the Papacy of
Pius IX, were known by this
name, their power in Rome
32 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
being almost as great as that of
the Pope himself.
Black Prince.
The sobriquet of Edward,
Prince of Wales, son of Edward
III, from the black armour
which he habitually wore.
Black Rent.
An annual stipend paid by
the English settlers within the
Pale to the Irish chieftains
on their borders, in consideration
of their restraining their fol-
lowers from raiding the English
settlements. Black Rent was
first paid about 14 lo.
Black Sea Treaty.
A treaty signed in London
in 1 87 1 by the signatories of
the Treaty of Paris of 1856.
In 1870, Russia, taking advan-
tage of the Franco-German war,
issued a note, declaring herself
no longer bound by the clause
of that treaty neutralising the
Black Sea. A conference was
called in London to consider the
situation, and by the resulting
treaty the clause in question
was abrogated. The conference
also took the opportunity to
prolong the existence of the
Danubian Commission for a
further period of twelve years.
Black Thursday.
Thursday, February 6, 185 1,
is so called in Victoria. A very
dry summer was followed by the
simultaneous outbreak on that
day of numerous bush fires,
which did enormous damage,
and even threatened Melbourne,
coming within a few miles of the
town.
Black Watch.
A body of Highlanders, en-
rolled in 1725 for the purpose of
maintaining order in the High-
lands. They were made a regu-
lar line regiment in 1739, and
numbered the 43rd. They later
became the 42nd, and are now
the Royal Highlanders (Black
Watch).
Black Wednesday.
See Victorian Deadlocks.
Blackbirders.
The name given to the vessels
engaged in the Kanaka labour
trafiic in the Southern Seas.
Blackburn Riots.
A series of disturbances by
the Lancashire weavers, in 1826,
as a protest against the intro-
duction of machinery. A large
amount of damage was done
before the rioters were dis-
persed by the troops.
Blanche Nef.
The White Ship, in which
Prince William, son of Henry I,
was returning to England, after
the close of Henry's second
French war. The vessel struck
coming out of Barfleur harbour,
and only one of the crew escaped.
Blancs d'Espagne.
The name given to the ultra-
royalist party in France who
support the claim of the Spanish
Bourbons, represented by Gene-
ral de Bourbon, to the throne
of France.
Bland Act.
An Act of Congress passed
in 1878, at the instance of Mr.
Bland, providing for the coin-
age' of silver dollars of 41 2^ grains
Troy, which should be legal
tender in payment of all debts
and dues. The State was
bound to purchase not more
than four or less than two mil-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 33
lion dollars worth of silver per
annum, to be so coined, and the
profit in the operation was to
belong to the State.
Blanketeers.
The name given to a party of
Lancashire operatives, who, in
the famine year of 18 17, started
to march to London, to demand
assistance from Parliament.
Each man carried provisions
and a blanket, hence the name.
Blanquillos.
The supporters of Oribe in
Uruguay, in 1835. Their op-
ponents, who followed Rivera,
were called Colorados.
Bloc, Le.
The name given to the general
body of Republicans, of various
shades of opinion, in the French
Chamber, who supported the
Ministry of M. Combes in
1902-3.
Bloemfontein Conference.
A conference of delegates from
Cape Colony, Natal, and the
Orange Free State, which met in
1895 to discuss the question of
a Customs Union. Natal could
not come to terms, and with-
drew, but an arrangement was
arrived at by the other two
parties, and a convention tariff,
with five per cent, ad valorem
duties, was accepted by both
Governments.
Bloemfontein Convention.
A convention signed in 1854,
by which the British Govern-
ment abolished the Orange River
Sovereignty, and recognized the
independence of the Orange
Free State. Among the pro-
visions of the treaty were clauses
binding the British Government
to make no treaties with native
chiefs likely to be detrimental
to the interests of the Republic,
forbidding slavery, and pro-
viding for extradition.
Blood and Iron, The Man of.
A nickname of Prince Bis-
marck, taken from a phrase in
a speech delivered by him in
1862.
Blood Bath of Stockholm.
The execution, by Christian II,
the last king of United Scandi-
navia, of many of the leaders
of the Swedish National party,
in 1520, after the capture of
Stockholm. In the same year
Gustavus Vasa raised the stan-
dard of revolt, and the war which
followed led to the final ex-
pulsion of the Danes, and the
crowning of Gustavus as ICing of
Sweden.
Blood Council.
A tribunal established in
1567 by Alva in the Nether-
lands, to deal with the crime of
treason. It had no charter,
or of&cial authority of any kind,
but it practically usurped the
functions of the Council of
State, and exercised jurisdiction
over all municipal bodies and
provincial parliaments. It was
abolished in 1576. It was also
known as the Council of
Troubles.
Blood, Man of.
Charles I was so called by the
Puritan party, because he waged
war on the Parliament.
Blood Tax.
The sixteenth section of the
Crimes Act of 1882, by which it
was proposed to levy compen-
sation for murder or maiming
on the ratepayers of the dis
trict where the crime was com-
D
34
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
mitted, was so called by the
Irish members.
Blood-red Wedding.
See Noces Vermeilles.
Blood-wite.
Another name for Were-gild.
Bloods, The Five.
The five chief septs or clans
in Ireland in the middle ages.
They were the O'Neills of
Ulster, the O'Briens of Thomond,
the O'Connors of Connaught,
the O'Lachlans of Meath, and
the M'Murroughs of Leinster.
Bloody Assize of Eperies.
A tribunal established by
Leopold I of Austria after the
defeat of the Turks at Vienna
and their expulsion from Hun-
gary. It was intended to remove
those who had been concerned
in Tokoli's rising, and many
nobles and magnates were
brought before this tribunal on
the charge of being in corres-
pondence with Tokoli. Most
of those accused were condem-
ned, and so numerous were the
victims that thirty executioners
were employed.
Bloody Assizes.
The Assizes held by Jeffreys
on the Western Circuit, shortly
after the suppression of Mon-
mouth's rebellion in 1686. Hun-
dreds of Monmouth's adherents
were sent to the scaffold, or
transported as slaves to the
West Indies.
Bloody Statute.
The Act of the Six Articles,
passed in the reign of Henry
VIII, was so called.
Blue-Grass State.
A name sometimes given to
the State of Kentucky, U.S.A.,
which contains the famous blue
grass region, celebrated for the
raising of horses.
Blue Laws of Connecticut.
A series of enactments said
to have existed in Connecticut,
circ. 1640, by which the death
penalty was inflicted for idola-
try, blasphemy, witchcraft,
theft, perjury, adultery and
disobedience to parents. It is,
however, generally believed that
they are apocryphal.
Bluff King Hal.
The nickname of Henry VIII.
Board of Control.
The board established by
Pitt's India Act in 1784 to
supervise the Government of
India by the East India Com-
pany.
Bobbing John.
The sobriquet of the Earl of
Mar, the Jacobite leader in the
rebellion of 18 15. He was a
notorious trimmer.
Bocca di Leone.
The name given to the open-
ing in the wall of the ante-
chamber in the Doge's Palace
at Venice, into which anonymous
accusations were dropped.
Bocland.
In Saxon times, land held by
grant or by charter from the
public lands.
Body of Liberties.
The first constitution of Mas-
sachusetts, prepared by Nathan-
iel Ward. It provided that all
public officials should be chosen
annually by the freemen of the
plantation. Each town also
elected deputies to a general
assembly, to serve for one year.
Each town had the right to make
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 35
its own bye-laws. It further
provided for the annual election
of judges, and for equal justice
to all, including foreigners, while
severe penalties were enacted
for witchcraft and blasphemy.
Bomba.
The sobriquet of Ferdinand
II, King of the Two Sicilies
(1759-1825).
Bombay, Cession of.
Bombay was ceded to Charles
II by Portugal in 1662, as part
of the dowry of the Infanta
of Portugal. In 1668 it was
surrendered by the Crown to
the East India Company.
Bonaght.
See Coyne and Livery.
Bond.
See Afrikander.
Bond-Blaine Convention.
An agreement between New-
foundland and the United States,
signed in 1890, providing for
the continuance of the modus
Vivendi affording reciprocal fish-
ing rights to the two countries.
Bondevenner.
The Peasants' Friends, a
political party formed in Den-
mark in 1845, in the interests of
the rural population.
Bondi.
In Norse times, the freeholders
or owners of Odal land.
Book of Rates.
A table of unauthorized im-
port duties issued by Cecil, Earl
of Salisbury, in 1608, after the
decision in the Crown's favour
in Bates' case. In 1610 the
Commons declared these im-
positions illegal.
Book of Sports.
A declaration of James I in
161 8, as to the sports which
might lawfully be indulged in
on Sundays after Divine Ser-
vice. Dancing, archery, may-
poles, leaping were permitted;
bear-baiting was forbidden.
None, however, might take part
unless they had been to church.
Booth's Conspiracy.
A conspiracy headed by John
Wilkes Booth, at the end of the
American Civil War, having for
its object the assassination of
the President, Vice-President,
and some others. President
Lincoln was shot by Booth on
April 14, 1865, and on the same
date Seward, the Secretary of
State, was wounded by Payne,
another of the conspirators.
The conspirators were brought
to trial, and four of them
hanged, the others being sen-
tenced to various terms of im-
prisonment.
Border Laws.
A code of laws framed in 1249
by a commission composed of
twelve English and twelve Scot-
tish knights. They dealt with
the surrender of fugitives cross-
ing the border, and provided for
the trial of border raiders by
special courts, held under the
joint authority of the two
nations.
Border States.
Before the American Civil
War, this name was applied to
the States bordering on the
free states, namely, Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky,
and Missouri.
Borough English, Custom of.
An old system of land tenure,
still existing in certain ancient
boroughs, whereb}'' real estate
passes to the youngest son.
36 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Boston Massacre.
A small affray in Boston in
1770, in which the troops fired
on the rioters, and a few persons
were killed. Captain Preston,
who commanded the troops,
was tried and acquitted.
Boston Port Act.
An Act passed in 1774, closing
the Custom House and Port of
Boston. It was passed as a
measure of retaliation for the
action of the inhabitants in
preventing the importation of
tea by the East India Company
free of the English duty.
Boston Tea Riots.
In December, 1773, on the
arrival of the tea-ships of the
East India Company, bringing
duty-free tea, the ships were
boarded by a party of men dis-
guised as Red Indians, who
threw the tea into the harbour.
The result of this action was the
passing of the Boston Port
Act.
Botany Bay.
A small inlet in the coast of
New South Wales, where the
first convict establishment was
formed in 1787. The penal
settlement was removed to Port
Jackson in the following year,
but the name was constantly
used, generically, for the convict
settlements in Australia.
Boulangists.
The supporters of General
Boulanger, who obtained a brief
popularity in France in 1886,
largely owing to the army re-
forms he introduced while Minis-
ter of War. He gradually,
however, attracted to his stan-
dard the reactionary parties,
who hoped that he would destroy
Parliamentary Government.
He quickly obtained a large
following in the country, rather
by denunciation of Parliament-
ary abuses than by the advo-
cacy of any definite policy, and
in 1888 he was elected for three
Departments. At this period he
might have overturned the
Government, but shrank from
the decisive step, and from that
time his influence began to wane.
He left France to escape prose-
cution, and his following quickly
dwindled awav, until in 1890, it
was found desirable to dissolve
the Boulangist committee.
Boulanger committed suicide
in Brussels in 189 1.
Bounty, Mutiny of the.
A mutiny on board H.M.S.
Bounty, Captain Bligh, headed
by a master's mate named
Christian, in 1790. The mutin-
eers made first for Tahiti, but
eventually settled on Pitcairn
Island, where they founded a
community whose descendants
still inhabit the island. Pit-
cairn Island was taken under
British protection in 1839.
Boustrapa.
A nickname of Napoleon III,
compounded of the first syllables
of Boulogne, Strasbourg, and
Paris, the scenes of his two
unsuccessful and one successful
coups d'etat, in 1840, 1836, and
1 85 1 respectively.
Bow Street Runners.
Eight famous police officers,
attached to Bow Street Police
Court, who were appointed
about 1805. The most famous
of them was Townsend. They
were also known as the " Robin
Redbreasts " from their red
waistcoats.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
37
Boxers.
A Chinese Secret Society,
whose principal object is the
expulsion from China of Euro-
peans, and especially of mission-
aries. They have met with
considerable sympathy in Court
circles, and their outrages in
1900 led to a joint European
expedition. Their rising was
suppressed for a time, but the
agitation is seething, and may
break out again at any time.
Boy Popes.
This title is given to John XII,
who was elected Pope in 956,
at the age of eighteen, and Bene-
dict IX, who was Pope from
1033 to 1044, having been
chosen at the age of ten.
Boyars.
In early Russian history, the
large landowners, under the
authority of the great princes
who ruled the various Principali-
ties into which Russia was
divided.
Boycotting.
One of the weapons employed
by the Irish Land League, in
its campaign against the land-
lords. It consists in ostraciz-
ing the person aimed at, and
forbidding any one to deal with
or work for him, or supply his
wants. Its first victim was
Captain Boycott, the agent of the
Earl of Erne in 1880, and from
his name the word is derived.
Boys.
The name given by Walpole
to the party of young Whigs,
under William Pitt, who acted
with the " Patriots " in 1733.
Braemar Gathering.
See Hunting of Braemar.
Brahmins.
The highest or priestly caste
among the Hindus,
Brahmo Somaj.
A Hindu sect, founded in
1830 by Rammohun Roy. Its
tenets are monotheistic, reject-
ing the numerous gods of the
Hindu Pantheon, and adoring
Brahma as the supreme deity.
Its adherents ignore all caste
distinctions.
Brandy Nan.
Queen Anne was so called by
the Londoners.
Bras de Fer.
The sobriquet of Baldwin,
first Count of Flanders.
Bras Droit du Cardinal.
A nickname of Fran9ois du
Tremblay, the familiar of
Cardinal' Richelieu. He was
also called the Alter Ego of
Richelieu, and VEminence
Grise.
Brass Band, The Pope's.
A band of agitators in Ireland,
under the leadership of John
Sadleir, who stumped the
country in opposition to the
Ecclesiastical Titles Bill in
1851.
Brave des Braves, Le Plus.
The sobriquet of Marshal
Ney, conferred on him by
Napoleon during the Russian
campaign of 18 12.
Bread and Cheese War.
A peasant revolt in Kemmer-
land and Friesland in 1491,
caused b}' the exaction of the
Ruytergeld, notwithstanding the
enormous price of bread.
Bread Riots.
A series of disturbances in
various parts of England, in
38 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
1816, caused by the high prices
of food-stuffs, due to the bad
harvest and the cessation of
the Great War. In many places
it was necessary to call out the
military to disperse the rioters.
Breda, Compromise of.
The agreement between the
Catholic and Protestant nobles
of the Netherlands to agitate
for the exclusion of the Inquisi-
tion. It was signed at Breda
in 1566, and from it originated
the Society of the Gueux.
Breda, Declaration of.
A manifesto issued by Charles
II, in 1660, after the retirement
of Richard Cromwell. By this
instrument he promised a
general amnesty, liberty of
conscience, the settlement by
Parliament of the various claims
to forfeited estates, and pay-
ment of all arrears due to the
army, subject always to such
advice as might subsequently
be tendered him by Parliament,
Breda, Peace of.
Three treaties signed by
England with Holland, France
and Denmark respectively in
1667, after the naval war with
Holland, in which de Witte had
succeeded in penetrating to
Sheerness. By the treaty with
Holland, each country retained
her conquests, England thus
securing New York and New
Jersey, and Holland, Surinam.
By the treaty with France,
England acquired St. Kitts,
Antigua and Montserrat, and
restored to France Nova Scotia
and Cayenne. By that with
Denmark, the latter power re-
served her right to the Orkneys.
Brehon Law.
The Irish Law which pre-
vailed throughout Ireland after
the conquest by Henry II,
excepting within the Pale. It
was abolished in the reign of
James I.
Breslau, Treaty of.
A treaty between Prussia
and Austria, signed in 1742,
after Frederick's victory at
Chotusitz. Austria ceded Si-
lesia to Prussia.
Bretigny, Peace of.
A treaty, signed in 1360, four
years after the battle of Poi-
tiers, between Edward III and
the Dauphin Charles. By it
France surrendered to England,
Gascony, Guienne, and Poitou,
Saintonge, Perigord,Limoges and
other counties in the south,
Montreuil, Ponthieu and Calais
in the north, freed from all
feudal claims. England sur-
rendered her claim to the French
crown, and to all sovereignty
in Normandy, Touraine, Anjou,
Maine, Brittany and Flanders,
and agreed to release King John
on payment of a ransom of three
million gold pieces.
Breton Club.
A revolutionary club formed
in Paris in the early days of the
Revolution. Its founders were
certain Breton deputies, and
among its members were many
who were afterwards prominent
Jacobins, amongst others Robes-
pierre.
Bretts and Scots, Laws of the.
The code of laws under which
the Celtic inhabitants of Scot-
land were governed, up to the
thirteenth century. This code
was abolished by an edict of
Edward I, when he conquered
Scotland in 1305.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 39
Bretwalda.
Under the Saxon Heptarchy,
the sovereign of one of the
seven kingdoms was often ac-
knowledged as the leader of the
Federation, under the title of
Bretwalda.
Brewer of Ghent.
James van Arteveldt, the
leader of the Burgher party in
Flanders in 1338, was so called.
Bridal of Norwich.
A conspiracy against Wil-
liam I, entered into at the bridal
feast of Ralph of Gwader, Earl
of Norfolk, and Emma, sister
of the Earl of Hereford. The
two earls, with Waltheof, Earl
of Nottingham, designed to
depose William and divide the
kingdom between them. Wal-
theof seems to have repented,
and confessed the plot to Lan-
franc. The conspiracy was at
once suppressed, Waltheof exe-
cuted, and Hereford imprisoned
for life, while Ralph escaped to
Brittany.
Bride of the Sea.
Venice was so called, in allu-
sion to the annual ceremony of
the Marriage of the Adriatic.
Brig-bot.
In Anglo-Saxon times, a tax
levied on freemen for the repair
of bridges,
Brigham, Treaty of.
A treaty between England
and Scotland signed in 1290,
by which a marriage was ar-
ranged between the Maid of
Norway, heiress to the Scottish
throne, and the son of Edward I.
It was agreed that the two king-
doms, though under one crown,
should remain separate, each
under its own laws. England
was not to call on Scotland for
military aid, and no appeal was
to lie from the Scotch to the
English courts. The death of
the Maid of Norway, however,
rendered the stipulations of this
treaty null and void.
Bright Clauses.
The clauses in the Irish Land
Act of 1870, dealing with the
sale of land to tenants are so
called, John Bright having for
many years advocated State
aid in the creation of a peasant
proprietary in Ireland.
Brilliant Madman.
Charles XII of Sweden is
so called.
Brissotins.
The followers of Brissot, one
of the leaders of the Gironde,
during the French Revolution.
The name fell into disuse, as
the party became merged in the
Girondins.
Bristol Riots.
A riot in Bristol in 1831, con-
sequent upon the rejection of
the Reform Bill by the House
of Lords. The Recorder of
Bristol, Sir Charles Wetherell,
was mobbed on his entrance
into the city, and the rioters
seized the town hall. The
weakness of the authorities left
the disorder unchecked for two
days, but at the last the mihtary
were called out and the disturb-
ance suppressed.
British Empire League.
An association formed in
1896 to carry on the work of the
Imperial Federation League, in
educating the nation to an
understanding of the needs of
the Empire. The Duke of
Devonshire was the first presi-
dent.
40 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Broad-bottomed Administration.
Pelham's Ministry as recon-
structed in 1744 was so called,
because it contained members
representing every shade of
Whig opinion, and even a certain
admixture of Toryism.
Bromsebro, Treaty of.
A treaty between Sweden and
Denmark, signed in 1645, by
which Denmark surrendered
Jamtland, Hejealand and
Halland, and granted to Swed-
ish vessels exemption from the
payment of Sound Dues.
Brother Jonathan.
The nickname of the American
nation.
Brothers, Battle of the.
The name given to the battle
of Fontenay, June 25, 841, at
which Charles the Bald and
Louis the German, sons of Louis
le Debonaire, totally defeated
their brother Lothair.
Brownists.
A dissenting sect, who seceded
from the Church in 1582. They
objected to general church
government, and claimed for
each congregation the right to
regulate its own worship. They
may be considered the fore-
runners of the Independents.
Brunnen, League of.
See Perpetual League.
Brussels Conference, 1874.
A conference of the Powers
held in Brussels in 1874, at the
suggestion of the Russian
Government, to consider the
usages of war. Great Britain
entered the conference with
many reservations, declining
to send a plenipotentiary, and
no changes of any importance
were agreed to.
Brussels Conference, 1876.
A conference of the Powers
held at Brussels in 1876, at
which an International Associa-
tion was formed for the purpose
of exploring and civilizing
Central Africa, This association
was the germ of the Congo Free
State.
Brussels Convention.
A convention signed by the
sugar-producing countries in
1902, by which the contracting
parties undertook that in the
event of any sugar-producing
country declining to abolish
bounties, they would prohibit
the importation of sugar from
such country, or impose counter-
vailing duties.
Brussels, Union of.
An agreement, signed in 15 17
by certain Catholic noblemen
of the Netherlands, to unite for
the purpose of expelling the
Spanish garrison, while at the
same time maintaining the
Catholic religion, and the sover-
eignty of the king.
Buccaneers.
An association of sea-rovers
formed about 1525, to harry
the Spanish possessions in South
America, and prey upon their
commerce. They were of
various nationalities, but chiefly
English and French, and their
most famous leaders were Mont-
bars, known as the Exterminator,
and Henry Morgan, afterwards
Sir Henry, and Deputy-Governor
of Jamaica. Under the latter
leader they crossed the Isthmus
and sacked the city of Panama
in 1 67 1, and for years they
paralyzed the Spanish trade,
both in the Caribbean Sea and
in the Pacific. They ceased to
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
41
exist as an association early in
the eighteenth century, but
some of them continued a career
of indiscriminate piracy for many
years longer. They were called
by the French Flibustiers.
Bucharest, Treaty of.
A treaty, signed by Russia
and Turkey in 18 12, after the
war which began in 1806, and
ended in the defeat of the Turks
by Kutusoff in the later year.
Turkey by this treaty surren-
dered all her territory north of
the Pruth.
Buckeye State.
The popular name of the
State of Ohio, U.S.A., from the
number of buckeye-trees found
within its borders.
Budchaz, Treaty of.
A treaty between Poland and
Turkey, signed in 1670, by
which Poland surrendered the
Ukraine, and agreed to pay an
annual tribute of 20,000 ducats.
Bulgarian Atrocities.
A rising of the Mohammedan
inhabitants of Bulgaria, assisted
by the Bashi-Bazouks, or
Turkish Irregulars, against the
Christians in 1876. Thousands
of Christians were massacred,
and horrible cruelties perpe-
trated, though it is held by some
authorities that the stories told
were grossly exaggerated.
Turkey refused redress, and
Russia consequently declared
war in the following year.
Bulls, Papal.
See Adrian, Ausculta Fili,
Clericis Laicos, Cum ex Aposto-
latus, Decet Romanum, Demar-
cation, Deposition, Dominus
ac Redemptor, Exsurge Dom-
ine, Golden, Greater, In Coena
Domini, In Eminenti, Ineffa-
bilis Deus, Inter Gravissimas,
Lesser, Regimen Militantis,
Unam Sanctam, Unigenitus,
Vox in Excelso.
Bundesrath.
The assembly of representa-
tives of the twenty-two states
forming the North German
Confederation.
Bundschuh.
A peasant revolt in Germany
in 1502.
Burgage.
The tenure by which bur-
gesses of towns held their lands.
It was similar to socage.
Burgfrieden.
A confederation of the cities
of the Rhine, formed for com-
mercial purposes, circ. 1255.
Burgher Senate.
A council of six members,
established at the Cape in 1796,
after the capture of that Colony
by the English. Its duties
were to advise the Governor in
matters of internal adipinistra-
tion. It was abolished in 1828.
Burgos, Laws of.
A code of laws regulating the
employment of Indian labour
in the Spanish-American Colo-
nies, promulgated at Burgos
in 1572.
Burgundians.
See Armagnacs.
Burlaw.
See Jedburgh Justice.
Burning of Frendraught.
A feud between the Crichtons
of Frendraught and the Gordons
of Huntly having been tem-
porarily adjusted, the Gordons
escorted the Crichtons home.
The Gordon party, including
42
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Lord Aboyne, Huntly's heir,
were entertained for the night
by the Crichtons, and during
the night the tower in which
they were sleeping was burnt
to the ground. The fire was
beUeved to be incendiary, but
the crime was not brought home
to the Crichtons.
Burnt Candlemas.
The name given to the march
of Edward III into Scotland in
1355. He burnt every build-
ing, and laid waste the country
for a distance of twenty miles
from the coast.
Burr's Conspiracy.
A plot initiated by Aaron
Burr and Harman Blenner-
hassett in 1805, to free Mexico
from Spanish rule, and unite it
into an independent empire
with some of the Western
American States. Burr was
arrested and tried for treason
in Kentucky, and again in
Virginia in 1807, but was on
both occasions acquitted.
Burschenschaft.
A club of German students
who had fought in the Napole-
onic wars, founded at Jena in
18 1 5. It was suspected of
revolutionary tendencies, and
was dissolved by the Prussian
Government in 18 19.
Butcher, The.
The Duke of Cumberland
was so called by the Scots, on
account of his cruelties after
the battle of Culloden in 1746.
Bye Plot.
A conspiracy in 1603, under
the leadership of George Brooke
and Markham, to unite the
Roman Catholics and Puritans
in an attempt to secure tolera-
tion for the extremists of both
classes. Their idea was to
seize James I, and hold him
to ransom. At the same period
a plot to overthrow Cecil was
entered into by Sir Walter
Raleigh, Lord Cobham, the
Duke of Northumberland and
others, known as the Main
Plot. These plots were be-
trayed to Cecil by the Jesuits,
one of whom named Watson
had been concerned in them,
and the ringleaders were ar-
rested. Watson and another
were executed, Raleigh im-
prisoned, and the others par-
doned.
Bywoners.
Boers in the Transvaal and
Orange Free State who had no
land of their own, and lived by
working on the farms of others,
or sometimes as small tenant
farmers.
Ca Ira.
A revolutionary song, highly
popular in Paris, composed in
1789 for the Fete de la Federa-
tion.
Caaba.
The sacred shrine of Mecca,
the holy place of the whole
Moslem world. A Moham-
medan who has made the pil-
grimage to Mecca is known as
a Hadji.
Cabal.
The Ministry which succeeded
to power when Charles II dis-
missed Clarendon in 1667. Its
members were Clifford, Arling-
ton, Buckingham, Ashley (after-
wards Lord Shaftesbury), and
Lauderdale, the initials of these
names forming the word" Cabal."
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 43
Cabal, American.
A low intrigue in the Ameri-
can Congress in 1777, directed
against Washington. Those con-
cerned in it were mostly re-
presentatives of the Northern
States, and its object was the
advancement of Lee. It is
also known as Conway's cabal,
from the name of its leader.
Cabanagem.
The rebels who overran the
Amazon Valley and other parts
of Brazil, in 1833 to 1836, after
the abdication of Pedro I.
The name means cottagers.
Cabinet Noir.
A department of the French
Post Office, established in the
reign of Louis XIV, for the sur-
veillance of the correspondence
of suspected persons. Napo-
leon III availed himself of its
services freely, and it was only
abolished in 1886.
Cabochiens.
The guild of butchers in
Paris, so called from Caboche,
one of their leaders. They
were bitter opponents of the
Armagnacs, and were guilty of
terrible atrocities on the persons
of their political foes. The cor-
poration was dissolved in 14 16.
Cacos.
A pohtical party in Guate-
mala in 1820, who favoured
complete separation from Spain,
and the establishment of a
republic. The word means
pickpockets.
Cadan, Treaty of.
A treaty between the leading
German Princes, signed in 1534,
by which Ferdinand of Austria
acknowledged Ulrich, Duke of
Wurtemberg, with the proviso
that Wurtemberg was to be
considered an arriere-fief of the
Empire, dependent on Austria*
The League of Schmalkald
acknowledged Ferdinand as
King of the Romans, but
stipulated that in future that
dignity should only be con-
ferred by the unanimous vote
of the electors.
Caen, Treaty of.
A treaty between William
Rufus and Robert of Normandy,
signed in 1091, by^^ which Robert
renounced all claim to England,
and recognized WiUiam's
feudal rights over certain
Norman Seigneuries, among
others those of Cherbourg,
Fecamp, and .Mont^St.^ Michel.
Cahiers de Doleances.
The instructions given to the
Deputies of the States-General,
as to the grievances to be laid
before the King in 1789. The
principal demands were :
equality in punishments ; sup
pression of the sale of public
o£&ces ; suppression of seig-
norial judicial powers, of the
Gabelle, the corvee and the
militia ballot ; religious tolera-
tion, and amelioration of the
condition of the parish clergy.
Caisse de Poissy.
A species of bank, established
at Poissy, near Paris, under
municipal control, to secure the
proper provisioning of the
Paris market. It proceeded
by way of loan to the butchers,
charging interest on the ad-
vances and a percentage on
all meat purchased, and as
none could enter the markets
without a certificate of s the
payment of this fee, it had abso-
lute control of the trade. It
44 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
was abolished in 1791, re-
established in 1 8 10, under the
control of the Prefect of the
Seine, and finally abolished in
1858.
Calatrava, Knights of.
A Spanish order of religious
chivalry, established by Papal
Bull in 1 164. The rules of the order
were similar to those of the
Benedictines, the knights being
bound, among other vows, to
perpetual celibacy. The object
of the order was the expulsion
of the Mussulman power from
Spain.
Calendar Act.
An Act passed in 175 1 sub-
stituting the Gregorian for the
Julian Calendar. With the
exception of Sweden and Russia,
England was the last country
to adopt the new style.
Calixtines.
The more moderate of the
two sections into which the
Hussite sect was divided after
the death of Jerome of Prague.
The more fanatical section was
that of John Zisca, known as
the Taborites.
Calvin, Institutes of.
The profession of the Calvin-
istic doctrine, issued by Calvin,
1535-
Camarilla.
The name given to the favour-
ites and admirers of Fer-
dinand VII of Spain, after his
restoration in 18 14. They were
in reality the rulers of Spain,
distributing justice and office
throughout the kingdom to the
highest bidder.
Cambray, League of.
An alliance between Louis XII
and the Emperor Maximilian,
formed in 1508, for the parti-
tion of the Venetian provinces
between the contracting parties.
The Venetian armies were
forced to retreat before the
allies, but the partition was
never carried into effect, and
the league was dissolved by
the Treaty of Noyon in 15 16.
Cambray, Treaty of.
A treaty between Charles V
and Francis I, signed in 1529,
confirming the main provisions
of the Treaty of Madrid (1526),
which had been found unaccept-
able by the French notables.
This treaty is generally known
as the Paix des Dames.
Camel-driver of Mecca.
A nickname of Mohammed.
Cameronians.
An extreme section of the
Covenanters who followed
Richard Cameron in 1679.
They were afterwards (1689)
formed into a regiment, and
served against the Jacobites
in the Highlands in that year.
The regiment later became the
Twenty-sixth Regiment of the
Line, and is now known as the
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
Camissards.
The Protestants of the Ceven-
nes, who rose in rebellion in
1702. The revolt was sup-
pressed in 1704.
Camorra.
A secret society in Naples,
which for many years terrorized
the kingdom. An attempt
was made by Francis II of
Naples to suppress the society,
and many of its members were
deported, but the remainder
joined the Garibaldians and
were largely instrumental in
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 45
the expulsion of the Bourbons
in 1867.
Campo Formio, Treaty of.
A treaty between France
and Austria, following Napo-
leon's successful campaign in
Northern Italy, signed in 1797.
France secured possession of
the Belgian provinces, the left
bank of the Rhine, and the
Ionian Islands, and recognized
the Cisalpine Republic, formed
out of the territories conquered
from Austria, Venice and the
Pope. Austria resigned the
city of Venice, and her eastern
provinces, Dalmatia, Friuli
and Istria.
Canada Act.
An Act passed in 1774, giving
a constitution to Canada.
Canada, Confederation of.
An Act was passed in 1867,
for the purpose of confederating
the two provinces of Canada
with Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick, and providing a
federal constitution. Pro-
vision was also made for the
admission into the Dominion
of such other of the North
American Colonies as might
desire to come in. Under this
clause Manitoba joined the con-
federation in 1870, British
Columbia and Vancouver's
Island in 1871, and Prince
Edward's Island in 1873. The
Hudson's Bay Territory having
been acquired in 1869, the
whole of the British possessions
in North America are now
included in the Dominion, with
the exception of Newfound-
land.
Canadian Fisheries Question.
A long-standing dispute be-
tween Canada and the United
States, dating from the treaty
of peace of 1783, when American
fishermen were given fishing
rights on the coast of Canada.
The Americans claimed that
this right was inalienable,
England that it was forfeited
during the second war. In
18 18 a modus vivendi was ar-
rived at by which the Americans
were allowed to fish outside
the three mile limit, but friction
still continued till 1871, when
a treaty was signed at Washing-
ton giving the two countries
reciprocal rights. Canada
maintained that the right to
fish off the American coast was
of little value to her, and in 1877
a commission was appointed,
which met at Halifax, to assess
the damage she had sustained.
The award of the commission
was that Canada and Newfound-
land should receive five and a
half million dollars as compensa-
tion.
Canons of 1604.
The new canons, issued by
Convocation in 1604, contained
regulations for the conduct of
public worship. They excom-
municated all who attacked the
Prayer Book, the Thirty-nine
Articles, or the Supremacy of
the Crown, as also those who
seceded from the Church. They
were, however, held by the
Courts at Westminster to be
binding only on the clergy.
Canons of 1640.
A series of seventeen canons,
supplementary to the canons
of 1604, issued by Convocation,
and confirmed by the King,
under the Great Seal. Parlia-
ment subsequently passed a
measure giving them full canoni-
46 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
cal validity, but not the force
of an Act of Parliament.
Canossa.
The castle of Matilda of Tus-
cany, where Gregory VII was
staying when the Emperor
Henry IV made a pilgrimage
to Italy, in 1077, to make his
submission to the Pope, who
had excommunicated him. He
was treated in the most humili-
ating fashion by Gregory, who
left him for three days in the
snow in the courtyard of the
Castle before consenting to re-
ceive him. It is to this incident
that Bismarck referred in the
famous phrase, " Nach Canossa
gehen wir nicht " (We are not
going to Canossa), uttered in
the Reichstag in 1872, during
the Kulturkampf.
Canossa Bill.
A bill introduced into the
Prussian Landstag in 1880,
making great concessions to the
Catholic clergy, but maintaining
the supremacy of the State over
the Church.
Capitularies.
The edicts of the early French
Kings were so called.
Capitulations.
Arrangements by which
foreigners are subject to the
jurisdiction of their own con-
suls, and not to the tribunals
of the country in which they
are residing. These are gener-
ally in force in Mohammedan
and other non-Christian states,
where Western ideas of justice
are non-existent.
Caporal Violet.
Napoleon was so called by
his adherents in France, during
his exile in Elba in 1814-15.
Cappel, Treaty of.
A treaty between the five
Catholic Cantons of Switzerland,
and Zurich and Berne, follow-
ing the defeat of the two latter
States at Cappel, and the death
of Zwingli, in 1531. Zurich and
Berne consented to tolerate
Catholicism in their dominions.
Carbonari.
A Sicilian secret society,
utilized by the Bourbons of
Naples against Murat. The
name was afterwards adopted
by the ultra-royalist secret
societies in France, which con-
spired against Louis XVIII in
1822.
Carlisle, Statute of.
A statute of 1307, enacting
that no Papal instruments
should be permitted in Eng-
land.
Carlists.
The supporters of Don Carlos
and his branch of the Bourbon
family, as claimants to the
Spanish throne. Don Carlos
was the younger brother of
Ferdinand VII, and under the
constitution of 18 12 should
have inherited the throne, as
the female succession was ex-
cluded. In 1832, however,
Ferdinand, who had already,
by a decree which he subse-
quently withdrew, readmitted
the principle of female succes-
sion, finally settled the crown
on his daughter Isabella, who
succeeded in the same year,
with her mother, Christina, as
regent. Don Carlos was exiled,
but various risings have since
taken place in support of his
claims, chiefly in the Biscayan
provinces, including the first
Carlist War, which lasted till
1840.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 47
Carlowitz, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1699, by
which Turkey finally surren-
dered the various provinces of
the Ottoman Empire conquered
by the Allies during the wars
of the preceding forty years.
Austria retained Transylvania,
Sclavonia and Hungary ; Po-
land took Podolia and part of
the Ukraine ; Russia, her con-
quests on the Black Sea, and
Venice, the Morea.
Carlsbad, Congress of.
A congress of Austria, Prussia,
and other German States, held
in 1 8 19, to consider measures
for dealing with the growth of
democratic movement in Ger-
many. It issued the Carlsbad
Decrees.
Carlsbad Decrees.
A series of proposals sub-
mitted to the German Diet by
the Congress of Carlsbad, and
accepted by the Diet. They
included the establishment of a
strict censorship of the press,
and the suppression of the
Burschenschaft.
Carmagnole.
The favourite song of the
Paris mob, during the Reign of
Terror (1792-3.)
Carmelites.
A religious order, originally
formed by associating the her-
mits living on the slopes of Mount
Carmel about 11 56. They were
recognized as a monastic order
by Honorius III, in 1224. They
were driven out of Palestine by
the Saracens in 1238, and were
made a mendicant order by
Innocent IV. in 1247.
Carolina, Proprietaries of.
The original landowners of
Carolina, to whom the Colony
was granted by Charles II in
1643. They were eight in
number, among whom were
Clarendon, Monk and Lord
Craven. Their authority was
practically absolute, Charles
exacting a bare allegiance to
the English crown.
Caroline Islands Arbitration.
In 1885 Germany endeavoured
to establish a protectorate over
the Caroline Islands, which
Spain claimed to have been
under her dominion since the
seventeenth century. Germany
disputed this claim and occu-
pied Yap. Matters became
very serious, and the two coun-
tries were on the verge of war.
It was, however, finally agreed
to submit the question to the
Pope, who gave his award in
favour of Spain, as to the
sovereignty, but allowed to
Germany free trading and colo-
nizing rights.
Caroline Ordinance.
A codification of the criminal
laws of Germany, issued by the
Diet of Ratisbon, in the name
of Charles V, in 1532.
Carpet-baggers.
Northerners who came into
the Southern States after the
Civil War, many of them with
the object of getting returned
for Congress by the aid of the
negro vote. The name was
intended to convey the idea
that they had no stake or
interest in the country, beyond
the baggage they carried with
them.
Cartel System.
A system prevailing in Ger-
many and Austria, by which a
ring of sugar manufacturers,
aided by heavy import duties,
48 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
combine to obtain very high
prices for all sugar consumed
at home. They utilize the large
profits thus secured to ship the
surplus sugar below cost price,
thus securing for themselves
all unprotected markets.
Cartellpartie.
A party in the German
Reichstag, formed in 1888, by
a coalition of the Conservatives
and the old National Liberals, and
pledged to support Bismarck.
Carthage of the North.
Liibeck was so called when
the head of the Hanseatic League.
Carthusians.
A monastic order, with very
severe rules, founded by St.
Bruno, during the papacy of
Urban II in 1086, The order
was recognized by Alexander III
in 1 176. Their most famous
convent is that of La Grande
Chartreuse, near Grenoble.
The Charterhouse, in London,
was formerly one of their mon-
asteries.
Carucage.
A tax imposed by the early
English Kings on every caru-
cate or hundred acres of land.
It was first levied by Richard I
in 1 198, when the tax amounted
to five shillings on the carucate.
Cas Royaux.
All cases in which the sover-
eign and his interests were con-
cerned were so called in France.
By the " Etablissements " of
Louis IX, all such cases were
withdrawn from the jurisdiction
of feudal courts, and could be
decided only by the Royal
Bailiffs, or by the Parlement.
Casenbrotspel.
See Bread and Cheese War.
Casket Letters.
A series of letters and sonnets,
purporting to be written by
Mary Queen of Scots to Both-
well, and left behind by him when
he fled from Edinburgh in 1567.
If genuine, these letters un-
doubtedly prove Mary to have
been privy to the murder of
Darnley.
Cassini Convention.
A secret treaty between
Russia and China, supposed to
have been signed in 1896, by
which Russia secured certain
definite rights over Manchuria.
She has since made several
attempts to replace this agree-
ment by a public treaty, but
has been prevented by the
opposition of the Powers.
Russia's present position in
Manchuria, therefore, is correct
so far as China is concerned,
but has not been acknowledged
by the other Powers.
Castle Council.
A council established in Dub-
lin by Lord Wentworth in
1633.
Catamaran Expedition.
An unsuccessful attempt on
the part of the British to burn
Napoleon's flotilla in Boulogne
harbour in 1804.
Cateau Cambresis, Treaty of.
A treaty between Henry II
of France and the Emperor,
Charles V. Both parties agreed
to return the conquests made
by them during the war of the
previous eight years, and bound
themselves to maintain the
Catholic faith throughout their
dominions.
Categories de La Bourdonnaye.
A list of Imperialists whose
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 49
proscription he advocated,
drawn up by La Bourdonnaye,
in 18 1 5. They were divided
into three categories.
Catherine, Conspiracy of.
A conspiracy entered into by
Catherine II of Russia, with the
Orloffs and Princess DashkofE,
to remove her husband, Peter
III, and ascend the throne as his
successor. She succeeded in
getting herself recognized by
the nobles as Catherine II, and
in 1762 the conspirators, headed
by one of the Orloffs, strangled
Peter III at a house near Peter-
hof.
Catholic Association.
An association formed by
Daniel O'Connell in 1823, to
press the claims of the Irish
Catholics upon Parliament. It
held entirely aloof from all the
secret societies, and endeavoured
to keep strictly with the Hmits
of the law, but in 1825 it had
become so powerful that an Act
was passed declaring it an
illegal association.
Catholic Emancipation Act.
An Act passed in 1829, substi-
tuting for the old formula,
which included abjuration, a
new form of oath, and thus
enabling Catholics to sit in
either House. It opened to
them all offices under the state,
except those of Regent, Lord
Chancellor, Viceroy of Ireland,
and Royal Commissioner of the
General Assembly of Scotland.
The Roman Catholic Church
was to remain a dissenting
church, and restrictions were
placed on the immigration of
members of the monastic orders,
and especially of Jesuits, while
the use of ecclesiastical titles
was forbidden.
Catholic League (France).
See League.
Catholic League (Germany.)
A league of the Catholic
Princes of Germany, formed at
Frankfort in 165 1, to carry out
the provisions of the Peace of
Westphalia.
Catholic Relief Act.
An Act passed in 1793, ad-
mitting Catholics to the magis-
tracy, grand juries, and the
franchise.
Catholic Rent.
An unauthorized tax or cess
levied upon Irish Catholics by
O'Connell's Catholic Association
in 1823, and afterwards. The
funds thus obtained w-ere placed
in O'Connell's hands, to be used
at his absolute discretion for
furthering the objects of the
Association.
Cato Street Conspiracy.
A plot to murder the Minis-
ters, during Lord Liverpool's
administration in 1820, at a
dinner which they were to attend
at Lord Harrowby's house. The
plot was discovered by a police
agent named Edwards, who
posed as one of the conspirators,
and Thistlewood, the ringleader,
and four others were executed.
Caucus.
A private meeting of mem-
bers of a political party to
decide upon the adoption of
candidates, or the platform of
the party. The name is of
American origin.
Cautionary Towns.
The Dutch towns of Flushing,
Walcheren, Rammerkins and
Briel, which were handed over
to Elizabeth in 1585, to be held
as security for the payment of
50 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
the English troops in the Nether-
lands. They were restored to
Holland by James I.
Cavalier Parliament.
See Pensioned Parliament.
Cavaliers.
The supporters of Charles I
against the Parliament. The
name was first applied to them
in the course of the frequent
disturbances which arose in
London between the King's
party and the City party, the
" Roundheads," in 1641.
Cave.
See Adullamites.
Cawnpore, Massacre of.
The massacre by Nana Sahib
of the English Garrison in Cawn-
pore, during the Indian Mutiny
of 1857. The garrison had
surrendered under a pledge of
being permitted to retire un-
harmed. Of those massacred,
560 were women and children.
Cecil's Fast.
The name given to an Act
passed by Cecil, Lord Burleigh,
after the Reformation, enjoining
the eating of fish on certain
days. Fish had almost ceased
to be an article of diet in Eng-
land, as it was looked upon as
a badge of Romanism.
Cent Jours.
See Hundred Days.
Centralists.
A party in Mexico, who sup-
port the centralized republican
government, and are opposed
to undue extension of the
autonomy of the various states.
The party came into existence
about 1823.
Centralists.
A party in Switzerland in
1800, who supported the Hel-
vetic Constitution, which estab-
lished a uniform republican
government, and abolished the
old cantonal liberties.
Centennial State.
Colorado is so called, as
having been admitted a State
in 1876, the year of the cen-
tenary of the Union.
Centro-Americana, Confedera-
cion.
A league of Nicaragua, Hon-
duras, and Salvador, formed in
1842, with the object of uniting
the Central American States into
a federal republic. Guatemala
opposed the scheme and it fell
to the ground.
Centrumsfraction.
The Centre, or Clerical, party
in the first German Reichstag
in 1 87 1, under the leadership
of Dr. Windhorst. They were
strong supporters of the Papal
claims in the subsequent Kultur-
kampf.
Centum Gravamina.
The list of grievances and
charges against the Roman
Catholic clergy, drawn up by
the Diet of Nuremburg in 1523.
Ceorl.
In Saxon times, a freeman
owning his own land, and inde-
pendent of any overlord.
Chambre Ardente.
A court, specially composed
of bigoted Catholics, estab-
lished by Henri II in 1551,
for the trial of heretics.
Chambre Introuvable.
The French Assembly elected
in 1 81 5, and dissolved in the
following year, was so named
by Louis XVIII.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 51
Champ de Mars.
The annual meetings of the
Franks for military purposes
during the early times were held
during the month of March,
At a later period the month of
meeting appears to have been
altered to May, when the as-
sembly was called a Champ de
Mai. The great parade-ground in
Paris is known as the Champ
de Mars.
Chaperons Blancs.
The White Capes, the popular
party in Ghent in 1379, under
the leadership of Jan Yoens.
Chapter of Mitton.
The name given by the Scots
to the defeat of the Archbishop
of York's forces at Mitton, in
1 3 19, by a Scottish invading
army. It was so called on
account of the number of ecclesi-
astics in the Archbishop's army.
Charte La.
The charter issued by Louis
XVIII on ascending the French
throne in 18 14. He proclaimed
the equality of all Frenchmen
before the law, liberty of
opinion and liberty of the press,
and confirmed the inviolability
of all property sold by the state.
He established an hereditary
peerage, and fixed, as the
qualification for electors to the
Chamber of Deputies, the pay-
ment of direct taxes amount-
ing to 300 francs per annum.
Charter of 1826.
A constitution promulgated
by Pedro IV of Portugal, on
the model of the English Parlia-
mentary system.
Charters.
See Acte Additionel, Aragon,
Confirmatio, First, Forests,
Fuero, Groote Privilegie, Irish,
Joyeuse Entree, Justice, Mary-
land, Magna, Massachusetts,
People's, Pfaffenbrief, Priests',
Virginia.
Chartism.
An agitation which broke out
in 1837 and culminated in the
Chartist riots of 1839. It was
probably due to the declaration
by the Liberal party that they
were satisfied with the results
of the Reform Bill of 1832, and
did not intend to press for fur-
ther reform in this direction.
The movement takes its name
from the " People's Charter,"
a manifesto setting forth the
aims of the agitators. This
Charter demanded manhood
sufl'rage, annual Parliaments,
the ballot, abolition of the
property qualification for a
member of Parliament, pay-
ment of members, and equal
electoral districts. The most
prominent Chartists were
Feargus O'Connor, Frost, and
Williams.
Chartres, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1299, by
Edward I of England and
Philip IV of France, after
Edward's abortive Flemish
expedition. England recovered
Guienne, and undertook to give
up the Flemish alliance, while
France renounced the alliance
with Scotland.
Chastisement of Novgorod.
The massacre, by Ivan the
Terrible, of over i , 500 prominent
citizens of Novgorod, owing to
his suspecting the aristocracy of
the city of a design to open the
gates to the Poles.
Chateaubriand, Edict of.
An edict issued by Henri III,
52 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
enacting severe measures against
heresy. Among its provisions
was one forbidding all argument
on religious matters, and
another confiscating the pro-
perty of any person who went
to Geneva. This edict also
established the Chambre Ar-
dente.
Chatillon, Congress of.
A congress opened at Cha-
tillon on February 5, 18 14, to
treat with Napoleon as sovereign
of France. The allies, however,
found his demands impossible,
and before the Congress was
dissolved, the Treaty of Chau-
mont had been signed, by which
Napoleon lost all chance of
obtaining the terms that the
allies were at first prepared to
grant.
Chauffeurs.
Bands of brigands, who in
1793 infested the northern and
afterwards the central depart-
ments of France. They took
their name from their habit of
roasting the feet of their victims,
to force them to disclose the
whereabouts of their valuables.
Chaumont, Treaty of.
A treaty signed by England,
Austria, Russia and Prussia, in
March, 18 14, after the allies had
entered France. The signa-
tories bound themselves for
twenty years to unite in resisting
the designs of France. Each
of the contracting parties was
to provide 150,000 men, and
England in addition a subsidy
of ;^ 5, 000,000. It was the know-
ledge of the signature of this
treaty which induced Joseph,
in Napoleon's absence, to order
the Marshals to capitulate, and
the army to leave Paris, thus
entailing the abdication of the
Emperor.
Chauvinism.
Originally an unreasoning
admiration for Napoleon, the
name being taken from Chauvin,
a character in Scribe's " Le
Soldat Laboureur." At the
present time, the word has lost
its dynastic significance, and is
used to express a perfervid
patriotism, somewhat corres-
ponding to the English Jingo-
ism.
Chefoo Convention.
A convention between Great
Britain and China, negotiated
by Sir Thomas Wade in 1876,
by which China recognized the
right of foreigners to travel in
the interior, and to be duly pro-
tected while so doing.
Chester, County Palatine of.
A County Palatine, estab
lished by William the Con-
queror, who bestowed it on his
nephew, Hugh Lupus. The
earldom was seized by Henry
III in 1237, and has since been
an appanage of the crown.
Chevalier Sans Feur et sans
Reproche.
Pierre du Terrail, Seigneur de
Bayard (1476-1524), is called
by his biographer " the fearless
and stainless knight."
Chevaliers du Poignard.
A band of royalists, who,
armed with daggers and hunting
knives, assembled at the Tui-
leries on February 28, 1791.
They were dispersed and dis-
armed by Lafayette, and being
charged with a conspiracy to
carry off the king, maintained
that they were assembled only
for ,his protection.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 53
Chiltern Hundreds.
The Hundreds of Bodenham,
Desborough, and Stoke, in
Buckinghamshire, the steward-
ship of which is a sinecure, in
the gift of the crown, originally-
established to keep down the
bands of robbers which infested
the Chiltern Hills. It is now-
used as a means of enabling a
member of Parliament to vacate
his seat, as by accepting the
office he becomes disqualified
for a seat in Parliament, unless
re-elected.
Chimney Money.
See Hearth Money.
Chinandega, Pacto de.
A name given to the Con-
federacion Centro-Americana,
which was formed at Chinandega
in 1842, with the object of
uniting the Central American
States.
Chinese Gordon.
The sobriquet of General
Charles Gordon, the conqueror
of the Taepings.
Chonin.
In old Japan the wardsmen
or trading class, the lowest in
rank of the four Japanese classes.
Chouans.
The royalist party in La
Vendee and other parts of
Brittany, who held out against
the revolutionary armies until
1779. Among their most cele-
brated leaders were Laroche-
jaquelin and Cadoudal.
Chouiski.
See Belski.
Christ, Order of.
A Portuguese order of knight-
hood, founded circ. 1318.
Christian Alliance.
An offensive and defensive
alliance entered into in 1529 by
Austria and the Canton of
Zurich. It was also known as
the Treaty of Ferdinand.
Christines.
The Spanish party supporting
the Regency of Queen Christina
in 1833, in opposition to the
Carlists.
Chupatties.
Small cakes of unleavened
bread, which were sent through
the villages of British India
just before the outbreak of the
Indian Mutiny in 1857. It is
supposed that they were a
signal to prepare for a rising,
though other explanations have
been given of their meaning.
Cicero, The British.
A sobriquet of William Pitt,
Earl of Chatham (1708-1778).
Cid, The.
Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, a
celebrated Spanish chieftain, in
the reigns of Ferdinand I,
Sancho II, and Alfonso VI,
was known as the Cid Cam-
peador, or Campaigning Chief.
He died in 1099.
Ci-devants.
The name given during the
French Revolution to those who,
owing to the abolition of all titles
of honour, were no longer known
by their titles, but by their
family names. Thus Marie
Antoinette was brought to trial
as the " Widow Capet."
Cincinnatus, The American.
A sobriquet of George Wash-
ington.
Cinq-Mars, Conspiracy of.
A conspiracy directed against
Richelieu, the leaders of which
54 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
were Cinq-Mars, the favourite
of Louis XIII, the Due d' Or-
leans and De Thou. An
arrangement was made with
Spain, by which she was to
support the conspirators with
men and money. This agree-
ment was discovered by Riche-
lieu in 1642, and Cinq-Mars
and De Thou were arrested
and executed.
Cinque Cento.
The sixteenth century, the
later period of the Italian
Renaissance.
Cinque Ports.
These were originally Hast-
ings, Romney, Hythe, Dover
and Sandwich, to which were
afterwards added Rye and Win-
chilsea. They were incorpor-
ated at a very early, though
uncertain date, to provide and
man ships for the defence of
the Channel, and in return
enjoyed certain privileges,
judicial and other. Their
earliest known charter was
granted by Edward I, but they
were summoned to send Barons
to Parliament by Henry III
in 1265, and there is no doubt
that they were incorporated
in some form at a considerably
earlier period. Their privileges
were finally abolished by the
Municipal Corporations Act in
1835.
Cintra, Convention of.
A convention signed by
Junot and Sir Hew Dalrymple
in 1808, after the defeat of the
French at Vimeira. It per-
mitted Junot to evacuate Portu-
gal, England providing trans-
port, with liberty to him and
his troops to serve elsewhere.
The convention caused great
indignation in England, and
led to the recall of the three
English generals, Dalrymple,
Burrard, and Wellesley.
Circe of the Revolution.
Madame Roland was so called
from the influence exercised by
her fascinating manner over
the leaders of the French Revolu-
tion, and especially over the
Girondins.
Circumspecte Agatis, Statute.
A statute of Edward I, issued
in 1205, to put a stop to the
pretensions of the ecclesiastical
courts, which were gradually
encroaching more and more
upon the functions of the civil
courts.
Cisalpine Republic.
A republic formed by Napo-
leon out of the provinces con-
quered by him in Northern Italy
in 1796-1797.
Cispadane Republic.
A republic, with Bologna for
its capital, established by
Napoleon in Italy in 1797.
Civil Marriage Bill.
A Bill introduced into the
Hungarian Diet in 1893, by
Dr. Wekerle. It made civil
marriage compulsory, permitted
marriage with a deceased wife's
sister, and made sundry changes
in the divorce laws in the direc-
tion of greater freedom. It
was violently opposed by the
Catholics, and only passed the
Upper House through the per-
sonal interposition of the King
Emperor.
Civil Rights Act.
An Act of Congress, passed
in 1875, conferring equal rights
on all citizens, black or white,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 55
in the matter of public convey-
ances, inns, places of amuse-
ment and jury service.
Claim of Right.
A declaration by the Scottish
Convention of 1689, accompany-
ing the offer of the crown to
William III. It was similar
in character to the Declaration
of Rights of the English Parlia-
ment, but in addition it pro-
claimed the abolition of the
Episcopacy.
Claimant, The.
Thomas Castro, alias Arthur
Orton, a butcher of Wagga-
Wagga, New South Wales, who
in 1 87 1 brought an action with
intent to prove that he was
Sir Roger Tichbourne, the right-
ful owner of the Tichbourne
estates in Hampshire. His
case broke down, after a long
trial, and in 1874 he was con-
victed of perjury and sentenced
to fourteen years' penal servi-
tude.
Clair- on-Epte, Treaty of.
A treaty between Charles the
Simple of France, and the North-
men under Rolf the Ganger, in
912. In order to obtain im-
munity from the Viking raids,
Charles ceded to the Northmen
the coast of Normandy.
Clan Act.
An Act passed in 171 5, pro-
viding (i) that if a feudal chief
rebelled, all his vassals who
remained loyal should in future
hold direct from the crown.
(2) That a loyal tenant whose
landlord was convicted of
treason should have two years
gratuitous possession added to
his lease. (3) That the lands
of a disloyal tenant should
revert to his chief if loyal.
(4) That settlements of estates
after August i, 17 14, should
be no bar to their forfeiture for
high treason.
Clan Chattan and Clan Quhele.
A combat between thirty
picked men of each of these
clans was fought at Perth in
1396. It is supposed to have
been for the purpose of deciding
a dispute as to the chieftain-
ship of the Clan Clattan.
Clan-na-Gael.
An Irish secret society, an
offshoot of the Fenians, formed
in 1 88 1. It was composed of
the extreme physical force men
among the Fenians, and was
also known as the United
Brotherhood.
Clarendon Code.
The name given to the four
Acts composing the repressive
ecclesiastical legislation of
Clarendon, in the reign of
Charles II, namely the Corpora-
tion, Uniformity, Conventicle,
and Five Mile Acts.
Clarendon, Council of.
See Constitutions of Claren-
don.
Classes, Act of.
An Act of the Scots Parlia-
ment, passed in 1649, dis-
qualif3dng from public office
and seats in Parliament, all
Mahgnants, enemies of the
Covenant, Engagers, etc.
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.
A treaty between Great
Britain and the United States,
signed in 1850, providing for
the construction of a canal to
connect the Atlantic and PacifxC
Oceans. It was stipulated that
in the event of such canal being
56 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
constructed, neither party
should erect fortifications on
the line of the canal, nor assume
any sovereign rights over any
portion of Central America.
The United States afterwards
repudiated the treaty, and it is
now superseded by the Hay-
Pauncefote Treaty.
Clean the Causeway.
The name given to a brawl
in the streets of Edinburgh in
1 5 19, in which the Douglas
faction were attacked by the
supporters of the Government.
The Douglasses swept their
opponents from the streets,
killing their leader, Sir Patrick
Stuart.
Cleargrits.
The extreme democratic party
in Canada in 1850 were so called.
They were in favour of secession
from England and annexation
to the United States.
Clemency Canning.
A nickname given to Lord
Canning, Governor-General of
India, in consequence of what
many considered his undue
leniency in the treatment of
the rebels, after the suppression
of the Indian Mutiny in 1858.
Clementine League.
See Holy League.
Clergy of France, Declaration
of the.
A manifesto issued by Bossuet
in 1682, declaring that the Pope
had no power in France in
temporal affairs; and that his
spiritual authority was subject
to that of a General Council, as
proclaimed by the Council of
Constance ; that the constitu-
tion of the Gallican Church was
not to be subverted, and that,
in questions of faith, the Pope's
opinion was not binding unless
supported by the Church. This
declaration was, by Royal Edict,
given the force of law.
Clericis Laicos, Bull of.
A Bull issued by Pope Boni-
face VIII in 1296, forbidding
the clergy to pay tribute to a
temporal sovereign. The re-
sult of this Bull in England was
that the clergy refused to pay
taxes. They were consequently
outlawed, and much church
property was confiscated by
Edward I.
Clermont, Council of.
A Council summoned by
Urban II in 1095, at which the
Pope proclaimed the duty of
Christians to free the Holy
Sepulchre from the hands of the
Saracens. At the Council
Godefroi de Bouillon and other
notable personages assumed the
red cross, and the First Crusade
followed.
Clicquot, King.
The nickname by which
Frederick William IV of Prus-
sia was known in England.
Clontarf Meeting.
The name given to an inci-
dent which marked the collapse
of O'Connell's Repeal agitation.
A monster meeting was fixed
to be held at Clontarf on October
8, 1843. The Government
proclaimed the meeting, and
O'Connell did his best to prevent
the peasants assembling. In
this he was successful, but the
proof that he did not mean
under any circumstances to
resort to strong measures was
the death blow to his move-
ment.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 57
Clouds, Battle above the.
The name given to the attack
on Lookout Mountain by the
Federal troops at the battle of
Chattanooga in 1863, during
the American Civil War. They
advanced to the attack through
a heavy mist, and the battle
was fought in a clear atmos-
phere, with the fog below.
Closter Seven, Convention of.
A convention, signed in July,
1757, between the French and
the Duke of Cumberland, who
had advanced to the Weser in
command of an English force,
and had been driven back by a
French army, under D'Estrees,
to the mouth of the Elbe. The
Duke agreed to disband his
army.
Club, The.
A section of the Whig party
in Scotland, who, at the accession
of William and Mary, advocated
extreme views as to the limita-
tions to be set to the power of
the king. Notwithstanding
their opinions, they did not
hesitate to ally themselves with
the Jacobites in their opposition
to William,
Club Parliament.
The Parliament of 1346, so
called because the Barons at-
tended it accompanied by their
retainers armed with clubs. It
is also called the Parliament of
Bats (or Batons.)
Clubmen.
The name assumed by bands
of peasants who, in 1644, as-
sembled in various parts of
England, but especially in the
West, to protect their lands
from the ravages of the civil
war. They sided with neither
party, but attacked both im-
partially when their property
was threatened.
Coalition Ministry.
A Ministry formed under
Lord Aberdeen in 1853, com-
posed of Liberals and Peel-
ites, and including among its
members. Lord John Russell,
Lord Palmerston and Mr. Glad-
stone.
Cockburn's Act.
The Betting Act, passed in
1853, is so called after its intro-
ducer. Sir Alexander Cockburn.
It did away with betting houses,
and rendered the exhibition of
betting lists illegal. In 1874
the Act was extended to Scot-
land,
Cockerton Judgment.
A judgment in the Court of
Queen's Bench in the case of
Regina v. Cockerton. Mr,
Cockerton, the auditor of the
Local Government Board, had
surcharged certain expenditure
of the London School Board,
and the correctness of his action
being called in question, the
court held that it was illegal to
make a payment out of the
rates (i) for advanced instruc-
tion in art and science in ele-
mentary day schools, (2) for
any instruction to adults at
evening continuation classes.
Cockpit of Europe.
The name given to Belgium
on account of the numerous
important battles which have
been fought there.
Code Napoleon.
The Code of Law issued by
Napoleon in 1 803 . It was based
on the old French law, with
such alterations as had been
58 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
rendered necessary by the
Revolution, and certain new
provisions, introduced by Napo-
leon, notably those relating to
the law of succession and to
the marriage law. For the
purpose of this codification,
which remains the law of France,
he called to his councils the
most eminent French lawyers,
irrespective of party, among
others Tronchet, Cambaceres,
Portalis and Roederer.
Codes.
AUgemeines Landrecht,Brehon,
Bretts and Scots, Burgos, Caro-
line Ordinance, Clarendon, Con-
solato. Doom- Book, Etablisse-
ments, Frederic, Frostathing,
Fuerojuzgo, Gragas, Gulathing,
Jus Magdeburgicum, Jutland,
Landrecht, Louis, Libro de
Tasas, Liibeck, Ludlow, Martian,
Mulmutine, Noir, Oleron, Recess
of Colding, Regiam Majesta-
tem, Savary, Siete Partidas,
Thirty-three Articles, Wisbuy,
Wisliza.
Codini.
The Pigtail Party, a name
given by the supporters of the
House of Savoy to the Papal
party in Rome, the suggestion
being that they are behind the
times.
Coercion Act.
, An Act of Parliament passed
in 1833, giving the Lord Lieu-
tenant of Ireland power to pro-
hibit an}^ meeting of whatever
nature which he regarded as
dangerous to the peace, and to
declare any district to be in a
disturbed state. The bill gave
the right to search for arms and
suspended the Habeas Corpus
Act in the proclaimed districts,
substituting martial law for
the regular tribunals.
Coeur de Lion.
The sobriquet of Richard I of
England.
Cognac, League of.
See Holy League.
Collectivism.
A form of socialism, the lead-
ing tenet of which is that capital
and the means of production
should be in the hands of
associations of workers, and
not be privately owned.
College of Justice.
The supreme court of Scot-
land in civil cases. It was
established by James V in 1533,
and was composed of fourteen
judges and a president. At the
same time the body of Advo-
cates was created.
Colonial Conference.
A conference held in London
in 1902, between Mr. Chamber-
lain and the Colonial Premiers,
The principal recommendations
of the conference were an
increase in the Colonial con-
tribution to the navy, increased
facilities for Colonial cadets to
enter the services, that prefer-
ential duties between Great
Britain and the Colonies should
be kept in view, that the metric
system should be adopted, and
that postage rates should be
lowered.
Colonies, Council for the.
A Council appointed by
Charles II in 1660, to supervise
all the affairs of the oversea
plantations,
Coloquy of Poissy.
A conference of divines sum-
moned by Catherine de' Medici
in 1 561, and attended, among
others, by Peter Martyr and
Beza. It was hoped that a
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 59
modus Vivendi with the Hugue-
nots might be arrived at, but
the divergences between the
two rehgions were perhaps un-
duly emphasized by the re-
formers, and the conference
proved abortive, though in the
following year an edict was
issued permitting the Hugue-
nots to worship outside the
towns.
Colorados.
See Blanquillos.
Coloured League.
A confederation of the col-
oured people of the Southern
States of America, formed
after the war, with the object
of securing for the negroes the
free exercise of their political
rights.
Comite de Salut Public.
The Committee of Public
Safety was appointed by the
French Convention in April,
1893. to exercise the functions
of a Ministry. The first object
was to drive the Girondists
from power. The members of
the first Comite were compara-
tively moderate men, but it
was reorganized in July of the
same year, from which time it
was composed almost entirely
of the extremists, and became
a mere instrument in the hands
of Robespierre.
Comitia Paludata.
The Diet which met in Poland
during an interregnum only.
The whole body of nobles
attended, the meeting taking
place on an open plain, and the
members appearing armed and
mounted.
Comitia Togata.
The ordinary Polish Diet of
representatives of the nobles •
It was summoned by the king,
and the members attended un-
armed.
Commando.
The military system estab-
lished by the English in South
Africa in 1806. The country
was split up into districts, each
under a field cornet, whose
duty it was to summon the
burghers when called out for
military service. The burghers
were divided into three classes,
according to age, and every
male was liable to service from
sixteen to sixty. The system
was maintained by the indepen-
dent Dutch States, till the close
of the Boer War in 1902, but
compulsory service was abolished
in Cape Colony in 1834.
Commendation.
In feudal times the personal
submission of a man to a feudal
lord, by which he became his
vassal, was so called.
Commercial Treaty of 1786.
A treaty between France and
England, abolishing prohibitive
duties and establishing a moder-
ate tariff between the two
countries. The Methuen Treaty
between England and Portugal,
which had been very prejudicial
to French interests, was abro-
gated.
Commission of Government.
A Commission of Peers, author-
ized by Richard II in 1386, to
inquire into abuses in the Gov-
ernment, and to prepare a scheme
of reform.
Commission of Grace.
A proclamation under the
Great Seal by James I in 1604,
securing Irish landowners from
6o DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
all claims of the Crown, and
empowering the governor, in
all cases of precarious tenure,
to grant indefeasible titles.
Commissions of Array.
Commissions given by the
English Kings to certain com-
missioners to impress men for
military service. They were
first issued under Edward I.
Committee of Religion.
A committee appointed by
the Long Parliament in 1641 to
consider the question of religi-
ous reform.
Commune, Paris.
An outbreak of the extreme
revolutionary party in Paris in
1 87 1, after the withdrawal of
the Germans. Its leaders were
Assi, Billioray, Blanqui, Cluseret,
Paschal Grousset, Felix Pyat,
and other noted extremists.
They obtained complete pos-
session of Paris, and were guilty
of terrible atrocities, including
the cold-blooded murder of the
so-called hostages, amongst
whom was the Archbishop of
Paris. The city underwent a
second siege at the hands of the
Provisional Government, but
after severe fighting the Govern-
ment troops, under the Marquis
de Gallifet, surmounted the last
barricade, and those of the
Communist leaders who failed
to escape were brought to trial,
and executed or transported.
Many of the public buildings,
including the Tuileries, were set
fire to during the fighting by the
" Petroleuses."
Communeros, Revolt of the.
See Santa Junta.
Compactata of Prague.
An agreement between the
Hussites and their religious
opponents in 1433. This agree-
ment afterwards formed the
basis of the Treaty of Iglau.
Compagnies d'Ordonnance.
The first French regular army,
called into existence by Charles
V in 1370.
Complaints of the Commons of
Kent.
A document submitted to the
Government in 1450 by the in-
surgents under Jack Cade. It
set forth the causes of the un-
popularity of Suffolk, and de-
manded the restoration to favour
of the Duke of York.
Composition of Connaught.
An arrangement between Sir
James Perrot, Governor of Ire-
land, and the landowners of
Connaught in 1585, by which
the landowners agreed to pay
a fixed ground rent, in considera-
tion of a patent from the Crown,
and relief from all other taxes
and imposts. At the same time
all members of the clans were
released from their allegiance
to their chiefs, and placed di-
rectly under the Crown.
Compound Householder.
The occupier of a small tene-
ment who did not pay poor
rates directly, but compounded
with his landlord, who was re-
sponsible for the rate to the
authorities. During the debates
on the Reform Bill of 1867, the
question of his enfranchisement
was very hotly contested, and
in the end the compound house-
holder was abolished, and every
name put on the rate book.
Compounders.
The name given to the more
moderate section of the English
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
6i
Jacobites in 1692. They de-
sired a restoration of the Stuarts,
but accompanied by a general
amnesty. The non-compound-
ers, who would listen to no sug-
gestions of moderation, were,
however, more powerful at St.
Germains.
Compromise, The.
A document signed in 1566
by some 2,000 nobles and gentle-
men of the Netherlands, by
which the signatories bound
themselves to offer the most
strenuous resistance to the In-
quisition, while loyally sup-
porting the sovereignty of Philip
"II.
Compromise Act.
An Omnibus Act passed by
Congress in 1850. It provided
for the admission to the Union
of California as a state, and of
New Mexico and Utah as
territories, for the settlement of
the boundaries of Texas, the
return of fugitive slaves to the
owners, and the suppression of
the slave trade in the district
of Columbia,
Compte Rendu.
A manifesto by the Moderate
party in the French Chamber,
drawn up by Odilon Barrot in
May, 1832. It denounced the
Ministry for continuing the Res-
toration rather than the Revolu-
tion, and complained of the in-
stitution of hereditary peerages,
the excessive civil list, and the
extravagant expenditure on the
army. With regard to foreign
policy it pointed out that,
through lack of firmness, the
Government was abandoning
Italy to Austria and Poland
to Russia.
Compurgation.
The acquittal of an accused
person, in consequence of an
oath taken by his kinsmen to the
effect that he was innocent of
the charges brought against
him. This was abolished by
the Assize of Clarendon in
1 166.
Concentration Camps.
Camps formed in the Trans-
vaal and Orange River Colony,
during the Boer War, for the re-
ception of women and children
who could not be protected
in their ov/n homes in the dis-
turbed parts of the two colonies.
Charges were made of gross mis-
management of these camps, but
a commission appointed to in-
vestigate pronounced that the
complaints were absurd, and
that everything had been done
for the refugees that the cir-
cumstances permitted.
Conclave.
An assembly of the Cardinals
summoned for the purpose of
electing a Pope. The regu-
lations governing the Conclave
were issued by Gregory X in
1275.
Conclusions.
An argument drawn up by
the Puritans of Salem, Mas-
sachusetts, in 1629, and circu-
lated among the Puritans of
England, setting forth the de-
sirability of strengthening the
Colony of Salem.
Concordat.
An agreement entered into in
1801 between Napoleon and the
Pope, providing for the re-
establishment of Roman Ca-
tholicism, which had been pro-
scribed during the Revolution,
62
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
as the religion of the majority of
the French nation. It was
agreed, among other pro-
visions, that bishops were to be
nominated by the State, but
instituted by the Pope. The
nomination of parish priests
was vested in the bishops, the
State having a right of veto.
The State undertook to see that
adequate stipends were pro-
vided for the clergy, to replace
the ancient revenues which had
been confiscated during the
Revolution.
Concordat of 1516.
An agreement between Francis
I of France and Leo X, by which
the King obtained the right
of nominating archbishops, bi-
shops and mitred abbots, the
inferior clergy being appointed
by the bishops as before. In
return for this, Francis granted
the Pope annates and the right
to levy a yearly tribute.
Concordat of 1855.
An agreement between Francis
Joseph of Austria and Pius IX,
by which the control of public
education was entrusted to the
priesthood, and all offences
against canon law were sent for
trial before ecclesiastical courts.
This concordat was abrogated
in 1870.
Concordats.
See Aschaffenburg, Bee,
German, Worms.
Condottieri.
Soldiers of fortune who hired
themselves out to the various
petty states of Italy, during the
wars of the fifteenth and six-
teenth centuries.
Confederate Catholics.
A federation of Irish Catholics
formed in 1642, at the com-
mencement of the Great Re-
bellion. They formed a pro-
visional government, consisting
of a general assembly, with two
houses, and appointed a judicial
body for each county under
their control, with an appeal to
a supreme council of twenty-
four persons.
Confederate States.
The independent republic
formed, under the presidency
of Jefferson Davis, by the states
which seceded from the Union
prior to the American Civil
War of i860.
Confederation of 1573.
An enactment of the Polish
Diet, granting to all sects liberty
of conscience and equal rights
and privileges. This is the first
instance of the establishment
of complete religious toleration.
Confederation, Treaty of.
An agreement entered into
in 1643, by Connecticut, Mas-
sachusetts, and New Haven,
and later joined by Plymouth,
uniting the four communities
under the title of the United
Colonies of New England.
Confines, Audiencia de los.
During the Spanish domina-
tion, the Supreme Court of Cen-
tral America. It was established
in 1542.
Confirmatio Cartarum.
The confirmation by Edward
I in 1297 of Magna Charta and
the Charter of Forests, to which
was added an article known
as " De Tallagio non Conceden-
do," sometimes referred to as a
separate statute, and denying
the right of the king to levy
Tallages without the consent
of Parliament.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 63
Conflans, Treaty of.
A treaty between Louis XI
and his nobles,signed in i465,put-
ting an end to the Guerre du
Bien Public. Louis ceded the
Duchy of Normandy to his
brother, the Due de Berri, to be
held as a fief of France, and made
certain concessions to the Due
de Bretagne, the Comte de
Charolais, and others.
Conge d'Elire.
The invitation sent by the
Crown to a cathedral chapter
to elect a certain person as
bishop of the diocese.
Congo Conference.
A conference of the Powers
held at Berlin in 1884-5. It
declared for freedom of com-
merce in the basin and mouths
of the Congo, and along the
coast from Gaboon to Angola,
and appointed an international
commission to regulate the
navigation of the Congo and the
Niger. It recognised the neu-
trality of the Congo Free State,
decreed the abolition of slave
gangs and slave markets, and
all monopolies, and insisted
that foreigners should enjoy
equal rights with the subjects of
the sovereign state.
Congregation, Lords of the.
The leaders of the reforming
party in Scotland, who issued
the First Covenant in 1557, took
this title.
Congress.
The Parliament of the United
States, consisting of two Cham-
bers, a House of Representa-
tives, and a Senate. The for-
mer consists of a certain number
of members from each state,
elected by direct popular vote.
The number of representatives
of each state is in proportion to
the population, as shown in the
decennial census. The Senate
is composed of two members
from each state, irrespective of
population, elected by the re-
spective state legislatures. One
third of the Senate retires
annually.
Congresses.
See Aix-la-Chapelle, Arras,
Berlin, Brussels, Carlsbad, Chat-
illon, Congo, General, Hague,
Heilbronn, Kilkenny, Laibach,
Troppau, Vienna, Verona.
Conservative.
This name came into use to
designate the Tory party about
1837. It was first employed
by John Wilson Croker, in an
article in the Quarterly Review.
Consistoriali.
A secret society, "established
in Naples,with the Papal authori-
zation, during the first decade
of the nineteenth century, to
oppose the Carbonari and sup-
port the Church.
Consistorium.
A tribunal established in
Geneva by Calvin in 1541, to
deal with offences against re-
ligion and morals. Its rule
was terribly severe, all amuse-
ments being proscribed and all
criticism of the Calvinist doc-
trine being sternly repressed.
In five years the Consistorium
imprisoned over 800 persons, and
put to death fifty-eight.
Consistory.
An assembly of the Cardinals,
in the presence of the Pope;
summoned for the transaction
of business.
Consolato del Mare.
A code of maritime law,
64 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
said to have been compiled,
from Roman and Rhodian laws,
by the trading communities of
Barcelona about the middle of
the thirteenth century. Other
authorities attribute it to the
Venetians or the Pisans.
Conspiracies, Plots, etc.
See Alexander, Amboise, An-
karstrom, Army, Assassination,
Atterbury, Babington, Biron,
Booth, Bridal of Norwich, Burr,
Bye, Catherine, Cato Street,
Cinq Mars, Craigmillar. Des-
pard, Dutch, Emmett, Falieri,
Fieschi, Gowrie, Gunpowder,
Hunting of Braemar, Incident,
Jerviswood, Malet, Meal Tub,
Orsini, Overton, Pahlen, Pazzi,
Pichegru, Popish, Porcari,
Strelitzi, Ridolfi, Rye House,
Queensberry, Throgmorton, Tie-
poli, Venner, Vowel, Waller.
Constance, Council of.
A council summoned by John
XXIII, at the instance of the
Emperor Sigismund in 1415-
It was concerned with the Hus-
site heresy, and John Huss, who
attended under a safe-conduct,
was declared a heretic and,
notwithstanding the safe-con-
duct, burnt at the stake. The
council further dealt with the
schism, deposing two popes, and
electing Martin V.
Constance, Peace of.
A treaty, signed at Constance
in 1 183, between Frederick
Barbarossa and the Italian
cities, after the successful revolt
of the Lombard League. It
provided for the re-establish-
ment of self-government in the
cities, including the right of
electing their magistrates, sub-
ject to certain unimportant
reservations of the Imperial
prerogative.
Constantinople, Conference of.
A conference of the Great
Powers, summoned in 1876, with
the object of preventing war
between Russia and Turkey.
The terms agreed upon by the
Powers were, however, rejected
by the Porte, and war followed.
Constantinople, Council of.
A council of the Church, held
at Constantinople in 754, under
the auspices of Leo the Icono-
clast. It proscribed the use of
images and religious pictures
in worship. The decrees of this
council were anathematised by
the Synod of Rome in 769, and
reversed by the Council of Ni-
caea in 787. It is not regarded
by the Church as an Oecumeni-
cal Council.
Constantinople, Fourth Council
of.
An Oecumenical Council, held
in 869, which declared that no
Metropolitan could enter upon
his functions until he had re-
ceived the pallium from the
Pope. This decision practically
placed the nomination of the
higher church dignitaries in the
Pope's hands.
Constitution of 18 12.
The Constitution drawn up
by the Spanish Cortes which met
at Cadiz in 18 10. Ferdinand
VIl, on his restoration in 18 14,
refused to subscribe to the in-
strument, and continued to
govern the country on absolute
principles, but a military pro-
nuncianiiento forced him finally
to give way and agree to its
conditions in 1820.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 65
Constitutions.
See Body of Liberties, Cana-
da, Eadgar, Estatuto Real,
Federal Pact, May, Mediation,
Model, Nine Articles, Walde-
Constitutions of Clarendon.
A recital of the ancient cus-
toms of England, defining the
relations between the Church
and the Crown, drawn up by
order of Henry II, and accepted,
after much opposition, by
Thomas a Becket on behalf of
the Church. It made the
criminous clerk subject to the
civil jurisdiction, provided that
questions relating to land
claimed by the Crown should
be submitted to a jury, con-
stituted the King the final court
of appeal, and limited the power
of the bishops. By these and
other provisions, the supremacy
of the Crown was assured. The
constitutions were promulgated
at the Council of Clarendon in
1 164.
Consulta.
The committee of three mem-
bers of the Council of State of
the Netherlands, during the
regency of Margaret of Parma,
1559 to 1567. The three were
Viglius, Barlaymont, and the
Bishop of Arras.
Continental Blockade.
A system established by Napo-
leon, in 1806, by the Berlin
Decree. In this instrument he
declared the whole of the British
Isles to be in a state of blockade,
and forbade any correspondence
with them on the part of the
countries dependent on him.
He further declared all English-
men found in any country oc-
cupied by French troops to be
prisoners of war, and ordered
all English merchandise and all
private property of English
subjects wherever found to be
confiscated. So impracticable
was it to carry out this system
that, within the year. Napoleon
found it necessary to purchase
English cloth to clothe his own
troops.
Contra- Remonstrants.
The Gomarists, the opponents
of the Arminians in the Nether-
lands, were so called from their
having presented to the States-
General a counter-remonstrance,
protesting against the five arti-
cles set out in the remonstrance
of the Arminians in 16 10.
Contracting Out.
The chief point at issue in the
Employers' Liability Bill of 1893.
The difference of opinion be-
tween the two Houses on this
point wrecked the bill. See
Employers' Liability.
Conventicle Act.
An Act passed in 1664, render-
ing illegal any meeting for re-
ligious purposes which was at-
tended by more than five
persons beyond the family,
unless held in accordance with
Church of England practice.
Conventicles.
Open air meetings for public
worship held by the dispossessed
Scotch ministers, after the es-
tablishment of the Episcopal
Church in Scotland at the
Restoration. They were de-
clared illegal, were then per-
mitted b^T- Indulgence, and
finally again made illegal, and
suppressed whenever possible.
Convention Parliament.
Two Parliaments are known
F
66 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
by this title, being irregular
assemblies, as not having been
summoned by Royal Writ — ( i )
The Parliament which restored
the Crown to Charles II in 1660.
(2) The Parliament which of-
fered the throne to William and
Mary in 1689.
Conventions Bill.
An Act passed by the Irish
Parliament in 1793. It forbade
the holding of meetings for the
purpose of petitioning the King
or Parliament, and also the
election of delegates to attend
such meetings.
Convicts Prevention Act.
An Act passed by the Vic-
torian Legislature in 1852, for-
bidding the immigration into the
colony of any but free men, thus
shutting out ticket-of-leave men
from the penal settlements.
The Queen at first refused her
assent, but the bill was passed
a second time and became law.
Conway's Cabal.
See Cabal, American.
Co-operation.
The first Co-operative Society
was started in 1844 by twenty-
eight Rochdale weavers. They
began their operations with a
capital of £28 only, and in
sixteen years the Society was
worth over ;^ 120,000.
Copperheads.
A name given by the Federals,
during the American Civil War,
to the Peace Party in the
Northern States. The copper-
head is a peculiarly venomous
snake, as deadly as the rattle-
snake and more dangerous,
because not provided with the
warning rattle.
Coppernose.
A nickname of Henry VIII.
derived from the silver coinage
of his reign, which was made of
an alloy containing a quantity
of copper.
Copyhold.
A tenure by service, as op-
posed to freehold or leasehold.
In most cases the service has
long since been commuted for a
small annual payment. In the
event of a copyholder dying in-
testate and without issue, the
copyhold reverts to the Lord of
the Manor.
Cordeliers.
A revolutionary club in Paris,
in the early days of the French
Revolution, composed mainly
of the partisans of Danton.
It took its name from an old
monastery of the Cordelier
order, where its meetings were
held.
Corn Law of 1804.
An Act establishing a prohibi-
tive duty on foreign corn while
the price of English wheat stood
at 63s. per quarter or under,
and fixing the duty at 3s. 6d. per
quarter with the price between
63s. and 66s., and at 6d. per
quarter with the price above
66s.
Corn Law of 1815.
An Act prohibiting the im-
portation of foreign corn, until
the price of English wheat stood
at 80s. per quarter.
Corn Law of 1824.
An Act reaffirming the prin-
ciple of the sliding scale of
duties on imported grain, as in
the Corn Law of 1 804.
Corn Laws, Repeal of the.
An Act passed by Sir Robert
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 67
Peel's Government in 1846, re-
ducing immediately the tax on
foreign grain, and providing for
its ultimate abolition, with the
exception of a registration duty-
amounting to IS. per quarter.
This Act was mainly the result
of the efforts of the Anti-Corn
Law League.
Cornwall, Duchy of.
Cornwall was created a Duchy
by Edward III, and its revenues
were assigned to the main-
tenance of his eldest son, the
Prince of Wales. Since that
period the eldest son of the
Sovereign has borne the title
of Duke of Cornwall, and en-
joyed the revenues of the Duchy.
Alterations in the internal ad-
ministration were made by Acts
passed in 1863 and 1893.
Coronation Stone.
The ancient Scottish Coro-
nation Stone of Scone was
brought to England by Edward
I, after his defeat of Balliol
at Dunbar in 1296, and is now
in Westminster Abbey.
Corporal John.
The great Duke of Marl-
borough was so called by his
soldiers.
Corporation Act.
An Act passed in 1661, com-
pelHng all holders of office in
corporations to swear to their
belief in the doctrine of Passive
Obedience, to receive the sacra-
ment according to the rites of
the English Church, and to re-
nounce the Covenant. This Act
was not repealed until 1828,
Corsican Ogre.
A nickname of the great
Napoleon.
Cortes.
The Spanish Parliament is
so called.
Corti Compromise.
A compromise proposed by
Count Corti, Itahan Ambassador
to the Porte in 1880, to meet
the difficulties raised by Turkey
in carrying out the provisions
of the Berlin Treaty, relative
to Montenegro. He proposed
that Turkey should retain
Gussinje and Plava, ceding in-
stead Kutschi-Kraina and
Podgoritza.
Corvee.
Enforced labour on the roads
and other public works, exacted
from the French peasant before
the Revolution. The same
system prevailed in Egypt prior
to the English occupation.
Cossacks.
The inhabitants of the de-
bateable land between the Rus»
sian frontier and the Crim Tar-
tars. The most important of
these communities were those
of the Dnieper and the Don.
They retained a certain degree
of independence until the reign
of Catherine II of Russia.
The soldiers of the military cor-
don established by the Russians
and Poles along their southern
frontiers were also known as
Cossacks.
Cottereaux.
Bands of mercenaries in the
French service during the twelfth
century.
Cotton Famine.
The name given to the distress
in Lancashire in 1862, in conse-
quence of the cessation of cotton
shipments from America during
the Civil War, by which thou-
68 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
sands of operatives were
thrown out of employment.
Large sums were received by-
subscriptions in aid, and in
August of that year the Relief
Act was passed, by which loans
were granted to the guardians
to enable them to establish
relief works.
Council of State.
A council of forty-one mem-
bers, in whom Parliament vested
the executive power, on the
proclamation of the Common-
wealth in 1649. They were ap-
pointed for one year.
Councils.
See Ancients, Anziani, Aulic,
Blood, Castle, Clarendon, Con-
sulta. Colonies, Federal, Fifteen,
Five Hundred, Hlutdaw, Indies,
Kilkenny, Magnum, North,
Policy, Reason, Sixteen, Ten,
Thirty-six.
Councils, Church.
See Bari, Basle, Clermont,
Constance, Constantinople, Dort,
Lateran, Lyons, Nicaea, OEcu-
menical, Pisa, Trent, Vatican,
Vienne.
Country Party.
A political party, formed
about 1673, under the leadership
of Lords Russell and Cavendish.
They were in full sympathy with
the demands of the Dissenters
for toleration, and made it their
special business to keep a watch
on the religious and political
designs of the Court. They
afterwards became known as
Whigs.
County Palatine.
A county possessing certain
Royal privileges, created origi-
nally for defence of the frontier
against the Welsh, the Scotch
and the French. They were
Chester, Lancaster, Durham,
Kent, Shropshire, Pembroke-
shire, and Hexhamshire. Only
the three first named retained
any of their privileges beyond
the sixteenth century.
Coup d'Etat.
A term applied to any over-
throw of free institutions by
military intervention, but used
especially to denote the bold
stroke of Louis Napoleon, who
by a display of military force in
the Paris streets in December,
1 85 1, and the imprisonment of
the Republican members of the
Chamber, succeeded in getting
himself proclaimed Consul, and,
later. Emperor.
Cour d' Heritage.
An ancient feudal court in
Jersey, having jurisdiction over
all disputed questions as to
landed property.
Cours Plenieres.
Assemblies of the Barons,
called, on the great festivals
,of the year, by the early kings
of France and England.
Court Baron.
A court of the old Norman
Manor, summoned to settle all
questions arising out of the
cultivation of the demesne land
of the Manor.
Court Customary.
A baronial court in feudal
times held to decide questions
arising out of the tenure of land
by villeins.
Court Leet.
Under Henry I the Hundred
Court was so called, when it sat
for the purpose of trying crimi-
nal cases under the presidency
of the Sheriff.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 69
Courte Paix.
See Longjumeau.
Courts.
See Audiencias, Augmenta-
tions, Aulic, Austragal, College
of Justice, Chambre, Confines,
Consistorium, Curia Regis, Four
Burghs, Great Session, Haute
Cour, Heemraden, High Com-
mission, Jews, Manor, Parle-
ment. Pies Poudrees, Reichs-
kammergericht, Requests, Sal-
ford, Star Chamber, TrilDunal,
T5niwald, Vehmgericht, Wales.
Coventry Act.
An Act passed in 1671 de-
claring nose-slitting or other
mutilation of the person to be
a felony. It was passed in con-
sequence of a dastardly attack
upon Sir James Coventry,
a Member of Parliament, who,
having incurred the enmity of
the Court party by some com-
ments in the House on Charles
the Second's liaison with Nell
Gwynne, was waylaid on his
way home by Sir Thomas
Sandys and some of the King's
friends, who dragged him from
his coach and slit his nose to the
bone.
Cowboys.
Bands of British marauders
who infested the banks of the
Hudson River during the Ameri-
can War of Independence. The
name is now applied to the
cattlemen on the ranches in the
Far West.
Cowper-Temple Clause.
A clause inserted in the Edu-
cation Act of 1870, embodying
an amendment moved by Mr.
Cowper-Temple. It provides
that unsectarian Bible teaching
shall be given during school
hours in all rate-aided schools
under the School Boards,
Coyne and Livery.
The right of an Irish chieftain
to quarter his soldiery on the
tenants. It was forbidden by
the Statute of Kilkenny in 1 307,
and was finally stopped in 1603.
It was called by the Irish
" Bonaght."
Cradle of Liberty.
The name given to Faneuil
Hall, Boston, which was the
place of meeting of the American
patriots during the period of
the Revolution.
Craigmillar, Bond of.
An agreement entered into
in 1566, at the instigation of
Bothwell, by Argyle, Huntly,
Maitland and Sir James Balfour,
with the object of compassing
the death of Darnley.
Crapaud, Jean.
A Frenchman is so called,
probably from the fleur-de-lys
of the old French standard,
which bears a faint resemblance
to a toad (crapaud).
Creole State.
The State of Louisiana is so
called because of the large num-
ber of its inhabitants who are
descendants of the original
French and Spanish settlers.
Creoles.
In Spanish America this term
is applied to all persons of pure
European descent, born in South
America. Those with an ad-
mixture of Indian blood are
known as Mestizos. The word
Creole was also applied in Louis-
iana to those of pure French
descent who were born in the
Colony.
70 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Cretan Convention.
A convention between the
Porte and the Powers, signed in
September, 1896. It provided
for the appointment of a Chris-
tian Governor, and for the sum-
moning of an Assembly within
six months. Two-thirds of the
official appointments were to be
held by Christians and one third
by Mohammedans. The Cretan
Government was to retain one
half of the Customs duties, the
other half being taken by the
Sultan, in lieu of the old tribute.
Crimes Act, 1882.
An Act empowering the Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland to suspend
jury trial in disturbed districts,
and to send agrarian cases for
trial by a commission of three
judges, with an appeal to the
Court of Criminal Cases Re-
served. Power of search was
given to the police in proclaimed
districts, and, further, power
to arrest and remove strangers
thought dangerous to public
safety.
Crimes Act, 1887.
An Act to repress the lawless-
ness of the Irish Land League.
It gave power to the Lord
Lieutenant to proclaim the
affected districts, and to sup-
press seditious gatherings and
unlawful associations. It also
provided for change of venue,
in cases where a fair trial could
not be relied upon under ordi-
nary conditions.
Croppies.
A name given to the Round-
heads during the Civil War.
The Irish rebels of 1798 were
also called by this name.
Crown, Treaty of the.
A treaty signed at Vienna in
1700, between the Emperor
Leopold I, and Frederick, Elector
of Brandenburg, by which Leo-
pold recognized Frederick as
King of Prussia. Frederick
undertook to place 10,000 men
in the field for the service of the
empire, if required, to support
Austria in the German Diet, and
to vote, as Elector, for Leopold's
son, Joseph, and his successors
as occupants of the Imperial
throne.
Crusade of Children.
In 12 1 2, some 90,000 children,
mostly from Germany, inspired
by the crusading spirit of the
times, left their homes for the
Holy Land. Many who em-
barked at Marseilles were carried
to Alexandria and there sold as
slaves. Others got no further
than Genoa, where they were
enslaved by the Genoese.
Cum ex Apostolatus Officio, Bull.
A Bull of Pope Paul IV, issued
in 1559, declaring all Protestant
Princes incapable of reigning,
and giving Catholics the right
to levy on their possessions.
Cumbernauld, Bond of.
An agreement signed by John
Graham, Earl of Montrose, and
his associates, prior to their
invasion of England in August,
1640, by which they bound
themselves to oppose any dic-
tatorship vested in the hands
of subjects.
Cupar Justice.
See Jedburgh Justice.
Curfew, or Couvrefeu.
The famous enactment of
William the Conqueror, ordering
all persons in the country
districts to be in their houses,
with all lights extinguished, by
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 71
eight o'clock in winter and
sunset in summer. It was
presumably designed to prevent
secret meetings and conspira-
cies directed against the King,
of which there were many, owing
to his unpopularity with the
Saxon element of the popu-
lation.
Curia Regis.
A court of law established by
William the Conqueror as the
Final Court of Appeal of the
realm. At its head was the
Justiciary, as the King's re-
presentative. It was re-organ-
ised in the reign of Henry I,
when the Exchequer Court was
established by Roger of Salis-
bury, the Barons of the Curia
Regis sitting as Barons of the
Exchequer for financial pur-
poses. It was again reconstituted
by Henry II, who limited its
numbers to five, and by Magna
Charta, when it was divided
into three courts, those of the
Exchequer, the Common Pleas,
and the King's Bench. It thus
took the form which lasted,
with minor modifications, until
the Judicature Acts of 1873-5.
Curt-Mantle.
The nickname of Henry II of
England, from his wearing the
short cloak of Anjou instead
of the longer mantle worn by
his predecessors.
Custer Massacre.
The destruction by a body of
Sioux Indians of the whole of
General Custer's force, on the
Little Big Horn, Montana, in
1876.
Custos Rotulorum.
The keeper of the rolls of the
County Sessions. The office is
generally held by the Lord
Lieutenant of the County.
Cyprus Treaty.
A treaty between Great
Britain and Turkey, signed in
1788, whereby the Sultan re-
cognized the occupation and
administration of Cyprus by
Great Britain, with the following
provisos: that a Mussulman
religious tribunal should be
established ; that all surplus
revenue should be paid to him ;
that the Porte should retain the
right to sell or lease lands be-
longing to the Crown, and that
Cjrprus should be restored to
the Porte in the event of Russia
restoring Kars.
Dacoity.
The name given in India to
brigandage or highway robbery.
It was very prevalent in Burmah
after the annexation.
Daimios.
The great hereditary nobles
of Japan. The principal Dai-
mios, such as the Princes of
Satsuma, Choshiu, Kaga, and
some others, were almost in the
position of independent sove-
reigns, though they owed a
nominal allegiance to the Em-
peror, and in some cases to the
Shogun. The word, strictly
Dai-miyo, signifies " Great
Name."
Dalai Lama.
The sovereign pontiff or spirit-
ual ruler of Thibet. He is
supposed to be always a re-
incarnation of a previous holder
of the office. The actual gov-
ernment is carried on by the
Des-ri, or king.
72 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Dancing Chancellor.
Sir Christopher Hatton, Chan-
cellor of Queen Elizabeth, was
so called. The Queen first saw
him at a masque, where her
attention was attracted by his
graceful dancing.
Dandy King.
A nickname of Joachim Murat,
King of Naples.
Danegelt.
A tax imposed for the first
time by iEthelred the Unready,
for the purpose of buying off
the Danish invaders, in 994. It
became a permanent tax till the
reign of Henry II, who replaced
it by " Scutage."
Danelagh.
The country ceded to the
Danes bythe Treaty of Wedmore,
in 878.
Danites.
A Mormon secret society,
founded in 1838, for the pro-
tection of the Mormons from
the " Gentiles." It contained
organized companies, called
" Destruction Companies/'
whose business it was to burn
and destroy " Gentile " pro-
perty, nominally by way of
reprisals, and there is little
doubt that these bands did not
stop short of assassination.
They were probably concerned
in the Mountain Meadow Mass-
Dannebrog, Order of the.
A Danish order of knight-
hood, founded by Waldemar II
in 1 2 19, and reconstituted by
Christian V in 1693.
Danube Navigation Commission.
An international commission
appointed in 1856, when the
navigation of the Danube was
thrown open to all nations.
It was originally appointed for
two years only, but has from
time to time been continued,
the last extension being for
twenty-one years from 1883.
Its jurisdiction extends from
the mouths of the Danube to
the Iron Gate.
Dardanelles, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in London in
1 841, after the conclusion of
the Syrian War, by England,
France, Russia, Prussia,
Austria and Turkey. It con-
firmed the agreement arrived
at by the Convention of London
of the previous year, depriving
Mehemet Ali of all his Asiatic
possessions, but securing him
the Government of Egypt. It
also provided that the Bos-
phorus and the Dardanelles
should be closed to all ships
of war, excepting small vessels
under a special firman. This
provision was confirmed by
the Treaty of Paris of 1856.
The Treaty of the Dardanelles
is also known as the Treaty of
London.
Darien Scheme.
A scheme promoted by a
Scotchman named Paterson, in
the reign of William III, to
secure the trade with the Far
East by utilising a route across
the Isthmus of Darien. A
company was formed, and ob-
tained a charter from the
Scottish Parliament, granting
a monopoly for thirty-one years
of the trade with Asia, Africa,
and America, and the right
to introduce all goods from
those regions free of duty,
excepting sugar and tobacco.
In 1698, 1,200 colonists started
for Darien, but were at once
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 73
opposed by the Spanish colonists,
and though a further expedition
was dispatched in the following
year, the whole enterprise
failed ignominiously. The
scheme had from the first been
opposed in England, and was
the cause of much bad blood
between the two countries, and
of a heavy pecuniary loss to
Scotland.
Dauphin.
The title of the first-born
heir-male to the French throne.
Da Facto King, Statute of.
A Statute of Henry VII,
passed in 1485, enacting that
no person could be convicted
of high treason for services
rendered to the King who
was actually on the throne.
Death Ride.
The charge of the Light
Cavalry Brigade at Balaclava,
on September 20, 1854, is so
called.
Debateable Land.
A district on the English and
Scottish borders, claimed by
both countries, and inhabited by
the Grahams, who were gener-
ally on the Enghsh side in
war time, though they raided
both sides of the border im-
partially in time of peace. The
district lay between the waters
of the Esk and the Sark.
Under James I the whole
Graham Clan was removed to
Ulster.
Decamisados.
The extreme section of the
Spanish revolutionists in 1821.
They may be said to correspond
to the French sans-culottes.
The word means the " shirtless
ones."
December Emeute.
A meeting of about 200
students and young people, on
the Nekvsi Prospekt in St.
Petersburg, in 1876, at which
cheers were raised for the exiles
in Siberia. The poUce interfered,
and arrested some thirty, but
there seems to have been little
resistance, and the affair, though
supposed to have been part of a
more important movement, was
probably much exaggerated by
the authorities.
December, Man of.
Napoleon III was so called
because December was the
month of his election to the
Presidency, of the Coup d'Etaf,
and of his taking the title of
Emperor.
December Rising.
An outbreak in St. Peters-
burg in December, 1825, on
the accession of Nicholas I,
fomented by a revolutionary
society known as the Society
of the North. The rightful heir
to the throne was Constantine,the
elder brother of Nicholas, but
he had waived his rights. The
revolutionists, however, made
use of the question of succession
to excite the mob, their real
object being the overthrow of
the dynasty. The rising was
easily suppressed, and the ring-
leaders convicted and hanged.
The conspirators were after-
wards known as the Dekabrists.
Decet Romanum Pontificum,
Bull.
A Bull of Leo X, issued in
January, 1521, calling upon the
German Princes to uphold the
Papal authority by condemning
Luther unheard.
74 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Decimation.
An arbitrary income-tax of
ten per cent, levied on all
Royalists by Cromwell's Major-
Generals, in 1655.
Declaration of Independence
(America).
The Manifesto issued by the
second Congress in America, on
July 4, 1776, declaring the
colonies independent. It was
only carried in Congress by a
majority of one.
Declaration of Independence
(Brazil).
This instrument, promulgated
in 1822, proclaimed the separa-
tion of Brazil from the Crown
of Portugal. The colony was
erected into a constitutional
monarchy, Pedro, the second
son of John VI of Portugal, being
proclaimed Emperor.
Declaration of Indulgence, 1673.
A proclamation by Charles II,
suspending all penal laws against
Dissenters. Parliament, how-
ever, held that while the King
had the power of pardon in
individual cases, he had no
constitutional right to suspend
general enactments. The King
was consequently forced to
withdraw the Declaration.
Declaration of Indulgence, 1687.
A proclamation by James II,
issued on his sole authority,
annulling all religious tests, and
all penal enactments against
Dissenters, which he ordered
to be read in the churches.
This led to the famous Protest
of the Seven Bishops.
Declaration of Right.
A declaration by the Con-
vention, accompanying the offer
of the Crown to William of
Orange in 1689. It declared that
the dispensing power was non-
existent, that the sovereign
could only raise money by the
aid of Parliament, and that no
army could be maintained in
time of peace. It further
asserted the right of petition,
of freedom of debate in Parlia-
ment, of free choice of repre-
sentatives, and of pure adminis-
tration, and the necessity of
frequent Parliaments. The
declaration was accepted by
William, and afterwards em-
bodied in the Bill of Right.
Declaration of Rights.
A manifesto issued by the
General Congress in America,
in 1774, maintaining the rights
of American colonists as
Englishmen, and demanding the
repeal of the Boston Port Act
and other obnoxious legislation.
Decretals, False.
A collection of Decretals, or
Papal Edicts, purporting to
have been issued by very early
Popes, which was produced
in the ninth century. These
Decretals were designed to sup-
port the claim of the Bishops
of Rome to supreme authority
in the Church.
Defender of the Faith.
The title granted to Henry
VIII by Leo X in 1521, in
recognition of his book " The
Assertion of the Seven Sacra-
ments," written in opposition
to the Lutheran doctrine. This
title has been borne by all the
English Sovereigns since Henry
VIII.
Defenders.
The name assumed by the
agrarian bands formed by the
Catholic farmers of Ulster for
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 75
defence against the Peep o' Day
Boys, in 1782,
Defensionale.
A joint military scheme for
the defence of the country,
drawn up by the Federated
States of Switzerland, in 1647.
Deficit, Madame.
A name given by the Paris-
ians to Marie Antoinette, circ.
1786, the constant deficits in
the French Budget being attri-
buted to her extravagance.
Dekabrists.
The name given to the con-
spirators concerned in the
December rising in St. Peters-
burg in 1825.
Delegations.
A body of 120 members,
chosen half by the Austrian
and half by the Hungarian
Legislature, which controls all
questions afifecting the common
interests of the dual monarchy.
To this body the Ministers of
War, Foreign Affairs, and
Finance are responsible. To
have the force of law, its
enactments require the con-
firmation of both Parliaments.
Demarcation, Bull of.
The Bull issued by Pope
Alexander VI in 1493, defining
the respective colonial spheres
of Spain and Portugal. A line
was drawn north and south,
100 leagues west of the Azores,
All extra-European countries
east of this line were granted
to Portugal, and all west of it
to Spain. On this Bull Spain
based her claim to the whole of
the American Continent.
Demesne Lands.
The lands belonging to the
Crown were so called in the
early days of English History.
Demetrius, The False.
A pretender to the Russian
throne, who appeared in Poland,
and obtained the support of
the Jesuits in 1591. He claimed
to be the Demetrius Ivanovitch
who was supposed to have been
murdered by the usurper Boris.
After the death of Boris, the
Pretender, aided by the Poles,
entered Moscow, and ascended
the throne, but the Muscovites
soon discovered the fraud and
put him to death.
Democrats (U.S.A.).
See Republicans.
Deogam, Treaty of.
A treaty between the British
and the Rajah of Berar, at the,
close of the second Mahratta
War in 1803. The Rajah sur-
rendered Katak and Balasore,
and all his territory west of
the Wardha, and assented to
the conditions of the Treaty of
Bassein.
Deposition, Bull of, 1535.
A Bull of Pope Paul III,
dated in 1535, and issued in the
following year, excommunicating
and deposing Henry VIII . It was
the Pope's reply to the Act of
Supremacy and the execution
of Fisher and Sir Thomas
More.
Deposition, Bull of, 1569.
A Bull issued by Pius V,
declaring Queen Elizabeth to
have forfeited her right to the
throne, and freeing her sub-
jects from their allegiance.
Derby Dilly.
A name given to a section of
the Tory party in 1835, which
followed Lord Stanley, after-
wards Earl of Derby.
Despard's Plot.
A conspiracy, headed by
76 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Colonel Despard, a retired army
officer, who had become imbued
with the principles of the French
Revolution, to assassinate
George III, 1802. His accom-
plices were almost all men of
the labouring classes. The con-
spirators were seized, and Des-
pard and some others hanged.
Des-ri.
The king or political ruler of
Thibet, to whom the functions
of government are handed over
by the Dalai Lama.
Destiny, Man of.
Napoleon I was so-called,
owing to his firm belief in his
lucky star.
Devil's Parliament.
A Parliament summoned by
Kenry VI at Coventry in 1459.
It passed a Bill of Attainder
against the Yorkist leaders.
Devil's Wall.
The wall which in ancient
times separated England from
Scotland.
Devolution, Law of.
An ancient local custom in
certain fiefs of Brabant, where-
by, upon the death of one parent
the fief passed to the children.
Diamond, Battle of.
The name given to an affray in
1795, at Diamond, a village
near Armagh, between the
Defenders and the Peep o' Day
Boys, in which the latter were
victorious.
Diamond Necklace.
A scandal of the Court of
Louis XVI, in 1785, to which
the unpopularity of Marie An-
toinette was largely due, Mme.
Lamothe, the mistress of the
Cardinal de Rohan, gave the
Cardinal an order, purporting
to be signed by the Queen, for
a diamond necklace, which the
Cardinal ordered from the Court
jeweller, giving bills for pay-
ment by instalments, Madame
Lamothe, by means of another
forged document, obtained pos-
session of the necklace, and
turned it to her own uses. The
Cardinal being unable to meet
the first bill when it became
due, the jeweller applied to the
Queen. The matter came to
the ears of the King, who
ordered an inquiry, and Mme.
Lamothe was arrested and con-
victed, and the Cardinal dis-
graced. Nothing was proved
against the Queen, but the
public remained convinced that
she was in some way mixed up
in the affair.
Diamond State.
The State of Delaware, U.S.A.,
is so called.
Diamond Trade Act.
An Act passed by the Cape
Parliament in 1882, to suppress
illicit diamond buying, or
I.D.B. This Act made it
criminal to possess an uncut
diamond without being able to
account for its lawful possession.
It also gave the police large
powers of search, including the
right to open suspicious parcels
in the post. The administration
of this Act was the cause of the
Kimberley Riots.
Dictator of a Day.
Pavia, Captain-General of
Madrid, who by a pronuncia-
miento in 1869, obtained the
supreme power, which he at
once handed over to Marshal
Serrano.
Dingaan's Day.
December 16, 1838, on which
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 77
day the Transvaal Commandos
completely routed the Zulu
chief Dingaan, thus avenging
the massacre of the Boer farmers
in the early part of the same
year.
Directoire.
The Government established
in France after the fall of
Robespierre, in July, 1794. The
power was vested in five
directors, assisted by a Council
of five hundred, and a Council
of two hundred and fifty mem-
bers known as the Council of
Ancients. It lasted until 1799,
when the Consulate was estab-
lished by the Coup d'Etat of
November 9 (i8th Brumaire).
Disarming Act.
One of the Irish Penal Laws,
passed in 1695, under which all
Papists were ordered to sur-
render their arms, under penalty
of a heavy fine for the first
offence, and of imprisonment
for life for the second.
Disarming the Highlands, Act
for.
An Act passed in 1825, for-
bidding the carrying of arms
by the Highland clansmen.
Disastrous Peace.
The Treaty of Cateau Cam-
bresis in 1559, whereby Henri
renounced his Italian claims,
was so called by the French.
Discipline, Books of.
The two publications embody-
ing the constitution and proce-
dure of the Church of Scotland.
The first was drawn up by John
Knox, and four other ministers,
in 1560. The second, a revised
version of the first, was drawn
up by Andrew Melville, and
sanctioned by the General
Assembly in 1578.
Discoverers.
Certain persons in Ireland,
circ. 1616, who made it their
business to investigate some of
the older titles to land. In the
event of their discovering any
flaw in the titles, such lands
were confiscated, the informer
receiving a percentage of the
value.
Disinherited.
The Barons who continued
the Barons' War after the
Battle of Evesham were so
called because a decree of
forfeiture had been issued
against aU the supporters of
Simon de Montfort.
Dissolution of Monasteries.
This was carried out by an
Act passed in 1536, supple-
mented in 1539 by a further
Act, vesting all monastic pro-
perty in the Crown.
Divine Right.
The doctrine of the inalienable
right of the next in succession
to ascend the throne by virtue
of inheritance, apart from any
considerations of fitness or
Parliamentary sanction. It
reached its apogee in the Stuart
times, and was discarded with
the adoption of William III as
King of Great Britain and Ire-
land.
Dix-huit Brumaire.
The Coup d'Etat of Novem-
ber 9, 1799, when Napoleon
overthrew the Directoire, and
had himself appointed First
Consul.
Dix-huit Fructidor.
The Coup d'Etat of Sept-
ember 4, 1797, whereby the
Royalist plot in which certain
78 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
members of the Directoire and
the Councils were implicated,
was frustrated.
Dixie's Land.
A popular name for the
Southern States of America in
the slavery days.
Doctrinaires.
The name given to the philo-
sophic Liberals in France, in
the reign of Louis XVIII.
Domesday Book.
A register of the holders of
land compiled by Commis-
sioners appointed by William,
the Conqueror.
Dominicans.
An order of mendicant friars,
known as the Preaching Friars,
and in England as the Black
Friars, founded by St. Dominic
and recognized by Pope
Honorius III in 1216. To this
Order was entrusted the conduct
of the Inquisition.
Dominus ac Redemptor noster,
Bull.
The Bull of Clement XIV,
issued in 1773, suppressing the
Jesuits.
Don Pacific©.
A British subject, a Jew of
Gibraltar, whose house at Athens
was burnt by a mob in 1847.
The difficulty and delay in ob-
taining compensation led to
Lord Palmerston sending a
fleet to the Piraeus. Greece
appealed to France and Russia,
and a European war was for
some time within measurable
distance.
Donation of Charles.
A gift of Charlemagne to
Pope Adrian I, in 774. It is
uncertain of what the donation
consisted, though it included a
confirmation of the " Donation
of Pepin." It was declared by
the Popes, however, to have
been a gift of the whole of the
ItaUan peninsula, and by some
even to have been a renewal
of the fabled "Donation of
Constantine."
Donation of Constantine.
A legendary gift to the Pope
of the imperial sovereignty
over Italy and the whole of
the Western Empire. This
document is included amongst
the False Decretals.
Donation of Pepin.
The gift of Pepin, the first
king of the Carlovingian dynasty,
to the See of Rome, in 1755, of
Ravenna and the surrounding
country, which he had recently
conquered from the Lombards.
This donation may be said to
be the foundation of the
temporal power of the Popes,
which lasted until 1870.
Donauworth, Troubles of.
A series of disturbances at
Donauworth, a free Protestant
town in Suabia, in 1606, due
to the Catholic minority insist-
ing on holding religious pro-
cessions through the streets of
the town. The Aulic Council,
supported by the Emperor,
placed Donauworth under the
ban of the Empire, and eventu-
ally made it a Catholic town,
within the jurisdiction of
Bavaria. The action of the Aulic
Council in this case resulted in
the formation of the Protestant
League in 1608.
Dongan Charter.
The charter of the City of
New York, granted in 1686 by
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 79
Thomas Dongan, Governor of
New York under James II.
Donis Conditionalibus, Statute
De.
A Statute of Edward the
First's reign, which provided
that if an estate were given to
a man and his children, he
had only a life interest in it,
and in the event of his dying
without issue, the estate re-
verted to the donor. Prior to
this statute, it was sufficient
that a child was born to him,
when the estate became his
absolute property, and could
be alienated at will. This
statute, in fact, established
the system of entails.
Doom-Book.
A codification of the Anglo-
Saxon laws and customs, made
by Alfred the Great (871-901).
Doppers.
The members of the Separatist
Reformed Church in the Trans-
vaal and Orange Free State.
It was established by Mr.
Postma in the Transvaal, in
1859, and is now a very influ-
ential body. Its tenets are not
unlike those of the Scottish
Covenanters.
Dorr's Rebellion.
An insurrection in Rhode
Island, headed by Thomas W.
Dorr, in 1841, having for its
object the extension of the
suffrage, which remained as
originally instituted by the
Charter of Charles II in 1663.
He seized the State Arsenal,
but was overpowered, and later
was arrested and sentenced
to imprisonment for life. He
was afterwards pardoned. His
movement, however, resulted in
the adoption, in 1842, of a con-
stitution to supersede the-
Charter of 1663.
Dort, Synod of.
A synod held in 16 18, to
which aU the Protestant
Churches were invited to send
representatives. It was specially
convened for the purpose of
considering the Arminian
heresy, and resulted in the con-
demnation of Arminianism, and
the expulsion of its followers
from Holland.
Douglas Larder.
When Sir James Douglas (The
Good) recovered his castle from
the English in 1 306, he massacred
the garrison, and threw their
bodies, together with all the
stores and provisions found in
the castle, into a cellar. This
was called by the English the
" Douglas Larder."
Douglas Wars.
The Civil War in Scotland
between the King's men and
Queen's men from 1568 to 1573^
was so called from the family
name of the Earl of Morton,
who was Regent during the
later period of the war.
Dover, Treaty of.
A treaty between Charles
II and Louis XIV, signed in
1670, by which Charles was to
re-establish Roman Cathohcism,
receiving from Louis ;^200,ooo
a year, and the use of 6,00a
French troops. He was to aid
Louis in lus designs against
Holland, receiving as a reward
the Province of Zeeland, and
further to support Louis in his
claim to the Spanish succession,
for which service he was to
receive as payment Minorca
and Ostend.
So DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Dozsa Revolt.
A revolt of peasants under
George Dozsa, in Hungary, in
the reign of Ladislas ( 1 490- 1516)
which was suppressed with con-
siderable difficulty and great
cruelty, and led to the peasants
being reduced to a condition
little removed from serfdom.
Draft Riots.
An outbreak in New York
in 1863, to resist the drafting
of New Yorkers into the Union
Army. The mob held possession
of the city for four days, the
absence of the militia at the
front having left only the police
available for the protection of
the city. It is calculated that
over 1,000 persons were killed,
and damage done to the extent
of two million dollars during
the riots.
Dragonnades.
The persecution of the
Huguenots in Poitou and other
parts of France by the dragoons
of Louvois and Marillac in 1685.
Dred Scott Case.
A case decided by the Supreme
Court of the United States
in 1855. Dred Scott, a negro,
claimed that having lived with
his owner in a free labour state,
he could not be sold back into
slavery on his master's death.
The Supreme Court decided
against him, and further laid it
•down that he had no locus
standi before the Court, as
the rights of citizenship could
not be claimed by any person
who had been a slave or was
the descendant of a slave.
Dreikaiserbund.
An alliance, more or less
formal, between the three Em-
perors of Austria, Germany, and
Russia, dating from a personal
meeting in 1872. It had ceased
to exist in any form prior to
1879, when the foundation of
the existing Triple Alliance
was laid,
Dreyfus Case.
In December, 1894, Captain
Dreyfus, a Jewish artillery
officer, employed at the General
Staff in Paris, was found guilty
of supplying confidential docu-
ments to foreign Powers, and
sentenced to degradation and
transportation for life. His
friends were convinced of his
innocence, and began an agita-
tion which by degrees attracted
the attention of many eminent
Frenchmen, among others Emile
Zola, who took up his cause with
great warmth. Eventually the
Government were forced to sub-
mit the case to the Cour de
Cassation, which quashed the
conviction and ordered a new
trial. Dreyfus was brought back
to France in 1899, and tried
by court-martial at Rennes.
Though his innocence was gen-
erally believed in outside
France, he was again found
guilty, but was almost immedi-
ately pardoned by the President,
The case was the occasion of a
wild outburst of anti-semitism in
France. In February, 1903, it
was rumoured that the case was
to be re-opened by the Drey-
fusites, evidence having come
to light of the methods adopted
by the General Staff to secure
the second conviction.
Drifts, Closing the.
In 1 895 the Transvaal Govern-
ment raised the rates on mer-
chandise on the railway between
the Vaal and Johannesburg, in
order to force importers to use
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
8i
the newly-opened Delagoa Bay
Railway. The Cape importers
thereupon unloaded their mer-
chandise at the frontier, and
sent it on to Johannesburg by
waggon. President Kruger then
closed the drifts, or fords, on
the Vaal on October i. He
was reminded that this action
was a breach of the London
Convention, but he remained
obdurate, and it was found
necessary to resort to a display
of force, before which he gave
way.
Drogheda, Statute of.
Generally known as Poyn-
ing's Act.
Drunken Parliament.
A Scottish Parliament which
assembled in 1661. It passed
the Episcopal Ordination and
the Mile Acts, and it is said that
at the passing of the first-named
Act, the whole assembly, with
one exception, was intoxicated.
Dual Alliance.
The alliance at present exist-
ing (1903) between France and
Russia. Its earliest form was
a military convention, signed
in 1 89 1, whereby it was stipu-
lated that either nation should,
with a specified force, assist in
repelling an attack on the other
by Germany. This convention
was extended in 1894, and in
1897 became a definite alliance,
for defensive purposes only,
wherein all special reference to
Germany is dropped.
Dual Control.
The control by England and
France of the Egyptian finances
established by a decree of
September 4, 1879, which pro-
vided that the Comptrollers-
General of the two Powers
should have the rank of
Egyptian Ministers, and the
right to attend, but not to vote
at, meetings of the Council,
together with full powers of
inquiry into all questions of
finance. The Dual Control
ceased to exist when France
declined to co-operate with
England in the suppression of
the Arabi revolt.
Duclair Incident.
This name is given to the
seizure and destruction of six
English vessels at Duclair, on
the Seine, by the Germans
during their occupation of
France in 1870. FuU apologies
and compensation were given.
Duel, Trial by.
Among the Norsemen a claim-
ant was allowed, under certain
conditions, to make good his
claim by an appeal to arms.
If victorious his claim was con-
sidered established. This sys-
tem WcLS abolished among the
Danes and Norsemen by King
Knut.
Dukhobors.
A Russian sect, claiming to
live without submitting them-
selves to human laws, and
without reference to any other
authority than that of Gods
The refusal to undergo
military service led to their
expulsion from Russia, and
they are now domiciled in
Canada, where, in 1902, they
caused the authorities no little
trouble by their refusal to sub-
mit to the law of the land.
Dulcigno Arrangement.
The final settlement of the
Montenegro boundary question,
long pending between the Great
Powers and Turkey, replacing
G
82
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
the Corti Compromise which
wavS not carried out. The
transfer of territory fixed by
this arrangement was completed
in 1881.
Dumb Captain.
The Prince de Conde, the
leader of the conspiracy of
Amboise, was so called by his
confederates.
Dunces, Parliament of.
The Parliament of Henry IV,
which met at Coventry in 1404.
See Unlearned Parliament.
Dungannon Convention.
A convention of Ulster volun-
teer corps, held in 178 1, at
which resolutions were passed
protesting against Irish legis-
lative dependence on England
and against a perpetual Mutiny
Act.^'fJ'The meeting further
demanded freedom of commerce
for Ireland, and proclaimed its
belief in the right of private
judgment in religious matters.
Dupes, Journee des.
November 11, 1603, on which
day Marie de' Medici, Anne of
Austria, and the Duke of Or-
leans, were outwitted by Riche-
lieu, whom they had persuaded
Louis XIII to dismiss from his
service. The Cardinal returned
to office more powerful than
ever.
Durham, County Palatine of.
Durham was made a County
Palatine in the reign of Wil-
liam I, and Palatine privileges
were enjoyed by the Bishops of
Durham until 1836. The ad-
ministrative authority is now
exercised on behalf of the
Crown.
Dutch East India Company.
A company with trading and
political rights, to which a
charter was granted in 1602.
Its affairs were controlled by
a board of directors in Holland,
and a governor-general in the
Indies. It founded a colony at
the Cape of Good Hope in 1652.
In 1795 the Company ceased to
exist, having become insolvent.
Dutch Plot.
A rising in New York in 1690
under Jacob Leisler, declaring
for William III.
Dysiefald.
The catastrophe of Dysieaa,
where the revolting peasants
were defeated by Waldemar I of
Denmark in 1 1 8 1 .
Eadgar's Law.
The constitution of England
during the reign of Eadgar
(959-975 ) when, under the virtual
rule of Dunstan, Archbishop of
Canterbury, the various tribes
of Saxons and Danes were
united under one administration.
Knut re-established Eadgar's
Law on his accession in 1016.
Eagle of Brittany.
Bertrand Duguesclin, Con-
stable of France (died 1380),
was so called.
Ealdorman.
In Saxon times, a national
ofi&cer, appointed by the king
and council to control military
affairs in the shire. He sat
with the sheriff in the Shire
Court.
Earthquake, Council of the.
The name given to the Synod
of the English Church at which
the Wycliffite doctrines were
declared heretical. It was so
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 83
called from a shock of earth-
quake which was felt during the
sitting of the Synod.
East India Company.
The first charter to the Indian
merchants was granted in 1600,
and made perpetual in 1609, a
company being constituted under
the title of the India Company,
with the monopoly of the East-
ern trade. During the Revolu-
tion a rival company was formed
whose competition threatened
to extinguish the older Com-
pany, but eventually the two
were amalgamated in 1708.
As the field of operations in
India was extended, political
questions became increasingly
important, and such was the
maladministration of the Com-
pany, that the Government was
constantly forced to interfere.
In 1773 a Regulating Act was
passed, by which a new council
was appointed and other ad-
ministrative reforms introduced,
but the consequent improve-
ment was not marked, and in
1784 Pitt's India Bill withdrew
all political power from the
hands of the Company, while
leaving their trading rights
intact, and established a Board
of Control, to be appointed by
the British Government. In
181 3 the trading monopoly of
the Company was broken, so
far as India was concerned, by
the admission of independent
traders to the Company's terri-
tories, but they still retained
the China trade. In 1834, how-
ever, the restrictions on trade
still afforded by the Company's
charter were felt to be out of
harmony with modern com-
mercial ideas, and the whole of
the Company's trading rights
were swept away, in return for
an annuity, payable for forty
years, of ;^630,ooo, redeemable
at the end of that period, at the
Government's option, for a sum
of ;^i 2,000,000. Before that
period was ended, however,
the Indian Mutiny broke out,
and on its suppression, in 1858,
the Company was finally dis-
solved, and India passed under
the direct rule of the United
Kingdom.
Ecclesiastical Reservation.
A clause in the Religious
Peace of Augsburg, of 1555,
providing that any spiritual
prince who changed his religion
was to forfeit his office and the
revenues of his see.
Ecclesiastical Titles Act.
An Act passed in 185 1 in
response to the agitation caused
by the action of the Pope in
appointing Cardinal Wiseman
to the Roman Catholic Arch-
bishopric of Westminster. The
Act declared the assumption
of such titles to be illegal, but
provided no penalties for a
breach of the law, and hence
was never enforced. It was
repealed in 1871.
Economists.
A philosophical school, or
sect, founded in France about
1 76 1 by a physician of Mantes,
named Quesnay. He main-
tained that there was a natural
order of human institutions,
divinely ordained, and that, if
this were adhered to, prosperity
must ensue. He further argued
that agriculture was the only
true source of wealth. These
doctrines largely influenced
Turgot, the finance minister of
Louis XVI.
84 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Ecorcheurs.
Bands of brigands who har-
ried France during the Hundred
Years' War.
Edict of Nantes.
An edict issued in 1598 by-
Henri IV of France (Henry of
Navarre) granting toleration to
the Huguenots. It was revoked
by Louis XIV in 1685, as a
preHminary to a cruel persecu-
tion of the Protestants, one
result of which was their whole-
sale emigration to England,
Holland, and other Protestant
countries.
Edicts.
See Capitularies, Chateau-
briand, Emancipation, Frater-
nity, Hatti Humayun, Majes-
tats Brief, Moulins, Nemours,
Orleans, Pavia, Perpetual, Quar-
antaine. Reformation, Restitu-
tion, Reunion, Romorantin, Six,
Soissons, Tours, Villers-Cotterets,
Worms.
Edinburgh, Treaties of.
Two treaties, signed in 1560,
between France and Scotland
and France and England re-
spectively. By the first France
undertook to withdraw her
troops from Scotland, leaving
the Government in the hands
of the Council of the Lords.
By the second she acknowledged
Elizabeth's sovereignty over
England and Ireland, and under-
took to maintain her pledges to
the Scots.
Edmunds Law.
A stringent law against poly-
gamy, passed by the United
States Congress in 1882. It
was specially directed against
the practice prevailing in the
Mormon settlements of Utah.
Education Act, 1870.
An Act passed in 1870, estab-
lishing a system of national
elementary education in Eng-
land and Wales, controlled by
popularly elected bodies known
as School Boards. Its intro-
ducer was Mr. W. E. Forster.
The system lasted till 1902,
when it was abolished by the
Act passed in that year.
Education Act, 1902.
An Act for the regulation and
co-ordination of primary and
secondary education in Eng-
land and Wales, excepting
London. It abolishes the
School Boards established by
the Act of 1870, and makes the
County Council or Borough
Council the education authority,
subject in certain respects to the
Board of Education. It further
provides for the inclusion in
the scheme of denominational
schools,which prior to the passing
of the Act received no support
from the rates, but are now
maintained from the same
sources as the old board schools
for all purposes of secular educa-
tion.
Egalite.
The sobriquet of Philippe,
Due d'Orleans, assumed by
him to show his sympathy with
the Revolutionary party in
France in 1789.
Eight Cantons, League of the.
The confederation formed in
1351-1353 by the admission of
Zurich, Glarus, Zug and Berne
into the Perpetual League of
the four Forest Cantons.
Eikon Basilike.
A book published in 1649,
shortly after the execution of
Charles I, purporting to be his
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 85
own account of his reign. 'In
1660, however, the authorship
of it was claimed by Dr. Gauden,
Bishop of Exeter. The point
in dispute is still unsettled,
though most authorities oppose
the theory that it is the work of
Charles.
El Dorado.
See Manoa.
Elephant, Order of the.
A Danish order of knighthood,
said to date from the first
Crusade, but reorganized in 1693
by Christian V. It is confined
to thirty members, exclusive of
royal knights.
Eleven Articles.
A short profession of the
Protestant faith, issued on the
accession of Queen Elizabeth,
pending the revision of the
forty-two Articles of 1552.
Eltchi, The Great.
The sobriquet of Sir Stratford
Canning (Lord Stratford de
Redcliffe), British Ambassador
to the Porte from 1825 to 1828,
and again from 1842 to 1858.
Emancipation Act.
An Act passed in 1833 for the
abolition of slavery in the
British dominions. It pro-
vided that all children under
six, and all born after the pass-
ing of the Act, should be free.
All other slaves were, for a
period of twelve years, to serve
their masters for three-fourths
of their time, the remaining
fourth being their own. This
period was subsequently re-
duced to seven years, and after
being tried for four years the
system was abandoned, and all
slaves completely freed. Twenty
million pounds was voted as
compensation to the planters
for the loss of their slave pro-
perty.
Emancipation, Edict of.
An edict issued by Freiherr
von Stein, Prussian Minister in
1807, abolishing every form of
villeinage then existing in
Prussia, and declaring that from
18.10 there should be none but
freemen in the Prussian do-
Emancipation Proclamation.
A proclamation, issued by
President Lincoln in January i,
1863, declaring that all persons
held in slavery in the States in
arms against the Union were
henceforth free. This procla-
mation did not apply to those
States which had not seceded
from the Union, whose slaves
were liberated by an amend-
ment to the Constitution.
Embargo Act, First.
An Act of Congress, passed
in 1807, as a reply to the English
Orders in Council, prohibiting
English vessels from making
use of American ports. The
Act was repealed in 1809.
Embargo Act, Second,
An Act passed by the United
States Congress in 1810, by
which vessels flying the United
States flag were forbidden to
trade between France and
England, while French and
English vessels were, at the
same time, forbidden to touch
at American ports. The
American shipowners very
soon found means to evade this
law.
Embassy, The.
A deputation from the Vic-
torian Government, under
86 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Graham Berry, to the Colonial
Ofi&ce, in 1878, arising out of
the Victorian Deadlock, The
Colonial Secretary declined to
interfere, and the " Embassy "
became the laughing-stock of
the Colony.
Emigres.
The nobles and other Royal-
ists, to the number of 123,000,
who left France during the
Revolution. Their estates were
forfeited, and owing to the
terms of the " Charte " of
Louis XVIII were not, as a
rule, recovered at the Restora-
tion. It was said of them that
they returned from exile " hav-
ing learnt nothing and forgotten
nothing."
Eminence Grise, L'.
A nickname of Fran9ois du
Tremblay, the familiar of Car-
dinal Richelieu.
Emmett's Rebellion.
An Irish rising under Robert
Emmett in 1803. It was fo-
mented by Napoleon, who had
despatched numerous emissaries
to Ireland during the currency
of the Peace of Amiens. The
rising was easily suppressed,
and Emmett was hanged.
Empire State.
The State of New York is
so called as being the richest
and most influential of the
States of the Union.
Empire State of the South.
The State of Georgia is so-
called.
Employers' Liability Bill, 1893.
A bni rendering employers
liable for compensation to their
workmen for injuries received
while at work. The bill was
not passed, being wrecked by
the question of " contracting
out." Many large employers
of labour had arrangements
with their men, by which the
latter contributed to an assur-
ance fund, maintained in the
main by the employer, for the
purpose of providing compensa-
tion for injury, the men being
bound, under these conditions,
not to take legal action for
compensation. The House of
Commons passed a clause ren-
dering such contracts illegal,
but the Lords inserted an amend-
ment rendering them legal
under certain safeguards as to
the amount of the employers'
contribution to the fund, etc.
Neither party would give way;
and the bill was withdrawn.
Employers' Liability Act, 1897.
An Act providing compensa-
tion for death or injury, to work-
men or their representatives,
to be paid by the employer.
The Act permits " contracting
out," but in cases where the
insurance fund is not suf&cient
to provide the compensation
required by the Act, the em-
ployer is bound to make up
the amount.
Encomiendas.
Concessions granted to the
colonists in South America
under Spanish rule, whereby
they were permitted to hold as
slaves, for a certain number of
years, such Indians as they
might require, for agricultural or
mining purposes.
Encumbered Estates Act.
An Act to facilitate the sale
of encumbered estates in Ire-
land, and to give certain
powers to sell, in cases otherwise
restricted under entail.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 87
Encyclopaedia.
The famous work of Diderot
Voltaire, d'Alembert and others,
which was declared to be irre-
ligious, and was undoubtedly hos-
tile to the Church and to super-
stition. It was produced be-
tween 175 1 and 1765, and was
proscribed in 1757, but con-
tinued to circulate notwith-
standing.
Enfant de la Fortune.
The nickname of " The Child
of Fortune " was given to
Massena by Napoleon, after the
battle of Rivoli in 1797.
Enfants de Dieu.
The Camissards called them-
selves by this title.
Engagement.
An agreement between Charles
I and the two Scottish com-
missioners at Carisbrooke, in
1647, by which the Scotch
agreed to support the king
with an armed force, in return
for which he undertook to
accept the Covenant and es-
tablish Presbyterianism . The
supporters of this agreement in
Scotland were known as En-
gagers.
Englishry, Law of.
This arose from an edict of
William I, inflicting a heavy fine
for the murder of one of his
soldiers. It was always as-
sumed that any dead body
discovered was that of a Nor-
man, and to escape the fine it
was necessary to prove that the
corpse was that of an English-
man. This was called " Pre-
sentment of Englishry."
Enrages, Club des.
The Club of the Due d'Orleans,
Philippe Egalite, circ. 1789.
Entail.
A system of land tenure,
introduced by the statute " De
Donis" in 1285, wherein the
holder has only a life interest
in the land, which passes at
his death to his heirs male, and
is precluded from alienation,
or from any act which may
diminish the capital value of
the estate.
Eperons d'Or, Journee des.
See Spurs.
Episcopal Ordination^ Act (Scot-
land), ^-^^ym^^rn^
An Act passed by the Drunken
Parliament in 1662, enacting
that all holders of livings should
be episcopaUy ordained. It is
said that under this act some
350 ministers were deprived of
their livings.
Equador, Confederacao do.
A revolutionary sdciety,f ormed
at Pernambuco in 1824, with
the object of seceding from the
Empire of Brazil and forming a
republic. Its leader was Paes
de Andrade. The revolt was
suppressed in the same year.
Era of Good Feeling.
The period of Monroe's
presidentship of the United
States (1816-1820), during
which there was a truce between
the two great poHtical parties.
Erastians.
The followers of Thomas
Liebler, known as Erastus, a
Swiss theologian (1524-1583).
He held that the Church was
a civil institution, and subject to
the State, and that consequently
the Church per se had no right
to punish by excommunication
or otherwise any offences against
the Church, its doctrine or
88 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
government, such right be-
longing to the State alone.
Eric.
Under the Brehon Law in
Ireland, the only punishment
recognized for all classes of
offences, namely a money com-
pensation.
Erie Ring.
A confederation of specula-
tors who obtained control of
the Erie Railway, and, working
in with the Tammany Ring in
New York, succeeded in amass-
ing large fortunes, at the ex-
pense of the shareholders. The
various transactions between
the two rings were exposed in
1 87 1, and the Erie Ring was
ousted from the management of
the railway.
Escheat.
The reversion to the crown
of an estate held in vassalage,
on the failure of heirs to the
vassal.
Escuage.
See Scutage.
Essex Junto.
The name given to a party
of extreme Federalists in the
United States about 1800. The
name is taken from Essex
County, Massachusetts, which
was the centre of their influ-
ence.
Est-it-possible.
The nickname of George of
Denmark, the husband of Queen
Anne. It was his invariable
remark when any startling
news was told him.
Estates of Scotland.
The Scottish Parliament was
so called, as being an assembly
of the three estates of the king-
dom, namely the Clergy, the
Barons, and the Burgesses.
All the three Estates sat in one
chamber.
Estatuto Real.
The new constitution promul-
gated by Bermudez, the Minister
of the Queen-Regent, Christina
of Spain, in 1834, to replace the
despotic system of Ferdinand.
Etablissements de St. Louis.
The code of laws issued by
Louis IX of France, directed
against the abuses of seignorial
jurisdiction, and providing for
the regular administration of
justice by state functionaries.
It also settled the principles
of procedure in the courts thus
established.
Etas.
The outcasts in old Japan.
They exercised all the most
degrading trades, acting as
scavengers, butchers, tanners,
executioners, etc. They are
supposed by some authorities
to be descendants of Korean
prisoners of war.
Etcetera Oath.
An oath imposed upon the
English clergy by the Canons of
1640, to the effect that they
would never consent to any
alteration in the government
of the Church of England, by
Archbishops, Deans, Archdea-
cons, etcetera.
Ethel.
In early Anglo-Saxon times
land held on the original allot-
ment made at the time of the
Saxon invasion, as opposed to
Bocland, land held by grant or
charter.
Etruria, Kingdom of.
The Grand Duchy of Tuscany
was thus re-named, on passing
I
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 89
to the Duke of Parma under
the provisions of the Treaty of
Luneville in 1801.
Eureka Stockade.
A stockade erected and de-
fended by the Ballarat miners
under Peter Lalor in 1854. The
stockade was taken by the
Government troops, and the
outbreak quickly suppressed,
but it resulted in the appoint-
ment of a commission to
inquire into the miners' griev-
ances, which reported largely
in their favour in the course of
the following year.
European Association.
A society of foreign political
refugees, formed in London in
1855 to promote the Republican
movement on the Continent.
Its founders were Mazzini, Kos-
suth, and Ledru-Rollin.
Ever Victorious Army.
The name given to the army
which finally overpowered the
Taeping rebels in 1865 under
General Gordon.
Evil May-day.
May I, 1 5 17, the date of a
serious outbreak of the London
apprentices, when grave out-
rages were perpetrated on for-
eigners and others.
Evora, Convention of.
A convention putting an end
to the civil war in Portugal,
signed in 1834, by which the
Pretender, Don Miguel, re-
nounced the throne, and agreed
to leave Portugal.
Excelsior State.
A name given to the State
of New York, from its motto,
" Excelsior."
Exchequer.
A court formed out of the
Curia Regis to deal with ques-
tions of finance. It was estab-
lished by Roger of Salisbury,
in the reign of Henry I.
Exclusion Bill.
A Bill introduced into Parlia-
ment in 1679, providing for the
exclusion of James, Duke of
York, from the succession. The
bill failed to pass, but was
reintroduced in 1681. After it
had been read a first time
Charles II dissolved Parhament,
and did not summon another
during his reign.
Executors.
See Sixteen, Council of.
Exsurge Domine, Bull.
The Bull issued by Leo X in
1520, " against the errors of
Martin Luther." It was pub-
licly burnt by Luther in the
market place of Wittemburg.
F. F. Vs.
The First Families of Virginia.
The name given to the descend-
ants of the adventurers who
colonized Virginia under the
Charter of 1606.
Fabius, The American.
George Washington was so
called.
Factory Acts.
A series of Acts providing for
the inspection and regulation
of factories in Great Britain.
The first Act dealing with this
question was the Cotton Indus-
try Act of 1 83 1, and further
legislation took place in 1834,
1844, 1850, 1864, 1867, 1870.
and 1874, some of these Acts
relating to factories as a whole,
and others to particular trades.
The most important enactment.
90 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
however, is that of 1878, which
deals with factories and work-
shops of all kinds, as well as
with domestic workshops. Regu-
lations are made limiting the
hours of employment of women,
young persons, and children,
forbidding the carrying on of
certain trades by women, and
providing for systematic inspec-
tion by Government officials.
Faggot Votes.
Votes manufactured, chiefly in
country districts, by the creation
of small freeholders. The sale
of land to accomplish this was
often merely nominal, no money
passing, and the vendor lending
the purchase money under
mortgage.
Fair Maid of Kent.
The sobriquet of Joan, Count-
ess of Salisbury, the wife of
Edward the Black Prince.
Fair Quakeress.
Hannah Lightfoot, whom
George III married in 1759,
the year before he ascended
the throne. The marriage was,
of course, not recognized.
Fair Rosamond.
The daughter of Lord Clifford
and mistress of Henry II of
England.
Falaise, Treaty of.
A treaty between Henry II
of England and William the
Lyon of Scotland, signed in
1 174. William, who had been
captured by the English and
carried off to Normandy, agreed,
as the price of his liberty, to
acknowledge Henry's suzerainty
and do homage for his
crown. The right was, however,
surrendered by Richard Cceur
de Lion in 1189, in exchange
for a payment of 10,000 marks.
Falczi, Treaty of.
See Pruth.
Falieri, Conspiracy of Marino.
A plot, headed by Falieri,
the Doge of Venice, to over-
throw the Government of the
Republic. The conspiracy was
discovered, and Falieri was
beheaded within the walls of
the Ducal Palace in 1355.
Falk Laws.
A series of laws introduced
by Dr. Falk, Prussian Minister
of Public Worship, between
1872 and 1879, in pursuance of
the Kulturkampf. They were
exceedingly oppressive to the
Catholic population. The
more important of them were
passed in the month of May,
1873, whence they are also
known as the May laws.
Family Compact.
A secret agreement, made in
^733, between Louis XV of
France and Philip V of Spain,
the object of which was the
harassing of English commerce
in the South Seas, and the re
covery by Spain of Gibraltar
and Minorca. It culminated
in 1 76 1 in a close alliance be-
tween the two Powers, to which
the Bourbon Princes of Parma
and Naples were also admitted.
Family Convention.
An agreement between Gio-
vanni de' Medici and Philip V
of Spain, in 173 1, by which the
former recognized Don Carlos
as his heir to the Grand Duchy
of Tuscany.
Farines, Journee des.
The day of the Cornsacks
was January 3, 1591, when
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 91
some of the followers of Henri IV
of France disguised themselves
as millers, and attempted to
seize the barrier of St. Honore,
with the object of making
themselves masters of Paris.
Farmer George.
A nickname of George III.
Farmers' Alliance.
A political organization
formed in the United States
in 1873 to promote the interests
of the agricultural classes. It
was absorbed by the Populists
Farquharsons, Massacre of the.
The Farquharsons of Deeside
were practically exterminated
in the reign of James VI by
the Gordons under the Marquis
of Huntly, in revenge for the
murder of Gordon of Brackley.
Two hundred children who sur-
vived the massacre were kept
by Huntly as wild beasts, and
fed from a pig trough. They
were rescued from their in-
human captor by the Laird of
Grant, who distributed them
among his clansmen. It is said
that their descendants are still
known as the Race of the
Trough.
Farthings, War of.
See Rappenkrieg.
Fashoda Question.
This question brought France
and England to the verge of
war in 189S. In that year.
Captain Marchand, after an
adventurous journey from the
French Soudan, reached Fash
oda on the Nile, and hoisted the
French fl.ag there and at certain
points on the Sobat river. Sir
Herbert Kitchener, who had
just captured Khartoum, in-
vited Marchand to mthdraw,
and hoisted the English and
Eg5rptian flags. Marchand
refusing, the matter was re-
ferred to London and Paris.
The French were at first in-
clined to hold that, the Anglo-
Egyptian occupation of the
Soudan having been suspended
by the Mahdist domination, it
was open to them to make a
settlement on the Nile. It was
clearly proved, however, that
they had been warned on several
occasions that this would not
be permitted, and after some
hesitation, due probably to the
doubt as to whether they would
have the support of Russia if
they stood firm, they yielded,
and the Marchand expedition
was withdrawn.
Father of America.
The sobriquet of Samuel
Adams, the American revolu-
tionary leader (i 722-1 803.)
Father of his Country.
This title has been bestow^ed
upon several patriots in ancient
and modern history, among
others Cosmo de' Medici of
Florence (i 389-1464), Andrea
Doria, the Genoese Admiral
(1468-1560), and George Wash-
ington (1732-1799)-
Father of his People.
A title bestowed on Louis XII
of France (1498-1515), and on
Christian III of Denmark
(1533-1559).
Featherheads.
See Half-breeds.
Federal Council of the Aus-
tralian Colonies.
A Council formed in accord-
ance with the provisions of the
Imperial Federation Enabling
92 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Act of 1855, by delegates from
Victoria, Queensland, South
and Western Australia, and
Tasmania, which met at Ho-
bart in January, 1886, under
the presidency of James Ser-
vice. The non-adhesion of
New South Wales, however,
was fatal to the scheme.
Federal Pact.
A Swiss Constitution, evolved
by the " Long Diet " of Zurich,
and approved by the Powers at
the Congress of Vienna in 181 5,
Federalistas.
The party in Mexico who
favour a large measure of
autonomy in the separate states,
and oppose excessive centraliza-
tion of authority in the central
government.
Federalists.
A party, in the early days of
American independence, who
favoured the concentration of
power in the hands of the
central government, while their
opponents, known as Anti-
federalists, and later as Demo-
crats, were supporters of the
rights of individual states.
Federes.
A band of young Marseillais,
who, under the leadership of
Barbaroux, marched to Paris
in 1792 to aid the Revolution.
Fehden.
In mediaeval Germany, the
private wars between the semi-
independent barons and knights
were known by this name.
Fellaheen.
The peasants of Egypt. The
word signifies " tillers."
Fenian Association.
An Irish revolutionary society,
estabhshed about 1858. During
the American Civil War, it
became an organized institution,
with headquarters in New York,
with the avowed object of
fomenting disturbances in Ire-
land, and making the Govern-
ment of that country by
England impossible. Its leader
was James Stephens. In 1866
the Fenians attempted a raid
into Canada, which was entirely
unsuccessful. In 1867 a general
rising m Ireland was planned,
which also failed. Two further
unsuccessful attempts upon
Canada took place in 1870 and
1 87 1, from which point its
activity was confined to a few
isolated outrages of small im-
portance. The name Fenian
is taken from the old Irish
Militia, which was known as
Fionna Eirinn.
Feormfultum.
In Anglo-Saxon times a
tax levied on the land for the
support of the royal household.
It was paid in kind.
Ferdinand, Treaty of.
See Christian Alliance.
Ferm.
In Anglo-Saxon and early
feudal times, a rent paid by the
shires on public lands and royal
domains.
Fermiers Generaux.
Persons, generally royal fa-
vourites, who obtained the
right of collecting the taxes,
by payment of a fixed sum.
This system was initiated in
France in 1546 by Francis I,
who farmed out the Gabelle,
and continued until the Revo-
lution.
Feudal System.
A system of land tenure
general on the continent of
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 93
Europe, becoming universal in
France in the tenth century,
while it was introduced into
England at the time of the
Norman Conquest. The king
as lord paramount was the
owner of the whole country,
which was held in fief, or
vassalage, by the great terri-
torial lords, who owed him
homage and service, military or
other. They in turn had vas-
sals of lesser degree, bound to
them by similar ties, but, subject
to the due discharge of such
service, perfectly free. By the
growth of " subinfeudation "
this system became indefinitely
extended. -^ >^^
Feuillants.
A club formed in 1791, during
the French Revolution, by the
monarchical majority of the
Jacobin Club, who objected to
the principles and language of
the minority. Their impolitic
action in seceding from the
Jacobins rendered the extreme
revolutionists masters of the
situation, owing to the enormous
influence of the name Jacobin
throughout France.
Fief.
In feudal times land held by a
vassal by military service or
other feudal tenure.
Field Cornet.
An officer charged, under the
Landdrost, with the superin-
tendence of military matters in
the South African States. See
Commando.
Field of Lies.
See Liigenfeld.
Field of Mourning.
The battlefield of Fraga, in
Spain, where fell, in 11 34,
Alfonso I of Aragon, f;ur named
the Warrior, and famed for his
successes against the Moors,
whom he expelled from the
valley of the Ebro.
Field of the Cloth of Gold.
The meeting place of Henry
VIII and Francis I, between
Guines and Ardres. This meet-
ing, which took place in 1520,
was arranged by Francis with
the object of securing the
friendship of Henry, and de-
taching him from the Spanish
alliance. A marriage was
agreed upon between the Dau-
phin and Princess Mary of
England, but within a very few
weeks Henry went back on his
word, and gave Charles V an
undertaking that he would pro-
ceed no further in the matter.
Fieschi Conspiracy.
An unsuccessful conspiracy
to overthrow the Doge, Doria,
and the French party in Genoa
in 1547.
Fieschi' s Plot.
A plot to assassinate Louis
Philippe in July, 1835. A
machine composed of twenty-
four gun-barrels was fired from
an upper window at the Royal
cortSge, as the king was on his
way to a review. The king
was unhurt, but several pro-
minent persons, including Mar-
shal Mortier, were killed, Fieschi
and his accompUces were caught
red-handed.
Fifteen, Council of.
A council of state appointed
by the Barons of the Mad
Parliament in 1258 to carry on
the Government. The Fifteen
produced the Provisions of Ox-
ford, under which the kingdom
was governed until the Mise of
Amiens in 1264.
<
(iMtr-^cit^lJL
94 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Fifteen, Rebellion of the.
The Jacobite rebellion in
Scotland in 1815, under the
Earl of Mar. The rebels suc-
ceeded in penetrating into
iCngland, but were defeated at
Preston, and shortly afterwards
Mar was defeated at Sheriff-
muir. With little further fight-
ing the rebel army was broken
up, and the Pretender retired
to France. Lords Derwent-
water and Kenmure and many
other less important personages
were executed for complicity in
the rebellion.
Fifth Monarchy Men.
A sect of fanatics who formed
an important element in the
Cromwellian armies. They
considered the Protectorate to
be the Fifth Monarchy prophe-
sied in the Apocalypse, during
which the millennium would
come upon the earth.
Fiftieth Ordinance.
An ordinance of the Cape
Government in 1828, by which
Hottentots and other free na-
tives were relieved from all the
restrictions of the pass law, and
put upon a political equality
with the whites. This was very
distasteful to the Dutch settlers.
Fifty-one, Committee of.
A committee of merchants
and gentry in New York, formed
in 1774. They were in favour
of a General Congress, but
opposed to the non-intercourse
policy advocated by some other
colonies, and especially in Mas-
sachusetts.
Fighting Prelate.
Henry Spencer, Bishop of
Norwich, who led the troops
against Wat Tyler in 1381, was
so called.
Financial Relations Committee.
A committee appointed in
1895 to report on the financial
relations between England and
Ireland. In the following year,
a majority report was issued in
which it was stated that the
Act of Union had laid too
heavy a financial burden on
Ireland ; that the increase in
the Irish contribution sanc-
tioned in 1853 and in i860 was
unjustifiable; and that Ireland's
tax revenue was one-eleventh,
whereas it should only be one-
twentieth of that of England.
Fines, Statute of.
A statute passed in the
4thyearof Henry VII, re-enacted
almost verbatim from a statute
of Richard III, the object of
which was to prevent the mul-
tiplication in the courts of
suits for the recovery of lands.
The method adopted was to fix
at five years the period of oc-
cupation giving prescriptive
rights.
Fire of London.
A fire which broke out on
September 2, 1660, at a house
in Fish Street Hill. It burnt
for four days and destroyed
eighty-nine churches, including
St. Paul's, and over 13,000
houses.
Firebrand of France.
The sobriquet of John, Duke
of Bedford, Regent of France
(1390-1435).
Firebrand of the Universe.
Tamerlane, the great Tartar
conqueror, was so called.
Fire-Eaters.
The extreme supporters of
Slavery and States' Rights in
the Southern States of America
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 95
were so called by their political
opponents before the Civil War.
Firman.
An official edict of the Porte,
issued in the Sultan's name,
though not necessarily bearing
his signature.
First Charter.
A charter issued by Henry I,
in 1 100, by which he re-estab-
lished the law of King Edward,
that is to say the old institutions
of the country prior to the
Conquest. He further under-
took to make only such claims
upon his feudatories as were in
accordance with feudal law,
and made the same course
obligatory on them in relation
to their vassals. He also recog-
nized the right of bequeathing
property by will.
First Gentleman of Europe.
George IV, when Prince Re
gent, was so called.
Fisheries Treaty, 1888.
A treaty between Great Bri-
tain and the United States,
signed in 1888, providing for
reciprocal fishing rights for the
Canadian and American fisher-
men. Pending ratification a
modus Vivendi was estab-
lished, by which American
fishermen could fish in Canadian
and Newfoundland waters on
payment of a license of $1.50
per ton. The Senate, however,
declined to ratify the treaty.
Five Articles of Perth.
A document embodying cer-
tain changes in ritual, in the
direction of Episcopalianism,
forced upon the Scotch Pres-
byterians by James I in 1621.
They excited great discontent,
but remained in force until 1638.
Five Boroughs.
A confederation, under Danish
law, of the five tribes which
occupied the ancient Anglo-
Saxon kingdom of Mercia. The
five boroughs were Derby, Lin-
coln, Leicester, Stamford and
Nottingham. The confederacy
was broken up in 910 by ^thel-
flaed, the Lady of the Mercians.
Five Hundred, Council of.
The name given to the Lower
House of Assembly under the
Direct oire in France (1795-
1799)-
Five Kings of France.
The name applied to the five
men composing the French
Directoire (1795-1799).
Five Members.
Pym, Hampden, Haselrig,
Strode and Holies, five members
of the Long Parliament, who
were specially active in their
opposition to the king's illegal
actions. Charles attempted to
arrest them in the House of
Commons in 1642, but they
escaped to the City, and Charles
was unable to seize them, in the
face of the support accorded to
them by the citizens.
Five Mile Act.
An Act passed in 1665, for-
bidding any clergyman who
had not subscribed to the Act
of Uniformity to teach, or to
come within five miles of a
borough or corporate town. A
similar Act, known as the Mile
Act, had been passed in Scotland
three years earlier.
Five Nations.
The five tribes of Red Indians
who formerly ranged the east
coast of America, along the
Hudson, and as far south as the
Delaware. They were always
g6 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
on the English side in the wars
with France. They were the
Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas,
Cajnigas and Senecas. The
remnants of these tribes are now
domiciled in Canada.
Flagellants.
A sect which appeared in
Hungary during the Great
Plague of 1348, They looked
upon scourging as the only
means of avoiding the divine
punishment for sin.
Flammock's Rebellion.
A rising in Cornwall, headed
by Thomas Flammock in 1497,
in opposition to the tax levied
for the maintenance of the
war against Scotland. The re-
bels were defeated at Black-
heath, and Flammock and
others executed.
Fleet Marriages.
Marriages celebrated within
the precincts of the Fleet
Prison by clergymen of indif-
ferent character. They were
rendered impossible by Lord
Hardwicke's Act in 1753.
Flibustiers.
See Buccaneers.
Flood's Reform Bill.
A sweeping measure of reform
introduced into the Irish Par-
liament by Flood in 1784. It
gave rise to scenes of the wildest
disorder, both in the House and
throughout the country.
Flower of Chivalry.
Sir Philip Sidney (i 554-1 586)
was so called.
Flowery Land, Mutiny of the.
A mutiny on board an
English vessel on a voyage to
Singapore in 1684, the crew,
composed of various nation-
alities, murdering the captain
and first mate. The second mate,
who was spared to navigate the
vessel, was able to give inform-
ation which led to the arrest of
most of the crew, five of whom
were hanged in due course.
Folcland.
In early Saxon times all the
land which was not partitioned
off into homesteads, or spe-
cially granted, remained the
property of the nation, and was
known as folcland. In the
times of the later Saxon kings,
the folcland became royal de-
mesne, and after the Conquest
William seized it as crown
property.
Folenbray.
A treaty between Henri IV
of France and the Due de
Mayenne, by which the League
came to an end.
Folkething.
See Rigsdag.
Folkmote.
In early Saxon times the
gathering of the tribe in arms
was so called.
Fommanah, Treaty of.
A treaty between Great Bri-
tain and the King of Ashanti,
signed after the first Ashanti
War in 1874. The king re-
nounced the right to exact
tribute from the kings of Den-
kera and Adansi, other native
chiefs, and also his supremacy
over Elmira. He agreed to
offer no obstacle to British
trade, to maintain an open road
to Kumasi, and to abolish
human sacrifices. Prempeh's
failure to adhere to the terms
of this treaty led to the second
Ashanti expedition in 1900.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 97
Fontainebleau, Decree of.
A decree issued by Napoleon
in October, 18 10, ordering all
British merchandise found in
France, Germany, Italy, Spain
and other places in the occu-
pation of the French troops to
be destroyed.
Fontainebleau, Treaty of, 1807.
A treaty, disclosed in the
autumn of 1807, between Napo-
leon and Godoy, the Minister
of Charles IV, and the de facto
ruler of Spain. It provided for
the joint occupation of Portugal
by France and Spain, and the
dismemberment of that country,
Godoy receiving as his reward
the provinces of Alemtejo and
the Algarves to be erected into
a principality, and the northern
province to be given to the
King of Etruria, in exchange for
Tuscany, which would pass to
Napoleon.
Fontainebleau, Treaty of, 18 14.
A treaty between Napoleon
and the Allied Powers, signed
April 14, 1 8 14, after the occu-
pation of Paris. Napoleon sur-
rendered all claims to the
thrones of France and Italy,
and received in return the
sovereignty of Elba for him-
self, and Parma and Piacenza
for the Empress and the King of
Rome.
Foraker Act.
An Act of Congress, passed in
1900, estabhshing local self-
government in Porto Rico, and
creating a tariff. In 1901 the
tariff provisions were repealed,
and free trade with the United
States instituted.
Force Act.
An Act of Congress passed in
1 870, giving the Federal author-
ities the right to intervene in
certain contingencies in the
police and other internal ar-
rangements of individual States.
This Act was rendered necessary
by the covert support given by
the authorities of the Southern
States to such organizations as
the Ku-Klux Klan. A similar
Act was passed in 1871.
Force Bill.
The popular name for the
bill introduced by Mr. Lodge
in Congress, in 1890, for the
reform of the electoral law
of the United States. The bill
did not pass the Senate.
Foreign Enlistment Act.
An Act passed in 18 19, mak-
ing it a misdemeanour for a
British subject to enlist in the
service of a foreign power at
war with a nation friendly to
Greatt Britain, or to build or
equip any ship for the service
of such power.
Forests, Charter of.
A charter granted by Henry
III in 1 2 17, when renemng
Magna Charta, mitigating the
severity of the Forest laws of
the Anglo-Norman kings.
Formosan Expedition.
An expedition sent to For-
mosa by Japan in 1873-4, to
exact reparation for the murder
of a ship's crew from the Loo
Choo Islands. China was highly
incensed, and war between the
two nations was imminent, but
Sir Thomas Wade persuaded
the Chinese to pay an indem-
nity and recognize Japanese
sovereignty over the Loo Choo
Islands.
Forty-five, Rebellion of the.
The second Jacobite rebel-
H
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
lion, in 1845, under the Young
Pretender, Prince Charles Ed-
ward. Joined by many of the
Highland clans, he succeeded
in defeating the English under
Cope at Preston Pans, and
penetrated into England as far
as Derby, but was forced to
retreat, and was finally dis-
astrously defeated by the Duke
of Cumberland at CuUoden.
Charles Edward escaped to
France, but many of his leading
supporters were captured and
executed.
Forty-niners.
See Argonauts.
Forty-two Articles.
The articles of the Reformed
Church of England, as issued
originally in 1552, were forty-
two in number. They were
afterwards reduced, by the
omission of three, to thirty-
nine, which remain binding to-
day.
Forwards, Marshal.
A nickname given to Blucher
during the campaign of 181 3.
Fouage.
A tax on chimneys imposed
by the Black Prince in Gascony.
Four Burghs, Court of the.
In early Scottish history a
court established for the pur-
pose of dealing with all cases in
which the Scottish Burghs were
concerned.
Fourierism.
A system of communism de-
vised by Charles Fourier, the
French Socialist, in 1832. The
proposal was to form commu-
nities of 1,800 persons each,
known as phalanges, to be
united under a central govern-
ment. The gains of each pha-
were to be held in com-
mon. An attempt to establish
the system near Versailles was
completely unsuccessful.
Fourth Party.
A small but active body of
free-lances of the Conservative
party, which was formed under
Lord Randolph Churchill during
the session of 1880. Though
various Conservative members
acted with it from time to time,
the party is generally con-
sidered to have consisted of
four persons. Lord Randolph
Churchill, Mr. (afterwards Sir
John) Gorst, Sir H. Drummond
Wolff and Mr. Arthur Balfour.
Francfief.
A tax on commoners who
became possessed of fiefs, to
compensate for their inability
to render military service. It
was imposed by Louis IX of
France in 1260, and abolished
by his successor, Philip III.
Franchise Act.
An Act passed in 1884, assi-
milating the county to the
borough franchise, and giving
the vote to residents in a house
who are neither occupiers nor
lodgers (known as the Service
Franchise) under certain res-
trictions. In the House of
Lords, Lord Cairns carried an
amendment that the Act should
not become operative until a
Redistribution Bill had been
passed.
Franciscans.
An order of mendicant friars,
founded by St. Francis d'Assisi,
and authorized by Innocent II
in 121 5. They were not con-
fined to monasteries, like the
earlier orders, but worked
amongst the poor, and took
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 99
themselves a vow of poverty
in addition to the ordinary-
monastic vows.
Franco-American Treaty, 1778.
A treaty by which France
recognized the independence of
the United States. Both par-
ties agreed to give each other
most-favoured-nation treatment
in tariff matters, while America
accepted the French interpreta-
tion of the treaties of Utrecht
and Paris with respect to the
Newfoundland fishery question,
thus admitting the right of
France not only to the fishing,
but to the use of one half of the
shore for drying stations. France
further agreed to recognize any
conquests made by the United
States from England in the
course of the war.
Franco- Annamese Treaty, 1874.
A treaty between France and
Annam, by which Annam re-
cognized the French sover-
eignty of Lower Cochin China,
and granted free navigation of
the Red River.
Franco-Siamese Treaty, 1893.
By this instrument Siam
ceded to France all her territory
on the east of the Mekong, and
agreed to keep no fortified place
within fifteen miles of the river
on the west bank. France was
to occupy Chantaboon until the
conditions were fulfilled.
Franco-Siamese Treaty, 1902.
By this treaty Siam made
further territorial concessions to
France, ceding practically all
the territory ever held by
Annam or Tonquin. She also
conceded to France the right to
protect Siamese subjects of
Annamese or Tonquinese ex-
traction, and undertook to open
iLorC.
a certain number of official
posts to Frenchmen. France
agreed to evacuate Chantaboon.
Francs- Archers.
A militia raised for the first
time by Charles VII of France
in 1448. Each parish was or-
dered to provide and equip one
man, who, in return for his
military service, was freed from
all taxation.
Francs-Tireurs.
French peasants who took
up arms during the Franco-
German war of 1870, and car-
ried on a species of guerilla
warfare against the German
troops. In the early part of the
war they were treated as bri-
gands, and shot when captured.
Later they were organized by the
French authorities, and were
then treated as belligerents.
Frankfort, Confederacy of.
A league composed of the
Emperor, the Kings of Prussia
and Sweden, the Elector Pala-
tine and the Landgrave of
Hesse, formed in 1744 with the
object of forcing Maria Theresa
to acknowledge Charles VII as
Emperor.
Frankfort, General Treaty of.
A treaty signed by Austria,
Great Britain, Prussia and
Russia, confirming the various
territorial changes effected by
the Treaties of Paris and Vienna
of 1815.
Frankfort, Treaty of.
The treaty embodying the
terms agreed upon at Versailles
by Prince Bismarck and M.
Thiers, after the surrender of
Paris in 1 87 1. It provided for
the cession to Germany of
Alsace, including Strasburg, but
lOo DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
not including Belfort, and of a
part of Lorraine, including Metz,
together with the payment of
a war indemnity of five mil-
liards of francs, or two hundred
millions sterling.
Frankfurter Attentat.
A rising of students and
others at Frankfort-on-the-
Main in 1833, occasioned by the
oppressive measures adopted by
the Bundesrath towards the
Press. The outbreak was
promptly quelled.
Frankpledge.
A system existing in the early
Norman, and probably the later
Saxon period, by which the
whole of the free population
of England was divided into
groups of ten men, mutually
responsible for the other
members of the group. It
was by this means that the
policing of the country was
carried out, under the super-
vision of the Hundred Court,
It was also called Frithbohr.
Fraternity, Edict of.
An edict issued by the French
Convention in 1792, offering
fraternity to all nations ready
to welcome liberal institutions.
Frederic, Code.
See Landrecht.
Frederickshamm, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and
Sweden, signed in 1809, shortly
after the death of Gustavus IV,
by which Russia acquired Fin-
land as far as the Tornea.
Free Church of Scotland.
A secession from the Estab-
lished Church of Scotland,
which took place under Dr.
Chalmers in 1843. About 500
ministers seceded with him.
The points at issue were State
Control and Lay Patronage,
to which Dr. Chalmers and his
followers objected.
Free Companies.
The Mercenaries employed
by both French and English
during the Hundred Years' War.
After the Peace of Bretigny
they were disbanded, and being
without employment, formed
bands under their own leaders,
and committed frightful ravages
in France, and, later, in Italy.
Free Imperial Cities.
Certain towns in Germany,
owing allegiance to no sovereign
prince, excepting only to the
Emperor. They exercised so-
vereign powers within their own
limits, and sent representatives
to the Diet. In 1790 they were
fifty-one in number. The three
last cities to retain their privi-
leges were Liibeck, Bremen and
Hamburg, which in 1871 be-
came an integral part of the
German Empire,
Free Selection.
A scheme for settling small
farmers on portions of the
large holdings of the Squatters,
or Pastoralists, in Australia.
This system was first introduced
in New South Wales, in 1861,
and was adopted in Victoria in
the following year. Intending
settlers could take up, in the
districts set apart for the
purpose, from 40 to 240 acres,
paying £1 per acre, or if they
preferred, los. down and the
balance by annual instalments
of 2s, 6d. Many of those who
took advantage of this offer,
proved however to be mere
dummies, put up by the squat-
ters, who thus obtained land
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS loi
more cheaply than they could
purchase from the Government.
Amending bills were conse-
quently introduced to prevent
these evasions.
Freesoilers.
A party formed in the United
States in 1848 to resist the
extension of slavery to the
Territories. They were ab-
sorbed into the Republican
party in 1856.
Freestone State.
A popular name for the State
of Connecticut, owing to the
large number of freestone quar-
ries within its borders.
Free Trade, Apostle of.
The name given to Richard
Cobden, the leader of the Man-
chester School. It is also occa-
sionally applied to John Bright.
Free Trade.
The principle of the free
interchange of commodities was
first advocated by Adam Smith
in his Wealth of Nations, in
1776. It may be said to have
first become a question of prac-
tical politics in 1846, thanks to
the advocacy of Richard Cobden
and the Manchester School.
Freischoffe.
The initiated members of the
Vehmgerichte.
Freigraffen.
The officers of the Vehm-
gerichte.
Freisinnige.
A party in the German Reich-
stag, formed under Richter in
1884, by a coalition of the
advanced Radicals with sece-
ders from the National Liberals.
Their programme was distinctly
I Ridic'il.
French Fury.
A treacherous attempt to
sack Antwerp by the French
under the Due d'Anjou in 1583.
Though taken by surprise, the
citizens promptly obeyed the
call to arms, and the French,
after severe fighting, were driven
out with heavy loss.
French Shore.
A question still (1903) pend-
ing between Great Britain and
France. By the Treaty of
Utrecht, 17 13, Newfoundland
was declared English, but the
French were suffered to retain
their fishery rights and the use
of a certain portion of the coast
for drying stations. France has
for many years sought to give
a very wide interpretation to
this use of the Newfoundland
coast, claiming almost sovereign
rights, which seriously interferg
with the railway and minine
development of the colony. A
modus Vivendi has been arrived
at, pending final settlement,
but the long delay in coming
to an agreement has caused
much irritation in Newfound-
land.
Frerage.
The system by which in
French feudal times provision
was made for the younger
members of a family. The
land passed to the eldest son,
who retained a portion of it,
and passed the rest on to his
brothers, who did homage for it.
Frerage was similar in its
form and in its results to subin-
feudation.
Friends of Ireland.
The title under which the
Catholic Association was recon-
stituted by O'Connell in 1830.
It was declared illegal, where-
I02 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
upon it reappeared in a new
form as the Society of Irish
Volunteers.
Friends of the People.
A society formed in 1792
to agitate for the removal of
the existing inequalities in re-
presentation. It numbered
among its members many lead-
ing Whig politicians, amongst
others Russell, Sheridan, Ers-
kine and Grey.
Frithbohr.
See Frankpledge.
Frith-guilds.
Societies formed in the towns,
on conditions of mutual res-
ponsibility somewhat analogous
to the Frankpledge, in the early
Plantagenet times. They after-
wards combined, forming the
powerful merchant guilds
which eventually came to con-
trol not only the conditions of
labour, but the selling price of
the commodities in which they
dealt.
Fronde.
A revolt of the Parlement
and citizens of Paris, under the
leadership of the Cardinal de
Retz, against the unrestrained
autocracy of Louis XIV. The
court was forced to leave Paris
in 1648, but the first outbreak
was ended during the year
following by an arrangement
called the Treaty of Ruel. It
was finally suppressed in 1652.
The contention of the Fronde
was that the king's prerogative
should only be exercised within
the limits of the law, and should
not be above the law, as was
claimed by the king.
Frostathing's Law.
One of the codes of law of the
Norsemen. It was codified by
Hakon the Good, King of Den-
mark (934-960) but was pro-
bably in existence at a much
earlier date.
Fudai.
The vassal Daimios or nobles
of the Shogun, in old Japan.
Fuero.
The charter granted to a
Spanish town in the Middle
Ages. The earliest known
Fuero is that of Leon, granted
by Alfonso V in 1020.
Fuero Juzgo.
The code of laws of the
Gothic kings of Spain.
Fugitive Slave Circular.
A circular issued by the
Admiralty in 1876, which gave
instructions to the captains of
H.M. ships as to the treatment
of slaves who took refuge on
board in the territorial waters
of slave-holding states. These
instructions were held to be
inconsistent with the principle
that there could be no slavery
under the British Flag., and a
strong feeling was aroused in
the matter. Eventually a com-
mittee was appointed to exam-
ine the legal aspects of the
question, with the result that
a modified circular was issued.
Fugitive Slave Law.
A law forming part of the
Compromise Act, passed by
Congress in 1850, under which
fugitive slaves could be arrested
in the free-labour states, while
it was made a felony under
certain conditions to harbour
or aid in the escape of such
slaves.
Fum the Fourth.
A nickname of George IV.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 103
Furies de la Guillotine.
See Tricoteuses.
Fiirstenbund.
A league of the German
Princes, formed under the aus-
pices of Frederick the Great in
1785, to uphold the Peace of
Teschen. The cause of its
formation was an attempt of the
Emperor, Joseph II, to obtain
possession of Bavaria, by ex-
changing for it the Austrian
Netherlands.
Fusillades.
The wholesale massacres in
Lyons, after the surrender of
that city to the Revolutionary
troops in 1792 were so called.
G.O.M.
The Grand Old Man, the
sobriquet of Mr, Gladstone.
Gabelle.
A tax on salt, imposed at
various periods of French his-
tory. Towards the latter part
of the eighteenth century it was
a most burdensome impost,
and its incidence was most irre-
gular. It was abolished in
1791.
Gachupin.
The name given in Central
and South America to Span-
iards and Spanish partizans
during the war of independence.
Gadesden Purchase.
A purchase from Mexico by
the United States for ten million
dollars of a large tract of land
now included in Arizona and
New Mexico. The purchase
was negotiated by James Gades-
den, while United States' Minis-
ter to Mexico in 1853.
Gafol-land.
In Anglo-Saxon times folc-
land which was let out on rent
was so called. Gafol means
tribute.
Galleons, The Spanish.
The treasure ships, which
sailed once a year from the New
World, bringing the tribute of
the Colonies to Spain. They
were frequently captured by
the English gentlemen adven-
turers and by the buccaneers
during the sixteenth and seven-
teenth centuries.
Gallican Confession.
The profession of faith of the
French Reformed Church, adop-
ted at the Synod of La Rochelle
in 1 57 1.
Gallowglasses.
See Kerns.
Gamelle.
The nickname applied to the
Due d'Orleans, when he ap-
plied to be allowed to do his
term of service as a private in
the French Army, saying that
he would be proud to eat his
dinner out of the gamelle (mess
tin) like any other Frenchman.
Gandamak, Treaty of.
A treaty between Great Bri-
tain and Afghanistan in 1879.
It was stipulated that the
foreign affairs of Afghanistan
should be under British control,
and that a British Resident
should be appointed. All Af-
ghan territory occupied during
the previous campaign was to
be restored, except the Kuram,
Pishin and Sibi valleys. Great
Britain was to control the
Khyber and Michni passes, and
I04 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
to pay the Ameer an annual
subsidy of ^60,000. Within the
year the British Resident, Cavag-
nari, was murdered in Cabul,
almost certainly with the con-
nivance of the Ameer, and the
invasion of Afghanistan fol-
lowed.
Garden of England.
This title is given to the
counties of Kent and Worcester-
shire.
Garden State.
A popular name for the State
of Kansas.
Garibaldini.
A democratic party in modern
Italy, who desire to realize
Garibaldi's ideal of a United
Italy under a republic.
Garter, Order of the.
The premier order of knight-
hood, instituted by Edward III
in 1344.
Gastein, Treaty of.
A treaty signed by Austria
and Prussia, at the close of the
Schleswig-Holstein War, in 1865,
by which Schleswig was ceded
to Prussia and Holstein to
Austria, while the latter power
made over to Prussia all her
rights in the Duchy of Lauen-
burg.
Gauchos.
The shepherds of |^ the Pam-
pas, or plains in thejinterior of
the Argentine Republic. They
supported Ortiz de Rosas, who
was practically dictator of that
state from 1835 to 1852.
Gautiers.
Insurgent bands of peasants
in Normandy, circ. 1580.
Gavelkind.
In Anglo-Saxon and early
Norman times all estates not
held on military tenure were
subject to the law of Gavelkind,
by which the inheritance was
divided equally among the sons.
This tenure survived the decay
of the feudal system in Kent
only, and where it exists, real
estate, in case of intestacy, still
passes to the sons in equal
shares, instead of to the eldest.
Gem of Normandy.
Emma, daughter of Robert,
Duke of Normandy, and wife
of Ethelred II of England, and
afterwards of Knut, was known
by this name.
Gemot.
The Shire Court in Anglo-
Saxon times.
General Congress.
An assembly summoned at
Philadelphia in 1774, after the
passing of the Boston Port Act,
as a preliminary to a general
revolt against English rule.
Twelve of the thirteen colonies
were represented, Georgia alone
holding aloof.
Geneva Convention.
A convention signed at
Geneva in 1864, by which the
Powers bound themselves to
observe certain regulations in
warfare, tending to ameliorate
the condition of the wounded.
The Red Cross, the badge of
the Convention, is a protection
to all working under it, and to
all buildings, such as hospitals,
over which it is flown,
Gentoo Laws.
The digest of Hindoo and
Mohammedan law prepared in
Calcutta, circ. 1790, under the
direction of Sir William Jones.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 105
Georges' Conspiracy.
See Pichegru.
Geral dines.
The clansmen of the Fitz-
geralds of Desmond and Kil-
dare, one of the great families
of Norman nobles who settled
in Ireland at the time of the
conquest under Henry II. They
were exceedingly turbulent,
and during Tudor times were
constantly intriguing with Spain,
and rebelling against English
rule. Their last and most
serious rising was in 1569, when
they held out against the royal
troops until 1580, when the
clan was practically broken up,
and ceased to be a power in
Irish politics.
German Concordat.
See Aschaffenburg.
Germanada.
An association of the people
of Valencia directed against
the privileges of the nobles,
formed in 15 19, with the
connivance of the Emperor
Charles V.
Germanic League.
A league composed of the
smaller German States, with
portions of the dominions of
Prussia and Austria, and the
Free Cities, constituted at the
Congress of Vienna in 181 5.
Its constitution underwent con-
siderable changes in the course
of the risings which took place
in various states in 1848, while
in 1866 Prussia annexed all the
states north of the Main.
Germany, Unification of.
This was accomplished at
Versailles in 1871, when Hesse.
Baden, Wiirtemberg, and Ba-
varia applied to be allowed
to enter the North German
Confederation. At the same
time the King of Bavaria
invited William to assume the
Imperial Crown, and on his
acceptance the German Empire,
as it at present exists, was con-
stituted.
Gerrymandering.
See Jerrymandering.
Gersamma Reginae.
See Queen's Gold.
Ghazi.
A Mohammedan fanatic who
believes that he will enjoy
exceptional bliss in Paradise,
if he dies in the act of killing an
unbeliever. In Asiatic warfare,
especially among the Afghans
and the Afridi hill tribes, a mob
of Ghazis usually lead the
attack.
Ghazi.
A Turkish title of honour,
signifying the Victorious, be-
stowed upon successful generals,
as in the cases of Osman Pacha
and Moukhtar Pacha.
Ghent, Convention of.
A convention of the Nether-
lands provinces in 1477, whereat
the Groote Privilegie, the Magna
Charta of Holland, was granted
by Mary of Burgundy.
Ghent, Pacification of.
An agreement between the
Estates of Holland and Zeeland
and the Prince of Orange on the
one side, and the Provinces of
Brabant, Flanders, Hainault,
Artois and others on the other,
signed in 1576. It recognized
the reformed religion in Holland
and Zeeland, abolished the edicts
of Charles V, and agreed to the
expulsion of the Spaniards.
io6 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Ghent, Treaty of.
A treaty between Great
Britain and the United States,
signed in 1814, at the close of
the war of 181 1. The basis of
the treaty was the status quo
ante. Commissioners were
appointed to dehmit the fron-
tiers of the United States and
the British Colonies. Both
parties undertook to aid each
other in the suppression of the
slave trade, and it was provided
that all Indian tribes that had
been dispossessed during the
war should be restored to their
lands.
Ghibellines.
See Guelfs.
Giants, Battle of the.
The battle of Marignano,
where Francis I defeated the
Swiss in 1515, was so called by
Trivulzio, the French Marshal.
Gin Act.
An Act passed in 1736, im-
posing a duty of 205. per gallon
on gin sold by retail, and a
£KiO fee for every retailer's licence.
The Act was evaded, and though
gin was openly sold as before,
no duties were paid and no
licences taken out. It was
therefore repealed in 1743.
Giovane Italia, La.
See Young Italy.
Gisors, Treaty of.
A treaty between Henry I of
England and Louis VI of France,
signed in 1113, after the defeat
of the French at Puysac, and
the loss of Alen9on. The
French King renounced his
claim to suzerainty over Maine,
Belesme and Brittany.
Gladstone's Umbrella.
A phrase constantly used
during the general election of
1885, having reference to the
way in which Mr. Gladstone
succeeded in uniting under his
banner the various sections of
the Liberal party.
Glamorgan Treaty.
A treaty concluded in 1644
between the Irish Catholics
and the Earl of Glamorgan,
acting for Charles I. The pub-
lished conditions were the re-
moval of the disabilities imposed
on the Catholics by Poyning's
Act, a general amnesty, and a
limitation of the period during
which titles to land might be
questioned. There was, however,
a further secret treaty, granting
the Catholics the right of public
worship in all churches not
occupied by the State Church,
in return for which they agreed
to provide 10,000 men for the
King's army in England, to be
paid for out of the church
revenues,
Glasgow Riots.
An outbreak in Glasgow, under
the leadership of a mechanic
named Finlay, in opposition to
the Act of Union with England
in 1706.
Glen Grey Act.
An Act amending the regula-
tions as to Kaffir reservations
in Cape Colony, passed in
1894. It provided for the
division of the reservations
into six-acre plots, and the
granting of inalienable titles
to the allottees, with succession
to the eldest son. At the same
time all subsidies were with-
drawn, with the object of en-
couraging industry among the
Kaffirs.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 107
Glencoe, Massacre of.
The treacherous massacre, in
1692, of the clansmen of
Macdonald of Glencoe, under
the orders of Breadalbane, a
member of the Clan Campbell,
the hereditary foes of theMacdon-
alds. An appearance of legal-
ity was given to the massacre
b}'- the fact that Macdonald had
delayed till the last moment
taking the oath of allegiance to
William and Mary, and owing
to stress of weather did not
actually take it till after the
prescribed date.
Clippers,
The name given to the Nether-
landers who sided with the
Spanish King' s party, circ. 1570.
Glorious First of June.
The name given to the battle
ofE Ushant, fought on June i,
1794, in which Lord Howe
utterly defeated the French
fleet.
Gold-bugs.
The name given in the United
States to the supporters of the
single gold standard.
Golden Book.
The book containing the
names of the noble Venetian
families who were qualified to
be members of the Grand
Council. It was compiled in
1319-
Golden Bull (Germany).
An edict issued in 1356 by
the Emperor Charles IV, to
settle certain disputes as to the
composition of the Electoral
College, which had led to constant
civil strife in Germany. It
was provided that the Electors
should be seven in number :
three ecclesiastical, namely, the
Archbishops of Cologne, Treves
and Mayence ; and four lay,
namely, the King of Bohemia,
the Duke of Saxony, the Count
Palatine of the Rhine, and the
Margrave of Brandenburg. The
Electors became absolute mon-
archs within their own domin-
ions.
Golden Bull (Hungary).
The Hungarian Charter of
liberties, extorted by his nobles
from Andrew II of Hungary in
1222. Among other concessions
it provided for the annual
assembling of the Diet,
Golden Fleece, The.
One of the oldest orders of
chivalry, founded at Bruges
by Philip the Good of Bur-
gundy, in 1430. When the
Netherlands became a Spanish
province, the Golden Fleece
was made a Spanish order, and,
Charles V being also Emperor
of Germany, it was claimed by
his successors of the House of
Hapsburg as an Austrian order.
It has thus, at the present day,
two branches, and two sover-
eigns, namely, the King of
Spain and the Emperor of
Austria.
Golden Horde.
A Tartar kingdom founded
in the thirteenth century by a
grandson of Genghis Khan.
It was the Khans of the Golden
Horde who ruled over Russia
during the Tartar domination.
Golden League.
A league of the Catholic
States of Switzerland, formed
in 1586, to defend the Catholic
Faith.
Golden State.
The popular name for Call-
io8 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
fornia, from its rich gold de-
posits.
Gomarists.
The followers of Gomarus,
and opponents of Arminius,
the two professors of theology
at Utrecht whose differences,
in 1604, divided the Dutch
Church, and led to the con-
vening of the Synod of Dort
in 161 8. Gomarus supported
the sterner doctrine of Calvin,
Arminius favoured a milder
and broader form of religious
belief.
Good Parliament.
A Parliament of Edward III,
which met in 1376. It secured
a change in the Council, and
brought about the return to
power of William of Wykeham
and the clerical party. This
Parliament is noteworthy as
offering the first instance in
English history of the impeach-
ment of an officer of State : that,
namely, of Lord Latimer, the
Chamberlain.
Gordon Riots.
A dangerous outbreak of the
London mob, led by Lord
George Gordon, in June, 1780,
in opposition to the various
measures proposed for the relief
of the Catholics. London was
in the hands of the mob for
four days, before the troops
were called out and the rioters
dispersed.
Goshi.
In old Japan, a class ranking
between the Samurai and the
agricultural class. Like the
Samurai they were entitled to
wear two swords. They owed
no allegiance to feudal lords,
but farmed their own lands.
Gothenburg System.
A s^T-stem of licensing which
originated at Gothenburg in
1865. All the houses licensed
for the sale of alcohol are in the
hands of a company and run
by salaried managers. All the
profits of the company, after
payment of five per cent, to the
shareholders, are paid into the
treasury of the town.
Gotteshausbund.
A league of the nobles and
communes of the Engadine,
formed in 1367, to protect the
liberties of the country from
the encroachments of Austria.
Gowrie Conspiracy.
A conspiracy headed by the
Earl of Gowrie and his brother,
Alexander Ruthven, in 1600,
to murder James VI of Scot-
land. It is supposed that their
motive was to avenge the death
of their father, who had been
executed sixteen years before,
though both the brothers had
been treated with the greatest
kindness by the King. James
was decoyed to Gowrie House,
in Perth, on the plea of examin-
ing a suspicious prisoner, and
was attacked in the absence of his
suite, and nearly overpowered.
He managed to give the alarm,
and was rescued by Sir James
Ramsay, his page, and others
of his followers. The King's
story was at the time doubted
by many people, but documents
afterwards came to light prov-
ing the existence of a plot at
least to kidnap the King.
Grace, Act of.
An Act of indemnity passed
in 1690, granting a pardon for
all political offences committed
up to the time of the passing
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS lOQ
of the Act, the only exceptions
to the general amnesty being
such of the regicides as might
still be living, and about thirty
other persons, against none of
whom, however, were any pro-
ceedings taken.
Grace, Act of.
An Act passed in 1784, restor-
ing the estates forfeited for
high treason in 1745, to the
descendants of their former
owners.
Graces.
A number of concessions
granted to Ireland by Lord
Falkland in 1628, in return for
the aids which were destined to
relieve the embarrassed ex-
chequer of James I.
Gragas.
A codification of the laws of
the Norsemen, made by Magnus
the Good, King of Denmark
and Norway (1035-1047).
Gran Capitan, El.
Gonsalvo of Cordova, the
famous Spanish Captain (1453-
15 1 5), was so called.
Gran Reunion Americana.
A secret society formed in
London about 1800 to aid the
movement in the Spanish-
American Colonies in the direc-
tion of independence. Among
its leaders were O'Higgins,
Miranda and Bolivar.
Granary of Europe.
The Island of Sicily was
formerly so called, owing to
its remarkable fertility.
Grand Alliance, 1701.
An alliance formed in 1701
between England, Holland, and
the Empire, to maintain the
balance of power, supposed to
be threatened by the bequest
of the Spanish Crown to a
French Prince. It was followed
by the war known as the War
of the Spanish Succession.
Grand Alliance, 18 13.
The alliance between Great
Britain, Prussia, Russia, Sweden
and Austria, which led to the
downfall of Napoleon, and his
first abdication in the following
year.
Grand Corruption.
A nickname of Sir Robert
Walpole, in allusion to his
constant employment of bribery
to gain his ends.
Grand Old Man.
The sobriquet of Mr. Glad-
stone, generally abbreviated
into G.O.M.
Grand Monarque.
Louis XIV of France was so
called.
Grand Rebellion of Virginia.
A rising of the Virginian
colonists under Nathaniel Bacon
in 1676, against the corruption
of the Government and the
excessive taxation. After a
strenuous resistance they were
at last overpowered by the
Royalists, and the only result
of the rising was that Virginia
was deprived of her constitu-
tion, and all the old grievances
were revived.
Grand Serjeanty.
A form of tenure from the
Crown, the condition being the
performance of certain service,
when called upon, such as
acting as Chamberlain or Butler
on occasions of state.
Grangers.
See Patrons of Husbandry.
no DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Granite State.
The State of New Hampshire
is so called from the extent of
the granite formation within
its borders.
Grattan's Parliament.
The free Irish Parliament
established in 1782 is known by
this name, Grattan having led
the agitation which brought
about the abolition of the old
restrictions.
Graubund.
See Grey League,-
Greased Cartridges.
The ostensible cause of the
Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 was the
issue to the native troops of
cartridges for the newly issued
Enfield rifle, which were said
to be greased with a mixture
of cows-fat and hogs-lard. This
would be obnoxious to both
the Hindoo and the Moham-
medan Sepoys, and the story
was used by the instigators of
the revolt to engender the belief
that an attempt was being made
forcibly to convert them to
Christianity.
Great Commoner.
A sobriquet of the younger
Pitt.
Great Contract.
A proposed arrangement be-
tween James I and the Parlia-
ment in 1 6 10. James offered to
surrender all the emoluments of
the Crown from feudal tenures,
excepting the aids, in return
for which Parliament proposed
to vote James an annual sub-
sidy of ^100,000. The King,
however, did not consider the
amount sufficient, and the bar-
gain was not concluded.
Great Dauphin.
Louis, the son of Louis XIV
of France, was so called.
Great Intercourse.
A treaty signed in 1496
between Henry VII and Philip
of Burgundy, stipulating for
free commercial intercourse
between the dominions of the
two sovereigns, and joint efforts
for the suppression of piracy.
By this treaty also Perkyn
Warbeck was expelled from
Burgundian territory.
Great Session, Court of.
The old Supreme Court of
Wales, abolished in 183 1.
Great Storm.
The famous storm of Novem-
ber 26-27, 1703, when the first
Eddystone lighthouse was de-
stroyed. Twelve men-of-war
and many merchant vessels
were wrecked on the coast,
and over 8,000 persons drowned.
The damage done in London is
said to have exceeded two mil-
lions sterling.
Great Triad Society.
An important secret society
in China, supposed to be pledged
to the expulsion of the Manchus
and the establishment of a
Chinese dynasty.
Greater Bull.
See Ausculta Fili.
Green Bag Enquiry.
A sealed bag of documents
laid on the table of the House
of Commons by the Government
in 1 8 17, and said to contain
papers justifying the double
suspension of the Habeas Corpus
Act which had taken place
during the year. A committee,
chosen entirely from the sup-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS iii
porters of the Government,
was appointed to investigate
its contents.
Green Mountain Boys.
An organized band of settlers
in Vermont, formed in 1773 to
resist the encroachments of the
New Yorkers, who claimed Ver-
mont as part of the territory
of that State under the charter
of Charles II.
Green Mountain State.
The popular name of the
State of Vermont, U.S.A.
Greenback Party.
A party formed about 1874
in the United States, which
advocated the payment of the
national debt in paper money.
It ceased to exist in 1884.
Grenville Act.
An Act passed in 1770, trans-
ferring from Parliament to a
Parliamentary Committee the
duty of investigating and deter-
mining the vahdity of disputed
elections.
Gretna Green Marriages.
These were made illegal by
an Act passed in 1856, whereby
it was declared that the Scotch
marriage law should only apply
in cases where one at least of the
parties had resided in Scotland
for the twenty-one days immedi-
ately preceding the marriage.
Grey League.
A league of the landowners
and communes of the western
part of the Grisons, formed in
1395-
Griffith's Valuation.
An official valuation of Irish
properties, made by Sir Richard
Grifhth as Commissioner of Valu-
ation under the Irish Valuation
Act of 1827. This valuation was
the basis of the outcry against
the landlords, the figures show-
ing that in many cases excessive
rents were being paid.
Grondvet.
The fundamental law or
constitution of the South African
Republic as adopted by the
communities established north
of the Vaal in 1849.
Groote Privilegie.
A charter granted to the
Netherlands by Mary of Bur-
gundy in 1477, at the Conven-
tion of Ghent. It gave the cities
and provinces of the Nether-
lands the right to hold diets
at their discretion, and forbade
the Duchess or her descendants
raising taxes or making war
without the consent of the
Estates.
Grosbec.
A nickname bestowed on
Napoleon III on account of
his prominent nose.
Griitli, Men of.
The Swiss who, according to
tradition, took a solemn oath
at Griitli, near Lucerne, on
November 7, 1307, to free their
country from the domination
of Austria. The three leaders
were Fiirst of Uri, Staufifacher
of Schwyz, and Melchthal of
Unterwalden.
Guadeloupe Hidalgo, Treaty of.
A treaty between the United
States and Mexico in 1848, a
the close of the Mexican War.
It provided for the cession to
the United States of New Mexico
and California, in return for a
cash payment of fifteen million
dollars. The United States also
took over the debts of Mexico
112 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
to American citizens, amounting
to about three and a half
miUion dollars.
Guelf Fund.
The indemnity payable to
the King of Hanover by Prussia,
as compensation for the loss of
his sovereign rights. This fund
was sequestrated by Prussia
in 1868, on the plea that the
King was intriguing against her,
and was employed by Bis-
marck in subsidizing the Press.
{See Reptile Fund.)
Guelfs and Ghibellines.
The two great parties into
which Italy was divided, during
the lengthy struggle between
the Empire and the Papacy.
The Guelfs were the Papal, the
Ghibellines the Imperial fac-
tion, but there were occasions
when this division of parties
was not adhered to, as in the
case of the Second Lombard
League of 1255. These names
had their origin in the civil war
of 1 1 39, in the course of which
the Imperialists under Conrad
III were besieging the town of
Weinsberg. An attempt was
made by the rebels to relieve it,
and in the battle which followed
the rebels charged with the cry
of " Welf," to which the Im-
perialists replied with " Waib-
ling." These names became
recognized as descriptive of the
two parties, and were later
Italianized into the better known
forms.
Guerre Folle.
The rising of the Dukes of
Brittany and Orleans against
the Regent Anne, in 1484, is
so called.
Gueux, Les.
A confederacy of patriotic
noblemen and gentlemen of the
Netherlands, formed in 1566
under Brederode and Count
Louis of Nassau. The Con-
federacy was broken up in the
following year, and many of its
members perished on the scaf-
fold.
Gulathing's Law,
One of the codes of law of the
Norsemen. It was codified by
Hakon the Good of Norway
(934-960), but was probably
of far earlier date.
Gulf States.
The name given to the States
which border on the Gulf of
Mexico, namely, Florida, Ala-
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana
and Texas.
Gulistan, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and
Persia, signed in 18 13, by which
Persia, after a two years' war of
disastrous defeats, surrendered
all her possessions north of Ar-
menia, together with the right
of navigating the Caspian Sea.
Gunpowder Act.
An Act passed by the Irish
Parliament in 1793, forbidding
the importation of arms and
gunpowder into Ireland, and
rendering their possession with-
out a license illegal.
Gunpowder Plot.
A plot to blow up the Parlia-
ment House during a sitting of
Parliament, the leaders in which
were Catesby, Winter and
Fawkes, and which was con-
nived at by the Jesuits. It
was hoped thereby to bring
about a Catholic rising in
England. The plot was betrayed
by Tresham, one of the con-
spirators, to Lord Monteagle,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 113
his brother-in-law, and the con-
spirators were either arrested
or killed during their flight.
H
Habeas Corpus Act.
An Act of Parliament passed
in 1679. Since Magna Charta
every Englishman had theoret-
ically the right to trial, and
could demand a writ of Habeas
Corpus, under which the duly
constituted courts were bound
to take cognisance of his
case. In practice, however,
various obstacles were from
time to time opposed to the
obtaining of this writ. The Act
of 1679 ordered that a judge
should at any time grant such
a writ on application, and
inflicted severe penalties on
the gaoler who failed to obey it.
Habitans.
The name given to the Canadian
farmers of French descent in
the province of Quebec.
Hadji.
A Mohammedan who has
made the Hadj, or pilgrimage
to Mecca, is entitled to this
Haeretico Comburendo, Statute de.
A statute passed in the reign
of Henry IV (1401), forbidding
teaching and preaching without
a bishop's license. The bishop
was further given the power of
condemning heretical books.
The punishment for obduracy
was burning at the stake. This
statute was specially directed
against the Lollards.
Hague Congress.
A Congress of the Powers,
summoned at the instance of
the Czar in 1899, to consider
the possibility of universal dis-
armament, and other questions
bearing on the peace of the
world. The larger schemes
foreshadowed by the Czar were
found impracticable, but the
Congress resulted in the ap-
pointment of an International
Tribunal of Arbitration, to sit
at the Hague. It was further
agreed to prohibit in future
warfare the throwing of explo-
sives from balloons or air ships,
the use of shells containing
deleterious gases, and the use of
expanding or explosive bullets.
Haleuca.
The body-guard of slaves of
Touran Shah, Sultan of Egypt,
afterwards known as the Mame-
lukes.
Half-breeds.
The name given by the Stal-
warts in New York State in
1 88 1 to those Republicans who
supported President Garfield in
his movement for Civil Service
reform. They were also known
as Featherheads. «
Half-way Covenant.
An agreement between Con-
necticut and Massachusetts,
recommended for the accept-
ance of Plymouth and New
Haven in 1662. It somewhat
mitigated the ultra-stringent
conditions of Church member-
ship then obtaining, whence it
was derisively called the Half-
way Covenant by the extreme
Puritan party.
Halifax Fishery Commission.
A commission appointed in
1877 to assess the compensation
to be awarded to the British-
American Colonies, in return
I
114 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
for the recognition of American
fishing rights in Colonial waters.
Canada was awarded four and
a half million dollars, and New-
foundland a million.
Hammer of England.
The sobriquet of Sir William
"Wallace (i 270-1 305).
Hammer of Scotland.
On the tomb of Edward I
was inscribed " Edwardus
Longus, Scotorum Malleus
hie est."
Hampton Court Conference.
A conference held in 1604
between the Bishops and the
Puritans, to consider the Millen-
ary Petition. It ended in the
complete triumph of the High
Church party.
Hampton Roads Conference.
A conference held on Febru-
ary 3, 1865, on board a man-of-
war in Hampton Roads, between
President Lincoln and represen-
tatives of the Southern States,
with the object of bringing about
a suspension of hostilities. The
conference was, however, with-
out results.
Handsuppers.
The name given to those
Boers who surrendered in res-
ponse to Lord Roberts' procla-
mation, or at later stages of the
Boer War of 1 899-1902. They
were looked upon with con-
tempt by those who fought to
the bitter end, and seem not
unlikely to form a separate
Pro-British party in the new
Colonies.
Hanging Gale.
A custom of Irish Land
Tenure, having the force of law,
by which a respite of from three
to six months is given to the
tenant before he can be pro-
ceeded against for non-payment
of rent.
Hanover, Treaty of.
A treaty signed by Great
Britain, France and Prussia in
1725, which subsequently re-
ceived the adhesion of Holland,
Sweden and Denmark, by which
the contracting parties mutually
guaranteed to each other the
enjoyment of their then posses-
sions.
Hanseatic League.
A confederation of the princi-
pal trading centres of Germany,
formed in 1241 for commercial
purposes, and specially for
mutual defence against the
Baltic pirates, and the rob-
ber nobles. Its founders were
Hamburg and Liibeck, who
were shortly afterwards joined
by Bremen, Cologne, Danzig
and other cities, and still later
by many foreign towns, until,
at the height of its prosperity,
the league comprised eighty
cities. The league was dis-
solved in 1630, but Hamburg,
Bremen and Liibeck retained
their privileges as free towns,
until they were absorbed into
the German Empire in 1871.
Hara-kiri.
The method of suicide adopted
in old Japan by members of the
Samurai, or military class, who
had no alternative but to die.
Hara-kiri might be either volun-
tary, or by order of a feudal
lord, as the penalty of some
crime which did not imply
degradation from the rank of
Samurai. In the latter case
it was in the nature of an execu-
tion, and was surrounded by an
elaborate ceremonial, especially
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 115
in the case of a Daimio or
a gentleman of high rank.
Harangue.
An appeal addressed by
William of Orange to the Princes
of Germany, in 1571, setting
forth the wrongs of the Reform-
ing party, and calling for their
assistance.
Hardshell Democrats.
One of the sections of the
Democratic partv in New York
State from 1848 to 1854. They
were strongly in favour of the
Fugitive Slave Law. Their
opponents were known as the
Softshell Democrats.
Hardwicke's Act, Lord.
An Act, also known as the
Marriage Act, passed in 1753.
It provided that a legal mar-
riage could be contracted only
in the parish church, after
pubhcation of banns, or by
special license of the Archbishop.
Heirper's Ferry.
The scene of John Brown's
abortive rising in 1869, in the
attempt to bring about a revolt
against the Southern slave-
owners. He and his followers
seized the United States ar-
moury at that place, but his
little band were soon over-
powered, John Brown being
captured.
Hartford Convention.
A secret convention of promi-
nent members of the Peace
Party in New England, who
objected to the energetic prose-
cution of the war with England
in 1 8 14. They proposed to
amend the constitution in the
direction of diminishing the
control of Congress over ques-
tions of peace and war.
Hatamotos.
In old Japan, the retainers
of the Shogun were known
by this name, which signifies
" under the flag." They were
eighty thousand in number.
Those whose lands were of a
certain extent furnished a con-
tingent in time of war ; those
with smaller revenues paid
money dues. The Hatamotos
may be described as a created
nobility, as opposed to the
hereditary nobility of the
Daimios. They date from the
time of the Shogun lyemitsu, in
the early part of the seven-
teenth century.
Hats and Caps.
Two political parties in
Sweden in the eighteenth cen-
tury, who were jpartizans res-
pectively of the French and
the Russians. They were so
called from their wearing the
headgear of the respective
countries.
Hatti Humayun.
An edict of the Sultan of
Turkey, Abdul Mejid, issued in
1856, conferring equal rights
on all his subjects. Christian
and Mohammedan alike. This
concession was the result of
the efforts of Lord Stratford
de Redchffe.
Hatti Sherif.
A firman or decree of the
Porte, signed by the Sultan
personally.
Haute Cour.
'A tribunal established by
the French Legislative Assem-
bly in 1791, to enable it to deal
with ndnisters and public func-
tionaries obnoxious to the
majority of that body. The
Haute Cour had the power of
ii6 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
initiating prosecutions as well
as of judging, and there was no
appeal from its decisions.
Hawkeye State.
The popular name of the
State of Iowa, U.S.A. It is
derived from a famous Indian
chief of that name.
Hay-Paimcefote Treaty.
A treaty signed in 1901
between Great Britain and the
United States, to amend the
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850
with respect to the proposed
canal to unite the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans, The new treaty
maintains the general principle
of neutralization of the canal,
but the United States alone is
charged with the maintenance
of its neutrality. No fortifica-
tions are to be built in any way
commanding it, and it is to be
always free from blockade. The
United States reserve the right
to maintain a military police
force along the line of the canal
for protective purposes.
Headborough.
In Anglo-Saxon times the
chief of the Frankpledge. In
the event of a member of the
Frankpledge failing in his obli-
gations and fleeing from justice,
it was the duty of the Head-
borough to prove that the other
members of the Frankpledge
were guiltless of complicity
with the defaulter.
Hearth Money.
A tax of two shillings on every
hearth, first imposed in 1663.
It was very unpopular, and was
abolished in 1689. A similar
tax, known as Chimney Money,
had been levied as early as the
Norman Conquest.
Heaven-sent Minister.
A sobriquet of the younger
Pitt.
Heemraden, Court of.
A court first established at
Stellenbosch, Cape Colony, in
1682. It was composed of four
local burghers, and its duty was
the settlement of small disputes
among the inhabitants of the
district. Similar courts were
established in other townships,
and the system lasted till 1828,
when the Heemraden were
abolished by the Charter of
Justice.
Hegira.
The flight of Mohammed from
Mecca in 622. It is from this
date that the Mohammedan
era is computed.
Heidelberg Catechism.
A profession of the Calvinistic
faith issued from Heidelberg in
the sixteenth century. It is
also called the Palatinate Cate-
chism.
Heilbronn, Union of.
A meeting summoned by
Oxenstierna, the Swedish Chan-
cellor, in 1633, after the death
of Gustavus Adolphus, with
the object of preventing the
dissolution of the German
Protestant Alliance. The
meeting was attended by repre-
sentatives of England, France
and Holland, and the circles of
the Upper and Lower Rhine,
Suabia and Franconia.
Helvetic Confession.
A statement of the Protes-
tant doctrine, harmonizing to
some extent the opposing views
of Calvin and Zwingli, drawn
up in 1566 by BuUinger, and
accepted by the majority of
the Protestant Cantons.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 117
Helvetic Republic.
The constitution established
in Switzerland in 1798, under
the revolutionary impulse gener-
ated by the French Revolution.
It superseded the Federation
of the Thirteen Cantons.
Henry, Articles of.
See Pacta Conventa.
Heptarchy.
The various Anglo - Saxon
kingdoms were known as the
Heptarchy, though as a fact
they were at no time seven in
number, two or more being
grouped at various periods,
under one monarch. The most
powerful sovereign of the time
was usually recognized as the
Bretwalda, or leader, of the
rest. The various kingdoms of
the Heptarchy were finally
united under one crown, during
the reign of .^Ethelstan (925-
940.)
Herad.
Among the Norse nations,
the Herad was the land of the
Her or host, the Her being com-
posed of a number of families
who acted together for mutual
protection under a chief, and
formed in fact a tribe.
Herald's College.
This was founded as a College
of Arms by Richard III in
1484. Its members were the
Earl Marshal, the Kings of
Arms, and the Heralds, and its
functions the supervision of all
questions that might arise as to
the bearing of coat-armour.
Heresy of the Politicians.
The teachings of Arnold of
Brescia were known by this
name. He commenced a
crusade at Brescia in 1139
against the corruption of the
Church and its assumption of
temporal power. He was ulti.
mately condemned as a heretic,
and burnt at the stake in 11 55.
Heretoga.
In Anglo-Saxon times the
title given to the commander
of the army.
Heriot.
A fine due to the lord of the
manor on the death of a person
holding land of the manor. It
consisted of the best beast or
chattel belonged to the deceased.
Heritable Jurisdictions Act.
An Act passed in 1747, abolish-
ing hereditary jurisdictions
throughout Scotland. Up to this
date the decision of ordinary
actions at law, especially in the
Highlands, had been in the
hands of the chiefs of the clans,
and principal landowners, and
had descended by heredity,
with the result that judicial
functions were frequently exer-
cised by persons having no
legal knowledge or aptitude.
By this Act these powers were
transferred to sheriffs-depute,
one being appointed for each
county.
Hermandad.
A confederation of the prm-
cipal cities of Castile, formed
during the middle ages for
mutual protection against
brigands and other lawless
persons. By degrees the
brotherhood usurped the func-
tions of a legislative body,
enforcing their rules, when
necessary, by force of arms.
It was also known as the Santa
Hermandad, or Holy Brother-
hood.
Herrings, Battle of the.
The name given to an un-
ii8 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
successful 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 Educa-
tion 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 per-
mitted 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.
Hidage.
In Anglo-Saxon times, a land
tax for war purposes. Under
.^thelred the Unready the tax
took the form of the furnishing
of one man at arms for every
eight hides, and one ship for
every three hundred hides.
Hide.
In Saxon times the portion of
land allotted to every free house-
holder.
High Commission, Court of.
A court established in the
reign of Elizabeth, to deal with
all^ questions appertaining to
church discipline. It was
abolished by Parliament in
1 64 1, but reconstituted by
James II in 1686, under the
notorious Jeffreys, in whose
hands it became a mere instru-
ment for persecution and extor-
tion. Under pressure of the
pending invasion of William of
Orange, James, in the last year
of his reign, consented to its
abolition.
High Commission, Court of
(Ireland).
A court established by Lord
Wentworth in 1634, to exercise
the same functions as the
English court of the same name.
Highland Garb Act.
An Act passed in 1746, after
the suppression of the Rebellion
of Forty-live, rendering the
wearing of the Highland dress
illegal.
Hintchak. ^
An Armenian secret society,
founded at Tiflis in 1887, to
carry on a newspaper of the
same name. The statutes of
the society, however, clearly
show that its aims were revolu-
tionary, and it was largely con-
cerned in fomenting the disturb-
ances which preceded the
Armenian massacres of 1895-6.
Hinterland Doctrine.
A doctrine enunciated by
Germany to the effect that in
newly-occupied countries, such
as East or West Africa, the
possession of the coast line
implied a right to the back
country, to be taken up at
convenience, and that no other
country had a right to take up
country behind, and block the
way into the interior.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 119
Hlutdaw.
The old Burmese Council of
Ministers. In 1886 five of the
Ministers were confirmed in
their offices, to act as an advisory
board for native affairs to the
Chief Commissioner. In 1889
the pacification of the country
was sufficiently advanced to
permit of the board being
abolished.
Holkar.
The title of the Mahratta
Maharajahs of Indore.
Holy Alliance.
An alliance formed between
Russia, Austria and Prussia
in September, 1815, by which
the three sovereigns undertook
that for the future their policy
should be guided solely by
Christian principles. At the
same time there is no doubt
that the alliance was intended
to stem the tide of political
liberty, set flowing by the
French Revolution, and their
threatened interference in the
quarrel between Spain and her
American colonies, which was
the cause of the enunciation
of the Monroe doctrine, is a
sufficiently clear indication of
this fact.
Holy Experiment.
The name given to William
Penn's experiment of establish-
ing (in Pennsylvania) a colony
on the basis of absolute self-
government, as a free colony of
all mankind.
Holy League.
A league formed by Pope
Julius II in 151 1, ostensibly
for his protection against the
aggression of Louis XII of
France. Its members were
Henry VIII, the Emperor
Maximilian I, Ferdinand of
Spain, and the Venetian Re-
public, Two years later Julius'
successor, Leo X, came to
terms with Louis, and the league
was dissolved.
Holy League.
A league formed by Clement
VII in 1526, directed against
the Emperor Charles V. Its
members, in addition to the
Pope, were Francis I of France,
the Venetian Republic, and
Duke Sforza of Milan.
Holy League.
A league of the Catholic
Princes of Germany, formed in
1609 under the leadership of
Maximilian of Bavaria, as a
counterpoise to the Protestant
Union of 1608.
Holy League of Nuremburg.
A league of Catholic Princes,
formed by Held, the Chancellor
of Charles V, in 1538, to oppose
the Lutheran Princes. Its
principal members were Duke
George of Saxony, the Elector
of Bavaria, and the Archbishops
of Mentz and Salzburg.
Holy Office.
See Inquisition.
Holy Roman Empire.
The Empire of the West,
which had been destroyed by
the barbarian invasions, was
to a great extent restored by
Charlemagne, who was crowned
its first Emperor by Leo III in
800. After the extinction of
the Carlovingian line, the Em-
perors were exclusively German
Princes, and were elected to the
throne by the sovereign rulers of
certain German States, though
the Popes always claimed, and
sometimes exercised, the right
of veto, by refusing to crown.
I20 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
In 1272 the first Emperor of
the House of Hapsburg, Rudolf,
was elected, and from 1438 the
Emperors were without excep-
tion members of this house,
until the Empire was finally
broken up by Napoleon in 1806.
Holy Sepulchre, Knights of the.
An order of knighthood in-
stituted by Pope Alexander VI
for the guardianship of the
Holy Places in Palestine and
the protection of pilgrims.
Home Rule Bill, 1886.
The first Home Rule Bill,
introduced by Mr. Gladstone,
providing for the creation of
a legislative body in Dublin,
with control of the administra-
tion, subject to safeguards as to
the unity of the Empire, and
the protection of minorities.
It was to have control of all
taxation, except of customs
and excise, but was forbidden
to legislate on any matter relating
to the crown, defence, or foreign
relations, or to endow any
religious bodies. The Irish
representation at Westminster
was to be abolished. The bill
divided the Liberal Party, many
of Mr. Gladstone's Cabinet
deserting him, including Lord
Hartington, Sir Henry James,
Mr. Bright and Mr. Chamber-
lain, and consequently it failed
to pass the second reading.
The general election which fol-
lowed proved that the country
was strongly opposed to the
scheme.
Home Rule Bill, 1893.
The second Home Rule Bill,
introduced by Mr. Gladstone in
1893, was to a great extent on
the lines of the first bill, creating
a Parliament in Dublin, with
legislative powers subject to
certain reservations as to peace
and war, external affairs, etc.
In one respect, however, it
differed widely, in that the
Irish Parliamentary representa-
tion at Westminster was not
abolished, but merely reduced.
The bill passed the Commons
after lengthy and acrimonious
discussion, especially in Com-
mittee, where Mr. Gladstone
introduced the system of
" Closure by Compartments,"
but was rejected by the Lords.
Home Rulers.
A party formed in 1873, under
the leadership of Isaac Butt, to
agitate for the re-establishment
of a separate Parliament for
Ireland. His successor in the
leadership of the party was
Charles Stewart Parnell.
Homestead Act (New Zealand).
An Act passed in 1885, provid-
ing that a male under eighteen
could take up twenty acres of
first class, or thirty acres of
second class land, and a male
over eighteen, fifty or seventy-
five acres respectively, free of
all cost, providing he agreed to
reside five years on the land,
and fulfil certain requirements
as to cultivation.
Homesteads Act (Western Aus-
tralia).
An Act passed in 1893, pro-
viding for free grants of 160
acres each to all males above
eighteen, subject to certain
conditions as to residence and
improvements.
Honest Broker.
A nickname of Prince Bis-
marck, with reference to his
attitude, as President of the
Berlin Congress in 1878, on the
points in dispute between
Russia and Austria.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 121
Honour of the Flag.
The claim made by Cromwell
that England had the right to
exact from all foreign ships,
a salute to her flag in the narrow-
seas. The Dutch Admiral, Van
Tromp refusing the salute in
1652, he was fired upon by the
English Admiral, and the action
which followed led to the declara-
tion of war in July of the same
year. The Dutch afterwards
coilceded the claim by the
Treaty of 1654.
Honved.
The Hungarian Landwehr or
reserve is so called. The word
means " Land Defenders," and
was given to the national
champions in the early days of
Hungarian history.
Hooks.
The party of the nobles in
the Netherlands in the four-
teenth century. {See Kabbel-
jaws. )
Hoosier State.
The popular name of the
State of Indiana, U.S.A. It is
probably a corruption of Husher,
a Western term for a bully.
Hospitallers, Knights.
See Malta, Knights of.
Hospodars.
The Princes of Moldavia and
Wallachia were so called from
1789, when these countries
came under the sway of Russia.
Hot Gospellers.
The Puritans were so styled
after the Restoration in 1660.
The name was originally given
to Edward Underhill, a Protes-
tant who was imprisoned in
1553 for an attack made by
him on the Roman Catholics on
the accession of Mary.
Hotspur.
The sobriquet of Henry Percy
(1 364-1403).
Houghers.
An Irish agrarian society
which appeared in Connemara
in 171 1. They took their name
from their practice of houghing
the cattle of obnoxious persons.
The society was suppressed in
1713.
House-carls.
A body of standing troops
raised by Knut, circ. 1030.
The first standing army in
England.
Hovering Act.
An Act passed in 1784, ex-
tending the authority of the
revenue officers to a distance
of four leagues from the coast.
Hubertsberg, Treaty of.
A treaty between Prussia
and Austria, signed in 1763, at
the conclusion of the Seven
Years' War. It was a pendent
to the Peace of Paris, and con-
firmatory of that instrument,
as between the two signatory
Powers.
Hudson's Bay Company.
A Company formed in 1670,
under a charter granted by
Charles II giving it absolute
control of the watershed of
Hudson's Bay (then known as
Rupertsland), in return for a
small annual tribute. The
Company's territories were
absorbed by the Dominion of
Canada in 1869.
Hue, Treaty of.
A treaty between France
and Annam, signed in 1874, by
which Annam accepted the
French protectorate over her
territories.
122 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Huguenots.
The name given to the French
Protestants. It is probably
derived from Hugues, a Calvinist
of Geneva, though other deriva-
tions have been given. "When,
by the revocation of the Edict
of Nantes, in 1685, the exercise
of their religion was denied them,
many thousands of them emi-
grated to England, Holland,
and other Protestant countries.
Human Leopards.
A secret society of negroes,
discovered and suppressed in
Sierra Leone in 1896. The
members of the society, which
had been in existence for about
twenty years, practised canni-
balism, and had murdered and
eaten several hundred persons.
The leaders were hanged.
Hundred.
In early Saxon times this
name was given to a subdivision
of the tribe which corresponded
to the ancient German pagus (so
called by Tacitus,) It seems
to have consisted of a hundred
heads of families, and it fur-
nished a hundred warriors to
the tribal army, and a hun-
dred assessors to the judicial
court.
Hundred Days.
The period between Napo-
leon's return from Elba and his
second abdication.
Hundred Years' War.
The name given to the series
of wars between France and
England which lasted from
1338 to 1449 and ended by the
expulsion of the English from
France, with the exception of
Calais, which they held till
1558.
Hungarian Martyrs.
The thirteen Hungarian
generals executed at Arad,
after the War of Independence
in 1849.
Hungarian War of Independ-
ence.
A rising of the Hungarian
national party under Kossuth,
in 1848, owing to the refusal
of the Austrians to give any
redress for the outrages of the
Croatian troops under Jellachich
in the valleys of the Theiss and
the Danube. Kossuth was
appointed Dictator by the Hun-
garian Diet, and the rising was
at first successful, but in 1849
the Austrians received the
assistance of a large Russian
army, and in August of that
year, the Magyars were forced
to surrender, and their leaders
left the country. General
Hainan made himself notorious
by his cruelties after the col-
lapse of the armed resistance.
Hunkers. .
The extreme pro-slavery
section of the New York Demo-
crats from 1844 to 1848. They
were known after the latter
date as Hardshell Democrats.
Hunting of Braemar.
A meeting of the Jacobite
leaders, ostensibly for sport,
summoned by the Earl of Mar,
in 17 1 5, to concert measures
for the rising which took place
in the autumn of that year,
Hussites.
The followers of John Huss,
a professor of the University of
Prague, who had imbibed the
Wycliffite doctrines. Though
excommunicated by Pope Alex-
ander V in 141 2, he continued
to disseminate these doctrines.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
and was consequently sum-
moned to the Council of Con-
stance in 14 1 4, where, though
under the Emperor's safe-
conduct, he was thrown into
prison, and subsequently burnt
at the stake. His principal
disciple, Jerome of Prague,
suffered the same fate in 1416,
but his followers, under John
Zisca, rose in revolt against the
Church, to the number of
40,000. They destroyed some
five hundred convents, and
defeated the Emperor Sigis-
mund, but were broken up into
sections in 1424, following upon
Zisca's death. They still, how-
ever, remained in insurrection
until 1436, when the revolt was
ended by the treaty of Iglau,
Hyde Park Riots.
A riot which broke out in
1866, after the defeat of the
Russell Ministry over the Reform
Bill of that year. A meeting
had been summoned by the
Reform League, to meet in
Hyde Park, but the Govern-
ment prohibited the meeting,
and closed the park gates,
whereupon the mob pulled
down the_ railings. Little other
damage, however, was done,
and the riot was easily quelled.
I
L D. B.
See Illicit Diamond Buying.
Iconoclasts.
This name was first given to
the followers of Leo III, Em-
peror of the East, who in 726
interdicted the worship of
images. The opposition of a
considerable section of his sub-
jects did not deter him from
carrying his principles into effect,
and what is known as the Icono-
clast War was the result. The
same title is applied to the more
militant Huguenots in France in
1560 and 1561, who, wherever
they obtained the upper hand,
ruthlessly destroyed the statues
which adorned the churches and
monasteries; and also to a
section of the Puritans during
the English Civil War.
Iglau, Treaty of.
A treaty between the Hussites
and the Emperor Sigismund,
signed in 1436, putting an end to
the Hussite War. It was based
upon the Compactata of Prague,
and secured to the Hussites the
free exercise of their religion on
the lines of that document.
Ilbert Bill.
A bill introduced in the Legis-
lative Council of India by Mr.
Ilbert in 1883 "to amend the
criminal jurisdiction over British
subjects." It largely extended
the jurisdiction of native magis-
trates in the trial of Europeans,
and was most bitterly criticised
by the Anglo-Indian community,
especially by planters and others
living in remote districts.
Illicit Diamond Buying.
An illegal trade in diamonds
carried on by certain speculators
in Kimberley, who purchased
from the employes of the Dia-
mond companies rough dia-
monds which they had secreted
in the process of washing. It
was largely checked by the
Diamond Trade Act of 1882.
This illicit trade is generally
known as I.D.B.
Illuminati.
A famous sect of German
mystics, founded at Ingolstadt
by Adam Weisshaupt in 1776.
It undertook a crusade against
124 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Jesuitism and Church domina-
tion generally, but did not hold
aloof from politics, its higher
initiates being professed Repub-
licans. It was suppressed by
the Elector of Bavaria in 1785.
Immi^ants Restriction Bill.
A bill passed in 1901 by the
Federal Parliament of Australia
in response to the outcry for a
" White Australia." It pro-
hibits the immigration of all
coloured labour, including the
South Sea Islanders, or Kanakas.
This restriction has caused much
concern in Northern Queensland,
where the climate is not suitable
for white labour, and its enforce-
ment will destroy the sugar and
other industries and render the
country almost valueless.
Imparani, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1866 after
the Basuto War of 1865-66 be-
tween the Orange Free State and
Molapo, the son of Moshesh.
Molapo surrendered to the Free
State the greater part of his
country, and became a vassal of
the State. He further bound
himself to render no assistance
to any other Basuto chief who
might rise against the Free
State.
Imperial Chamber.
See Reichskammergericht.
Imperial Federation Enabling
Act.
F An Act passed in 1885 to
facilitate the federation of the
Australasian Colonies. {See
Federal Council.)
Importants.
The party who supported the
Regent, Anne of Austria, during
the minority of Louis XIV.
They strongly opposed Mazarin's
policy, but the cardinal suc-
ceeded in embroiling them with
the queen, thanks to feminine
intrigues, and their leaders were
imprisoned or banished.
Impositions.
Illegal additions to the autho-
rized customs duties, levied by
James I without the consent of
Parliament, They were among
the grievances detailed in the
Petition of Grievances in 1610.
In Coena Domini, Bull.
A Bull issued at intervals
during the Middle Ages, and
annually on Holy Thursday
from 1627 to 1770. It was a
summary of the offences against
the Church and the priesthood,
and of the ecclesiastical censures
pronounced against them. The
sovereigns of Europe regarded
this Bull as an infringement of
their rights, and it was in con-
sequence of their continued pro-
tests that Clement XIV ceased
to promulgate it.
In Eminenti, Bull.
A Bull of Urban VII, issued in
1642, condemning the " Augus-
tinus " of Jansen as heretical.
Incas.
The ruling family of the
ancient Peruvians up to the con-
quest of Peru by Pizarro in 1 531.
They claimed to be descended
from the Sun-God.
Incident, The.
A plot, discovered during the
visit of Charles I to Scotland in
1 64 1, to kill or kidnap Argyle
and Hamilton. The king was
suspected of being privy to it,
though he strenuously denied it.
Incorruptible, The.
The name given by his fol-
lowers to Robespierre.
Indemnity and Oblivion, Act of.
An Act passed at the Restora-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 125
tion in 1660, granting a free par-
don to those who had been in
arms against the king, with the
exception of the Regicides and
Sir Harry Vane and General
Lambert, and setthng in favour
of bond fide holders all claims to
land acquired during the Com-
monwealth.
Independence.
See Declaration.
Independents.
A sect of extreme Puritans,
originally identified with the
Brownists. They afterwards
became a pohtical party, holding
more advanced views than the
Presbyterians, who represented
a conservative form of repub-
licanism, and ultimately, under
the leadership of Cromwell and
with the aid of the army, which
was mainly officered by them,
they became the predominant
party in the state.
Index Expurgatorius.
The list of books the perusal
of which is forbidden to devout
Catholics. The first index was
drawn up by Paul IV in 1555 to
prevent the diffusion of heretical
opinions through the writings of
the Reformers.
India Act, Pitt's.
An Act passed in 1784 by
which all political power was
taken from the East India Com-
pany and vested in a Board of
Control nominated by the Gov-
ernment. The Company re-
tained all its patronage, except-
ing the appointment of Com-
mander-in-Chief and some other
high posts, and their commercial
rights under their Charter were
not interfered with.
Indian National Congress.
An annual congress of natives of
India, with some few Europeans,
whose object is to promote the
extension to India of Western
pohtical institutions, such as
representative government. The
first congress met at Allahabad
in 1888, and was attended by a
few Mohammedans, but it has
now fallen almost entirely into
the hands of the Bengali Babus.
Indians, Apostle of the.
The name given to Bartolo-
meo de las Casas (1474-1566),
the Spanish ecclesiastic who
devoted his life to the ameliora-
tion of the condition of the South
American Indians.
Indies, Apostle of the.
St. Francis Xavier, the famous
Jesuit missionary to India in the
sixteenth century is so called.
Indies, Council of the.
A supreme court for American
affairs, established in Spain by
Ferdinand in 1511 and re-
organized by Charles V in 1524.
The council promulgated all the
laws relating to the government
of the colonies and appointed
to all colonial ofiices under the
Crown.
Indulgence.
A measure of toleration
granted to the Scottish Presby-
terians in 1669, by which their
ministers were permitted to
preach in vacant parishes and
received some pecuniary aid
from the Government. This
measure, however, did nothing
to reconcile the more bigoted
members of the Church, who
continued their resistance to all
State control. The Indulgence
was soon withdrawn. •
Indulgence.
See Declaration.
126 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Indulgences.
H Forms of absolution granted by
Leo X, which were openly sold by
his agents, the proceeds of the
sale being devoted to the com-
pletion of St. Peter's at Rome.
It was^Hhe'sale of Uhese by
Tetzel in 1 5 17, in the dominions
of the Elector of Saxony, which
called forth Luther's vehement
protest, and was the beginning
of the Reformation in Germany.
Ineffabilis Deus, Bull.
The Bull of Pius IX, issued in
1854, by which the doctrine of
the Immaculate Conception of
the Virgin was proclaimed as an
article of the Catholic faith.
Inexorable Families.
The old aristocratic families of
Virginia, who were expected,
during the War of Independence,
to show British sympathies, but
earned the name of " Inex-
orable " by their staunch ad-
herence to the national cause.
Infallible.
A title assumed by the Pope
Pelagius (57S-590).
Infante.
The title of the eldest son of
the Spanish Sovereign.
Infernal Legion.
A body of irregular troops,
composed of desperadoes of all
nations, organized by Bover on
the side of the Royalists during
the revolt of the Spanish
American Colonies in 18 14.
Initiative.
Under the Swiss Constitution,
the right of the people to initiate
proposals for the enactment,
repeal or amendment of a law.
Fifty thousand signatures are
required to make the demand
operative.
Inquisition.
A tribunal to inquire into and
suppress heresy, established by
Innocent III at the Fourth
Lateran Council in 1 2 1 5 . It was
introduced into Germany in 1 2 3 1 ,
but abolished in 1234, and never
again restored. In Italy it was
successful in stamping out
heresy, but it is in Spain that
its tyranny was most notorious,
an auto-de-fe having been held
in that country as late as 1826.
Its administration was entrusted
to the Dominican Order.
Instrument of Government.
A document issued by Crom-
well in 1653 by which he took
the title of Protector. He was
to be assisted by a Council of
State of fifteen members, and a
new Parliament was to be
elected, to number 400, with a
;^20o qualification both for mem-
bers and electors. No Parlia-
ment was to be dissolved unless
it had sat for five months, and
Parliaments were to be triennial.
Insurrection Act.
An Act passed by the Irish
Parliament in 1796 empowering
the Government to declare any
county to be in a state of
insurrection, whereupon the
officials had the right to search
for arms and to imprison persons
found abroad between sunset
and sunrise.
Insurrection of Women.
An outbreak of the women of
Paris on October 5, 1789. They
broke into the armoury of the
Hotel de Ville, and, having
armed themselves., marched to
Versailles, to demand speech of
the king. The result of the
rising was the return of the king
to Paris, which took place on the
following clay.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 127
Inter Gravissimas, Bull.
The Bull of Gregory XIII,
issued in 1582, ordaining the use
of the new calendar throughout
Christendom.
Interdict.
The proclamation issued by
Innocent III in 1208 against
John and the realm of England.
It forbade all services of the
Church, except Baptism and
Supreme Unction, and only per-
mitted the burial of the dead in
unconsecrated ground. In the
following year the Interdict was
followed by the excommunica-
tion of John.
Interim of Leipsic.
A modification of the Interim,
of Ratisbon, issued by Charles V
in December, 1548, and accepted
by Melancthon on behalf of the
Lutherans.
Interim of Ratisbon.
A system of doctrine issued
by Charles V in May, 1548, as an
attempt to reconcile the differ-
ences dividing the religious
world. While retaining all the
salient doctrines of Catholicism,
it permitted certain modifica-
tions in practice and ritual
calculated to conciliate the
Protestants. It did not, how-
ever, succeed in pleasing either
party.
Intermarriage Act.
One of the laws of the Irish
Penal Code, which provided that
a man who married a Catholic
should be regarded as a Papist
and subject to all their dis-
abiUties, while a woman so
marrying should be dead to the
law.
International African Association.
An international commission
formed at the Brussels Con-
ference in 1876, with the object
of exploring Central Africa. It
resulted in the formation of the
Congo Free State in 1885.
International, The.
An association of working
men, founded in London in 1 864,
the original statutes of the
society being drawn up by the
German Socialist leader Marx.
It was intended as a centre of
combination for aU workmen's
societies and unions of every
nation, but disclaimed any
desire to interfere with them
individually. In 1872 a split
occurred in the society'- between
the Marxists and the followers
of the Anarchist Bakunin, and
the International soon after
ceased to exist as an organiza-
tion.
Intransigentes.
The extreme revolutionary
party in the southern towns of
Spain in 1873.
Invincible Armada.
The name given by the
Spaniards to the great
Spanish and Portuguese fleet
dispatched by Philip II for
the conquest of England in 1588.
After being harried by the
English ships under Howard of
Effingham, Drake, Frobisher
and others, it was finally dis-
persed by violent storms in
the North Sea, and out of 130
ships only 53 returned to
Spain.
Invincibles.
An Irish secret society, with
headquarters in America, which
became notorious in 1882 as
having provided the assassins of
Lord Frederick Cavendish and
Mr. Burke. Those immediately
concerned in the murder were
128 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
brought to justice, but the heads
of the society, including Tynan,
the famous No i, were never
made amenable.
Ionian Islands, Cession of.
By a treaty between Great
Britain and Greece, signed in
1 864, these islands were ceded to
Greece.
Irish Board of Agriculture.
A new department establish-
ed in Ireland in 1897, indepen-
dent of the Castle and the Irish
Office. Its first president was
Mr. Horace Plunket.
Irish Charter.
The Charter granted to the
Irish settlers by Henry III on his
accession. It was practically a
recital of the clauses of Magna
Charta, with such variations as
were rendered necessary by the
different conditions.
Irish Church Act, Althorp's.
An Act passed in 1833 abolish-
ing the Church fees, which were
paid by all, whether Churchmen,
Catholics or Dissenters, and
reducing the number of Irish
bishops from twenty-two to
twelve.
Irish Church Disestablishment.
An Act for the disestablish-
ment and partial disendowment
of the Irish Church was passed
by Mr. Gladstone's Government
in 1869. The Irish bishops lost
their seats in the House of Lords,
the Irish Ecclesiastical Courts
were abolished, and the union
between the English and Irish
Churches dissolved. The future
government of the Irish Church
was entrusted to a synod elected
by the clergy and laity. Of the
Church property, valued at
about sixteen millions, seven
millions were used to compen-
sate incumbents and to replace
the Maynooth Grant and the
Regium Donum.
Irish Land Act, 1870.
An Act passed by Mr. Glad-
stone's Government giving for
the first time a legal status to the
Ulster custom and extending it
to all tenancies in Ireland. The
Act provided for compensa-
tion for disturbance and com-
pensation for improvements in
the event of the landlord deter-
mining a tenancy, and enacted
that improvements should be
deemed to be the tenant's, the
onus of proof to the contrary
being thrown upon the landlord.
Irish Land Act, 1881.
This Act, passed in 1881,
introduced the principle of
judicial interference between
landlord and tenant. It per-
mitted the sale of tenant right
and allowed the tenant to apply
to the Court to fix a judicial
rent, such rent to hold good for
fifteen years. It made certain
alterations, in the tenant's
favour, in the law relating to
compensation for improvements.
It further established a Land
Commission with power (i) to
advance money to tenants for the
purchase of their holdings, and
(2) under certain conditions to
purchase whole estates from the
landlords.
Irish Land Act, 1885.
An Act known as Lord Ash-
bourne's Act, giving additional
facilities for the purchase by
tenants of their holdings. An
advance of ;^5, 000,000 was made
to the Land Commissioners for
this purpose, while the terms to
purchasers were more generous
than those of the BUI of 1881.
The purchase money was to be
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 129
advanced at 4 per cent,, and be
repayable in forty-nine years,
wMe the surplus of the Dis-
established Church funds was to
be used as a guarantee to the
State against loss.
Irish Land Act, 1896.
An Act amending and con-
solidating the previous Land
Acts and dealing specially with
the case of " Town Parks." It
introduced no new principle, and
though the Nationalists tried to
secure the valuation of these
holdings at prairie value, the
Government carried in the main
their plan for an equitable
division between landlord and
tenant of any increase of value
due to situation.
Irish Land Conference.
A conference held in Dublin
in January, 1903, known also as
the Dunraven Conference, be-
tween representatives of the
Irish Landlords and the tenants,
under the presidency of Lord
Dunraven. The conference
issued a unanimous report re-
commending the abolition of
dual ownership by means of a
comprehensive scheme of land
purchase. They proposed that
the landlords should be bought
out at a price based on their
present income from rent, and
that the tenants should purchase
at from 15 per cent, to 25 per
cent, less, the balance being
found by the State, which would
also advance the purchase
money, to be repaid by instal-
ments.
Irish National League.
An association formed in
Dublin in 1882, after the sup-
pression of the Land League, to
unite all sections of Irish
Nationalists.
Irish Society.
A society formed by twelve of
the City Companies of London
to colonize lands in Ulster for-
feited from O'Neill and O'Don-
neU. They were granted a
charter by James I in 161 3,
which was suspended in 1637
but restored in 1670.
Irish Volunteers, Society of.
JSee Friends of Ireland.
Iron Chancellor.
A sobriquet of Prince Bis-
marck.
Iron Chest.
A secret closet in the bed-
chamber of Louis XVI. Its exis-
tence was revealed by Gamain,
the king's locksmith, who had
constructed it, and it was
searched immediately by order
of the National Convention,
when certain compromising
documents were found.
Iron Cross.
A Prussian decoration con-
ferred for bravery in the field.
It was established in 1813.
Iron Crown.
The royal crown of Lombardy,
said to have been forged from a
nail of the true cross. It was
first used in 591 at the corona-
tion of Agilulf, King of the
Lombards, and is now the
royal crown of Italy.
Iron Duke.
The sobriquet of the great
Duke of Wellington.
Iron Emperor.
Nicholas I of Russia (1825-55!
was so called.
I30 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Iron Hand, Gotz of the.
The sobriquet of Gotz von
Berlichingen, the leader in the
German Peasants' War of 1525.
His right hand, which he had
lost in battle, was replaced by an
artificial hand made of iron.
Iron Mask, The Man with the.
A mysterious personage whose
face was always covered with
an iron mask, who was confined
in the Bastille and other State
prisons in France during the
reign of Louis XIV. Many
theories have been advanced as
to his identity. It has been
contended that he was an elder
brother, a twin brother, and a
natural son of the king, Count
Matthioli, minister of the Duke
of Mantua, and M. de Marchiel,
the head of a wide-spread con-
spiracy against Louis XIV,
while many other solutions of
the problem have been put for-
ward.
Iron Tooth.
The nickname of Frederick II,
Elector of Brandenburg (1688-
17 1 3).
Ironclad Oath.
The oath of office established
by the United States Congress
in 1 867 at the conclusion of the
Civil War. It was designed to
prevent the assumption of office
by any possible enemy of the
Union.
Ironside.
The nickname of Edmund,
King of the English in 1016.
Ironsides.
Cromwell's Regiment of Horse
was so called.
Iskander Beg.
The sobriquet of George
Castriot, the Albanian patriot
(141 4-67 ). Iskander is Alexan-
der.
Isabella Catolica, Order of.
A Spanish order of knight- ?
hood, instituted in 18 15, to re-
ward those Spanish-Americans
who remained faithful to the
Crown during the Wars of
Independence.
Island of Saints.
Ireland was so called in the
Middle Ages.
Italia Irredenta.
Unredeemed Italy consists of
those provinces and islands not
included in the Kingdom of
Italy which are racially or
linguistically Italian. They are
the Austrian provinces of
Southern Tyrol, Gorz, Trieste,
Istria and Dalmatia, the Swiss
Canton of Ticino, the British
island of Malta and the French
island of Corsica. The Irre-
dentists are a party whose aims
are similar to those of the Pan-
Slavists and Pan-Germans, and
who desire to see these provinces,
especially those belonging to
Austria, added to the kingdom.
Italy, Unification of.
The work of Victor Emmanuel
and his minister Cavour, aided
by Garibaldi and his volun-
teers. The Treaty of Zurich in
1859 left Victor Emmanuel in
possession of the whole of North
ern Italy excepting the Venetian
states east of the Mincio. The
central states, Parma, Modena,
etc., applied to be united to the
kingdom in i860, while in the
same year the South revolted
against Francis II of Naples,
and with the aid of Garibaldi
the Bourbons were expelled,
Victor Emmanuel being crowned
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 131
King of Italy in 1861. The
Venetian provinces were added
to the kingdom by the Treaty of
Prague in 1866, and in 1870,
France withdrawing her support
of the Pope, the King entered
Rome and completed the eman-
cipation of Italy.
J
Jacobites.
The supporters of the House
of Stuart after their expulsion
from Great Britain.
Jacquerie.
The peasant rising in France
in 1358 is so called from Jacques
Bonhomme, the familiar name
for a peasant. The revolt was
most sanguinary, the peasants
burning over 200 chateaux, and
murdering indiscriminately all
who refused to join them.
Equally cruel reprisals followed
the suppression of the insur-
rection.
Jaffa Massacre.
The massacre by Napoleon in
1799 of the Turkish garrison of
Jaffa, who had surrendered as
prisoners of war.
Jamaica Bill.
A bill suspending the con-
stitution of Jamaica, brought in
by the Melbourne Ministry in
1839, in consequence of the
House of Assembly refusing to
put in force an Act for the better
regulation of prisons in that
island. The bill only passed
the House of Commons by a
majority of five, and Lord Mel-
bourne resigned.
Jameson Raid.
An invasion of the Transvaal
by the forces of the British
South Africa Company in Jan-
uary, 1896. Jameson acted on
an undated letter, signed by
certain members of the Johan-
nesburg Reform Committee,
summoning him to the aid of
the Uitlanders. His raid, how-
ever, was ill-timed, the Johan-
nesburgers being unable to give
him the assistance he counted
on, and he was defeated by the
hastily summoned Boer com-
mandos. Cecil Rhodes was a
party to the scheme, which was
designed to overthrow the cor-
rupt Boer Government. The
Boers made the raid an excuse
for increasing their armaments.
Janissaries.
A military force established
about the middle of the four-
teenth century by Amurath I,
Sultan of Turkey. They were
recruited from Christian youths
captured in war, who were
brought up in the Mohammedan
faith and trained to arms.
Jansenists.
A sect or schism of Catholics,
founded in France in the seven-
teenth century, who strongly
opposed the doctrinal and ethical
teachings of the Jesuits. Their
doctrines were based on the
Augustinus of Cornelius Jan-
sen, Bishop of Ypres, published
after his death, which took place
in 1638. Its adherents included
such men as Arnauld and Pascal.
Jansenism was finally declared
heretical by the Bull Unigenitus
in 1653.
January, Edict of.
An edict issued by Charles IX
of France in January, 1562,
setting forth the terms of paci-
fication between the Huguenots
132 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
and the Catholics as arrived at
by a conference between the
leaders of the two parties.
Jarl.
In the early Norse times the
Jarl was a dignity conferred by
the king upon chiefs of con-
spicuous ability as leaders in
war. The title was not heredi-
tary.
Jassy, Peace of.
A treaty signed in 1792 by
"Catherine II of Russia and the
Sultan Selim III after a war
rendered memorable by the suc-
cesses of Potemkin and Suwar-
row. Turkey surrendered Osza-
kov, and the Dniester was fixed
as the boundary line between
the two empires.
Jay's Treaty.
The name given to the treaty
between Great Britain and the
United States in 1794, which
provided for the surrender to the
latter of the British military
forts in the North-East and
settled certain boundary and
financial questions pending be-
tween the signatories.
Jedburgh Justice.
The prompt measures taken by
the Earl of Dunbar in the reign
of James I and VI to punish
border raiders at Jedburgh and
other Scottish towns gave rise
to this phrase. Raiders were
hanged always, and tried if cir-
cumstances permitted. "Cupar
Justice" and "Burlaw" have the
same meaning.
Jehad.
A holy war of Mohammedans
against Christians is so called.
Jenkin's Ear.
One of the many stories of the
illtreatment by the Spanish
Guardia Costa of British sub-
jects in the employment of the
South Sea Company. These
stories were utilized by the war
party in Parliament to force the
Government into war with Spain
in 1738. War was in fact de-
clared the following year.
Jesuits.
A religious order founded in
1534 by Ignatius Loyola, a
Spaniard, and sanctioned by
Paul III in 1540. They have
always endeavoured to lead and
control public opinion, and to
that end have taken an active
part in education and in political
intrigue, as well as in missionary
work. The order was sup-
pressed by Papal Bull in 1773,
but revived in 18 14.
Jerrymandering.
The manipulation of electoral
divisions in such a way as to
give an undue advantage to on&
political party. The word is
said to be rightly Gerrymander-
ing, and to be derived from
Elbridge Gerry, Governor of
Massachusetts in 18 12, who was
the originator of the idea.
Jerviswood Plot.
A plot entered into by certain
Scottish Presbyterian gentlemen,
under the leadership of Lord
Melville, the Earl of Tarras and
Baillie of Jerviswood, to prevent
the Duke of York succeeding to
the throne on the death of
Charles II. The plot was dis-
covered owing to the failure of
the Rye House Plot, and though
Melville and other leaders made
good their escape, Baillie was
seized and executed in 1634.
Jeu de Paume, Seance du.
The famous session of the
Tennis Court, on June 22, 1789,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 133
when the Deputies of the Na-
tional Assembly, excluded from
their regular place of meeting,
took an oath that they would
not separate, but would continue
to meet when and where they
could until they had promul-
gated the new constitution.
Jeunesse Doree.
The gilded youth, or young
men of Paris, who endeavoured
to bring about the counter-
revolution after the fall of
Robespierre in 1794.
Jewish Disabilities Acts.
A series of Acts passed during
the reign of Queen Victoria by
which the disabilities under
which the Jews laboured were
gradually removed. In 1845
they were admitted to ofhce in
municipalities ; in 1846 they
were placed on the same footing
as Protestant Dissenters in
respect of their schools, while by
the alteration in the form of the
Parliamentary oath in 1858 they
were enabled to sit in Parlia-
ment.
Jews' Exchequer.
A special court established by
Richard I in 11 94 to hear cases
in which Jews were concerned
and to supervise their contribu-
tions to the revenue.
Jingoes.
The war party in England
during the Russo-Turkish war
of 1877-78 were so called by
their political opponents. The
name arose from a music-hall
song, sung by " The Great Mac-
dermott," the chorus of which
began " We don't want to fight,
but by Jingo if we do." The
term " Jingoism " is now ap-
plied to aggressive Imperialism,
Jo-I.
The ultra-nationaHst party in
Japan in the early days of the
new regime. They were strongly
opposed to the invasion of
Western ideas. The name signi-
fies " Expel the Barbarians."
Jockey of Norfolk.
The sobriquet of Sir John
Howard, an adherent of Richard
III.
John Company.
The East India Company was
so called.
Joinville, Treaty of.
A secret treaty between the
Guises and Philip II of Spain in
1584, providing that the Car-
dinal de Bourbon should suc-
ceed Henri III, and that no
heretic should ascend the throne
or hold office in France. Philip
undertook to advance 50,000
crowns monthly for the pur-
poses of the League, to be repaid
on the accession of the CardinaL
Joyeuse Entree.
The ancient charter of Bra-
bant, granted by Wenceslas of
Luxemburg in the latter part of
the fourteenth century. It pro-
vided that no one should be pro-
secuted except before the ordin-
ary courts of law ; that no
foreigner should hold office in
the State ; that no alteration
should be made in the status of
the Church without the consent
of the Estates, and that any
breach of the Constitution by
the prince should absolve his
subjects from their allegiance.
The charter was abrogated by
Joseph II in 1789.
Judicature Acts, 1873 and 1875.
Bv these Acts a Supreme
Court of Justice was created, in
place of the various courts in
134 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
existence dealing with various
branches of the law. These
Courts were made branches of the
High Court of Justice. In the
same way the varioiis appeal
courts were brought into one
general Court of Appeal, Cer-
tain provincial jurisdictions were
abolished, such as the Courts of
Pleas of the Palatine counties of
Lancaster and Durham. Pro-
bate, Divorce and Admiralty
were united in one division by the
latter of the two Acts,
Judenhetze.
The anti-Jewish campaign,
started in Berlin in 1880, See
Anti-semitism,
July, Government of.
The reign of Louis Philippe
(1830-48) is so called, as having
been inaugurated by the Re-
volution of July.
July Laws.
Two laws passed in July, 1883,
modifying certain of the severer
provisions of the Falk Laws.
July, Revolution of.
The revolution of 1830, which
overthrew the Government of
Charles X and established Louis
Philippe on the throne, is so
called.
July, Treaty of.
A treaty signed on July 15,
1840, by Great Britain, Russia,
Austria and Prussia, dictating
terms to Mehemet Ali, Pasha of
Egypt, which terms he was
given ten days to accept. He
was to retain the Pashalic of
Egypt for himself ahd his de-
scendants, and Acre for life,
withdrawing from the rest of
Syria and the Holy Land. This
treaty was confirmed in 1841 by
the Treaty of the Dardanelles.
Junkers.
The younger members of the
aristocratic Conservative party
in Prussia with whom Bismarck
acted at the beginning of his
political life.
Junius, Letters of.
A series of letters issued
anonymously from 1769 onwards,
attacking the King and the
Grafton Ministry with extra-
ordinary vigour, and full of
literary merit. The authorship of
these letters remains a mystery,
but they are generally attributed
to Sir Philip Francis.
Junta.
In Spain, an assembly of per-
sons, whether legally summoned
or self-constituted, exercising
legislative or administrative
functions. The Junta of 1808,
which represented those portions
of Spain not under the rule of
Joseph Buonaparte, is one of the
best known.
Junta Apostolica.
A Junta formed in Spain in
1824, under Saez, to carry out
to the full the principles of
absolutism and ecclesiastical
domination. For some time the
Junta practically ruled Spain.
Junto.
The chiefs of the Whig party,
and leaders of the Ministry
formed in 1696. They were
Somers, Russell, Halifax and
Wharton.
Junto, Presbyterian.
The name given to the Sons of
Liberty by the Royalist party
in America in 1765.
Jurandes.
Committees of the trade
guilds in France, appointed to
supervise the operatiqns of the
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 135
members of the guild, with
special reference to the granting
of apprenticeships and the pay-
ment of the necessary fees
thereupon. The regulations of
these guilds were often exceed-
ingly oppressive.
Jury, Trial by.
The origin of the system is
probably to be found in the
Assize of Clarendon in 1166, by
which it was enacted that twelve
men should be appointed from
each hundred to present crimin-
als for trial by ordeal. They
were sworn to determine the
value of the charge, and could
commit or release the accused.
By Magna Charta, the right of
every Englishman to be tried by
his peers is expressly stipulated.
Jus Magdeburgicum.
The local law of Magdeburg,
a free city of Germany. It was
composed partly of Saxon cus-
tom and partly of ancient local
usages, and was adopted in many
of the Slav countries.
Justice, Charter of.
A charter issued by Canning's
Government in 1828 providing
for the reorganization of the
judicial system in Cape Colony,
and regulating other matters
connected with the Government.
It abolished the Heemraden, and
instituted courts in which all
the pleadings were to be in
English. It was superseded in
1834 by an amended charter,
whereby, among other changes,
ignorance of English was no
onger to be held a bar to jury
service.
Justiciary.
Under the Norman kings this
functionary was the President
of the Curia Regis and the king's
representative and regent during
his absence from the realm.
Justinian, Code of.
A codification of the Roman
law, carried out by Tribonianus
by order of Justinian in 529.
Justiza.
The supreme judge in the
kingdom of Aragon. He was
appointed by the Cortes, and
was the final interpreter of the
laws, even the king being obHged
to consult him in doubtful cases.
He was the ultimate court of
appeal in all cases, and had
himself the right to initiate
prosecutions.
Jutland, Law of.
The code of law presented to
a Danish National Assembly by
Waldemar II (Seir) of Denmark,
and confirmed in 1241. This
remained the law of the whole of
Denmark till the reign of
Christian V (1670- 1699).
K
Kabbeljaws.
The party of the towns, in the
Netherlands, in the fourteenth
century. The word signifies
" Codfish-jaws," and the op-
posing party, that of the nobles,
was known as the " Hooks."
Kaiser Klas.
The German nickname for
Napoleon.
Kalf-vel.
A document issued by Charles
V curtailing the privileges of the
city of Ghent.
Kanaka Labour Traffic.
In the early eighties attention
was attracted to the methods
of the " Blackbirders," or ships
136 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
engaged in supplying Kanaka
labourers for the Queensland
sugar plantations. The captain
of the Hopeful was brought to
trial for kidnapping, and the
disclosures in the case caused the
Government to appoint a com-
mission in 1884 to investigate
the whole question. It was
found that kidnapping was much
more general than was thought,
and in all the instances which
were brought to light the natives
were returned to their islands,
and the planters compensated
for the loss of their services.
Kansas-Nebraska Act.
An Act of Congress passed in
1854 by which Kansas and
Nebraska were admitted to the
Union as territories. This Act
was a breach of the Missouri
Compromise, as it left it to each
of the new territories to settle
the question of slavery within
its borders.
Karl.
Among the Norsemen the
holders of Odal or freehold land
were so called.
Karmathians.
A Moslem sect, taking their
name from Karmath, a disciple
of Babek, whose leading tenets
were the indifference of all
human actions and the non-
existence of private property.
The Karmathians first appeared
in 890, and it is said that a
hundred battles were fought
before they were exterminated.
They were at one time in pos-
session of Mecca.
Keate Award.
The award, in 1 871, of Mr.
R. W. Keate, Lieutenant-Gover-
nor of Natal, on the territorial
questions pending between the
South African Republic and
various native chiefs, amongst
others Waterboer, Mankoroane,
and Montsiwa. It practically
endorsed the native claims, and
is specially important as having
enabled Great Britain at a later
date to annex Bechuanaland,
thus opening a way to the centre
of the continent, and rendering
possible the colonization of
Rhodesia.
Kenilworth, Dictum of.
A proclamation of Henry III
in 1267, after the final overthrow
of Simon de Montfort, wherein
the king reaffirmed Magna
Charta and restored to their
lands those of the barons who
had been dispossessed, on pay-
ment of a solatium to the then
holders.
Kelly Gang.
A famous gang of bushrangers
which infested the north-eastern
part of New South Wales from
1878 to 1880. Towards the end
of the latter year they were hunt-
ed down by the police. In the
fight which followed the whole
gang were killed except their
leader, Ned Kelly, who was cap-
tured and hanged.
Kentish Petition.
A petition from the Grand
Jury of Kent, presented to
Parliament in 1701, praying the
House to abstain from the
prosecution of personal ven-
geance and to give its attention
to the needs of the country.
Kentucky Resolutions.
A series of resolutions passed
by the Kentucky Legislature in
1798, declaring the Alien and
Sedition Laws unconstitutional,
and asserting the doctrine of
State Rights.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 137
Kenyon-Slaney Clause.
A clause introduced into the
Education Act of 1902, on the
motion of Colonel Kenyon-
Slaney. It provides that in all
voluntary schools taken over
by the new education authority
the religious teaching shall be in
accordance with the provisions
of the trust deed, and be under
the control of the managers.
The object of the clause is to
prevent a clergyman of extreme
views forcing upon a school a
form of doctrinal instruction
contrary, to the generally re-
ceived teaching of the Church of
England.
Kerns.
Mercenary troops, partly Irish
and partly Scotch, maintained
by the petty Irish chieftains, and
employed in their inter-tribal
wars up to the time of EHzabeth.
They were also known as "Gal-
lowglasses."
Ket's Rebellion.
A rising of the peasantry
against the landed gentry, led
by Ket, a tanner, in 1549. He
collected some 16,000 followers
in a camp near Norwich, and
established a tribunal, on which
he sat, with the Mayor of Nor-
wich, to try obnoxious gentle-
men. The rebellion was sup-
pressed by the Earl of Warwick,
and Ket and other leaders
hanged.
Keys, House of.
The Lower House of the Isle of
Man legislature.
Keystone State.
A name given to the State of
Pennsylvania, as being the
central State of the thirteen
originally forming the Union.
Khalsa.
The Sikh Commonwealth in
the Punjaub was known by this
name.
Khozain.
The head of a household in the
Russian Mir or village com-
munity. Before the emancipa-
tion of the serfs in 1861 the
family generally owned all pro-
perty in common, those who
went to work in the towns send-
ing a proportion of their wages
to the common stock. The
Khozain was the administrator
of the general fund.
Kiel, Peace of.
A treaty between Sweden and
Denmark signed in 18 14, after
the expulsion of the Danes from
Holstein by Bernadotte. Den-
mark surrendered Norway to the
Crown of Sweden, reserving^
however, Greenland, Iceland
and the Faroe Islands, which
had been considered appanages
of the Norwegian Crown.
Kilkenny, Convention of.
A convention of the prelates,
nobles and commons of Ireland
held in 1338. It presented a
petition of grievances to Ed-
ward III, complaining of the
neglect by his lieutenants of the
fortified places, whereby they
suffered from the raids of the
Irish ; of the corruption pre-
vailing amongst the royal offi-
cers ; of their absenteeism, and
of the misrepresentation which
the petitioners had suffered at
their hands.
Kilkenny, Council of.
A council of twenty-four
members formed in 1642 to
organize the Irish Catholics in
support of the royal cause
during the Civil War.
138 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Kilkenny^ Statute of.
A statute passed in 1367 by
which the English colonists in
Ireland were forbidden under
penalty of high treason to inter-
marry with the Irish, to present
an Irishman to a Church living,
or to offer hospitality to an Irish
bard or minstrel.
Kilkenny, Synod of.
A synod of the Irish bishops
and other Church dignitaries,
held in 1642 at the commence-
ment of the Great Rebellion, to
form a provisional government.
It established the Council of
Kilkenny.
Kilmainham Treaty.
A supposed agreement be-
tween Mr. Gladstone and Mr.
Parnell (then a prisoner in Kil-
mainham Gaol), negotiated by
Mr.O'Sheain 1882. by which Par-
nell undertook, if released, to use
all his influence in the suppression
of agrarian crime. Both parties
stoutly denied the existence of
any compact, but the matter
gave rise to stormy debates in
the House of Commons, and
many wild stories were current
as to the terms of the agreement.
Kimberley Riots.
A series of disturbances in
1884 due to the opposition of the
employes in the diamond mines
at Kimberley to the Search Act^
passed in 1882 with the object
of checking illicit diamond buy-
ing.
King of the Commons.
A sobriquet of James V of
Scotland.
King Philip's War.
The name given to a rising of
the Wampanoags, an Indian
tribe, in 1675, with the object of
exterminating the white settlers
in New England. The war
lasted over a year, with much
destruction of property, but
finally the Indians were de-
feated and their leader, Philip,
shot.
King's Friends.
The name given to the secret
advisei's of George III in his
attempts to restore the royal
prerogative to its old position
in the State. They were mainly
Tories, though drawn from both
parties, and their leader was the
Earl of Bute.
King's Prymer.
A book of the ritual of the
Church of England, issued in
1545 by the authority of Henry
VIII, and containing the Ser-
vices for the Hours. It is the
basis of all subsequent prymers,
including those of Edward VI
and Elizabeth.
Kingmaker, The.
The sobriquet of Neville, Earl
of Warwick (1428-71), the most
prominent figure in the Wars of
the Roses.
Kinmont Willie.
The nickname of William
Armstrong, the famous border
raider. He was the hero of a
celebrated rescue at the hands
of the Lord of Buccleugh in 1 596,
having been captured by the
English and confined in Carlisle
Castle.
Kirke's Lambs.
The troopers of Colonel Kirke,
who was in command at Bridg-
water after the suppression of
Monmouth's rebellion. Their
barbarous treatment of their
prisoners and of suspected ad-
herents of Monmouth hardly fell
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 139
behind the judicial cruelties of
Jeffreys. Their name was iron-
ically derived from the Lamb,
their regimental badge.
Kit-Kat Club.
A club formed by certain
prominent Whig politicians in
1793 to promote the principles
of the French Revolution. Wal-
pole, Steele and Addison were
among its members.
Kitchen Cabinet.
The name given by their poli-
tical opponents to the unofficial
advisers of Andrew Jackson,
Pi^esident of the United States
from 1829 to 1837. Among
them were Amos Kendall, Isaac
Hill and F. P. Blair.
Knighthood, Orders of.
See Alcantara, Alexander,
Annunziata, Bath, Black Eagle,
Calatrava, Dannebrog, Elephant,
Garter, Golden Fleece, Holy
Sepulchre, Hospitallers, Iron
Cross, Isabella, Legion of
Honour, Livonian, Malta, Mon-
tesa. Our Lady, Rhodes, St.
Andrew, St. Esprit, St. Hubert,
St. Lazare, St. Patrick, Santiago,
Templars, Teutonic, Thistle.
Knight's Fee.
The extent of land the holding
of which qualified for knight-
hood in feudal times. The
amount is uncertain, but it is
thought to have been an annual
value of twenty pounds.
Knights of Labour.
A society for the protection
of workmen, founded in 1869 at
Philadelphia by Uriah S. Stevens.
It has become one of the most
powerful labour organizations
of the world, and claims a mem-
bership of 200,000.
Knights of the Shire.
The representatives of the
counties in the early Parlia-
ments. They were elected in
the Shire Courts, which all the
freeholders of the county were
entitled to attend.
Know-Nothings.
A political party formed in
America in 1 8 5 5 . Their essential
tenet was the necessity of keep-
ing the Government in the hands
of genuine Americans, and with
this object they proposed a
twenty-one years' residence as a
qualification for naturalization.
The party was short-lived,
scarcely surviving the presi-
dential election of 1856.
Kongelov.
The Royal Law, a new Danish
Constitution promulgated in
1660, proclaiming an hereditary
instead of an elective monarchy.
The administration was confided
to certain bureaux whose mem-
bers were appointed by the king.
Kossuthists.
The modern National party
in Hungary. They take their
name from the famous patriot of
the War of Independence of
1848, and his son, who is one of
the leaders of the existing party.
Kreuz Partie.
The party of the Cross, under
whose influence Frederick
William IV of Prussia lay during
the latter years of his reign.
Their policy included a closer
union with Russia and Austria,
and a tacit resistance to the more
liberal ideas of Western Europe.
Kshatriya.
The second or military caste
among the Hindoos.
I40 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Ku Klux Klan.
An organization formed in the
Southern States, after the Ameri-
can Civil War, to coerce the
coloured people and their sym-
pathisers and prevent them
recording their votes. It be-
came so powerful that a strin-
gent Act, known as the Ku Klux
Act, was passed by Congress in
1 87 1, inflicting heavy penalties
on all convicted of belonging to
this and similar associations.
Kuldja Treaty.
A treaty between Russia and
China, negotiated in 1880 after
the suppression of the Moham-
medan revolt in Western China,
during which the Russians had
held and administered Kuldja.
It provided for the retention by
Russia of the most valuable part
of Kuldja, including the Tekes
Valley and the passes into
Kashgaria and Yarkand. It
further stipulated that Russia
should enjoy the use of an over-
land route to Hankow for
Russian merchants, and the free
navigation of the Sungari River,
which practically opened the
whole of Manchuria to Russian
trade. Chang How, who had
negotiated this treaty, was dis-
graced, and China refused to
ratify it. In 188 1, however, a
second treaty was concluded,
and eventually ratified, by which
Russia retroceded the whole of
Kuldja, the other stipulations
of the treaty of 1880 remaining
practically unaltered.
Kulterkampf.
The crusade in Germany
against the Pope and the Ultra-
montanes,who were looked upon
as the foes of civil as well as
religious liberty. After the issue
of the Vatican Decree on Papal
Infallibility many of the bishops
attempted to force the dogma
upon university professors and
others holding State appoint-
ments, and their high-handed
interference in this and other
ways led to the enacting of the
Falk Laws. The conflict lasted
over ten years.
Kurucz.
The name given to the fol-
lowers of Dozsa, Tokoli and
Rakoczy in the various risings of
the Hungarians against Austrian
rule which they headed. It
means the wearers of the Cross,
or Crusaders.
Kutchuk-Kainardji, Treaty of.
A treaty between Catherine II
of Russia and the Sultan Abdul-
Hamed, signed in 1774, after the
occupation by the Russians of
Crim-Tartary, Moldavia and
Wallachia. Turkey surrendered
the Crimea, Azov and Taganrog,
and by the seventh clause of the
treaty undertook to protect the
Christian religion and its
churches, and to permit the
Russian Minister to make at all
times representations on behalf
of the new church in Constanti-
nople, such representations to
be taken into consideration as
proceeding from a sincerely
friendly Power. In this clause
lay the germ of the Crimean War,
for Russia interpreted it as
giving her the right to interfere
for the protection of all Chris-
tians of the Greek Church in the
Turkish Empire.
La Gran j a, Revolution of.
The revolution by which
Queen Christina of Spain was
compelled in 1836 to restore the
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 141
constitution of 18 12 which had
been abrogated by Ferdinand.
Labancz.
The name given to their oppo-
nents by the Hungarians under
Tokoli and Rakoczy in 1678
and 1704 respectively. It sig-
nifies the " foot people," the
Magyars being almost all
mounted men.
Labour, American Federation of.
A labour organization founded
at Columbus, Ohio, in 1886, and
now claiming to have over
600,000 members.
Labourers, Statute of.
A statute passed in the reign
of Edward III, after the Black
Death in 1348. This pestilence
had made labour scarce, and
labourers were demanding exor-
bitant wages. It was enacted
that all labourers should be com-
pelled to serve their former
masters and for the same wage
that they had received before
the plague.
Lackland.
, The nickname of King John,
given him because he received
no fiefs from his father.
Lady of the Mercians.
^thelfled, daughter of Alfred
the Great, was so called.
Lagthing.
See Storthing.
Lahore, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1846, at the
end of the first Sikh War, by
which Dhulip Singh was recog-
nized as Rajah of the Punjaub.
The Sikhs surrendered the Doab
to the British.
Laibach, Congress of.
A congress of the European
Powers held in 1821, at which
armed intervention to suppress
the Republican risings in Naples
and Piedmont was decided upon.
Laissez Faire.
A phrase used by a French
merchant to Colbert, who asked
him in what way he could aid
trade. The meaning of the reply
is " Leave us alone," and the
phrase has become the watch-
word of the freetraders and
those who oppose Government
interference.
Lake State.
The popular name of the State
of Michigan, U.S.A. It is so
called because it borders on
Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie
and Superior.
Lambeth Articles.
A series of nine articles, em-
bodying the Galvinistic doctrine,
drawn up in 1595 by Archbishop
Whitgift. They were not, how-
ever, approved by the Queen,
and were consequently never
enforced.
Lambeth, Treaty of.
A treaty between Henry HI
and Louis the Dauphin, signed
in 1 2 17, after the Fair of
Lincoln. It provided for the
immediate departure of Louis
and his troops for France, an
interchange of prisoners, and a
general amnesty.
Lancaster, County Palatine of.
Lancaster was created a Pala-
tine County by Edward HI in
1351, and granted by him to
John of Gaunt. It became
Crown property on the accession
of Henry IV, and has so re-
mained. The Judicature Act of
1873, however, withdrew all the
existing judicial privileges ex-
142 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
cepting those of the Chancery
Court. The Chancellor of the
Duchy is a member of the
Government, and is frequently
in the Cabinet.
Land Act, 1864.
An Act passed by the Legis-
lature of New South Wales, by
which half the land in the
occupation of the squatters was
reserved to them on a twenty-
one years' tenure and the re-
maining half thrown open to
selection by bond fide settlers.
Land Commission.
A Commission established by
the Irish Land Act of 188 1. It
was empowered to appoint sub-
commissioners to sit as land
courts for the purpose of fixing
fair rents.
Land Convention.
An association formed in
Victoria in 1857 to oppose the
Haines Land Bill and advocate
Free Selection. Its leaders were
Wilson Gray and Sir George
Stephen.
Land League.
An Irish organization, founded
by Michael Davitt in 1879, with
the object of driving out the
landlords and establishing a
peasant proprietary in Ireland.
The agrarian outrages in which
its members were implicated
led to its being proclaimed an
illegal association, and it was
suppressed in 1881.
Landamman.
The chief magistrate in the
Forest Cantons of Switzerland,
elected by the Landsgemeinde.
Landdrost.
A local magistrate in Dutch
South Africa. The first official
bearing this title was appointed
to Stellenbosch in 1685. In
addition to his judicial duties,
he had the superintendence of
the Dutch East India Company's
farms and outlying stations.
He also presided over the Heem-
raden. The office was abolished
in British South Africa in 1832,
but in the independent Dutch
States it has existed up to the
present time (1903).
Landeyda.
The raven banner of the
Danes. The word means " Deso-
lation of the Country."
Landfriede.
In mediaeval Germany the
peace of the land, or freedom
from private war, was so called.
Many edicts were issued to
secure it, but it was rarely
attained.
Land-fyrd.
The general levy of fighting
men in Anglo-Saxon times.
The origin of the Militia.
Landrecht.
The codification of Prussian
law, otherwise known as the
Code Frederic, published in
175 1 under the auspices of
Frederick the Great.
Landrica.
In Saxon times,* a wealthy
landowner, who acted as the
King's representative within the
limits of his district, and had
jurisdiction over the smaller
freeholders. His position was
in fact somewhat similar to that
of a feudal baron.
Landsgemeinde.
The ancient popular assembly
in the Forest Cantons of Switzer-
land. Every male above the
age of sixteen had access to it.
It elected the chief magistrate
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 143
(Landamman), levied taxes,
and exercised judicial functions.
Landstag.
The Prussian Paxliament.
Landsturm.
The final reserve of the
German and Austrian armies.
It can only be called out in
times of emergency.
Landsthing.
See Rigsdag.
Landtmanna Party.
The country party in the
Swedish Parliament. Originally
it was composed almost entirely
of landowners, but latterly the
peasants have become the more
powerful section of it.
Landwehr.
The first reserve of the
German and Austrian armies.
Langue d'Oc.
In old France the language of
the southern provinces, from
which the province of Langue-
doc took its name. In its modern
form of Provencal it is little
better than a patois, though
there has been some attempt
to revive it as a literary language
during the nineteenth century.
Langue d'Oil.
The language of the northern
provinces of France, and the
parent of modern French. It
contains a much larger ad-
mixture of Teutonic roots than
the Langue d'Oc, though its
grammatical form is Latin.
Last Battle.
The Battle of CuUoden, fought
in 1746, is so called as being the
last iDattle fought on British
soil.
Last of the Barons.
A sobriquet of Richard
Neville, Earl of Warwick
(1428-1471).
Last of the Knights.
A nickname of Maximilian,
Emperor of Germany (1493-
1519).
Last of the Stuarts.
Henry Stuart, Cardinal York,
the last male descendant of
the Stuart Kings, was so called.
He died in 1807.
Last of the Tribunes.
Colas de Rienzi, who was
chosen tribune by the citizens
of Rome in 1347, was so called.
He was also known as the " Last
of the Romans."
Lanterne, La.
The Extremists or Robespierre
Section of the Mountain, in
the French Convention. Their
denunciation by Danton and
Camille Desmoulins led to the
condemnation and execution of
the Dantonists in x\pril 1794.
Lateran Council, First.
A Council summoned by
Calixtus II in 1123. It is
notable as being the first
(Ecumenical Council whose de-
crees were issued in the name
of the Pope, and not in that of
the Council.
Lateran Council, Second.
An (Ecumenical Council sum-
moned by Innocent II in 11 39,
at which the marriage of the
priesthood was forbidden.
Lateran Council, Fourth.
A Council summoned to meet
in Rome by Innocent III, in
12 1 5, to consider the most
effectual means of suppressing
heresy. It declared that any
144 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
prince protecting heretics or
permitting the dissemination of
heretical doctrines in his domin-
ions should be excommunicated.
It further established the In-
quisition, to deal with heretics
individually,
Lateran Council, Fifth.
An (Ecumenical Council
summoned by Julius II, in
1 5 12, at which the acts of the
Council of Pisa were con-
demned.
Latin Union.
A confederation, for mone-
tary purposes, of France, Italy,
Switzerland and Belgium,
formed in 1865. It provided
for the establishment of a uni-
form and interchangeable coin-
age, on a bimetallic basis, for
the countries concerned. Greece
joined the union in 1868. Bel-
gium left it in 1885.
Latitudinarians.
A party in the English Church
in the seventeenth century, who
stood midway between the ex-
treme Episcopal and the Puritan
parties. It was the prototype
of the modern Broad Church.
Latter Day Saints.
The proper name of the sect
generally known as Mormons.
Lautero, Sociedad de.
A secret society formed in
Spain at the beginning of the
nineteenth century, to aid the
movement of the Spanish-
American colonies in the direc-
tion of independence.
Lawburrows, Writ of.
A writ, in Scottish law, by
which any person who made oath
that he went in fear of violence
from his neighbour, could have
him bound over to keep the
peace. This legal form was
used in 1678 against the gentry
of the West, who had refused
to enter into a bond binding
themselves and all their de-
pendents to abstain from active
sympathy with the Covenanters.
Law of Flanders.
A law of Charles the Good,
Earl of Flanders, decreeing that
any one who married a serf
became a serf.
Law's Bubble.
See Mississippi Scheme.
Lay Impropriator.
A layman in receipt of tithes,
an ecclesiastical form of revenue.
The lay impropriator originated
in grants of lands made by
abbeys and other Church com-
munities to powerful laymen,
in exchange for their protection.
League.
The League, also called the
Catholic League, was formed
by the Guises in 1577, ostensibly
to promote the ascendency of
Catholicism, and to oppose the
concessions granted to the Re-
formed Faith by Henri II of
France. Secretly, however, it
contemplated the deposition of
the Valois dynasty, and the
placing of a Guise on the
throne. {See Joinville, Treaty
of.)
League above the Lake.
A league of the Cantons of
St. Gall and Appenzell with the
towns of the Rheinthal, formed
in 1405. It was broken up in
1408, Appenzell being defeated
at Bregenz by the burghers of
Constance and the Suabian
nobles.
Leagues, Associations, etc.
See Afrikander, Agrarian, Al-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 145
banian, Anti-Corn Law, Anti-
Semitism, Armed Neutrality,
Association, Australasian, Bal-
larat. Bar, Barons, British Em-
pire, Brunnen, Burgfrieden,
Cambray, Catholic, Centro-
Americana, Chinandega, Cle-
mentine, Cognac, Coloured, Con-
federate, Eight Cantons, Equa-
dor, Frankfort, Fiirstenbund,
Germanada, Germanic, Golden,
Gotteshausbund, Grey, Han-
seatic, Hermandad, Holy,
Irish National, Land, Liberal,
Lombard, Nationalverein, Per-
petual, Pilsen, Poor Conrad,
Presburg, Protestant, Reform-
verein. Reuse, Rhenish, Rhine,
Rome, Sandomierz, Santa Jun-
ta, Schmalkald, Seven Cantons,
Six Cities, Sonderbund, Suabian,
Targowitz, Ten Jurisdictions,
Thirteen Cantons, Torgau, Tri-
umvirate, Tuscany, United Irish,
Utrecht, Venice, White, Wiirtz-
burg.
Leap in the Dark.
This phrase was applied to
Disraeli's Reform Bill of 1867
by Lord Cranbourne, and was
afterwards adopted by Lord
Derby as an accurate descrip-
tion of the course the Govern-
ment was taking.
Learned Fool.
James I of England was called
by Sully the most learned fool
in Christendom.
Lebanon Massacres.
An outbreak between the
Druses and the Maronites having
occurred in i860, the Turkish
authorities compelled the latter
to lay down their arms, under
promise of protection. This
they failed to afford, and the
Druses attacked the Maronite
villages, and massacred hun-
dreds. Later in the year, the
fanatical anti-Christian spirit
spread to Damascus, and the
Christian quarter of the town
was sacked, over two thousand
Christians perishing at the
hands of the Moslems, without
any attempt at interference on
the part of the Turkish Gover-
nor. A European Convention
was held, and France and
England were entrusted by the
Powers with the task of restoring
order in the disturbed districts.
This they accomplished, and
forced upon the Sultan the
appointment of a Christian
Governor in the Lebanon.
Legacy of lyeyasu.
A document left by the
Shogun lyeyasu, founder of the
Tokugawa dynasty of Shoguns,
in 1598, as a guide to his suc-
cessors in the conduct of affairs.
Legations.
The provinces of Bologna,
Ferrara and Romagna, over
which the Popes claimed sover-
eign rights. They were sur-
rendered to France by the
Treaty of Tolentino in 1797.
Legion Memorial.
A memorial drawn up by
Defoe, in support of the Kentish
Petition in 1701.
Legion of Despair.
An armed band of Frisian
peasants, some thousands in
number, who rose in revolt in
1580, being exasperated beyond
endurance by the license of the
States' soldiery. Though well-
drilled and led, they were unable
to stand against the veterans
of the Count of Hohenlohe, by
whom they were defeated and
dispersed.
146 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Legion of Honour.
The only existing French
order of knighthood, instituted
by Napoleon, when First Consul,
in 1802. Though military in
form, it is open to civilians.
Legitimists.
The supporters of the claims
of the Bourbon branch of the
Royal House of France from
1814 to 1883. On the death of
the Comte de Chambord with-
out issue in the latter year,
they transferred their allegiance
to the Orleans branch, with the
exception of a small section,
known as the Blancs d'Espagne,
who support the Spanish Bour-
bons as the rightful occupiers
of the throne of France.
L6man, Republique du.
The name assumed by the
State of Vaud when she revolted
from the Canton of Berne in
1798.
Lesser Bull, The.
A Bull, the authenticity of
which is somewhat doubtful,
issued by Boniface VIII against
Philip IV of France, shortly
before the issue of the Bull
" Ausculta Fili." It is couched
in somewhat milder terms than
the latter, but is of similar
tenour,
Lessive du Panama.
See Panama Scandal.
Letters of Marque.
Commissions granted by a
belligerent to private indi-
viduals, authorizing them to
arm ships for the purpose of
capturing merchant vessels fly-
ing the enemy's flag. This right
was abolished by the Treaty of
Paris in 1856.
Letters of the Sepulchre.
The laws and ordinances of
Godefroi de Bouillon, King of
Jerusalem, were so called.
Lettres de Cachet.
Warrants of arrest, issued by
the French Kings, or their
Ministers, under which persons
obnoxious to the Court could
be imprisoned indefinitely with-
out being brought to trial.
Levellers (England).
Originally a religious sect,
but later a political organization
under the Commonwealth. They
held extreme communistic views,
and in 1649 their propagandism
in the ranks of the army led
to numerous mutinies. They
were, however, ruthlessly sup-
pressed by Cromwell, and after
the loss of their leaders gave
little further trouble.
Levellers (Ireland).
The name given to agrarian
bands, first formed in Limerick
in 1 761, who tore down the
fences with which the commons
had been enclosed. They were
afterwards known as White-
boys, from the white shirts they
wore over their other garments.
Lewes, Mise of.
An agreement between Henry
III and Simon de Montfort,
as leader of the Barons, after
the defeat of the King at Lewes
in 1264, by which the questions
in dispute between the King and
the Barons were to be submitted
to the arbitration of a court
composed of two Frenchmen
and one Englishman.
Libel Act.
An Act passed in 1791, trans-
ferring from the judge to the
jury the duty of deciding
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 147
whether a statement was hbel-
lous or not.
Liberal League.
A league formed in 1902,
composed of Liberals who follow
Lord Rosebery in his attitude
with regard to the Boer War,
and on Imperial questions gener-
ally.
Liberal Republicans.
A section of the Republican
party in the United States, who
favoured more tolerant treat-
ment of the Southern States,
and opposed the re-election of
General Grant in 1872. They
nominated Horace Greeley for
President, but were disastrously
defeated at the polls, and ceased
thereupon to exercise any poli-
tical influence.
Liberal Unionists.
The section of the Liberal
party who seceded from Mr.
Gladstone on the introduction
of the Home Rule Bill in 1886.
They have since acted with the
Conservatives on most ques-
tions, and in 1895 their leaders
accepted office under a Con-
servative Prime Minister.
Liberator, The.
Daniel O'Connell was so
called.
Libertador, El.
Simon Bolivar, the Liberator,
was so called. He headed the
revolt of the Spanish-American
colonies which broke out in
1 8 10, taking the field in 1813.
After successively freeing New
Granada and Venezuela, he
finally drove the Spaniards
from Peru, Callao, the last for-
tress in their hands falling in
January 1826.
Libertins (France),
A sect of free-thinkers and
hedonists in France, circ. 1730.
Libertins (Switzerland).
The party who opposed the
extreme stringency of the Cal-
vinistic doctrine in Geneva,
in 1 541. They were severely
handled by the Consistorium.
Liberty, Apostle of.
The nickname of Henry Clay,
the American statesman, who
ardently supported the South
American States in their struggle
for independence in 1820.
Liberum Veto.
A provision in the ancient
Polish constitution, giving every
member of the Diet the right
of vetoing a proposition under
discussion. In other words,
complete unanimity was neces-
sary to effect any legislation
whatever.
Libro de Tasas.
A code of laws, based on the
ancient system of the Incas,
prepared by Francisco de
Toledo, Viceroy of Peru from
1569 to 1580. This code deter-
mined the principles on which
Peru was ruled by subsequent
viceroys.
Licensing Act, 1902.
An Act to amend the licensing
laws, passed in 1902. Its most
important provisions are those
dealing with habitual drunkards,
who after successive convictions
are placed on a black list, which
prevents their obtaining any
alcoholic liquor for three years,
and those compelhng the regis-
tration of all clubs where
alcohol is sold, and their sub-
jection to police supervision.
148 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Ligurian Republic.
A republic, with Genoa as its
capital, established by Napo-
leon in 1797. It was made a
French Department in 1802.
Likln.
A system of inland duties,
levied at various points on the
waterways and trade routes of
China, greatly hampering the
inland trade. The duties are
farmed out to the Mandarins,
who make large incomes out
of their collection. By the
Anglo-Chinese Convention of
1902, these duties are to be
abolished, subject to the consent
of the other Powers having
commercial treaties with China.
Limerick, Pacification of.
The terms accorded to the
Irish by William III after the
second siege of Limerick in
1 69 1. To all Irish of&cers and
soldiers who so desired, permis-
sion was given to withdraw to
France, while the others were
amnestied and allowed to re-
turn to their homes. To all
other Catholics William re-
stored the privileges accorded
them by Charles II, and granted
a complete amnesty, on con-
dition of their taking the oath
of allegiance.
Lincoln, Fair of.
The defeat of the revolted
Barons and the forces of Louis,
the Dauphin of France, by Pem-
broke, in the streets of Lincoln
in 1216.
Lincolnshire Insurrection.
A rising fomented by the
priests in 1536, following closely
upon the dissolution of the
monasteries. It was entirely
a movement of the peasants,
and had no countenance from
the gentry. It was easily sup-
pressed.
Lion of Sweden.
Johan Gustafsson Baner, the
Swedish Field-Marshal (1595-
1641), was so called.
Lion of the North.
The sobriquet of Gustavus
Adolphus of Sweden (161 1-32).
Lion Rouge, Le.
Marshal Ney was so called
from his red hair.
Lion's Mouth.
See Bocca di Leone.
Liquidation, Law of.
A law passed in Egypt in
1 88 1, on the recommendation of
the Commissioners of England,
France, Italy, Germany and
Austria, settling the conditions
on which the debts due by the
State on December 31, 1880,
were to be regulated, and pro-
viding for the future apportion-
ment of the revenue to the
service of particular debts, and
to general purposes.
Lit de Justice.
A royal sitting of the States-
General of France, when the
King attended to enforce by
edict an ordinance or law to
which the States had refused
their consent.
Literati.
In China those who have
passed the public examinations
in literature, qualifying them
for official positions under the
State.
Lithsmen.
A guild of shipowners and
merchants in London, which
was in existence in the time of
the Danish Kings.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 149
Little Gentleman in Velvet.
A favourite Jacobite toast
in the reign of Queen Anne.
The allusion is to the death of
Wilham III, which was acceler-
ated by an accident caused by
his horse stumbling over a mole-
hill.
Little Parliament.
See Barebone's Parliament.
Little Rhody.
The popular name of the
State of Rhode Island, U.S.A.,
the smallest State in the Union.
Live Oak State.
A popular name for the State
of Florida, U.S.A.
Liveries, Statute of.
A statute passed in 1461, in
the reign of Edward IV, pro-
hibiting the granting of liveries
and the maintenance of re-
tainers. It confirmed similar
enactments of Edward I and
Richard II.
Livonian Knights.
An order of chivalry, founded
at Riga in 1201, by Albert of
Buxhoewden, Bishop of Riga.
Their statutes were similar to
those of the Templars, and their
special object was to spread
Christianity among the Livon-
ians and neighbouring tribes.
In 1237 a section of the Teu-
tonic knights of Lithuania was
merged into the Livonian order.
The order was dissolved in the
sixteenth century during the
reign of Ivan the Terrible, the
Grand Master ceding Livonia to
Poland.
Local Government Act, 1888.
An Act carried through
Parliament . by Mr. Ritchie,
establishing County Councils,
to which were entrusted the
various administrative func-
tions previously exercised by
committees of the county magis-
trates. The larger boroughs
were exempted from their juris-
diction, being left under the
control of their own munici-
palities, while a special County
of London was created, com-
prising all the newer suburbs.
Local Government Act, 1894.
An Act completing the Local
Government Act of 1888 by the
creation of Parish and District
Councils. One of the most
important provisions of this
Act is that giving the newly
established bodies power to
acquire land, compulsorily if
necessary, for the purpose of
providing labourers' allotments.
Locofocos.
The name given in 1835 to
the Radical section of the
Democratic party in the United
States. At a meeting of this
wing of the party, an opponent
present turned off the gas,
whereupon candles were pro-
cured, and ht by " locofoco "
matches, from which tims the
faction was dubbed by its
opponents the " Locofocos."
Lodi, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1454 by
the Republic of Venice and
Duke Sforza of Milan, by which
Sforza secured the whole of the
Milanese.
Loet.
In Saxon times labourers
dependent on the feudal lord
on whose land they worked.
They are, however, not to be con-
founded with the theows, or
slaves.
Logretta.
Among the Norsemen, the
I50 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Law Court, the highest authority
of the State under the King.
It consisted of thirty-six mem-
bers, partly ex-officio, and partly
elected.
Loi Berenger.
A law passed in 1891 in
France, by which, in the case
of first offenders, the tribunal
might suspend the sentence for
five years. If during that period
the culprit did not again make
himself amenable to the law,
the sentence lapsed. If again
convicted, however, he had to
serve the old sentence as well
as the new.
Lollards.
A religious sect, followers of
Wyclifie, which arose in Edward
Ill's reign. They attacked the
abuses of the Church, and especi-
ally the wealthy religious orders,
and claimed the right of private
interpretation in matters of
doctrine. They are said to have
numbered, at one time, fully
one-third of the population of
England. In spite of continued
persecution, the sect remained
powerful through several reigns,
and they doubtless paved the
way for the ready acceptance
by England of the Reformed
Doctrines in the reign of
Henry VIIL
Lombard League, First.
A league of sixteen cities of
Northern Italy, headed by Milan,
and including Venice, formed
in 1 1 67 against Frederick Bar-
barossa. The league defeated
the Emperor at Legnano in
1 176, and in 1183, by the Peace
of Constance "he granted prac-
tical independence to the cities,
subject to the recognition of
his suzerainty, and the payment
of certain small dues.
Lombard League, Second.
A league formed under the
Marquis d'Este in 1255, to resist
Pope Alexander IV. This league
consisted mainly of the Guelf
cities of Lombardy, while Alex-
ander's principal supporters
were Ezzelino of Verona and
his brother Alberic of Treviso.
Ezzelino was disastrously de-
feated at Cassano in 1259.
Lombards.
The Italian merchants who
spread over Europe during the
twelfth and thirteenth centuries
were known as Lombards. They
were the first bankers of modern
Europe.
London Comgany.
A company formed in 1606,
under charter from James I,
with the object of colonizing
Virginia.
London Convention, 1832.
A convention between Great
Britain, France and Russia
on the one side, and Bavaria on
the other, by which Greece was
erected into an independent
kingdom, under the guarantee
of the Powers, and Prince Otto
of Bavaria placed on the
throne, with the proviso, how-
ever, that the crowns of Greece
and Bavaria should never be
united in the person of one
sovereign.
London Convention, 1862.
An instrument signed in
London by Great Britain,
France and Spain, agreeing to
demand from Mexico a guaran-
tee for the better protection of
the subjects of the signatories,
and at the same time under-
taking not to seek for any terri-
torial acquisitions, nor to inter-
fere in the internal government
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 151
of Mexico. It soon became
evident that Napoleon III was
determined to force Mexico into
a war, with the object of placing
Maximilian of Austria on the
throne, whereupon Great Britain
and Spain withdrew from the
convention.
London Convention, 1884.
A convention between Great
Britain and the Transvaal,
amending the Convention of
Pretoria of 1881. All direct
reference to the suzerainty was
omitted, but it was expressly
stipulated that no treaties
should be negotiated with
Foreign Powers (excepting the
Orange Free State), or with
native chiefs, without the con-
sent of Great Britain. The
suzerainty was thus maintained
in fact, as Great Britain re-
tained full control of the foreign
relations of the Transvaal. Pro-
vision was also made for the
presence of a British Resident
at Pretoria, and certain ques-
tions of frontier were re-ad-
justed.
London, Treaty of, 1674.
The treaty between England
and Holland closing the war
of 1672, which arose out of
England's claim that foreign
ships should salute her flag
wherever it was met in the nar-
row seas. Holland accepted the
principle involved, and agreed
to pay an indemnity of 2,000,000
guilders. {See Honour of the
Flag.)
London, Treaty of, 1827.
A treaty between England,
France and Russia, during the
Greek War of Independence.
The contracting parties bound
themselves to take action for
the purpose of securing the
independence of Greece under
Turkish suzerainty. The des-
truction of the Turkish and
Eg3rptian fleets at Navarino
followed closely the signature
of this treaty.
London, Treaty of, 1833.
An agreement between Great
Britain and France on the one
hand, and Holland on the other,
providing for the erection of the
Flemish and Walloon provinces
into an independent kingdom,
to be known as Belgium. This
treaty was confirmed by the five
Great Powers in 1839.
London, Treaty of, 1839.
A treaty signed by Austria,
France, Great Britain, Prussia
and Russia, confirming the pro-
visional treaty of 1833, with
regard to the separation of
Belgium from the Netherlands,
subject to certain small changes
as to the navigation of the
Scheldt and the boundaries of
Luxemburg.
London, Treaty of, 1841.
See Dardanelles.
London, Treaty of, 1852.
A treaty signed by Austria,
France, Great Britain, Prussia,
Russia and Sweden, settling the
succession to the Danish throne
upon Prince Christian of
Schleswig Holstein and his issue.
The integrity of the Danish
monarchy was acknowledged,
but the rights of the German
Confederation over the Duchies
of Holstein and Lauenburg were
not in any way touched by the
treaty.
Lone Star State.
The popular name for the
State of Texas, derived from
152 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
the single star in its coat of
arms.
Long Diet.
A Diet which met at Zurich in
1813, and after declaring the
Constitution of Mediation ex-
tinct, proceeded to evolve a
new Federal Constitution,
known as the Federal Pact,
which was accepted by the
Powers at the Congress of Vienna
in 1815.
Long Parliament.
The Parliament which met
in the reign of Charles I, in
1640, and lasted till 1653, when
all that was left of it, known as
the Rump, was forcibly ex-
pelled from the House by Crom-
well.
Long Parliament of Versailles.
The first Parliament of the
Third French Republic, which
was not dissolved till December
31, 1875.
Longjumeau, Paix de.
A treaty between Catherine
de' Medici and the Huguenots,
signed March 20, 1568, by which
various concessions were granted
the Huguenots. It was signed
by the Queen to save Chartres,
which was in danger of falling,
and was broken within six
months. It is known as the
Courte Paix, or the Paix FourrSe.
Longshanks.
}. The nickname of Edward I of
England.
Longsword.
p; The sobriquet of William,
Earl of Salisbury (i 196-1226),
the natural son of Henry II, and
also of his son (died 1250).
Loo, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1701 by
England, Holland and the Em-
peror, to oppose the designs of
Louis XIV. The signatories
aimed at the conquest of Flan-
ders, to be given to Holland, of
Milan, Naples and Sicily, to be
added to the Empire, and of the
French and Spanish West Indies,
to be divided between the two
maritime Powers.
Loose-Coat Field.
The name given to the battle
near Erpingham, in Rutland-
shire, in 1470, where Edward IV
defeated the rebels under Sir
Thomas Wells.
Lorcha " Arrow."
The boarding of this vessel,
flying the British flag, in the
Canton River in 1856, and the
arrest of twelve of her crew on
a charge of piracy, led to the
war with China in 1857-8, when
the English were aided by the
French. The war resulted in
the reception of British and
French legations at Peking, and
the concession of certain ad-
ditional privileges to traders
and missionaries.
Lord Paramount.
Under the feudal system the
Sovereign was so called, as the
owner of the whole of the land,
the great nobles holding under
him as tenants-in-chief.
Lords Appellant.
A body of peers, in the reign
of Richard II, who impeached,
as guilty of high treason, the
Archbishop of York, the Duke
of Ireland, and other favourites
of the King, in 1386. They
afterwards convened the Merci-
less Parliament, in 1388.
Los von Rom.
A movement started about
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 153
1899 by the Austrian Pan-
German Deputies, to detach
their followers from the Roman
Catholic Church. The object
of the movement is to make the
German States of Austria more
acceptable members of the Ger-
man Empire than they would
be as rigidly Catholic countries,
in the event of the break up of
the Austrian Empire.
Louis, Code.
A codification of the laws
relating to criminal procedure
and evidence, issued as an edict
by Louis XIV in 1667.
Louisiana Purchase.
The purchase from France
by the United States in 1803 of
New Orleans and the territory
West of the Mississippi, extend-
ing to the eastern spurs of the
Rocky Mountains and to the
British frontier on the North.
The price was 15 million dollars.
Louvain, Articles of.
A confession of the Catholic
Faith, drawn up by the Uni-
versity of Louvain by order of
Charles V in 1544. All Charles'
subjects in the Netherlands
were required to conform to
these articles, under pain of
death, and that this was not an
idle threat was shown by the
burning at the stake, at Tour-
nay, in February, 1545, of
Peter du Breuil, a Calvinist
preacher, who refused to obey
the proclamation.
Loyale Epee, La.
A sobriquet of Marshal
Macmahon (i 808-1893).
Liibeck Law.
The law administered in the
law courts and in the foreign
factories of the Hanseatic
League.
Liibeck, Treaty of.
A treaty between the Em-
peror Ferdinand II and Chris-
tian IV. of Denmark, signed in
1629, after the latter had been
driven out of Germany by Tilly
and Wallenstein. Christian
retained all his possessions, and
agreed to interfere no further
in German affairs, except in his
capacity of Duke of Holstein.
He made no stipulations in
favour of any of his German
allies, none of whom, in conse-
quence, were parties to the
treaty,
Luddite Riots.
A series of outbreaks in the
manufacturing districts of Eng-
land, and especially about
Nottingham, in 1 8 1 1 , as a protest
against the introduction of
machinery into the factories.
The rioters, or rather con-
spirators, for their proceedings
were secret, used to assemble
at night, break into a factory,
destroy the machinery, and
then disperse, as a rule un-
molested. . They took their
name from an idiot lad, named
Ludd, who thirty years previ-
ously had gone about in the
Nottingham district breaking
stocking-frames.
Ludlow's Code.
A code of laws compiled by
John Ludlow in 1650, for the
colony of Connecticut.
Liigenfeld.
The camp of Lothair, son
of Louis the Pious, near Basle,
where Louis surrendered to his
revolted sons in 833. The false
pretences by which the surren-
der was obtained, led to the
incident being called the " Field
of Lies," or Liigenfeld.
154 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Lumber State.
The State of Maine, U.S.A.,
is so called, on account of its
valuable forests.
Luneville, Treaty of.
A treaty between France and
Austria, following on the
disasters to the Austrian arms
at Marengo and Hohenlinden.
By its provisions France ob-
tained an extension of territory
on the north, as far as the
Rhine from the Swiss to the
Dutch frontiers, together with
the cession of the Belgian
provinces. In Italy Austria
retired from the Milanese and
the Venetian provinces, up to
the line of the Adige, while
Tuscany was taken from the
Austrian Grand-Dukes, and con-
ferred upon the House of Parma,
with the title of the King of
Etruria.
Luxemburg Treaty.
A treaty signed in 1867 by
Great Britain, Austria, Bel-
gium, France, Italy, Holland,
Russia and Prussia, agreeing to
maintain on the throne of
Luxemburg the House of Orange-
Nassau, and constituting the
Duchy a perpetual neutral State
under the guarantee of the
Powers. It was further agreed
that the fortress of Luxemburg
should be demolished and the
Prussian troops withdrawn, and
that the Duchy of Limburg
should form part of the Nether-
lands.
Lydford Law.
A phrase having the same
signification as " Jedburgh Jus-
tice."
Lynch Law.
The substitution of an irre-
gular trial for the regular process
of law, common in the Western
States of America during the
wilder days of the fifties and
sixties, and now rife in the
Southern States, in the case of
negroes charged with offences
against white women. The
name is supposed to be derived
from James Lynch, of Piedmont,
Virginia, who introduced it in
1688, to enable criminals to be
promptly dealt with when the
proper of&cers of the law were
scattered and hard to come at.
Lyons, Council of, 1245.
A council summoned by Inno-
cent IV in 1245. It deposed
the Emperor Frederick II, and
absolved his subjects from their
allegiance, thus endorsing the
claim of Gregory VII that the
Church could appoint and de-
pose Sovereigns.
Lyons, Council of, 1275.
An OEcumenical Council, held
in 1275 under Gregory X, at
which the rules governing the
election of the Pope by the
Cardinals were amended by the
provision that the Cardinals i
within ten days of the death of
the late Pope, should be shut up
in conclave until his successor
was elected.
M
Maamtrasna Murders.
The murder of a family
named Joyce in Ireland in 1882.
Ten men were put on their trial
for the crime, of whom two
turned Queen's Evidence, and
the remainder were convicted,
three being hanged. In 1884
Casey, one of the informers,
declared that he had given false
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
155
evidence against Myles Joyce,
one of the men who had been
hanged, and that he had been
ordered by the ofi&cials, on pain
of capital punishment, to swear
away this man's Ufe. A search-
ing inquiry confirmed the justice
of the sentence, but the case was
made the pretext for a violent
attack in Parliament upon the
Irish Secretary.
McKinley Tariff.
A Tariff Act ' passed in the
United States in 1890. Large
increases were made in the im-
port duties, and the measure as
a whole was one of thorough-
going protection. It was re-
pealed in 1894.
McMillanites.
The Cameronians were so
called, after the Revolution, from
the name of their minister,
McMillan.
Mad Cavalier.
The sobriquet of Prince Ru-
pert of Bavaria, nephew of
Charles I.
Mad Parliament.
A Parliament of Henry III,
which met in June 1258. It was
by this Parliament that the
Commission was appointed
which drew up the Provisions of
Oxford.
Madame Veto.
See Monsieur Veto.
Madman of the North.
A sobriquet of Charles XII of
Sweden (1682-17 18).
Madras Mutiny.
A mutiny of the officers in the
Madras Army of the East India
Company in 1809. It was
caused by the action of the
Board of Directors in depriving
the officers of some of their per-
quisites. Sir George Barlow
appealed to the sepoys, who
supported the authorities against
their officers, and the latter were
forced to give in. With the
exception of twenty-one of the
ringleaders, the mutinous officers
were forgiven, and allowed to
resume their posts.
Madras, Peace of.
A treaty between Haidar Ali
and the British, closing the first
Mysore War in 1769. It pro-
vided for mutual restoration of
all conquered territories, and a
mutual guarantee of the in-
tegrity of each other's dominions.
Madrid Conference.
A conference of the Powers,
held in 1880, to consider the
affairs of Morocco, and especi-
ally the treatment of Jews, and
the right of foreign nations to
protect their subjects. An
agreement was arrived at, and
a joint Note addressed to the
Sultan, insisting on the necessity
of respecting liberty of con-
science, and of enforcing tolera-
tion on the part of his subjects.
Madrid, Treaty of.
A treaty between Charles V
and Francis I, putting an end
to the captivity of Francis,
signed in 1526. The French
King ceded Burgundy to Charles,
and renounced the sovereignty
of Flanders and all his rights in
Italy.
Maffia.
A secret society which largely
controlled the appointment of
officials, and practically gov-
erned Sicily. The disclosures
following the murder of Siguor
Notarbartolo, deputy for Paler-
mo, in 1899, caused the Italian
156 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Government to institute a
searching inquiry, which led
to the suppression, temporarily
at least, of the Maffia.
Magdeburg, Sack of.
At the capture of Magdeburg
by the Austrian General, Tilly,
in 1629, during the Thirty Years'
War, the Protestant inhabitants
were put to the sword with
ruthless barbarity.
Magna Charta.
The Great Charter of English
liberty, extorted from John by
his Barons in 121 5. It pre-
scribed the constitution of the
Great Council of the Kingdom,
the members whereof were to
be summoned by writ ; it de-
fined and limited the feudal
obligations of the Barons and
other tenants of the Crown ;
restricted the powers of the
sheriffs and other royal officers,
and secured the liberties of the
free towns. It further declared
the right of an accused person
to be tried by his peers.
Magnum Concilium.
The Great Council of the
Realm, which in Norman times
took the place of the Anglo-
Saxon Witanegemot, and was
the forerunner of the Parlia-
ment. It consisted in the main
of the King's great vassals, and
with the King exercised legis-
lative functions and initiated
taxation. Its constitution was
defined, and the mode of sum-
moning it prescribed in Magna
Charta.
Magyars.
The original Turanian in-
vaders of Pannonia, the modern
Hungary. The name is now
applied to Hungarians generally,
whether of pure Turanian des-
cent or not. It is often errone-
ously used as referring to the
Hungarian nobles or magnates
only, but it carries with it no
idea of rank or dignity.
Mahdi.
The expected Messiah of the
Moslems, said to have been
promised by Mohammed. The
title has been claimed by
several pretenders, the best
known being Mohammed Ah-
med, who headed a rising in the
Eastern Soudan in 1881, and
afterwards captured Khar-
toum.
Maid of Norway.
The daughter of Eric, King
of Norway, and grand-daughter
of Alexander III of Scotland.
On the death of her grandfather
in 1286, she succeeded to the
Scottish throne, but died on her
voyage to Scotland, leaving the
throne open to numerous claim-
ants, of whom Balliol was
eventually chosen. Had she
lived she was to have become
the wife of Edward, son of
Edward I of England, thus
uniting the two crowns.
Maid of Orleans.
The name given to Jeanne
d'Arc, after the relief of Orleans
in 1429.
Maid of Saragossa.
The name given to Agostina
Zaragoza, in consequence of
her bravery at the siege of Sara-
gossa in 1808, where she took
her part with the soldiers in
fighting the guns on the ram-
parts.
Maiden King.
The sobriquet of Malcolm IV
of Scotland (11 53-1 165).
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 157
Maiden Queen.
Elizabeth of England is so
called.
Maillotins, Insurrection of the.
A rising in Paris in 1382,
against a tax on the sale of
provisions and merchandise. The
name is derived from the heavy-
iron maces with which the
majority of the insurgents were
armed.
Main Plot.
See Bye-Plot.
Maine Liquor Law.
A law passed in the State of
Maine, U.S.A., in 1851, pro-
hibiting the trade in intoxicants.
It has since been incorporated
in the constitution of the State,
rendering repeal impossible
without previous recourse to a
popular vote.
Maintainers.
Bodies of retainers in the
service of the great feudal lords.
It was to check the abuses
arising from the system of
maintenance that the Star
Chamber was originally estab-
lished.
Maire du Palais.
The prime ministers of the
later Merovingian Kings, and
the de facto rulers, as these
monarchs took no part in the
Government. The last Maire
du Palais was Charles Martel,
the father of Pepin, and founder
of the Carlovingian dynasty.
Maison du Roi.
The military household of
Louis XIV of France. It con-
sisted of the Gardes du Corps
and the Mousquetaires du Roi,
all gentlemen by birth, number-
ing twelve thousand.
Majestats Brief.
An edict issued by the Em-
peror Rudolph II in 1609
granting to all Bohemians of
certain recognized religions free-
dom of conscience, admission to
the University of Prague, and
the right to build churches on
Crown lands. The edict further
declared that any subsequent
ordinances issued in contraven-
tion of this charter were null
and void.
Major-Generals, Cromwell's.
Twelve of&cers, commanding
the twelve military districts
into which Cromwell divided
England in 1655. They were
given command of the militia,
and their functions were to sup-
press any Royalist rising, and
to supervise the collection of
the 10 per cent, tax levied from
Royalists. The plan was aban-
doned in 1 65 1, Parliament re-
fusing to vote the money for the
militia.
Majuba Hill.
The scene of the defeat of
General CoUey's force by the
Boers on February 27, 1881,
which virtually closed the Boer
War of that year. The sur-
render of the British Govern-
ment to the Boer demands is
generally known as the " Ma-
juba Surrender," and the bitter
feeling thereby aroused caused
" Remember Majuba " to be a
sort of war-cry at the outbreak
of the w^ar of 1 899-1902. The
Paardeberg surrender on the
anniversary of Majuba in
1900 was hailed as in some
degree wiping out the disgrace
attached to the word.
Malcontents.
In 1578 the Walloon troops
of the Netherlands, being irri-
158 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
tated by the promulgation of
the ReHgious Peace, and by their
pay being in arrear, mutinied
under the leadership of the
Seigneur de Montigny. Attempts
to appease them were fruitless,
and eventually, with the sup-
port of the nobles of Hainault
and Artois, the mutiny ended
in the formation of a con-
federacy of the Walloon pro-
vinces, pledged to support the
Pacification of Ghent, and own-
ing allegiance to Philip II.
Malet's Plot.
A plot contrived by General
Malet and the Abbe Lafone, in
1812, to dethrone Napoleon.
By means of forged papers Malet
persuaded a section of the Paris
garrison that Napoleon was
dead, and that he was entrusted
by the Senate with the command
of the troops. He then pro-
ceeded to the police ministry,
where he arrested Savary, the
minister, and the prefect of
police. Attempting, however,
to dispose in the same way of
General HuUin, the Command-
ant of Paris, he was overpowered
by the General's orderlies, and
the plot came to an abortive
end.
Maletolte.
An additional tax of forty
shillings the sack on the export
of wool imposed by Edward III
in 1337.
Malignants.
During the latter part of the
Civil War and under the Com-
monwealth, those who had
borne arms on the King's side
were so called by the Parliamen-
tarians,
Malisset, Societe.
A company under the control
of the French Government,
formed about 1767 to keep up
the price of breadstuff s. The
company took advantage of the
scarcity to make enormous
profits, and it seems clear that
Louis XV was pecuniarily in-
terested in its transactions.
About 1774 it became known as
the Pacte de Famine.
Malta, Knights of.
An order of religious chivalry,
established in Malta in 1104.
In 1 3 10 they captured Rhodes,
and were known as the Knights
of Rhodes until they were ex-
pelled from that island by the
Turks in 1503, when they re-
turned to Malta. They are
now known as the Knights
Hospitallers of St. John of
Jerusalem, and have become
an English order, interesting
themselves specially in ambu-
lance work.
Malus Intercursus.
The name given by the Dutch
to the Treaty of Commerce
between England and Philip of
Burgundy signed in 1506. By
this instrument British ships
were admitted free of harbour
dues to the Ports of Antwerp,
Bruges, Berghem and Middel-
burg, and English merchants
were permitted to sell cloth
throughout the Netherlands. In
return Henry VII. agreed to
surrender to Philip all rebels
and fugitives from the Bur-
gundian States captured in his
dominions, a provision which
was of no benefit to the Dutch.
Mamelucos.
Bands of half-breeds who
raided the missions of the Jesuits
in Paraguay in the seventeenth
century, carrying off the con-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 159
verts as slaves. The word is
generally applied in Brazil to
those of mixed Indian and Negro
blood.
Mamelukes.
The bodyguard of the Eg5rp-
tian Sultans, chiefly composed
of Circassian and Georgian
slaves. In 1250 they mutinied,
murdered the Sultan, and foun-
ded a dynasty of their own,
nominating and removing the
Sultans at their will. The Mame-
luke Dynasty lasted till 15 17,
when they were finally sup-
pressed by the Sultan Selim.
Mamelukes.
The name given to the Savoy
party in Geneva in the sixteenth
century.
Manchester Martyrs.
Allen, Larkin and O'Brien,
who were executed for the
murder of a policeman in the
attempt to rescue the Fenian
prisoners at Manchester in 1867,
are so called by the disloyal
Irish.
Manchester Massacre.
A cavalry charge through a
crowded meeting which was
being held in St. Peter's Field,
Manchester, in connexion with
the Reform agitation in 18 19.
Many persons were injured.
The accident, for it practically
amounted to no more, was
entirely due to the mismanage-
ment of the magistrates, who
attempted to arrest the agita-
tor, Hunt, while on the platform
in the centre of the meeting.
This affair is also called, deri-
sively, "Peterloo."
Manchester School.
A political and economic
school, which was responsible
for the formation of the Anti-
Corn Law League, under Cob-
den, in 1838. They believed in
the principle of laissez faire,
in free competition and freedom
of contract, and looked upon
Government interference with,
or control of trade, as an econo-
mic heresy.
Mandamus Councillors.
A council of thirty-six mem-
bers, formed by Gage, the
Governor of Massachusetts, after
the subversion of the constitu-
tion in 1774. As no one of any
standing would accept an ap-
pointment to this council. Gage,
in whom was vested the whole
of the administrative and ju-
dicial authority, appointed those
whom he selected by writ of
mandamus.
Mandarins.
The name given by Europeans
to the Chinese official classes.
The word is of Portuguese
origin, and means " officer " or
" commander."
Mandeshwar, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1818, by
which Holkar of Indore, after
his defeat at Mahidpore, re-
nounced his claim to suzerainty
over the Rajput States, and
placed himself under British
protection.
Mangalore, Treaty of.
A treaty between the British
and Tippu Sahib, at the close
of the second Mysore War in
1784, by which a return was
agreed upon to the status quo
ante.
Manoa.
The fabled capital city of
El Dorado, said to be situated
to the East of the Andes, near
i6o DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
the equator. It was the objec-
tive of an expedition led by
Gonzalo Pizarro from Quito
in 1539, who had many imita-
tors, both Spanish and Enghsh,
as unsuccessful as himself. Ac-
cording to the Indian tales, gold
was so plentiful in the district
of El Dorado that it was used
for the gates and roofs of the
houses in Manoa.
Manor Court.
In Anglo-Saxon times the
court of a township built on the
land of a lord, and not on public
land. Such townships were
known as manors, and the lord
undertook the duties, and en-
joyed the privileges which in
other townships were in the
hands of the freeholders,
Mantua, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1791 by
Austria, Spain and Sardinia,
by which the contracting parties
bound themselves to provide
forces to act on the French
frontiers, with the object of
overawing the revolutionists,
and to issue a manifesto to the
French nation, calling upon
them to submit to the authority
of their King, failing which the
allies would take active steps
to coerce them.
Marathon Murders.
The murder by brigands, near
Athens, of a party of English-
men, including Mr. Herbert, a
secretary of the British Lega-
tion, in 1870. The Greek Gov-
ernment were greatly blamed
for the action they took in
moving troops against the brig-
ands, contrary to their express
undertaking, before the re-
quired ransom, which had been
provided, had iDeen handed over
to the brigands and the prisoners
released.
Mark System.
A system of land tenure,
apparently of a communistic
nature, which prevailed in Ger-
many in very early times. It
seems to have been introduced
into England by the Saxon in-
vaders, and traces of it are
found in the common lands.
Marlborough, Statute of.
A re-enactment by the Parlia-
ment of Marlborough in 1267,
after the Barons' War, of the
Provisions of Oxford, with some
slight changes, giving the King
the power of appointing the
Ministers of the Crown and the
sheriffs.
Maroons.
The fugitive slaves in Ja-
maica, who, after the conquest
of the island by England in 1655,
took refuge in the mountains,
and maintained a guerilla war-
fare against the colonists, which
lasted until 1795.
Marranos.
The Spanish Moors who, after
the conquest of Granada, ac-
cepted Christianity.
Marriage Act.
See Hardwicke's Act.
Married Women's Property Act.
An Act passed in 1882, by
which, in all marriages subse-
quent to the passing of the Act,
a wife's property is vested in
herself, and is not subject to her
husband's control, as was previ-
ously the case.
Martian Law.
A code of British Law trans-
lated by Alfred the Great into
Anglo-Saxon. It is said to
have been compiled by Martia,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS i6i
the wife of Guithelin. great-
grandson of Mulmutius, King
of the Britons, in 300 B.C.
Martin Mar-Prelate.
The pseudonym of the author
of certain pamphlets advocating
Puritan doctrines, which ap-
peared between 1588 and 1590.
The suspected author, a Welsh-
man named Penry, was brought
to trial, condemned and exe-
cuted.
Maryland, Charter of.
A charter for the colonisation
of Maryland, granted to Lord
Baltimore by Charles I in 1629.
It was similar in its provisions to
the Charter of Virginia.
Masaniello, Revolt of,
A revolt of the Neapolitans,
under a fisherman named Tom-
maso Aniello, against the
Spanish Viceroy in July, 1647.
The revolt was completely suc-
cessful, and the Viceroy was
compelled to come to terms with
Masaniello, whose head, how-
ever, seems to have been turned
by his success, as he was guUty
of the most extraordinary ex-
cesses, and was murdered by his
former followers in the course
of the month in which the rising
took place.
Mason and Dixon's Line.
The line delimiting Delaware
and Maryland, drawn by Mason
and Dixon in 1764-67. It is
often erroneously referred to as
the line between the freesoil
and the slave States, but as a
matter of fact both the States
in question were slave-holding
States.
Mason and Slidell.
See Trent Incident.
Massachusetts, Charter of.
A charter issued by Charles I
in 1629, providing for the
government of the colony by a
governor, deputy, and eighteen
assistants, to be elected an-
nually by the freemen of the
plantation. They were en-
trusted with both legislative and
executive functions, but it was
provided that no laws should be
made which were not in har-
mony with the law of England.
The charter was revoked in
1684, after a dispute on the
subject of the navigation laws.
Massacres.
See Abencerrages, Amboyna,
Armagnacs, Armenian, Barme-
cides, Blood Bath, Boston,
Bulgarian, Cawnpore, Chastise-
ment, Custer, Dragonnades, Far-
quharsons, French Fury, Fusil-
lades, Glencoe, Jaffa, Lebanon,
Magdeburg, Manchester, Moun-
tain Meadow, Noyades, Privas,
St. Bartholomew, St. Brice,
ScuUabogue, September, Sicilian
Vespers, Sinope, Spanish Fury,
Tenth of August, Ulster, Val-
telline, Vassy, Veronese.
Match Tax.
An impost proposed by Robert
Lowe (Lord Sherbrooke), Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer in 1871.
The proposal was excessively
unpopular, and was withdrawn.
Mau-brulez, Journee des.
April 27, 1562, when two Pro-
testant ministers. Mallard and
Faveau, were to be burnt at the
stake by order of Granville,
Bishop of Arras. They were
rescued by the populace.
May, Constitution of.
The constitution established
by the Polish Diet on May 3.
1 79 1. It abolished the elective
M
1 62 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
monarchy, and named the Royal
House of Saxony as successors
to Poniatowski. It aboHshed
the Liberum Veto, and vested
the legislative authority in the
King, the Senate and the Cham-
ber of Nuncios, and the exe-
cutive in the King, with a coun-
cil of six Ministers.
Mayflower.
The ship that carried the first
colonists of New England, the
Pilgrim Fathers, to the shores
of America. They were chiefly
Independents from the neigh-
bourhood of Scrooby, in Lin-
colnshire, who under stress of
persecution determined to leave
England. They went first to
Holland, and then, deciding
to make their home in America,
finally sailed from Plymouth
on September 6, 1620. They
landed on the shores of Cape
Cod, and named their first
township Plymouth.
Maximum.
By a decree of May 4, 1793,
the French Convention estab-
lished a maximum price for
food stuffs, obliging farmers to
state the quantity of grain
in their possession, bring it to
market, and accept a price fixed
by the commune in which it was
offered, such price to be based
on the average price ruling in the
district during the four previous
months. Heavy penalties were
enacted for concealment of
grain supplies, and for taking
more than the authorised price.
Maynooth Grant.
A grant to the Roman Catho-
lic College of Maynooth, in Ire-
land, made in the face of strong
Protestant opposition by Sir
Robert Peel's. Government in
1845. It was abolished in 1869,
at the time of the Disestablish-
ment of the Irish Church.
Maynooth, Pardon of.
The name given ironically to
the suppression of the revolt of
the Geraldines in 1535, when
Maynooth Castle, the seat of the
Earl of Desmond, was captured,
and out of thirty-seven prisoners
taken, twenty-six were executed.
Meal Tub Plot.
A pretended plot, fabricated
by Dangerfield in 1679, in
emulation of Titus Gates, the
inventor of the Popish Plot.
Dangerfield averred that a
Presbyterian plot existed to
depose the King, and establish
a Republic. After arrest he
stated that this was only a
blind to conceal a plot of the
Papists, documents relating to
which would be found hidden
in a meal tub in the house of
Mrs. Cellier, a Roman Catholic.
This lady was tried for high
treason and acquitted. Danger-
field was condemned to be
flogged from Newgate to Ty-
burn and back, and died under
the lash.
Measures, Assize of.
An edict issued in 1197, with
the object of securing uniformity
in weights and measures through-
out England. It was, however,
found impossible to obtain ac-
ceptance for this reform, and
the edict remained a dead
letter.
Mediation, Constitution of.
A constitution in which an
attempt was made to harmonise
the old Cantonal system with
the new Helvetic Constitution,
and which was imposed upon
the Swiss by Napoleon in 1803.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 163
Mediatized Princes.
Members of the old ruling
families of the smaller German
States, who have at various
times been deprived of their
sovereign rights.
Meersen, Treaty of.
A treaty, signed in 870, by
which Lewis the German and
Charles the Bald divided the
territories of their nephews,
Lewis II and Charles. The
former took Alsace and the
Rhine Provinces, the latter
Burgundy and Provence, thus
finally separating Germany and
France.
Mellanriks Law.
The decree confirming the
Union of Sweden and Norway,
accepted by the Norwegians in
November, 18 14, and defining
the financial and other relations
between the two kingdoms.
Melun, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1593, be-
tween Queen Elizabeth and
Henri IV of France, providing
for an offensive and defensive
alliance against Philip II of
Spain.
Mercatoribus, Statute de.
A statute of Edward I, passed
in 1283, giving protection to
foreign merchants settled in
England.
Merchandise Marks Act.
An Act passed in 1887, inflict-
ing penalties for the use of false
trade descriptions, and enacting
that, in all cases of imported
goods, when any question is
likely to arise as to the country
of origin, the same shall be
clearly marked on the goods.
Merchant Adventurers.
A guild of merchants estab-
lished in Brabant in 1296. They
received special trading privi-
leges in England from Henry
VII, and in 1564 were given a
charter of incorporation by
Elizabeth.
Merchant Shipping Act.
See Plimsoll's Act.
Merchants, Charter of the.
A charter granted by Ed-
ward I in 1303, to foreign mer-
chants trading in England,
which at the same time imposed
import and export duties on
wool and other commodities
passing through their hands.
Merciless Parliament.
See Wonderful Parliament.
Merry Monarch.
A sobriquet of Charles II of
England.
Mestizos.
In Spanish America persons
of mixed European and Indian
blood are so called.
Metayage.
A system of land tenure in
France, prior to the Revolution,
by which the tenant was sup-
plied by the landlord with stock
and farming implements, and
the produce of the land, after
payment of taxes, was divided
equally between them. Farmers
holding land on this tenure were
called metayers.
Methuen Treaty.
A treaty between England
and Portugal, signed in 1703,
whereby the latter was induced
. to join the Grand Alliance. It
contained only two clauses,
one admitting English woollen
goods into Portugal, the other
providing that Portuguese wines
imported into England should
1 64 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
only pay one-third of the duty
levied on French wines. This
treaty was abrogated on the
signing of a commercial treaty
between England and France in
1786.
Middle Kingdom.
China is so called by the
Chinese, who believe it to be
the centre of the inhabited
world.
Mignon.
A nickname of Henri III of
France (1574-15 89).
Mikado.
The name by which the
hereditary sovereign of Japan
was known to Europeans, in
the early days of intercourse
with that country. From the
time of the Shogun lyeyasu,
in the early part of the seven-
teenth century, the functions
of the " Mikado " as a temporal
ruler were usurped by the
Shoguns, or Commanders-in-
Chief, though he was always
recognized as the de jure head
of the State. Since the revolu-
tion, however, he has resumed
his rightful position as Emperor
of Japan. The title is now in
disuse, the Emperor being known
as the Tenno.
Milan Decree.
A decree issued by Napoleon
in 1807, as a reply to the Orders
in Council, declaring that every
vessel, of whatever nationality,
sailing to or from a British
port or colony, had forfeited her
neutrality, and was a lawful
prize.
Mile Act.
An Act of the Scottish Parlia-
ment, passed in 1662, forbidding
any minister who had failed to
comply with the provisions of
the Episcopal Ordination Act
to reside within five miles of a
royal borough, or within twenty
of his own parish.
Military Septennate.
A compromise, introduced by
Bismarck in the Reichstag, be-
tween an annual vote for mili-
tary purposes, and a vote for
an indefinite period. It fixes
the military establishment and
the requisite supplies for a period
of seven years.
Millenary Petition.
A petition presented to James
I by certain Puritan clergymen
of the Church of England, said
to have numbered a thousand,
asking to be relieved from the
celebration of certain ceremonies
to which they were conscienti-
ously opposed. The petition
was rejected.
Million Act.
An Act passed in 1692, autho-
rising the raising of one million
sterling by means of tontine
annuities, in aid of the expenses
of the French War. This is the
first instance of the English
Government raising money by
means of annuities.
Ministere de Trois Jours.
The ministry of the Tiers Parti
in France, under the Due de
Bassano, in 1834. It held office
for three days only.
Ministry of All the Talents.
A ministry under Lord Gren-
ville, with Fox as Foreign
Secretary, formed on the death
of Pitt in 1806. It is so called
because it was not formed ex-
clusively from Grenville's sup-
porters, but was an attempt to
bring together the best men of
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 165
various political shades. Thus
Earl Spencer and Mr. Windham,
who had been members of Pitt's
first administration, held ofiice
in it.
Mints, Indian.
These were closed to the free
coinage of silver in 1893, and
the value of the rupee for ex-
change purposes fixed at is. 4d.
Minute Men.
A militia of 12,000 men en-
rolled during the American
Civil War by the State of Massa-
chusetts. They bound them-
selves to be ready for service at
a moment's notice.
Mir.
The Russian village commune,
holding and tilling land in com-
mon. The land is divided into
plots, of which a certain number
are allotted to each family, in
proportion to its size. These
plots are farmed by the family
in common, and they pay into
the coffers of the Mir a certain
fixed sum, retaining the rest
for the general use of the family.
The Mir is responsible to the
Government for the payment
of the taxes of the community,
which are in the nature of a poU-
tax on the adult males. The
division of the land is periodic-
ally revised, to meet changes in
the circumstances of the differ-
ent families. The affairs of the
Mir are controlled by the village
Elder, or Selski Starosta, who is
elected by the heads of families.
Mirabeau of the Mob.
)^\ A sobriquet of Danton, the
French revolutionary leader.
Miracle of Nature.
Christina, Queen of Sweden
(1632-1654), was so called.
Mise of Amiens.
See Amiens.
Mise of Lewes.
See Lewes.
Mississippi Scheme.
A wild scheme, not unlike the
South Sea Bubble, propounded
by John Law in Paris in 17 18.
A company was formed, which
was permitted to establish a
Bank of Issue, the shares of
which were offered to the
national creditors in exchange
for their stock. The company
was also granted a monopoly of
the trade with Canada and the
Mississippi. The usual inflation
of values followed, and subse-
quently the inevitable collapse,
which almost amounted to na-
tional bankruptcy. It is also
called "Law's Bubble."
Missouri Compromise.
An agreement between the
slavery and anti-slavery parties
of the United States in 1821,
arising out of the admission of
Missouri to the Union as a free-
labour State. It was deter-
mined that slavery should only
be lawful south of 36° 30' north
latitude. This arrangement was
maintained until 1854, when it
was violated by the admission
of Kansas and Nebraska as
territories, with the right to
decide the slavery question for
themselves.
Mitad.
In South America, under
Spanish rule, the bodily service
to which every Indian from
fifteen to fifty was liable. Those
upon whom the lot fell had to
work for six months in the mines,
and such were the conditions of
servitude that barely a fifth
survived the ordeal. It is esti-
i66 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
mated that over eight millions
perished from, this cause in Peru
alone.
Mitchelstown Riot.
A riot at Mitchelstown, co.
Cork, at a Land League meeting
in August, 1887. The Govern-
ment reporter and his police
escort endeavoured to force their
way through the crowd to the
platform, which the crowd re-
sented. The police lost their
heads and fired on the people.
" Remember Mitchelstown "
was for some time afterwards
the watchword of the Land-
leaguers.
Mixed Pickles.
The name. given to the Liberal
Imperialist party in the first
Reichstag of the German Em-
pire.
Model, The.
The Constitution of Carolina,
prepared by John Locke in 1670.
It was the only constitution in
America providing for an heredi-
tary nobility, and recognizing
different classes of citizens. It
was in some respects feudal in
its character, as the small culti-
vator was adscriptus glehce,
and had no franchise. North
Carolina objected to the model,
rose in revolt, and formed itself
into a separate colony.
Modern Gracchus.
A sobriquet of the Comte de
Mirabeau { 1 749- 1 80 1 ) .
Modern Messalina.
A name given to Catherine II
of Russia ( 1 762-1 796), referring
to her. vicious and cruel charac-
ter.
Moldavian Capitulation.
A treaty signed in 15 12 be-
tween Bogdan, Voivode of Mol-
davia, and Selim I, Sultan of
Turkey, by which Bogdan recog-
nized the suzerainty of Turkey,
and agreed to pay tribute.
Molinists.
The followers of Molina, the
Spanish Jesuit, who was the
principal antagonist of the Jan-
senists and Port Royal.
Mollahs.
In Turkey, the name given
to the principal judges, who,
the law being more ecclesiastical
than civil, exercise functions
of almost a priestly character.
In less civilized Moslem com-
munities, as in Arabia, and
among the Afridis and Afghans,
the mollahs are priests or holy
men.
Molly Maguires.
An agrarian society formed
in Ireland in 1843, to resist dis-
traint for rent. They took their
name, originally " Maguires,"
from Cornelius Maguire, a leader
in the Irish Rebellion of 1641,
the word Molly being afterwards
added because they usually
dressed in women's clothes when
engaged in their raids.
Molly Maguires.
An Irish secret society, which
terrorized the mining districts
of Pennsylvania from 1867 to
1877. Its object was, appar-
ently, to control the State and
municipal politics. In the latter
year, owing to informers, its
leaders were discovered and con-
victed, and the society broken
up.
Molokani.
A Russian sect who model
their institutions on the early
Apostolic Church, as depicted
in the New Testament. They
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 167
are strong upholders of the right
of private judgment, allowing
considerable latitude to indi-
vidual opinion within the fold.
Monastic Orders.
See Benedictines, Carmelites,
Carthusians, Dominicans, Fran-
ciscans, Jesuits, Theatins,
Mongon, Treaty of.
A treaty between France and
Austria, signed in 1626, after the
French invasion of the Valtel-
line. It provided for a return
in the Grisons and Valtelline to
the status quoheiore i6iy. Only
Catholicism was to be tolerated
in the valley. The Valtelline
was to have the right of electing
her own magistrates, subject to
the veto of the Grisons, and was
to pay the Grisons an annual
tribute. The forts in the Val-
telline and Chiavenna were to
be razed.
Monetary Conference, Inter-
national.
A conference held at Brussels
in 1892, to discuss the question
of a bimetallic standard. Great
diversity of opinion was shown
by the delegates, and the con-
ference dissolved without
making any recommendations.
Monroe Doctrine.
A statement of policy in the
message to Congress of Presi-
dent Monroe in 1825, to the
effect that the United States
could not regard with indiffer-
ence any further territorial
expansion on the part of Euro-
pean Powers on the American
Continent. The occasion for
the pronouncement was the
suspected intention of the Holy
Alliance to interfere on behalf
of Spain in her struggle with her
revolted colonies. Various in-
terpretations have been given
to this doctrine, some, like that
of Mr. Olney, going much further
than President Monroe's words
warrant, but it is now generally
held to mean that the United
States will consider her interests
involved, if any European Power
seeks territorial aggrandise-
ment in any part of America,
or interferes with the internal
affairs of any American State.
Monsieur Veto.
A nickname of Louis XVI,
referring to the power given him
by the Constitution of 1791 to
veto the acts of the Legislative
Assembly. Marie Antoinette
was known as Madame Veto, as
it was believed that it was largely
her influence which induced the
King to exercise his right.
Montesa, Knights of.
A Spanish order of religious
chivalry, established in 1317.
They succeeded the Templars
in Aragon.
Montpelier, Treaty of.
A treaty between Louis XIII
and the Huguenots, after their
last appearance in arms in 1622.
The King undertook to observe
the Edict of Nantes, and gave
the Huguenots two towns. La
Rochelle and Montauban, as
places of safety.
Montrouge Club.
A club composed of friends
of the Due d' Orleans (Philippe
Egalite), which was formed
about 1789. Its object was to
supplant the reigning dynasty
by the Orleans branch. Among
its prominent members were
Mirabeau, Sieyes and Sillery.
Montsioa War.
In 1884 the Transvaal Boers
i68 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
attacked Montsioa, a Bechuana
chief under British protection,
and forced him to make a treaty
with them, in defiance of the
London Convention. In the
following year a force under Sir
Charles Warren occupied the
disturbed territory, which was
brought under the British ad-
ministration, and the Boers were
forced to withdraw,
Montt-Varistas.
The extreme reactionaries of
the Pelucones, or Conservative
party, in Chile in 1850. They
took their name from President
Montt, and his Secretary of
State, Varas.
Moonlighters.
An agrarian secret society,
similar in its constitution and
methods to the Whiteboys,
which was guilty of numerous
outrages in Ireland in 1881.
Moors, Expulsion of.
The final overthrow of the
Moorish power in Spain was
accomplished by the capture of
Granada in 1492, under Ferdin-
and and Isabella. The terms
of capitulation provided that
the Moors, while remaining under
Spanish dominion, should pre-
serve their own laws, language
and religion, with the right to
hold property free of molesta-
tion. The non-Christian Moors
were, however, expelled from
Spain by Philip III in 16 10.
Morant Bay Riots.
An outbreak of negroes in
Jamaica in 1865, which was
promptly suppressed, and is
only noteworthy as leading to
the long controversy with regard
to the action of Governor Eyre,
whose repressive measures led
to his recall. Several attempts
were made to bring him to trial,
but the case never got beyond
the Grand Jury, who always
declined to find a true bill.
Moravians.
A Protestant sect, having its
origin in the Hussites, which
was very numerous in Bohemia
and Moravia in the sixteenth
century. In 1627 they were
expelled from these countries,
and, later, settled in Saxony.
Moray Letter.
A letter purporting to be
written by Garfield, on the eve
of the Presidential Election in
the United States in 1880, to a
large employer of labour named
Morey, It advocated free ad-
mission of Chinese labour, and
it was hoped by the Democrats
would seriously injure the Re-
publican cause on the Pacific
Slope. It was of course a
forgery.
Mormons.
A sect founded by Joseph
Smith, the son of a Vermont
farmer, in 1830, at Fayette,
New York State. The Mor-
mons moved westward and,
after several years' wanderings,
settled on the Great Salt Lake
in 1847, under Brigham Young.
Their advocacy of polygamy
was for a long time a bar to the
admission of Utah to the Union,
but the enforcement of the
Edmunds Act of 1882 led to the
formal abandonment of poly-
gamy as a tenet by the Mormons
in 1890, and Utah was admitted
a State in 1896.
Mortmain, Statute of.
A statute passed in 1279, to
put a stop to the growing prac-
tice of giving landed property
to^l^the Church, and leceiving
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 169
it back as tenants, thus evading
feudal obligations. To prevent
land thus passing into a dead
hand (mortuum manum), all
such alienations were forbidden,
except with the King's consent.
Morton's Fork.
The scheme devised by Mor-
ton, the Minister of Henry VII,
to increase the revenues of the
State. He exacted contribu-
tions from those who lived well
on the plea that they were
obviously rich, and from those
who lived plainly on the ground
that their economy had made
them wealthy.
Mossbacks.
The name given to an old-
fashioned section of the Demo-
cratic party in the United States,
most numerous in Ohio. The
word is derived from the popular
name for the snapping turtle,
which is so called from the
growth of a species of aquatic
moss on its shell.
Most Holy Synod.
A body charged with the
administration of the Russian
National Church. Its members
are appointed and removed by
the Czar, and its head, the Pro-
curator, is practically an auto-
crat in all matters of Church
discipline. It has however no
jurisdiction over matters of
dogma.
Mother Ann.
The leader of the Shakers in
Sussex, at the end of the eight-
eenth century. Her name was
Ann Lee.
Mother of Presidents.
The State of Virginia is so
called, as having furnished no
less than six Presidents of the
United States.
Mother of States.
A name given to the State of
Virginia, either as the oldest
colony, or as having had five
States, namely, Kentucky, Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois and West Vir-
ginia, formed out of her original
territories.
Moujik.
The Russian peasant.
Moulins, Edict of.
An edict issued in 1566 by the
Chancellor, de I'Hopital, after
a conference of Notables repre-
senting both the Huguenot and
the Catholic parties. It dealt
with the reform of judicial pro-
cedure.
Mountain.
The Jacobins, or ultra-revo-
lutionary party in the Conven-
tion during the French Revolu-
tion. Its leaders were Danton
and Robespierre. The Moun-
tain came to an end with the
fall of Robespierre and his
followers on the 9 th Thermidor
(July 28, 1794). It was so
called because its members occu-
pied the upper tiers of seats in
the Convention.
Mountain Meadow Massacre.
The massacre by Indians,
under Mormon leadership, of a
party of 140 emigrants, who
were crossing Utah on their way
to California in 1857. The
Mormons had been for some
time in difficulties with the
United States Government, and
Federal troops were in the
neighbourhood of Salt Lake
City, but no hostilities had taken
place. The leader of the band,
J. D. Lee, a Mormon Bishop,
was executed for the crime on
the actual site of the massacre
in 1877.
I70 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Mountain Men.
A name given to the Camer-
onians.
Mugwumps.
A section of the Republican
party in the United States who,
in 1884, supported Cleveland,
the Democratic candidate for
President, owing to his advo-
cacy of Civil Service Reform.
The word is also applied to those
who for various reasons decline
to attach themselves definitely
to either of the great political
parties.
Mulmutine Laws.
A code of laws said to have
been drawn up by Mulmutius,
King of the Britons, circ. 400 b.c.
They were translated by Alfred
the Great, and remained the
basis of English law until the
Conquest.
Mundebunde or Mundium.
Among the Franks the pro-
tection afforded by the King
or a feudal lord to an ecclesiastic
or other person not being an
ordinary vassal.
Municipal Reform Act.
An Act passed in 1835, dealing
with 178 municipalities. In the
majority of these the election to
municipal offices had been en-
tirely in the hands of the free-
men, often a very small minority
of the inhabitants. The Act
instituted an electoral qualifica-
tion of three years' residence,
and the payment of poor and
borough rates. It also estab-
lished town councils, and pro-
vided for an independent audit*
Mustafiz.
The second line of reserve, or
militia, of the Turkish army.
Mutiny Act.
This Act was passed for the
first time in 1689, for one year
only, and has since that time
been passed annually. It gives
disciplinary powers to the offi-
cers of the army and navy, apart
from the ordinary process of law,
and neither service could be
maintained without it.
Mutualists.
A secret association of the
chefs d' ateliers, or middlemen, of
the Lyons weavers.which ordered
a strike of workmen in April,
1834. The strike resulted in a
rising, which was promptly sup-
pressed, and the leaders were
prosecuted under the Associa-
tions Law.
N
Nag's Head Controversy.
A controversy which arose
over an allegation of the Roman
Catholics, in 1599, that Arch-
bishop Parker's consecration,
forty years previously, had
taken place in the most in-
formal manner at the Nag's Head
Tavern, in Cheapside. The
statement was proved to be
entirely devoid of foundation.
Nanking, Treaty of.
A treaty between Great Brit-
ain and China, signed in 1842,
at the close of the Opium War.
By its terms England secured
Hong Kong in perpetuity, and
Shanghai and other ports were
opened to foreign trade.
Napoleon of Peace.
A sobriquet of Louis Philippe,
whose peaceful reign of eighteen
years was a marked contrast to
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 171
the constant wars of the Napo-
leonic era.
Natal, Republic of.
A republic founded by emi-
grant burghers from Cape Colony
in 1838. It stretched from the
Drakensberg to the sea, and
from the Tugela to the Umzim-
vubu river, while Zululand,
under Panda, was tributary
to it. The British Govern-
ment never recognized the re-
public, and in 1842 steps were
taken to obtain possession of
the country, in which a regular
colonial government was estab-
lished in 1845.
Nation of Shopkeepers.
A phrase first applied to
England by Samuel Adams, the
American politician, in 1776. It
is generally attributed to Napo-
leon, but was probably taken
by him from a translation of the
speech in which it occurs.
National Association for King
William.
An association formed on the
discovery of the Assassination
Plot in 1696, at the suggestion
of Sir Rowland Gwyn. The
signatories declared their loyalty
to the King, and bound them-
selves to take vengeance on all
who might attempt his life.
National Debt.
The origin of the National
Debt was a loan raised by Mon-
tague, afterwards Lord Halifax,
in 1693. The lenders were life-
annuitants, and as each died
his annuity was divided among
the survivors till only seven
remained; after which, on the
death of each of the seven, his
portion was absorbed by the
Government.
National Guard.
An urban militia raised in
Paris in 1789 by Flesselles,
Prevot des Marchands. It took
a leading part in the destruction
of the Bastille.
National Guards.
A body of volunteers raised
by Napper Tandy in Ireland in
1792. They were promptly sup-
pressed by the Government.
National Scouts.
A force recruited from sur-
rendered Boers, for service as
scouts with the British Army,
during the latter stages of the
Boer War of 1 899-1902.
Nationalverein.
An association formed in
1859, the declared object of
which was to substitute for the
Confederation the German con-
stitution of 1848, under the
hegemony of Prussia, and to the
complete exclusion of Austria.
Its founder was Baron Benigsen
of Hanover.
Nations, Battle of the.
The Battle of Leipsic, fought
on October 16, 17 and 18, 1813,
is so called. Five nations —
France, Prussia, Russia, Austria
and Sweden, were engaged.
Naturalia.
The contributions in kind
exacted for the support of the
royal household among the
Franks.
Naturalization Act.
An Act of Congress passed in
1870, which, while authorizing
the naturalization of the African
negro, declined to admit to the
citizenship Indians and Chinese.
Naundorff Claimant.
A claim was brought before
172 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
the French courts in 1874 by
the son of a clock-maker of
Delft, named Naundorff. The
claimant, who called himself
Adalbert de Bourbon, demanded
to be recognized as the grand-
son of Louis XVI, on the ground
that his father, Naundorff, was
in reality the Dauphin, who had
been imprisoned in the Temple,
and of whose escape he told a
marvellous story. The courts
dismissed his claim.
Navigation Act.
An Act passed in 165 1, under
the Commonwealth, prohibiting
the importation of goods into
England except in British ships,
or in ships belonging to the
country of origin of the goods.
The Act was renewed in 1672,
and, with the modifications then
introduced, continued in force
till the Treaty of Ghent in 18 14,
when the English Government
agreed to suspend its operation
so far as concerned vessels of the
United States.
Neck Verse.
A verse of the Psalms, read
by condemned criminals who
claimed "benefit of clergy," as a
test of their clerkship. It was
so called because those who
succeeded in reading it in
clerkly fashion were handed
over to the ecclesiastical au-
thorities, and saved their neckss
Negus.
The title of the King of Abys-
sinia or Ethiopia.
Nemours, Edict of.
An edict issued by Henri III
in 1785, withdrawing all the
privileges accorded to the Hu-
guenots by previous edicts, and
giving them six months to
conform to the Roman Catholic
Church or to leave the realm.
Nepaul Treaty.
A treaty signed in 1815, at
the end of the Ghoorka war,
between the British and Nepaul.
By its provisions Nepaul relin-
quished all rights over the Hill
Rajahs west of the Kali river,
ceded the major portion of the
Terai, restored the territory
conquered from the Rajah of
Sikkim, and agreed to receive
a British resident at Khat-
mandu.
Neri.
See Bianchi.
Nertchinsk, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and
China signed in 1689, and
notable as being the first con-
vention between China and a
European Power. This treaty
put a stop for nearly 150 years
to Russia's eastward expansion
in Siberia.
Nestor of Europe.
Leopold I, King of the Bel-
gians ( 1 831-1865) was so called.
Neuf Thermidor.
July 27, 1794, the day on
which the Decree of Accusation
was launched aganst Robes-
pierre, Couthon, St. Just and
the other extremists of the
Revolution, thus putting an
end to the Reign of Terror.
New Custom.
A system of granting to
foreign merchants the privilege
of trading with English ports
in return for a subsidy. This
system was introduced by
Edward I in 1303, and is the
origin of Customs Duties.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS' 173
New Departure.
A change of programme on
the part of a section of the
Democratic party in the United
States in 1871. They admitted
that all, including negroes, were
entitled to equal rights and
fuU citizenship, but demanded
a universal amnesty for the
Southerners, condemned pro-
tective duties as levied solely
in the interests of the Northern
manufacturers, and strongly pro-
tested against the Force Bill of
1870.
New England Confederation.
A union of the four New
England Colonies, Massachu-
setts Bay, Plymouth, New
Haven, and Connecticut, formed
in 1643 for mutual protection
against the Dutch and the
Indians.
New Learning.
The name given in England
to the revival of learning in the
West, the first manifestation
of which was the Italian Re-
naissance.
New Model.
The name given to the Par-
liamentary Army as reformed
by the Self-denying Ordinance
of 1645.
New Republic.
A republic formed in 1884
in what was later the Vryheid
district of the Transvaal, the
territory having been given by
Dinizulu to certain Boers in
return for their help in his war
with Usibepu. Lucas Meyer
was elected president, but the
republic was short-lived, being
absorbed by the South African
Republic in 1887.
New Roof.
A nickname given to the
Constitution of the United
States shortly after its pro-
mulgation .
New Style.
The name given to the Gre-
gorian Calendar, introduced into
England by the Calendar Act
of 1752.
New Tipperary.
A township started in 1890,
under the Plan of Campaign,
with the object of bringing to
terms the owner of the land on
which the town of Tipperary
stands. The scheme was a
complete fiasco, and collapsed
in 1891.
New Unionism.
This form of trade unionism
had its rise about 1884. It
differs from the old unionism
in that it is frankly Socialistic
in its tendencies, and demands
State interference between
workmen and employers,
whereas the old demanded only
to be left alone and to be al-
lowed the right of combination
for the advancement of the
interests of the workers.
New Zealand Centralization.
By an Act passed in 1876,
during the premiership of Sir
Julius Vogel, the nine provinces
of New Zealand were united,
with one Parliament sitting at
Wellington. The nine provin-
cial Parliaments were abolished,
their administrative functions
being entrusted to road boards
in the country districts and
municipalities in the towns.
Newcastle Programme.
The platform of the Liberal
party at the general election
174 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
of 1892, based on resolutions
passed at the meeting of the
National Liberal Federation at
Newcastle in October, 1891.
The " planks " of the platform
-were Abolition of the House of
Lords, Home Rule, Disestab-
lishment of the Church in
Wales, Taxation of Ground
"Values, and One Man One Vote.
Newfoundland Fisheries.
See French Shore.
Newport, Treaty of.
The final attempt of the
Parliament to come to terms
with the King in 1648. Nego-
tiations were opened at New-
port, but the King contested
every demand of the Parlia-
ment, and the Independents,
supported by the Army, lost
patience, and confined the King
in Hurst Castle.
Nicaea, Second Council of.
An GEcumenical Council held
during the reign of the Empress
Irene, at which the decrees of
the Council of Constantinople
with regard to image-worship
were reversed.
Nichan-Sherif.
A decree of the Sultan Ahmed
I in 1604, granting the Venetians
certain trading and navigating
facilities in the Ottoman domi-
nions.
Nightmare of Europe.
A sobriquet of the Great
Napoleon.
Nihilists.
The Russian revolutionary
society, an important section
of which is in favour of phy-
sical force. Their position is
perhaps best explained by the
manifesto issued after the assas-
sination of the Czar Alexander
II in 1 88 1, in which they
declare their object to be the
amelioration of the condition
of the peasantry, and the intro-
duction of more civilized me-
thods of government. They go
on to say that Russia demands
a new system, and that, their
peaceful efforts having only
met with repression, they have
been driven to adopt violent
means to gain their ends.
Nimeguen, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1678,
following the five years' war of
Louis XIV against Holland and
Spain. Louis obtained Franche-
Comte and sixteen fortresses in
the Spanish Netherlands.
Nimes, Edict of.
An edict issued in 1629,
shortly after the fall of La
Rochelle, which, while con-
firming the religious freedom
granted to the Huguenots by
the Edict of Nantes, deprived
them of their special political
status, an4 thus broke up the
Huguenot League.
Nine Articles, Constitution of.
A constitution drawn up at
Winburg in 1837 by the emi-
grant burghers who had settled
between the Orange and the
Vaal rivers after the Great Trek.
A Volksraad was elected, and
the burghers bound themselves
to observe ' the old Roman-
Dutch law, except when incon-
sistent with the articles of the
constitution.
Ninety-eight.
The Irish rebellion under
Lord Edward Fitzgerald and
Wolfe Tone in 1798. The rebel-
lion had been carefully planned
for some years before the out-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 175
break, and, the sympathies of
the French having been en-
listed, a landing by Hoche was
attempted at Bantry Bay. This
was unsuccessful, and a little
later Humbert, who landed at
Kniala, was forced to surrender
to Lord Cornwallis. Horrible
outrages were perpetrated by
the rebels, and the consequent
reprisals gave a most blood-
thirsty character to the whole
affair. The rebels were finally
defeated at Vinegar Hill, which
put an end to all organized
resistance, though there were
a few isolated risings from
time to time. Wolfe Tone
was captured and condemned
to death, but escaped the
scaffold by suicide. Fitzgerald
was kiQed a few days before the
outbreak, resisting the military
who were about to arrest him.
Nine Worthies.
This title was given to nine
members of the Privy Council
of WiUiam III. namely, the Duke
of Devonshire, the Earls of
Nottingham, Dorset, Monmouth,
Orford, Pembroke and Marl-
borough, Lord Caermarthen, and
Sir John Lowther.
Nizam.
The regular infantry of the
Turkish Army.
No Popery Agitation.
An agitation against the ac-
tion of the Pope in creating
Cardinal Wiseman Archbishop
of Westminster in 185 1. To
appease the Protestant party
the Government brought in the
Ecclesiastical Titles Bill.
Nobles' War.
The rising of Rhenish knights
under Franz von Sickingen in
1522. They were bitterly hos-
tile to the Suabian League and
to the new institutions, such as
the Reichskammergericht. The
rising was suppressed in the
following year.
Noces Vermeilles.
"The blood-red wedding" was
the name given afterwards to the
marriage between the Pro-
testant Henry of Navarre and
the Catholic Marguerite de
Valois in May 1572, only three
months before the massacre of
the Huguenots on the eve of
St. Bartholomew.
Noche Triste.
The night of June 20, 1520,
when the Spaniards under
Cortes were attacked by the
Mexicans as they were eva-
cuating Mexico, and suffered
very heavy losses.
Noir, Code.
The code of laws promulgated
by Louis XIV in 1685 to be
enforced in the West Indian
colonies of France. It had
special reference to the treat-
ment of negroes, whether slaves
or freedmen.
Nomansland.
The district south of the
Basuto country, now known as
Griqualand East, was so called
in i860. It was settled in 1861
by the migration of Adam Kok
and his tribe of Griquas from
the country they had previously
occupied between the Orange
and the Riet Rivers.
Nomansland.
A district lying between Kan-
sas, New Mexico, Texas, and the
Indian territory, which now
forms part of the territory of
Oklahoma.
1/6 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
The same name is given to
a strip of land in dispute be-
tween the States of Delaware
and Pennsylvania.
Nominees, Assembly of.
Barebone's Parliament is
sometimes known by this name.
Non-Compounders.
See Compounders,
Non- Jurors.
The clergymen, between three
and four hundred in number,
who refused to take the oaths
of allegiance and supremacy on
the accession of William III in
1689.
Non-Resistance.
The doctrine that it was a
deadly sin to oppose the will
of the King as being sovereign
by Divine right. This tenet
was preached by the Anglican
clergy in the times of the
Stuarts. It was also called the
"Doctrine of Passive Obedience."
Nore, Mutiny at the.
The name usually given to'
the mutinies in the fleet at the
Nore and Spithead, which broke
out in 1797. The discontent,
due to real grievances, first
showed itself at Spithead, where
Lord Howe, who was in com-
mand, succeeded by his tact
in arranging matters satisfac-
torily, and nothing very serious
occurred. At the Nore the
mutiny assumed a political
character, the men demanding
a revision of the Articles of War
and other impossible conces-
sions. Their demands being
refused the mutineers seized
the fleet, but gradually yielded,
and finally Parker, the ring-
leader, was arrested and hanged,
with four or five others.
Norman Reconciliation.
See Baiser de Lamourette.
North, Council of the.
A council established by
Henry VIII in 1536, after the
Insurrection of the North, to
deal with questions arising out
of that event. In the reign of
Charles I it was reorganized by
Wentworth on the lines of the
Star Chamber, and it was
finally abolished by Act of
Parliament in 164 1.
North, Society of the.
A Russian secret society.
(See December Rising.)
North German Confederation.
A confederation of twenty-
two States north of the Maine,
formed in 1867, after the sign-
ing of the Treaty of Prague,
under the perpetual presidency
of Prussia. Two assemblies
were formed, one, the Reichs-
tag, being representative of the
people, the other, the Bundes-
rath, being cq^iposed of dele-
gates from the Governments
of the twenty-two States.
Northampton, Treaty of.
A treaty between England
and Scotland, signed in 1328,
by which Robert Bruce was
acknowledged as King of Scot-
land, and the independence of
Scotland was recognized, Ed-
ward III renouncing his suze-
rainty. Bruce agreed to pay
compensation for damage in
the North of England, and to
reinstate the Scottish lords
who had been dispossessed on
account of their supporting
Edward.
Nottingham, Peace of.
A treaty signed between
jiEthelred and the Northmen in
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 177
868, by which Mercia was saved
from their depredations.
Noyades.
The Vendean refugees who
had fled to Nantes in 1793
were, by order of Carrier,
crowded into boats, which were
towed out into the middle of
the river and sunk. This whole-
sale murder is known as "The
Noyades."
Nuevas Ordenanzas.
A code of laws designed to
ameliorate the condition of the
Indians in the Spanish Colonies,
promulgated at Madrid in 1543.
They were largely due to the
efforts of Las Casas.
Nullifiers.
The supporters of State Rights
in the Southern States were
thus called, from the action of
South Carolina, in 1832, in declar-
ing unconstitutional and " nul-
lifying " an Act of Congress
imposing import duties on tex-
tile fabrics.
Number Forty-five.
The famous number of the
North Briton, which appeared
on April 23, 1763, and attacked
the King's Speech at the close
of the previous session. It
led to the expulsion of John
Wilkes from the House of
Commons.
Nun of Kent.
Elizabeth Barton, a woman
of humble birth, who claimed
to have the gift of prophecy,
and formed a rallying point
for the discontented Catholics
after the divorce of Catherine
by Henry VIII. She was in
correspondence with Catherine
and with the Emperor, and
although no treasonable prac-
tices could be proved against
her, she was . an undoubted
danger to the State. She was
arrested and executed in 1534.
Nutmeg State.
A name given derisively to
the State of Connecticut in
allusion to their supposed large
trade in wooden nutmegs.
Nystad, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and
Sweden, signed in 172 1, at the
conclusion of the prolonged
war which had been commenced
in 1700. Peter the Great se-
cured for Russia the provinces
of Livonia, Esthonia, Ingria»
Carelia, and part of Finland.
O.P. Riots.
A series of riots which dis-
turbed London in 1809, owing
to Kemble having raised the
prices at Covent Garden The-
atre. The mob demanded the
" old prices." Chfford, a bar-
rister, was charged with inciting
to riot by appearing in the
theatre with the letters "O.P."
in his hat, but was acquitted,
whereupon Kemble gave way.
Oakboys.
An agrarian society in Ulster
in 1763. It was formed to
protest against the action of
the Grand Juries, who had de-
cided upon the construction of
certain roads which the pea-
santry maintained were to be
made solely in the interests of
the great landowners.
Oath of Allegiance.
A formula drawn up after
Gunpowder Plot in 1606, which
N
178 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
asserted the supremacy of the
Sovereign in ecclesiastical mat-
ters, and denied the power of
the Pope to relieve his subjects
from their allegiance, or to
depose him.
Oath of Strasburg.
The oath of allegiance taken
by Charles and Louis, the sons
of Louis le Debonnaire, to their
brother Lothair, the Emperor,
after the battle of Fontenay in
841.
Oberstuhlherr.
The chief of the Westphalian
Vehmgericht, as representative
of the Emperor. The post was
usually filled by the Archbishop
of Cologne.
Oblivion and Indemnity, Act of.
A proclamation under the
Great Seal in 1603, by which
James I promised a complete
amnesty to all those who had
taken part in the rebellions in
Ireland during the reign of his
predecessor.
Occasional Conformity Bill.
A bill introduced into Par-
liament in 1703 to render
illegal the practice of non-
conformists receiving the sacra-
ment according to the rites
of the Church of England, in
order to qualify for municipal
office, and then returning to
their own form of worship.
The bill entailed heavy penal-
ties on all those who held office
under these conditions. The
bill failed to pass, was re-
introduced in the following
session, and was again thrown
out, while a further attempt
to pass it in 1704 was defeated
by the Lords. It at last became
Jaw in 171 1.
O'Connell's Tail.
The nickname given to the
following of Daniel O'Connell
in the House of Commons, after
the passing of the Reform Bill
of 1832.
October Club.
A club composed of Tories and
Jacobites, formed in 17 10.
Among its members were Bo-
lingbroke and his followers.
Odal.
A system of land tenure
among the Norsemen, by
which property in the land
was absolute. It was prob-
ably land allotted to the
warrior after conquest, to be
held by him and his descend-
ants, though according to the
Gulathing's law, it could not
become Odal until it had been
held for three generations. The
udallers of Orkney hold under
this tenure.
Odalsthing.
See Storthing.
QEcumenical Councils.
The General Councils of the
Church accepted by ecclesias-
tical authorities as genuinely
OEcumenical are twenty-one in
number, namely : two of Ni-
caea, four of Constantinople,
Ephesus, Chalcedon, five La-
teran Councils, two of Lyons,
Vienna, Constance, Basle, Flor-
ence, Trent and the Vatican.
CEil de Boeuf.
The name given to the ante-
chamber in the Palace of Ver-
sailles. It was so called from
two bull's-eye windows near the
ceiling.
Ohio Company.
A company of Virginian set-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 179
tiers who colonised the Ohio
Valley under a charter from
the British Government in 1749.
Old Abe.
A nickname of President
Abraham Lincoln.
Old Catholics.
A section of the Roman Cath-
olics in Germany who, under the
leadership of Dr. DoUinger,
rejected the dogma of Papal
Infallibility imposed by the
Vatican Council in 1870.
Old Czechs.
The Conservative section of
the Czech or National party in
Bohemia.
Old Dominion.
A name given to the State
of Virginia, as the original
English Colony in America.
Old Glorious.
A sobriquet of William III
of England.
Old Hickory.
Andrew Jackson, President
of the United States from 1829
to 1837, was so called on account
of his obstinacy of character.
Old Hunkers.
The Conservative wing of the
Democratic party in New York,
I 824-1 848.
Old Line State.
The State of Maryland is so
called with reference to the
Mason and Dixon Line, which
divides it from Pennsylvania.
Old Man of the Mountain.
See Assassins.
Old Morality.
A nickname of Mr. W. H.
Smith, leader of the House of
Commons from 1887 to 1891.
Old Noll.
A nickname of Ohver Crom-
well.
Old Pretender.
James Edward, son of James
II, was so called by the adher-
ents of the Hanoverian suc-
cession.
Old Rough and Ready.
General Zachary Taylor, Pre-
sident of the United States in
1849, was so called by his
soldiers during the Mexican
Old Rowley.
A nickname of Charles IL
Old Style.
The old or Julian Calendar,
superseded in England by the
Gregorian in 1751, but still in
use in Russia.
Oleron, Laws of.
A code of commercial and
maritime laws founded on the
Consolato del Mare, issued in
the reign of Louis IX of France.
Olive Branch Petition.
An appeal to the King by
the Second American Congress,
1775, expressing a desire for
reconciliation, but offering no
concessions. The King, how-
ever, refused to receive it, on
the ground that it was issued by
an unauthorized assembly.
Olmiitz, Convention of.
Also called the Humiliation
of Olmiitz. A convention
signed in 1850 between Prussia
and Austria, by which the
former Power renounced all her
projects of union, and recog-
nized the restoration of the
old Germanic Diet, under the
presidency of Austria.
i8o DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Olney Doctrine.
An extension of the Monroe
Doctrine put forward by Mr.
Olney, President Cleveland's
Secretary of State, in a des-
patch on the Venezuela bound-
ary question in July, 1895.
He claimed that Great Britain
had no right to interfere on the
American Continent, and that,
if force was necessary, British
Guiana must rely on her own
resources, without calling in
aid from Great Britain. He
further maintained that the
United States had a right to
insist upon all claims concern-
ing questions of territory being
submitted to arbitration un-
reservedly, and was justified in
taking steps to satisfy herself
that no territory had been or
was being unwarrantably an-
nexed. Lord Salisbury abso-
lutely repudiated this doctrine,
and refused in any sense to
accept it as binding on Great
Britain.
Omladina.
A secret society having its
headquarters in^'Servia, whose
object is the establishment of
a Pan-Slavic confederation on a
republican basis. It has from
time to time caused Austria
some trouble in Bohemia.
Open Door.
The declared English policy
in China, as opposed to the
policy of " Spheres of Influ-
ence." It is defined in the
Anglo-German agreement of
1900 as the free access, under
equal conditions, of all nations
to the ports, rivers and littorals
of China.
Opium Commission.
A commission appointed in
1893 to inquire into, the opium
question in India. The com-
mission reported in 1895, eight
out of nine members signing
the report, to the effect that
the use of opium in India was
strictly moderate, that native
opinion made no demand for
restriction, that any interfer-
ence with the growing of opium
in the native states would be
unjustifiable, and that the
Government of China was per-
fectly satisfied with the existing
arrangements as to the opium
trade. There was, therefore,
in the opinion of the commis-
sioners, absolutely no ground
for legislative interference.
Opium War.
The war with China in 1840
is so called, because it arose out
of the action of the Chinese
authorities, who in their efforts
to stop opium smuggling, in-
sisted on the forfeiture of the
stocks of opium in the hands
of British merchants in China.
It resulted in the cession to
Great Britain in perpetuity of
Hong Kong, and the opening
of Canton, Amoy, Foochow,
Ningpo and Shanghai as treaty
ports.
Opportunists.
A school, rather than a party,
in French politics who, unlike
the Doctrinaires, do not seek
to enforce their views in season
and out of season, but allow due
weight to considerations of
expediency. Among them may
be named Gambetta and Jules
Ferry.
Orange Peel.
A nickname given to Sir
Robert Peel, when Chief Secre-
tary for Ireland in 18 12-18,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS i8i
on account of the strong anti-
Catholic bias he is considered
to have displayed.
Orangemen.
A society of the Protestants
of Ulster, founded in 1790,
originally in opposition to the
Catholic Defenders. It has
remained, however, a strong
and important body in the
north of Ireland, firmly at-
tached to the Union, and bit-
terly anti-Catholic.
Ordainers, Lords.
A commission of twenty-one
persons, to whom the Govern-
ment of England was confided
for a period of eighteen months
(1309-13 10) during the reign
of Edward II. Their task was
to propound a scheme for the
reform of the Government.
Ordeal, Trial by.
This is of Norse origin, and
was practised in England in
Anglo-Saxon and early Norman
times. The ordeal was of
various kinds, one of the most
severe consisting in the accused
walking barefoot and blindfold
over red-hot ploughshares. If
within a given period the burns
so caused were not healed he
was adjudged guilty. The or-
deal was forbidden by the
Fourth Lateran Council in 12 15.
Orders in Council, 1807.
England's reply to Napoleon's
Berlin Decree, establishing the
Continental Blockade, was the
issue of a series of Orders in
Council. They forbade vessels
to trade between any ports in
France or the territories of the
allies, granted the right of
reprisals against Tuscany, Na-
ples, Dalmatia and the Ionian
Islands, declared a blockade
against all ports from which the
English flag was excluded, and
finally declared the sale of
ships by a belligerent to a neutral
illegal. These orders had a
very serious effect upon the
American carrying trade, and
the irritation caused thereby
was one of the causes of the
outbreak of war in 18 12.
Ordinance of 1784.
An Act providing for the
Government of the North-West
Territory, passed by the United
States Congress in 1784.
Ordinance of 1787.
An Act of Congress making
further provision for the gov-
ernment of the North-West
Territory, and decreeing free-
dom from slavery and religious
toleration.
Ordinances.
The articles of reform pre-
pared by the Lords Ordainers
in the reign of Edward II and
agreed to by the King and
Parliament in 131 1. They pro-
vided that no war should be
undertaken without the consent
of Parliament, that all customs
duties imposed since the death
of Edward I should be re-
moved ; that the great officers
of state should be nominated
with the consent of Parliament ;
that Parliament should meet
annually, and that the King's
undesirable companions should
be removed and his household
reformed. Piers Gaveston in
particular being banished from
the kingdom.
Ordonnance de Mai.
An edict issued in May, 141 3,
by Charles VI of France, re-
forming the finances and abo-
i82 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
lishing numerous sinecures
about the Court.
Ordonnances de Juillet.
The decrees issued by Charles
X on July 24, 1830. The first
suspended the liberty of the
Press, the second dissolved the
Chamber of Deputies, and the
third ordained that the future
Chamber should consist only
of Deputies from the Depart-
ments. A revolutionary out-
break, fomented by the jour-
nalists, followed immediately on
the promulgation of these ordin-
ances, and Charles fled from
Paris, and abdicated on Au-
gust 3.
Oregon Treaty.
A treaty between Great Bri-
tain and the United States,
signed in 1846, defining the
frontier between Oregon and
British Columbia. It involved
the settlement of the claim to
Vancouver Island in favour of
Great Britain.
Organic Statute.
A Russian ukase, issued in
1832, withdrawing constitu-
tional government from Poland.
Organizer of Victory.
Lazare Nicolas Carnot, the
revolutionary leader, was so
called during the wars of the
French Revolution.
Oriflamme.
The ancient standard of
France : a crimson flag attached
to a gilded lance.
Orleanists.
The party among the French
Royalists who supported the
claims of the Orleans Branch
of the French Royal Family
to the throne of France. On
the death of the last of the
French Bourbons in 1883 the
party was augmented by the
adhesion of the majority of the
Legitimists.
Orleans, Edict of.
An edict issued in 1561 by
the Chancellor, de I'Hopital,
proclaiming certain reforms in
the Church and the Justiciary.
In the former category were
included the abolition of an-
nates and of the sale of bene-
fices, and in the latter the
abolition of all extraordinary
Courts of Justice. It further
authorized the Government to m
take possession of the surplus «
income of all religious com- ^
munities, and to apply the sum
thus obtained to educational
purposes.
Ormee.
The name given to the in-
surrectionary government es-
tablished at Bordeaux in 1652.
It is derived from the fact of
the leaders of the movement
holding their meetings under
a large elm near the Fort
du Ha.
Orphan of the Temple.
Marie Therese, Duchess of
Angouleme, the x daughter of
Louis XVI, was so called in
allusion to her three years'
imprisonment in the Temple in
Paris.
Orsini Bombs.
A conspiracy to murder Na-
poleon III by blowing up his
carriage as he was on his way
to the opera in 1858. The
Emperor escaped unhurt, but
ten persons were killed and
158 injured by the explosion
of the bombs. Orsini, who
was captured and executed, had
been a refugee in London,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 183
where the plot was hatched, a
fact which led to an intensely
hostile feeling towards England
on the part of the French.
Ostend Manifesto.
The outcome of a conference
at Ostend in 1854 between
Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and
Soule, the representatives of
the United States at the Courts
of Great Britain, France and
Spain respectively. They were
asked to advise on the Cuban
question, and advised their
Government that the proper
course was purchase, or if
Spain refused to sell, that the
United States were fully justi-
fied in using force if they felt
themselves sufficiently power-
ful.
Otokodate.
In old Japan a friendly
association of the Chonin, or
wardsmen of the large towns.
They were very particular as
to the character of their mem-
bers, their aim being mutual
assistance against oppression
and wrong-doing of every kind,
while among themselves they
were a sort of benefit society,
aiding those of their members
who through misfortune were
in need of assistance.
Ottawa Conference.
A conference of delegates
from the British self-governing
colonies, held at Ottawa in
1894. The conference agreed
to resolutions asking for Impe-
rial legislation enabling the
Colonies to enter into treaties
of reciprocity with each other,
and the denunciation of exist-
ing foreign treaties which pre-
vented this. The delegates fur-
ther pronounced in favour of
preferential customs arrange-
ments between the Mother
Country and the Colonies, of
a line of fast steamers between
Canada and Australia, and of
an " All Red " cable to Aus-
tralia.
Oude Proclamation.
A proclamation issued by
Lord Canning after the fall of
Lucknow in 1858, confiscating
all proprietary rights to land in
Oude, with the exception of the
estates of seven unimportant
proprietors. All others must
throw themselves on the mercy
of the British Government, and
clemency would be extended
to them, if they had not been
concerned in the murder of
Englishmen. This proclama-
tion was considered by Lord
EUenborough unduly severe,
and a controversy arose which
nearly led to Lord Canning's
resignation.
Our Lady of Mercy, Order of.
A Spanish Order of Knight-
hood, instituted in 1218 by
James I of Aragon. Its special
mission was to work for the
deliverance of captives in the
hands of the Moors.
Outlawry.
Among the Norsemen certain
crimes, such as the violation of
a temple, or secret or unpro-
voked murder, could not be
atoned for by " weregild," and
were punished by confiscation
of all property and loss of all
rights, the criminal becoming
an outlaw. A man was also
outlawed if he or his family were
unable to pay " weregild."
Overton's Plot.
An abortive conspiracy to
i84 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
overthrow the Commonwealth
and murder Cromwell, Lambert
and other leading men, in 1655.
It was headed by Major-General
Overton, one of the most suc-
cessful of the Parliamentary
generals.
Oxford Movement.
A movement, designed to
bring the Church of England
nearer to the Church of Rome,
which took its rise at Oxford in
1 84 1. Its leaders were Keble,
Pusey and Newman, and their
views were in the first instance
published to the world in a series
of papers called " Tracts for the
Times," whence it is also known
as the Tractarian Movement.
Its followers were generally
called Puseyites by their oppo-
nents.
Oxford's Assault.
The attempted assassination
of Queen Victoria by Edward
Oxford in 1840 is so called. He
fired twice at the Queen, but
missed. At his trial he was
found to be insane, and was
incarcerated in Bethlem Hos-
pital, and afterwards in Broad-
moor.
Oyer and Terminer.
A commission specially nomin-
ated to hear and determine
specific cases, especially of high
treason, in England. This legal
form was extended to Scotland
in 1709, after the abortive trial
of the Stirlingshire Jacobites
under the ordinary Scotch pro-
cedure in 1708.
Pacific, War of the.
The war between Chile on the
one side and Peru and Bolivia on
the other in 1879-83 is so called.
Pacta Conventa.
The agreement entered into
between the nobles and candi-
dates for the throne at the
election of the Polish kings.
The terms agreed upon at the
election of Henry in 1573 inclu-
ded the following : Henry under-
took not to influence the diet
in the choice of his successor,
not to declare war, to marry or
to divorce without their consent,
not to impose taxes nor to
appoint ambassadors. These
terms were known as the Arti-
cles of Henry, and similar
disabilities were imposed upon
subsequent kings of Poland.
Pacta de Famine.
See Malisset.
Pahlen's Conspiracy.
A conspiracy of Count Pahlen,
Governor of St. Petersburg, in
1 801, to dethrone Paul I. The
Czarewitch gave his counten-
ance to the plot, with the
stipulation that no bodily harm
should befall his father. Paul
was nevertheless murdered by
Pahlen and his accomplices.
Paix de Monsieur.
A treaty between Catherine
de' Medici and the Huguenots
in 1576, whereby the Huguenots
were allowed the exercise of
their religion in certain towns
which they held. Certain ap-
panages were granted to their
leaders, Conde, Henry of Na-
varre and others.
Paix des Dames.
The Peace of Cambray, so
called because it was negotiated
by Louise of Savoy, mother of
Francis I, and Margaret, aunt
of Charles V.
Paix Fourree.
The name of the Patched-up
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 185
Peace is given to the Peace
between Jean Sans Peur, Duke
of Burgundy, and the Due
d'Orleans, the leader of the
Armagnacs in 1407. It was
a device of Jean to gefthe Due
d'Orleans into his power and
three days afterwards Orleans
was murdered by the Duke of
Burgundy's agents.
The same title is sometimes
given to the Peace of Long-
jumeau, between Charles IX
and the Huguenots in 1586.
Paladins.
A select band of knights in
the service of Charlemagne,
the most famous of whom was
Roland or Orlando. Most of
them were killed at the Battle of
Roncesvalles, where Charle-
magne's troops were defeated
by the Moors in 778.
Palatinate Catechism.
See Heidelberg Catechism.
Palatines.
In Poland the generals of the
forces raised in the various
palatinates, or provinces, were
so called.
Pale, The.
The portion of Ireland sub-
dued and settled by Henry II
in 1 175, within which only the
English law was in force.
Palisades, Burgesses of the.
See Pfahlbiirger.
Pallium.
The cloak or robe of office sent
by the Pope to metropolitans
and other high dignitaries of
the Church, without which they
could not enter upon the exer-
cise of their functions.
Palmetto State.
A name given to the State of
South Carolina, in allusion to
the number of palmettos grow-
ing within its borders. The
palmetto is in the arms of the
State.
Pam.
The nickname of Lord Pal-
merston.
Pan-American Congress.
A congress of the various
States of North, South and
Central America, organized
by James G. Blaine during the
term of office of President
Harrison, and held at Wash-
ington in 1890. Among the
subjects discussed were reci-
procity treaties, and a uniform
standard of coinage, weights
and measures for the American
Continent. No practical results,
however, accrued.
Pan- Germanism.
A movement in Germany
and the German provinces of
Austria, to unite the latter to
the German Empire. The Aus-
trian Pan-Germans make no
secret of their desire to break
up the Austrian Empire with
this end in view.
Pan-Islamism.
A secret movement fomented
by certain fanatical Mohamme-
dans, for the freedom of all
Moslems from Christian domi-
nation. It cannot be said to
be in any way organized, but
its emissaries are from time to
time found at work in Moham-
medan districts under Russian
and British rule.
Pan-Slavism.
A Russian movement haning
for its ideal the confederation
of all the Slavonic nations
under the hegemony of Russia.
The Pan-Slavists are naturally
strong advocates of a forward
i86 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
policy in the political relations
of Russia and Turkey.
Panama Canal Treaty.
A treaty between the United
States and Colombia, signed in
January, 1903, providing for
the acquisition by the former
Power of the canal rights of
the new Panama Company.
The United States secured a
strip of territory, six miles wide,
along the route of the canal,
against a payment to Colombia
of ;^2,ooo,ooo and an annual
subsidy. This is granted on a
lease for a hundred years,
renewable at the option of the
United States. An arrange-
ment is made for joint police
and judicial control, but the
subjects of the United States
can claim to be tried by their
own courts. The port dues
are ceded by Colombia to the
United States.
Panama Scandal.
During the investigation, in
1892, into the affairs of the
Panama Canal Company, which
had become bankrupt, it was
discovered that large sums of
money belonging to the share-
holders were not properly ac-
counted for. It appeared that
in order to get the Panama
Lottery Bill passed in 1888,
the Baron de Reinach had
distributed three millions of
francs in bribes to deputies and
senators, and that over one hun-
dred had accepted bribes to
vote for the bill. The directors
of the company, including M. de
Lesseps and his son, were tried
and found guilty of malversation
of the company's funds, and
several deputies and senators,
including eight ex-ministers,
were prosecuted for receiving
bribes. The Parisians called
this affair " La Lessivei du
Panama," or the Panama dirty
linen.
Panamino.
The bank scandal in Italy in
1893, in which several deputies
were involved, was known as
the Panamino,or Little Panama.
Pandours.
A corps of Hottentots and
half-breeds, raised by the Dutch
East India Company at the
Cape in 1793.
Panthay Rebellion.
A rising of the Mohammedans
of Yunnan against China, which
broke out in 1855, under the
leadership of Dow-Win-Sheou.
The rising was successful, and
the Viceroy of Yunnan finally
signed a treaty by which Dow-
Win-Sheou was given practi-
cally uncontrolled sway over
Western Yunnan. After his
death the Peking Government
at last determined to restore
the Imperial rule and dis-
patched a force for that purpose
in 1867 which, after a long
conflict, defeated and almost
exterminated the Mohamme-
dans.
Papal Infallibility.
This was made a dogma of
the Roman Catholic Church by
a decree of the Vatican Council
in 1870. It is decreed that in
all matters of faith and morals
the Pope is infallible when he
speaks ex cathedra, that is
to say, officially as the vicegerent
of God.
Paper King.
John Law of the Mississippi
Scheme was so called from his
issue of large amounts of paper
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 187
money without an adequate
reserve in specie.
Pare aux Cerfs.
The harem of Louis XV of
France in the Park of Versailles.
Paris Fund.
A fund raised by subscriptions
from America for the support
of the Irish Home Rule agita-
tion and of the evicted tenants.
It was deposited in Paris, and
was under the control of Par-
nell. After his death in 1891,
a serious quarrel followed be-
tween the Parnellites and the
anti-Parnellites as to the dis-
posal of the fund. Eventually,
in 1894, it was handed over to
Mr. Justin McCarthy.
Paris Matins.
The name given to the mas-
sacre of St. Bartholomew.
Paris, Treaty of, 1763.
A treaty between England,
France and Spain, at the. close
of the Seven Years War.
England obtained the whole
of the French possessions in
America, except New Orleans
and the territory west of the
Mississippi, together with Flor-
ida, ceded by Spain in return
for Havana, which was restored
to her. The French fishing
-rights on the Newfoundland
coast and in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence were formally recog-
nized. Guadeloupe and Mar-
tinique were restored to France,
who also obtained St. Lucia.
England recovered Minorca, in
exchange for which France
ceded to Spain Louisiana west
of the Mississippi. In India,
France retained her factories,
but agreed to withdraw her
troops.
Paris, Treaty of, 1814.
A treaty between France and
the Allied Powers, signed in
1 8 14, after the entry of the
Allies into Paris. By its pro-
visions France was restricted
to her frontier of 1790, with the
exception of a slight increase
of territory, including some
strong places, towards the
Rhine, and about half Savoy,
towards the Alps. Mauritius
was surrendered to England,
who retained Malta and the
Cape of Good Hope. The inde-
pendence of the German and
Swiss states, and of the Italian
states outside the Austrian
dominions was proclaimed.
Holland, under the rule of
the Prince of Orange, was to
receive an accession of territory,
which, by a secret article, was
declared to be Belgium. Sar-
dinia received Genoa, in com-
pensation for the portion of
Savoy ceded to France. These
provisions formed the basis for
discussion at the Congress which
met immediately afterwards at
Vienna to settle the affairs of
Europe.
Paris, Treaty of, 181 5.
A treaty between France and
the Allies, signed in 18 15, after
the Waterloo Campaign. France
lost the advanced frontier ac-
corded her by the treaty of
1 8 14, and was restricted abso-
lutely to her frontier of 1790.
She was further mulcted in a
sum of seven hundred million
francs, to be paid within five
years, and pending payment
an army of occupation was to
hold certain fortresses.
Paris, Treaty of, 1856.
A treaty signed by England,
France, Russia, Turkey, Prussia
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
and Sardinia, after the close of
the Crimean War. It provided
for the return of Kars to
Turkey and of Sebastopol to
Russia, The Powers agreed to
respect the integrity of Turkey,
while the Sultan undertook to
issue a firman ameliorating the
condition of his Christian sub-
jects. The Black Sea was neu-
tralized, and the Bosphorus
and Dardanelles closed to ships
of war in time of peace, while
the navigation of the Danube
was thrown open to all nations.
The treaty also dealt with the
laws of maritime war, and the
following principles were ac-
cepted by the signatories : (i)
Privateering to be henceforth
unlawful ; (2) The flag to cover
the merchandise, except in the
case of contraband of war ;
(3) Neutral goods under an
enemy's flag not to be liable
to capture, unless contraband
of war ; (4) Blockades not to be
binding unless effective. In
1870 Russia took advantage
of the Franco-German War to
repudiate the clause neutralizing
the Black Sea.
Paris, Treaty of, 1857.
A treaty between Great Bri-
tain and Persia, by which Persia
renounced all her rights in
Afghanistan, including Herat,
and undertook to submit to
the arbitration of Great Britain
any questions that might arise
between her and Afghanistan.
By a clause in this treaty the
slave trade in the Persian Gulf
was made illegal.
Parish School Act.
An|[Act passed by the Irish
Parliament in 1537, providing
that no person should be ap-
pointed to any benefice in
Ireland who was not acquainted
with the English language, and
requiring every beneficed cler-
gyman to establish and main-
tain English schools in his
parish, and to teach his parish-
ioners the prayers of the Church
in the English tongue.
Parlement.
The judicial body which suc-
ceeded the Cours Plenidres, or
Baronial Courts of the early
French kings. It was organ-
ized by Louis IX, and was at
first without any fixed seat,
though under Philip the Fair
in 1302 it was established in
Paris and became known as the
Parlement de Paris. It was
then composed of two prelates,
two nobles, thirteen clerics and
thirteen laymen. Its earliest
records are dated 1254. Later,
similar bodies, known also as
Parlements, were established
in the chief provincial centres.
Parliament of 1265.
To this Parliament of Henry
III, in addition to the knights
of the shires, who had been
summoned intermittently since
the reign of William the Con-
queror, there were summoned,
for the first time in English
history, two burgesses from
each of the principal citiesi
The first regular Parliament,
however, in which all the
estates of the realm were duly
represented is generally held
to have been that of Edward I,
which met in 1294.
Parliaments.
See Addled, Barebone's, Bats,
Cavalier, Club, Convention,
Devil's, Drunken, Dunces, Good,
Grattan's, Long, Mad, Merci-
less, Pensioned, Reformed,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 189
Rump, Short, Unlearned, Use-
less, White Bands, Wonderful.
Parliaments, Foreign.
Althing, Bundesrath, Cham-
bre. Congress, Cortes, Delega-
tions, Folkething, Junta, Lan-
desgemeinde, Landstag, Long
Diet, Odalsthing, Potchef-
stroom, Reichsrath, Reichstag,
Rigsdag, Skuptschina, So-
branje. States General, Stor-
thing, Thing, United Diet,
Volksraad.
Parnell Commission.
A commission appointed by
Act of Parliament in 1888 to
try the charges brought against
Mr. Parnell by the Times in
their articles " Parnellism and
Crime." The gravamen of
these charges was that Parnell
and other Irish leaders were
insincere in their condemnation
of agrarian crime, and they were
based on a series of letters
sold to the Times by a cer-
tain Pigott. In one of these
letters Mr. Parnell wrote that
Mr. Burke, who was murdered
in Phoenix Park, had only got
his deserts. Under cross-exam-
ination Pigott broke down, and
confessed that the letters were
forgeries. The Commission
cleared Parnell and the other
Irish members of the graver
charges, but considered their
complicity in much of the
lawlessness of the Land League
clearly proved.
Parnellites.
The followers of Mr. Parnell
in the House of Commons, es-
pecially the small section of the
party which remained faithful
to him after his deposition from
the leadership in 1 890, and which
continued in opposition to the
Anti-Parnellites after his death.
under the leadership of Mr.-
Redmond.
Parsees.
Descendants of the ancient
Zoroastrians of Persia, who,
rather than forsake their reli-
gion, fled to India, on the
conquest of Persia by the
Caliph Omar in 651. They
form a community of about
85,000, with their headquarters
in Bombay.
Parsons' Emperor.
See Pfaff en- Kaiser.
Parthenopaean Republic.
A short-lived republic, estab-
lished in the kingdom of Naples
in 1799, as the result of a
popular rising.
Partition Treaty, First.
A treaty between Great Bri-
tain, Holland and Spain, signed
in 1698, with the object of
dealing in anticipation with the
claims of the rival pretenders
to the Spanish succession. It
was agreed that Spain, the
Netherlands, and the Spanish
Indies should pass to the
Elector of Bavaria, the least
powerful of the three claim-
ants. France was to receive
Guipuscoa and the two Sicilies,
and Austria the Milanese. The
terms of this treaty, though
secret, leaked out, and Charles
was persuaded to execute a
will leaving the whole of his
dominions to the Bavarian
Prince.
Partition Treaty, Second.
The death of the Elector of
Bavaria having rendered the
First Partition Treaty of no
effect, a second treaty was
signed by the same three powers
in 1700. By this instrument
Spain, the Netherlands and the
Indies were assigned to the
I90 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Austrian Archduke, while
France, in addition to the two
Sicilies and Guipuscoa, was to
receive the Milanese, to be
exchanged eventually for Lor-
raine, which was a German fief
encroaching on the natural
dominions of France.
Pasquinades.
A series of satires on the
authorities issued in Rome to-
wards the end of the fifteenth
century by a witty tailor named
Pasquino. The word is now
applied generally to political
lampoons.
Passarowitz, Treaty of.
A treaty between Venice and
Turkey, signed in 171 8, by
which the Morea, which had
been secured to Venice by the
treaty of Carlowitz in 1699, was
restored to Turkey.
Passau, Treaty of.
A treaty between the Em-
peror Charles V and the Protest-
ant Princes of Germany, signed
in 1552, after the surprise of
Charles at Innspruck by Maur-
ice of Saxony. The Protestants
of Germany secured thereby the
free exercise of their religion
and freedom from Imperial
interference.
Passive Obedience.
See Non-Resistance.
Pastoureaux.
A band of shepherds and
peasants, led by a Hungarian,
who styled himself the Master
of Hungary, who rose in revolt
in France in 1251. Their
avowed objects were the reform
of the abuses of the Church and
the release of the Holy Land
from Moslem rule. The out-
break, directed in the first
instance against priests and
scholars, was accompanied by
wild excesses, but was soon
suppressed, the Master being
killed in an attack on Bourges.
Patrimonia Sancti Petri.
The city of Rome and the
surrounding district, handed
over to Alexander III by the
Emperor Frederick Barbarossa
in 1 177 as St. Peter's Inherit-
ance.
Patriots.
A section of Whig malcon-
tents who, in 1733, under the
leadership of Pulteney strongly
opposed Walpole's Excise Bill.
They were supported by the
" Boys," the Young Whig party
under William Pitt, and by the
small remnant of the Tories
under Bolingbroke. Walpole,
however, was too strong for
them, and, as a protest, the
Patriots retired from Parliament
in a body.
Patrons of Husbandry.
A secret society formed for
the promotion of agricultural
interests in the United States
in 1870. Between that date
and 1876, when the society
reached its zenith, the number
of their lodges or " granges "
increased in number from 90
to 19,000. The discussion of
political questions was strictly
forbidden at their meetings.'
The members of the society are
known as Grangers.
Pavia, Edict of.
An edict issued by the Em-
peror Conrad II in 1037, by
which all lesser fiefs throughout
the Empire were made here-
ditary, while the feudal dues
payable to the greater Lords
were reduced. This edict be-
came the law of German feudal-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
191
Pazzi, Conspiracy of the.
A conspiracy against the
Medici in Florence in 1478,
headed by the Pazzi family, and
supported by Pope Sixtus IV.
The plan was to assassinate the
two brothers, Lorenzo and Giu-
liano, in the cathedral, but the
assassins failed to kill Lorenzo,
whose prompt measures quickly
put down the rising.
Peacie of 1782.
A treaty between Great Brit-
ain and the United States
which closed the American War
of Independence. By its pro-
visions Great Britain recognized
the independence of the United
States, and their right to the
whole of the Northern Conti-
nent of America except Canada
and Newfoundland . This treaty
was confirmed by the Treaty of
Versailles of 1783, to which
Spain and France were also
parties.
Peace Preservation Act.
An Act passed in the Queens-
land Parliament in 1894, to
deal with the terrorism rife in
the pastoral districts owing to
the action of the Shearers'
Union.
Peace Society.
A society founded in London
in 1 8 16 to advocate the principle
that war is inconsistent with
Christianity and humanity. It
is entirely unsectarian, though
most of its earlier members
were Quakers.
Peasant War.
A rising of the peasants of
Suabia, Franconia, Alsace and
Lorraine, in 1525, under the
leadership of Gortz von Ber-
lichingen. They issued a mani-
festo demanding, among other
concessions, the right to choose
their own pastors, the payment
of tithes in kind only, the pro-
ceeds thereof to be devoted to
ecclesiastical purposes, the abo-
lition of serfdom, and free hunt-
ing and fishing. In the later
stages of the war they were led
by the fanatic Miinzer, who
proclaimed community of goods.
After much bloodshed the rising
was suppressed in the course of
the year, Miinzer being killed
in battle.
Pecquigny, Treaty of.
A treaty between Edward IV
and Louis XI, by which the
English King agreed to with-
draw his troops from France,
on the payment by Louis of the
expenses of the war, a yearly
pension, and 50,000 crowns as
ransom for Margaret of Anjou.
This treaty, signed in 1475, was
secured by Louis mainly by
large bribes administered to
Edward's advisers.
Pecsovics.
The name given by the
Magyars, after the war of 1848,
to those Hungarians who were
suspected of Austrian sym-
pathies.
Peelites.
The followers of Sir Robert
Peel in his departure from
extreme Toryism, on the lines
of the Tamworth Manifesto of
1835.
Peep-o'-Day Boys.
Bands of Protestant pea-
santry, formed in Ulster in 1782,
who made it their business to
eject Catholic tenants from
their farms.
Peers, Trial of.
The establishment of the
192 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
right of a peer to be tried by his
peers in Parliament dates from
the reign of Edward III, when
Stratford, Archbishop of Can-
terbury, refused to answer the
charges brought against him
before any other tribunal. He
was supported by the Lords,
and the King was at last com-
pelled to yield. The privilege
thus secured was embodied in a
statute.
Pelagic Sealing.
The capture of seals in the
open sea, and not on their breed-
ing grounds. See Behring Sea.
Pelican State.
A name given to the State
of Louisiana, from the pelican
in its coat of arms.
Pelucones.
The reactionary party in
Chile in 1828 were known as the
Pelucones or Wigs.
Peking, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in i860 by
China, Great Britain and France,
ratifying the provisions of the
Treaty of Tientsin. China also
made certain additional con-
cessions, and paid an increased
indemnity as compensation for
the treatment accorded to the
plenipotentiaries on their way
to Peking to ratify the previous
treaty.
Pembroke, Settlement of.
A settlement of Flemings at
Haverfordwest and Tenby,
under the Earl of Clare, in 1107.
Penal Laws.
A series of Acts passed at
various times from the reign of
William III to that of George II.
and notably in the time of
Queen Anne, imposing various
most harassing disabilities on
the Irish Catholics. The first
relaxation of these Acts took
place in 1778.
Pendleton Bill.
A bill to promote Civil Ser-
vice reform, which was passed
by the United States Senate in
1882. Its principal provision
was the throwing open of ap-
pointments in the Civil Ser-
vice to competitive examina-
tion.
Peninsular State.
A name sometimes given to
the State of Florida, U.S.A.
Penny Post.
This great reform was intro-
duced in the Budget of 1839,
and became operative on Jan-
uary 10, 1840. Its introduc-
tion is due to the perseverance
of Sir Rowland Hill, who after
many years of argument, at
last succeeded in convincing
the Postal authorities that the
increase of correspondence
would more than compensate
for the loss occasioned by the
lowering of the rates.
Pensioned Parliament.
The Parliament of 1661-79
was so called from the large
number of its members who
were Cavaliers in receipt of
Royal pensions. It was also
called the Cavalier Parliament.
Pentecote Vivante.
This sobriquet was bestowed
upon Cardinal Mezzofanti, who
was said to speak fifty-eight
languages.
People's Charter.
See Chartism.
People's Party.
See Populists. .
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 193
Perdita.
The name by which Mrs.
Mary Robinson, the favourite
of George IV, was generally
known.
Pere des Lettres.
Francis I of France was called
the Father of Letters.
Permanent Settlement.
The arrangement by which
Lord Cornwalhs finally adopted
the Zemindari System of land
tenure in Bengal in 1793. {See
Zemindar).
Peronne, Treaty of.
A treaty between Louis XI
of France and Charles the Bold
of Burgundy, in 1468, by which
Louis, who had been treacher-
ously imprisoned by Charles,
obtained his release in return
for certain important conces-
sions.
Perpetual Edict.
A document issued at Brus-
sels by Philip II in 1577, con-
firming the Pacification of
Ghent. Philip agreed to the
withdrawal of the Spanish Army,
exchange of all prisoners, con-
firmation of the Charters and
Constitutions of the Nether-
lands, and the maintenance of
the two religions.
Perpetual League.
A league entered into in 1291
by the three Forest Cantons
of Switzerland, Uri, Schwyz and
Unterwalden, for mutual assist-
ance against aggression. This
league, which is also known as
the League of Brunnen, is the
germ of the Swiss Confedera-
tion. A second Perpetual
League was formed in 1332,
when Lucerne was admitted
into the Federation.
Perpetual Peace.
A treaty of peace entered
into between Austria and the
Federated Swiss Cantons in
1474, by which Austria re-
nounced her claim to all the
territory won back from her by
the Swiss, in return for which'
they promised their aid in the
war with Burgundy.
Perpetual Peace.
A treaty between England
and Scotland in 1502, whereby
Margaret, daughter of Henry
VII, was betrothed to James
IV.
Perth, Convocation of.
An assembly summoned by
Edward I in 1305, after the
annexation of Scotland, to elect
members to represent Scotland
in the English Parliament of
that year.
Peshwa.
The minister of the Mahratta
princes of India. The Peshwas,
who were seven in succession,
may be said to have formed a
Mahratta dynasty, as, though
nominally ministers, they were
actually rulers of the Mahratta
States. Their power came to
an end with the treaty of
Bassein in 1802.
Peterloo.
See Manchester Massacre.
Peter's Pence.
A tribute to the Pope which
seems to have originated in an
undertakngby ^thelwulf (836-
857) to find funds for the sup-
port of a Saxon College at Rome.
This tribute was later exacted
by the Popes as a right, and was
so paid by William the Con-
queror and later kings.
o
194 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Petit Caporal.
Napoleon's nickname among
his soldiers, given to him after
the battle of Lodi.
Petition and Advice.
An enactment passed by-
Parliament in 1657, and ac-
cepted by Cromwell, amending
the Constitution. Among other
provisions it restored the second
chamber, which had been abol-
ished by the Long Parliament,
and placed the army under
Parliament and the head of the
executive jointly. It also pro-
vided that Cromwell should
take the title of King, a pro-
vision which he refused to
accept.
Petition of Grievances.
A petition presented by Par-
liament to James I in 16 10,
complaining of the Impositions,
of the Courts of High Commis-
sion and of Wales, and of the
free use of Royal Proclamations
having the force of Statutes.
Petition of Right.
A petition presented to
Charles I by his third Parlia-
ment in 1628. It comprised
four demands: (i) That no
taxes should be levied without
the consent of Parliament. (2)
That no subject of the realm
should be imprisoned unless due
cause were shown. (3) That
the forces of the Crown should
not be billeted on the people.
(4) That no commission should
issue in time of peace to try a
subject by martial law. The
King gave a qualified accept-
ance to the petition, but never
adhered to its conditions.
Petitioners.
The signatories to petitions to
Charles II in 1679, urging him
to call Parliament together, he
having prorogued the new
Parliament for a year before it
had commenced to discuss busi-
ness. The loyalist party, who
forwarded an address to the
King expressing their abhor-
rence of the petitions, were
called Abhorrers.
Petroleuses.
A band of women who, in
the last hours of the Paris Com-
mune, spread over Paris with
petroleum, setting fire to public
buildings. When caught by
the Government troops, they
were promptly shot.
Pfaffenbrief.
The Priests' Charter, an
ordinance issued in 1370 by the
Federal States of Switzerland,
declaring ecclesiastics to be
subject to the authority of the
State, and to have no special
privileges.
Pfaff en- Kaiser.
Charles IV, the Emperor set
up by the Guelf Party in 1346
in opposition to Lewis IV, was
called the Parsons' Emperor.
Pfahl-biirger.
Burgesses of the Palisades,
refugees from the tyranny of
the feudal barons, who estab-
lished themselves outside the
walls but within the liberties
of the free cities. These liberties
were usually defined by a line
of palisades, from which the
name is derived.
Philike Hetairia.
A Greek secret society es-
tablished in 1 8 14 for the f pur-
pose of fomenting a rising
against Turkish rule.
Phoenix Park Murders.
The murder in the Phoenix
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 195
Park, Dublin, on May 6, 1882,
by the Invincibles, an Irish,
secret society, of Lord Frederick
Cavendish, the Chief Secretary,
and Mr. Burke, the Under
Secretary. The assassins es-
caped, but were afterwards
brought to justice through the
disclosures of an informer
named Carey.
Piagnoni.
The Weepers, the followers
of Savonarola, who was the
guiding spirit of the Florentine
Republic established during the
temporary eclipse of the power
of the Medici in 1493.
Pichegru's Conspiracy.
A conspiracy to overthrow
the Consulate and bring back
the Bourbons, planned by
Georges Cadoudal, the Breton
leader, and General Pichegru
in 1804. The Comte d'Artois
was privy to it, and the English
Ministers at the Courts of
Bavaria and Wurtemberg were
also supposed to have had
knowledge of it. Certain infor-
mation reaching the police, the
conspirators and many who
were entirely innocent were
arrested. Among other innocent
victims was the young Due
d'Enghien, son of the Prince de
Conde, who was shot by order of
Napoleon. It is of this action
that Fouche said, "It is worse
than a crime, it is a blunder."
Pies Poudrees, Court of.
A special court established
during the great fairs in Scot-
land and England to try trivial
offences, such as disturbances
of the peace, committed within
the fair limits. It derives its
name from the " dusty feet "
of the pedlars, who were the
principal vendors at these
gatherings. In England it was
called the Court of Pie Powder.
Pilgrim Fathers.
The Puritan emigrants who
left England in the Mayflower,
and were the first colonists of
New England in 1620.
Pilgrimage of Grace.
The Catholic rising in the
North of England in the reign
of Henry VIII (iS37).
Pilnitz, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in August,
1 79 1, by the King of Prussia
and the Emperor, by which the
former agreed to support the
allies in their efforts to suppress
the French Revolution. The
two monarchs subsequently
issued a manifesto, known as
the Declaration of Pilnitz, de-
claring that the position of the
King of France was a matter of
interest to all sovereigns, and
that if the European rulers
united to aid Louis, they would
combine with them for the
purpose. The price of Prussia's
co-operation in this movement
was a secret undertaking on the
part of Austria not to interfere
with her proceedings in Poland.
Pilsen, League of.
A confederation of Hussites
in 1422, sworn to resist Sigis-
mund, and to oppose any
sovereign who would not per-
mit communion in both kinds.
Pindaris.
A body of freebooters, or
soldiers of fortune, in India,
originally formed as a body of
irregular horse, with licence to
plunder, by the last Moham-
medan dynasty of the Deccan.
At the beginning of the nine-
196 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
teentli century they were in
the service of the Mahratta
Confederacy, and after the
breaking up of this they con-
tinued to give great trouble to
the British by their predatory
raids. They were finally dis-
persed, and ceased to exist as
an organized force in 1818.
Pine Tree State.
The state of Maine is so
called, from the wide extent of
its pine forests.
Pisa, Council of.
A Council, summoned during
the schism in 1409, which de-
posed Gregory XII and Bene-
dict XIII, and elected Alex-
ander V as Pope. The two first
named declined to recognize
the authority of the Council,
with the result that there were
now three Popes.
Pitaux, Insurrection of the.
A peasant rising in Sain-
tonge and Poitou in 1548, to
obtain redress of grievances in
connection with the Gabelle, or
salt-tax. The insurgents held
Bordeaux for some time, but
were eventually overpowered,
and their leaders executed.
The rising, however, led to a
reduction in the Gabelle.
Pitt's India Bill.
See East India Company.
Place Bill.
A Bill which, after several
failures, became law in 1743, in
spite of the strong opposition
of the King, rendering pen-
sioners of the Crown and holders
of offices about the Court in-
eligible for seats in the House
of Commons. '
Plague of London.
The pestilence which broke
out in London in 1665, and was
not completely stamped out
until the Great Fire of the follow-
ing year. It carried off nearly
100,000 persons out of a total
population of half a million.
Plain.
The name given to the
Girondins in the French Con-
vention, because they occupied
the lower tiers of seats in the
Assembly. The Jacobins, who
sat on the upper benches, were
known as the Mountain.
Plan of Campaign.
A combination of tenants to
refuse their rents on those
Irish estates where the reduc-
tions demanded were not con-
ceded. The tenants bound
themselves to act together, and
to make no separate arrange-
ments with the landlord. If
the reduction was refused, they
then paid their rent into a
common fund, to be used for the
support of those who were evict-
ed. The Plan was put into opera-
tion on forty estates. In April,
1888, it was pronounced un-
lawful by the Vatican.
Platine States.
The name given to the
South American Republics bor-
dering on the River Plate,
namely, Argentina, Uruguay
and Paraguay.
Plebiscite.
The submission of a question
to the direct national vote, in-
stead of to a vote of the elected
representatives. It was adopted
by Napoleon III after the
Coup d'Etat of 1 85 1, when he
referred to the people the-
question of his assumption of
the Imperial dignity.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 197
Plimsoll's Act.
The Merchant Shipping Act
of 1876, passed owing to the
efforts of Mr. PHmsoll on behalf
of merchant seamen. It contains
provisions preventing unsea-
worthy ships from leaving
English ports, and regulates the
load line and deck cargoes.
The mark indicating the water-
line of a fully loaded ship is
kno^vn as the PlimsoU Mark.
Plon-Plon.
The nickname of Prince
Napoleon, son of Jerome Bona-
parte. It was given him during
the Crimean war, and is a
euphemism for Craint-Plomb
(Fear Bullet).
Pochi Danari.
The Penniless, a nickname
given by the Italians to the
Emperor Maximilian I ^1493-
1519)-
Podesta.
The chief magistrate in the
Italian cities during the thir-
teenth century. He was elected
annually by the citizens. In
some cases his functions were
purely judicial ; in other cities
he also exercised certain execu-
tive functions, including the
control of the military forces.
Poire, La.
The nickname of Louis
Philippe of France, whose face
was usually portrayed by the
caricaturists of the day in the
shape of a pear.
Poland, First Partition of.
An arrangement arrived at
in 1772 by Frederick of Prussia,
Catherine of Russia, and Maria
Theresa of Austria, by which
Prussia obtained the whole of
Polish Prussia, except Dantzig
and Thorn ; Austria annexed
Galicia and Lodomiria; and
Russia acquired aU the territory
between the Dwina, the
Dnieper and the Drutsch.
Poland, Second Partition of.
At the close of the Polish
Civil War in 1793, Prussia and
Russia invaded Poland, and as
a consequence added to their
dominions — Russia 8 5 ,000 square
miles of territory, and Prussia
21,000, together with the towns
of Dantzig and Thorn.
Poland, Third Partition of.
The small remnant of the
Kingdom of Poland was di-
vided between Prussia, Austria
and Russia after Kosciusko's
abortive rising in 1795.
Policy, Council of.
The local Council established
at Cape Town in 1652 to govern
the Colony under the General
Council of the Dutch East
India Company. It consisted
at first of four members, but
was enlarged to eight in 1685.
Polish Note.
A joint note presented to
Russia by Great Britain, France
and Austria in 1863, after the
suppression of the Polish in-
surrection of that year. It
contained suggestions for an
amnesty, national self-govern-
ment, liberty of conscience, and
other liberal measures, but as
there was obviously no inten-
tion of backing it by force,
Russia treated it with complete
indifference.
Polish Succession, War of the.
The war which broke out on
the death of Augustus II in
1733. Stanislas Leszczynski
was supported for the throne
198 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
by France, Spain and Sardinia,
Augustus III by Russia and
Austria. The war was ended by
the Treaty of Vienna in 1738,
Augustus obtaining the crown.
Political Assessments Act.
An Act of the United States
Congress, passed in 1876, which
forbids the sohciting or receiv-
ing of assessments for pohtical
purposes from any person hold-
ing an of&cial position under
the Government.
Politiques.
A party which came into
existence in France after the
massacre of St. Bartholomew
in 1572, under the leadership
of the Montmorency family.
It was composed of Catholics
who had no sympathy with the
Huguenot persecutions and de-
sired to extend toleration to
their heretic fellow-country-
men.
Poll Tax.
A tax, graduated from £1
to 15. a head, on every man or
woman in England, imposed in
1380. It caused great discon-
tent, which culminated in the
rising of Wat Tyler and Jack
Cade in 1381.
Pontage.
A tax imposed on all freemen
in feudal times, for the repair
and maintenance of bridges.
Poonah, Treaty of.
A treaty between the British
and the Peshwa signed in
1 8 17, whereby the Peshwa
recognized the dissolution of
the Mahratta Confederacy, and
renounced all his claims on
Sindhia, Holkar, the Gaekwar
and the Rajah of Berar. He
undertook to hold no com-
munication with foreign princes,
and to provide for the main-
tenance of a force of 5,000
horse and 3,000 foot. He also
relinquished all territorial rights
north of the Nerbudda, and
undertook not to interfere in
Indian affairs.
Poor Law Acts.
The first Act dealing with
this question was passed in the
reign of Elizabeth in 1572, and
was followed by other enact-
ments which were consolidated
in the Act of 1601. By this Act
rogues and vagabonds were
severely dealt with, but work-
houses were provided for the
relief of the deserving poor, and
parish officers, known as Over-
seers, appointed to superintend
the working of the Act. This
Act of Elizabeth continued in
force till the Poor Law Act of
1832. By that time numerous
abuses had crept into the ad-
ministration of the Poor Law,
resulting in the complete pau-
perisation of many parishes,
owing largely to the stringency
of the regulations against vaga-
bondage having been relaxed.
By the new Act, the separation
between the two classes was
rendered definite, relief was
only to be granted to the able-
bodied in return for labour,
and children were separated
from adult paupers. The
machinery was in the main left
unchanged, but small parishes
were formed into Unions, and
a central Board of Control was
established.
Pope, Election of.
The present system of elec-
tion to the Papal chair was es-
tablished by Nicholas II at
the Synod of Rome in 1059,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 199
and amended by Gregory X
at the Council of Lyons in 1275.
Pope of Geneva.
A nickname of Calvin.
Popish Plot.
A pretended plot in the
reign of Charles II, having for
its object the assassination
of the King and the forcible
establishment of the Roman
Catholic religion. The arch-
informer, Titus Gates, was a
renegade English clergyman,
who had been admitted into
the Jesuit order. It is possible
that there may have been some
such scheme on foot, but the
so-called revelations of Gates
and his fellow-informers were
nothing but a tissue of absurdi-
ties. Unfortunately, the murder
by some person unknown of
Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, be-
fore whom Gates made his first
deposition, so inflamed the
popular mind that no justice
could be expected, and five
Catholic peers denounced by
Gates were sent to the Tower,
while many innocent priests
and others were condemned and
executed.
Popular Sovereignty.
The political doctrine in the
United States that the question
of negro slavery was one for
each Territory or State to de-
cide for itself. It was perhaps
better known as Squatter
Sovereignty.
Populists,
A party formed at Cincin-
nati in 1 89 1, under the style
of the People's Party of the
United States. Their " plat-
form," drawn up by Ignatius
Donnelly, consists of the follow-
ing " planks " among others :
Abolition of National Banks,
Free Coinage of Silver, Laws
against Alien Landowners,
Graduated Income-tax, and
National Control of Railways,
Porcari, Conspiracy of.
An attempt, under the
leadership of Stefano Porcari
in 1453, to restore republican
institutions in Rome. It was
the final struggle of the Romans
against the temporal domina-
tion of the Popes.
Port Philip Association.
An association of Pioneers
under John Pascoe Fawkner
and John Batman, who were
the first colonists to settle on
the shores of Port Phillip Bay,
and therefore the founders of
Melbourne, in 1835.
Porteous Riots.
An outbreak in Edinburgh in
1736, when the mob broke into
the Tolbooth and hanged an
officer named Porteous, who
had been sentenced to death
for firing on the crowd at an
execution where he was in
command of the guard, and
afterwards reprieved. After
executing their vengeance, the
mob dispersed, and none of
the rioters were ever detected.
Portroyal.
A religious and literary com-
munity established in Paris
circ. 1594 by the Arnault
family, the leaders of the
Jansenists. Pascal was one of
its most famous members.
Portugal, Independence of.
In 1640 the weakness of
Spain under Charles IV induced
the Portuguese nobles, headed
by the Archbishop of Lisbon,
to throw off their allegiance to
200 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
the Spanish. Crown, and pro-
claim their legitimate sover-
eign, the Duke of Braganza,
King of Portugal by the title
of John IV. The Spaniards ac-
cepted the situation, without
any effort to maintain their
authority.
Portuguese Mars.
Alfonso d' Albuquerque (1453-
1515), the famous Indian Vice-
roy, was so called.
Postal Convention, Interna-
tional.
A convention of the prin-
cipal States of Europe and
America, held at Berne in
1874, at which a uniform rate
of postage between the various
States was agreed upon.
Post-nati.
The name given to James I's
Scottish subjects who were
born after his accession to the
English throne. The question
arose as to whether they were
aliens in England, and a legal
decision was given to the effect
that they were not aliens.
Potato Famine.
The failure of the potato crop
in Ireland in 1847 is so called.
It caused terrible distress, not-
withstanding all the efforts
made to relieve the sufferers,
and thousands in consequence
emigrated to America. Its
effects on population, land
tenure and other Irish questions
have been very far-reaching.
Potchefstroom, Volksraad of.
The first Volksraad north of
the Vaal River, established in
1840.
Poyning's Act.
An Act introduced by Sir
Edward Poyning, and passed
in 1495, which declared that no
Irish Parliament should be con-
voked until its programhie of
legislation had been sanctioned
by the English Privy Council,
and attested by the Great Seal.
It was afterwards a source of
endless complications between
the Irish and English Govern-
ments, as it limited the abso-
lute power of the Lord Lieu-
tenant, and rendered impossible
any policy of the English
colony in Ireland to which the
Mother Country was opposed.
This Act was temporarily re-
pealed in 1689, re-enacted in
1 69 1, and finally rescinded in
1782.
Praemunire, Statute of.
A statute passed in 1392,
finally confirming the Statute of
Provisors of the previous reign,
and declaring the realm of
England to be free of all earthly
subjection. The procuring of
any Bull or other Papal instru-
ment was made punishable by
outlawry and forfeiture.
Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges.
A proclamation of Charles VII
of France in 1438, declaring
that the authority of a General
Council was superior to that of
the Pope. It further followed
the terms of the Concordat of
Aschaffenburg, proclaiming that
annates were abolished, and that
the election of the Bishops was
to be free of Papal control.
Pragmatic Sanction of Charles
VI.
The fundamental law issued
in 1724, settling the succession
to the Austrian throne on
Maria Theresa and her descend-
ants. This, the most famous of
the various Pragmatic Sane-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 201
tions, was the cause of the War
of the Austrian Succession, and
was not finally accepted by the
European Powers till the Peace
of Aix La Chapelle in 1748.
Pragmatic Sanction of Frank-
fort.
A manifesto issued in 1338
by the Electors of the German
Empire, in reply to the anathe-
mas of Boniface XII, main-
taining the Emperor's inde-
pendence of Papal control.
Pragmatic Sanction of Louis IX.
A decree issued in 1269,
against the privileges of the
clergy and the Papal usurpa-
tions. It forbade the sale of
benefices and the levy of any
tax by the Pope.
Pragmatic Sanction of Mentz.
The decree issued in 1439 by
Albert II, the first Hapsburg
Emperor, settling the throne of
Germany upon the royal house
of Austria.
Pragmatic Sanction of 1759.
The instrument by which
Charles III of Spain settled the
succession to the throne of
Naples upon his third son and
his descendants.
Pragmatic Sanction of 1830.
The decree issued by Ferdi-
nand VII of Spain, abolishing
the Salic Law, in order to secure
the crown for his daughter
Isabella. This document is
chiefly responsible for the
Carlist wars.
Prague, Congress of.
A Congress of Panslavists
held at Prague in 1848. It was
the occasion of an outbreak on
the part of the Czechs, and led
to the bombardment of the
city by Windischgratz.
Prague, Peace of.
A treaty signed in 1635, to
which all the sovereign States
of Germany were parties. Cer-
tain concessions were made to
the Protestants, the hereditary
right of Austria to Bohemia
was recognized, Pomerania was
given to the Elector of Branden-
burg, and Lusatia to the Elector
of Saxony. The latter, in re-
turn, agreed to aid Austria in
expelling the Swedes from
Germany, thus scandalously
deserting his northern ally.
Prague, Treaty of.
A treaty signed by Prussia,
Austria and Italy, after the de-
feat of Austria at Sadowa in
1866. Prussia annexed Han-
over, Schleswig-Holstein, Hesse-
Cassel and Nassau. Austria
renounced all right of inter-
ference in the North German
States, as President of the
Diet, and further ceded the
Venetian provinces to Italy.
Praguerie.
A revolt of the Dukes of
Bourbon and Alencon and
other great nobles against
Charles VII in 1439, owing to
the imposition, by the Ordon-
nance of Orleans, of a tax on
their lands for military pur-
poses. They were joined by
the Dauphin Louis, but were
defeated by Charles in 1440,
when the war came to an end.
It broke out again, but was
finally suppressed in 1441.
Prairie State.
The State of Illinois, U.S.A.,
is so called from the vast ex-
panse of level prairie it contains.
Precariae.
Grants of Church lands to
laymen during the Middle Ages,
202 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
often extorted by force. They
were generally for the life of
the grantee, but were some-
times renewed to his successor.
Predial Servitude.
The condition of villeinage
under the feudal system. See
Villeins.
Preobajensky.
A secret political police, es-
tablished by Peter the Great of
Russia. It was somewhat simi-
lar in constitution to the
modern " Third Section." It
was abolished by Peter III in
1762.
Presburg, Confederation of.
A confederation of the Aus-
trian, Bohemian and Hun-
garian States against the Em-
peror Rudolph II, formed by
his brother Matthias in 1608.
He succeeded in wresting these
possessions from Rudolph.
Presburg, Treaty of.
A treaty between France and
Austria, signed in December,
1805, a few days later than the
Treaty of Schonbrunn. Aus-
tria, left at Napoleon's mercy
by the defection of Prussia, was
forced to accept what was
practically a measure of spolia-
tion. She surrendered Venice
and the Adriatic provinces to
Italy, and portions of her
dominions to Bavaria, Wiirtem-
berg and Baden, while she
recognized the erection of
Bavaria and Wiirtemberg into
kingdoms, and agreed to abstain
from interference in the affairs
of Naples.
Pretoria Convention.
A convention signed in 1881,
after the Majuba disaster, be-
tween Great Britain and the
Transvaal. The Transvaal was
granted complete internal in-
dependence, under British
suzerainty. Great Britain to
have control of the foreign
policy of the Transvaal, and to
be represented by a Resident
at Pretoria.
Pretoria, Treaty of.
A treaty between Portugal
and the Transvaal, signed in
1869, providing for the delimit-
ation of the frontier between
their respective territories.
Pride's Purge.
The name given to the
forcible removal from the House
by Colonel Pride and his
troopers of over a hundred
members of the majority of the
Long Parliament. The ejected
members were imprisoned, and
the remnant, known as the
Rump, fell completely under
the domination of the army.
Priests' Charter.
See Pfaffenbrief.
Prince Florizel.
A nickname of George IV,
derived from the name he
assumed in his correspondence
with Mrs. Mary Robinson (Per-
dita).
Prince of Alchemy.
A sobriquet of Rudolph II,
Emperor of Germany.
Princes Expulsion Bill.
A Bill passed by the French
Chambers in 1886, expelling
from French territory all
claimants to the throne and
their immediate heirs. As a
consequence. Prince Napoleon
and the Comte de Paris and his
family left France.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 203
Princess Party.
The party headed by the
ChurchiUs, who supported the
Princess Anne during the reign
of William III.
Principe de la Paz.
The Prince of the Peace, the
title of Godoy, the minister of
Charles IV of Spain, in the last
decade of the eighteenth cen-
tury.
Prisoner of Chillon.
Francois de Bonnivard, a
Frenchman who offended
Charles III of Savoy, and was
imprisoned by him for six years
in the Castle of Chillon on the
Lake of Geneva.
Prisoner of the Vatican.
Pope Pius IX was so called
by his adherents after Rome
became the seat of the Italian
Government in 1870.
Privas, Massacre of.
A massacre of Huguenots at
the taking of Privas by Louis
XIII in 1629.
Privilege of the Clan Macduff.
In ancient times any person
within the ninth degree of kin-
ship with the Chief of the Mac-
duffs who had been guilty of
unpremeditated homicide could,
if he reached in safety Mac-
duff's Cross in Fife, escape the
death penalty, and go free on
payment of a fine. This privi-
lege is said to have been granted
by Malcolm Canmore (1057-
93.)
Professio Fidei.
A profession of the Catholic
Faith, issued by the Council of
Trent in 1545, as a counter-
blast to the Protestant Con-
fession of Augsburg. Its ac-
ceptance was made obligatory
on every aspirant to a degree
throughout the German Uni-
versities.
Promissory Oaths Act.
An Act passed in 1868, con-
solidating and amending the
various Acts dealing with the
oath of allegiance and abjura-
tion. It provides a Parlia-
mentary, an official and a
judicial oath, of a nature that
can be taken by Roman
Catholics and Jews, ending
with the formula " So help me,
God." The wording of the
Parliamentary oath came into
special prominence in 1880-5, in
the course of Mr. Bradlaugh's
attempts to take his seat in the
House of Commons.
Pronunciamiento.
In Spain and Spanish
America a proclamation issued
by a military leader, backed
by his troops, against the exist-
ing Government.
Propaganda, College of the.
The Congregatio de Propa-
ganda Fide is a council of
ecclesiastics, founded by
Gregory XV in 1622, to super-
intend the diffusion of the
Catholic Faith in distant lands.
The Council has at present
control of all foreign missions
and of a college at Rome for
the training of missionaries.
Protestant Duke.
James, Duke of Monmouth,
the natural son of Charles II,
who, though brought up as a
Catholic, afterwards adopted
the Protestant faith, was so
called by his supporters.
Protestant Hero.
The name given by the Eng-
lish people to Frederick -the
Great of Prussia.
204 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Protestant League.
A league of the Protestant
Princes of Germany, formed in
165 1, to maintain their terri-
torial rights and uphold the
Peace of Westphalia,
Protestant Union.
A league of Protestants
formed at a Congress held at
Ahausen, in Anspach, in 1608,
in consequence of the course
pursued by the Emperor and
the Catholic Princes in the
Troubles of Donauworth. Its
object was mutual defence, and
its leading members were the
Elector Palatine, Christian of
Anhalt, and John Frederick
of Wiirtemberg, It was after-
wards joined by fifteen Im-
perial cities.
Provisions of Oxford.
A decree issued in 1258 by
the Council of State. It pro-
vided for the placing of the
royal castles in the hands of
English Governors, and for the
summoning of Parliament three
times a year. This document is
noteworthy as being the first
public document issued in the
English language.
Provisors, Statute of.
A statute passed in the
thirty-eighth year of Edward
III (1365), and directed against
the claim of the Pope to ap-
point to benefices in England.
It confirmed a previous statute
which enacted that the King
and the Lords were to appoint
to benefices of their own or
their ancestors' creation, and
not the Pope of Rome, and
further made the introduction
of Papal Bulls and Briefs into
the realm illegal.
Prudhommes.
Notable citizens elected, in
the French towns in the
twelfth century, to act as an
advisory board to the provost
or representative of the King.
Pruth, Peace of the.
A treaty between Russia and
Turkey, signed in 171 1, after
the relief of Peter the Great,
who had been besieged in Hush.
It provided for the cession to
Turkey of Azov, and the re-
tirement of Charles XII to
Sweden unmolested. It is also
called the Treaty of Falczi.
Pucelle, La.
A sobriquet of Joan of Arc.
Punishment Act.
An Act passed by the British
Parliament in 1836, at the in-
stance of Lord Glenelg, which,
after setting forth in the pre-
amble that the Cape Colony
was inhabited by " uncivilized
persons," proceeded to give the
of&cers of the Crown power to
arrest and bring to trial in
Cape Town all British subjects
dwelling south of the twenty-
fifth parallel of latitude. It
caused intense irritation in
South Africa, especially in
Natal, which was claiming to
be erected into a separate
British Colony, and refused to
recognize the right of the Cape
Government to enforce the
law while affording them no
protection against Kaffir and
other enemies.
Punjaub, Annexation of.
Following on the victory of
Gujerat, which closed the
second Sikh war, the Punjaub
was annexed in 1851, an ar-
rangement being made to pay
a life annuity of ;^ 5 0,000 to
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 205
the Maharajah, Dhuleep Singh.
Among the treasures which
were surrendered to the British
was the Koh-i-Noor.
Purandhar, Treaty of.
A treaty between the British
and the Mahrattas, signed in
1776, by which the Treaty of
Surat was annulled, Salsette
being surrendered and Raghoba's
cause abandoned. This was
due to the action of the Council
of Bengal, which declared that
the Treaty of Surat was unjust
and inexpedient, and that the
Bombay Council had acted
ultra vires in agreeing to it.
Purveyance.
The right claimed by the
followers of the early Norman
Kings who attended their lord
during his progresses, to exact
from the inhabitants such
supplies as they might think
fit, without payment. The
abuses which grew out of this
system were to some extent
alleviated by Henry I, and the
right was afterwards restricted
by Magna Charta, and by the
Statute of Stamford.
Puseyites.
The followers of Dr. Pusey,
one of the leaders of the Oxford
Movement in 1841.
Pyrenees, Treaty of the.
A treaty between France and
Spain, signed in 1659, after the
defeat of the Spaniards by
Turenne at Dunes. France
acquired Artois and Roussil-
lon, and surrendered in return
all the territory she held be-
yond the Pyrenees. The
duchy of Lorraine was restored
to the Duke, but France re-
served the right of marching
her troops through his country
on their way to or from Alsace.
Quadrilateral.
The name given to four for-
tresses in Northern Italy,
Peschiera, Mantua, Legnago and
Verona.
Quadrilateral, Bulgarian.
The four fortresses of Varna,
Silistria, Rustchuk and Schum-
la are known by this name.
Quadrilateral Treaty.
A treaty signed in 1840, by
Great Britain, Austria, Prussia,
and Russia, by which the signa-
tories bound themselves to pro-
tect the Porte against aggression.
Quadruple Alliance, 17 18.
An alliance between England,
France, Austria and Holland,
formed to prevent Spain re-
covering her former possessions
in Italy. It became the Quad-
ruple Alliance through the ad-
hesion of Austria to the Triple
Alliance of 17 17. Its operations
were completely successful, and
Spain gave way in 17 19.
Quadruple Alliance, 1834.
An alliance of Great Britain,
France, Spain and Portugal,
effected by Palmerston as a
counterpoise to the Holy Alli-
ance of Russia, Prussia and
Austria.
Quakers.
The name commonly given
to the Society of Friends, a
sect founded in 1648 by George
Fox, a Leicestershire shoe-
maker. The sect was organized
into a Society in 1866.
2o6 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Quarantaine le Roy.
An ordinance issued in the
early part of the reign of Louis
IX, designed to put a stop to
private warfare. It provided
that in the event of a crime
being committed, a period of
forty days should elapse before
vengeance was exacted, and
that at any time during that
period the relatives of the mur-
dered man might call upon the
Bailli to execute the justice of
the King.
Quarterage.
A special tax levied in the
reign of Queen Anne upon all
Catholics who established a
business in Ireland.
Quebec Act.
An Act passed in 1775 by
Lord North's Government,
authorizing the Crown to throw
open posts of honour to the
Catholics in Canada, and re-
storing the French system of
law in the French Canadian
provinces. It also confirmed
the Roman Catholic Clergy in
their benefices.
Queen Anne's Bounty.
The revenue derived from
annates and tithes on Church
property, which had been
transferred from the Church to
the Crown by Henry VI 1 1.
In 1704, Queen Anne, with
the consent of Parliament, re-
transferred these revenues to
commissioners, to be employed
in supplementing the incomes
of benefices of less than ;£200
per annum. The amount
annually distributed is about
;^36,ooo.
Queen Dick.
A nickname of Richard
Cromwell, having reference to
the weakness of his character.
Queen of the Adriatic.
The city of Venice is so called.
Queen of the Antilles.
A name given to the island of
Cuba.
Queen of Tears.
The sobriquet of Mary of
Modena, wife of James II of
England.
Queen Sarah.
Sarah Duchess of Marl-
borough ( 1 660-1 744) was so
called on account of the ascend
ency she exercised over Queen
Anne.
Queen's Gold.
The right of the Queen Con-
sort of England to every tenth
mark paid to the King on the
granting or renewal of leases
or charters. Charles I bought
the right from his wife for
;^ 1 0,000, and it has never since
been enforced. It was also
called the aurum regincB, and is
probably the Gersamma Re-
gincB of Domesday Book.
Queensberry Plot.
A plot on the part of Lord
Lovat, in 1703, to ruin Lord
Athole, the Keeper of the Privy
Seal in Scotland, with whom
he had a feud. The plan was
to implicate him in a pretended
Jacobite rising in the High-
lands. Lord Queensberry, the
Commissioner, who also had a
grudge against Athole, was
drawn into the plot by the
production of a letter from the
ex-Queen, purporting to be
addressed to Athole, as a
proof that he was in correspond-
ence with the exiled Stuarts.
Athole had no great difficulty
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 207
in clearing himself of suspicion,
and Queensberry was forced to
resign. This is known also as
the Scots Plot.
Queensland, Separation of.
The erection of the northern
portion of New South Wales into
a separate colony under the
title of Queensland was effected
by an Act passed in 1859.
Quia Emptores, Statute of.
A Statute passed in 1290, with
the object of preventing the
formation of new manors. By
this Statute land granted by a
feudal lord ceased to belong to
him, and owed feudal dues to
the superior lord of the estate.
Its result was to increase largely
the number of gentlemen hold-
ing direct from the Crown.
Quietists.
A sect which arose in France
about 1780, under the leadership
of Mme. Guyon, who advocated
a contemplative rather than an
active religious life. Fenelon
was to a considerable extent
influenced by these tenets.
Quixote of the North.
A nickname of Charles XII of
Sweden (1697-17 18).
Quo Warranto.
Commissions of Quo Warranto
were issued by Edward I to
enquire as to how estates and
judicial rights had passed from
the Crown into the hands of
individuals and corporations,
and to settle definitely which
were the Royal Manors.
R
Rabbling the Curates.
The expulsion of Episcopalian
clergymen in the west of Scot-
land by the Covenanters in
1689 is so called. These pro-
ceedings were subsequently
legalized by the Scottish Par-
liament.
Radicals.
A name given to the ad-
vanced wing of the Liberal
Party about 18 16. Its leaders
were Hunt, Cobbett, and Sir
Francis Burdett.
Ragman Rolls.
A series of documents re-
cording the progress of Edward
I through Scotland in 1 296, with
the names of the nobles and
others who did homage to him.
Raid of the Redswear.
A border fight between the
English and Scotch in 1575,
arising out of a dispute at a
meeting between the two War-
dens of the Marches for the
surrender of criminals who had
crossed the border. It is the
last border fight recorded.
Rail Splitter.
A nickname of Abraham
Lincoln, who is said to have
earned his living in 1830 by
splitting rails.
Raipur Ghat, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1805 be-
tween the British and Holkar,
by which the latter renounced
all rights to territory north of
the Chambul, and all his claims
to Bundelcund and Poonah,
while the East India Company
agreed not to interfere with
Holkar' s enjoyment of the ter-
ritories he possessed to the
south of the Chambul.
Rakoczy's Rebellion.
A Magyar rising, headed by
Rakoczy in 1704, against the
2o8 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Austrian domination. The
war which ensued lasted over
seven years, and was at last
ended by the peace of Szatmar.
Rallies.
Members of the Catholic and
Reactionary parties in France
who in 1890 declared their
adhesion to the Republican
Government, and their aban-
donment of reactionary prin-
ciples. The leader of the
movement was Cardinal Lavi-
gerie. Archbishop of Algiers.
Rapparees.
Bands of Irish brigands who
waged a guerilla warfare against
the Protestant settlers in Ire-
land circ. 171 1.
Rappenkrieg.
The War of Farthings, a
revolt of the peasants against
the city of Berne in 1594.
Raskol.
The great schism in the
Russian Church in the seven-
teenth century. The dissenters
objected to certain innovations
in ritual introduced by Nikon,
the Patriarch, in order to cor-
rect errors which had crept in
owing to careless copying of
Liturgies and other religious
books. The dissenters were
excommunicated, and thousands
fled from the country.
Ratipole.
A nickname of Napoleon III.
Re Galantuomo.
The name given to Victor
Emmanuel, the first king of
United Italy.
Reason, Council of.
A council established by the
States General summoned by
Henri IV of France in 1596.
Its functions were to adminis-
ter one half of the revenues of
the State, for the payment of all
civil officials, the remaining half
being handed to the King for
his private purse and for the
defence of the realm.
Rebellions, Mutinies, etc.
Arabi, Arima, Attalik, Bar-
rackpur, Bengal, Bounty, Boxers,
Bread and Cheese, Cabanagem,
Camisards, Commune, Com-
muneros. Dorr, Dozsa, Dysiefald,
Emmett, Eureka, Fifteen, Forty-
five, Frankfurter, Fronde, Geral-
dines, Hungarian, Jacquerie, Ket,
Lincolnshire, Madras, Maillotins,
Nobles', Nore, Panthay, Pea-
sants', Pilgrimage, Poor Conrad,
Praguerie, Rakoczy, Red River,
Riel, Santa Junta, Satsuma,
Shays', Slachter's Nek, Sonthal,
Taeping, Tokoli, Whiskey.
Rebecca Riots.
Riots in Wales in 1843, in
protest against the excessive
tolls exacted on the Welsh
roads. Mobs, led by a man in
woman's clothes, assembled and
pulled down the turnpike gates.
The name Rebecca is taken from
a passage in Genesis : " And
they blessed Rebekah and
said unto her, let thy seed
possess the gates of those which
hate them." The riots were
suppressed and a commission
appointed to inquire into the
alleged grievances.
Recess of Colding.
A codification of the law of
Denmark, promulgated during
the reign of Christian III, circ.
1540.
Reconcentrados.
The inhabitants of the coun-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 209
try districts of Cuba which
during the insurrection of
1895-9, were laid waste by-
General Weyler. By his orders
these people were driven from
their homes and herded into
concentration camps where,
owing to Government neglect,
they died in thousands of
famine and pestilence.
Reconciliation, Act of.
An Act passed in 1554, shortly
after the accession of Mary, to
give effect to the proposals of
Cardinal Pole, the Papal Legate,
for the re-establishment of the
Papal authority in Church
matters as it existed before the
ecclesiastical legislation of
Henry VIII.
Recruiters.
The name given by the
Royalists to the members of the
Long Parliament elected to fill
the places of those who had been
" disabled " by Parliament for
joining the King's forces.
Recusant Act.
An Act passed in the first year
of Queen Elizabeth's reign,
subjecting to fine all persons
who absented themselves from
Divine Service in their parish
church on Sundays and Holy
Days. Protestant dissenters
were relieved from the penalties
of this Act by the Toleration
Act of William and Mary, but
Roman Catholics obtained no
relief until 1791.
Red Comyn.
The nickname of Alexander
Comyn, a claimant to the
Scottish throne, murdered by
Robert Bruce in 1306.
Red Cross Knights.
The Knights Templars were
60 called.
Red Cross League.
See Geneva Convention.
Red Cross Society.
The generic name of the
various associations formed,
under the Geneva Convention,
for the relief of the wounded
in war. The Red Cross is the
badge of military hospitals,
ambulances, doctors, etc.
Red Prince.
The sobriquet of Prince
Frederick Charles ( 1828-188 5),
nephew of William I of Ger-
many.
Red River Rebellion.
An outbreak in 1869 of the
half-breed settlers on the Red
River, who resented the trans-
fer of their settlement from the
Hudson's Bay Company to
the newly formed province of
Manitoba. It was found neces
sary to send regular troops
against the insurgents, and the
revolt was promptly quelled by
Colonel (now Viscount) Wolse-
ley. Their leader, Louis Rial,
escaped, and was later the
ringleader in the rising of 1885
known as Riel's Rebellion.
Redif.
The reserve of the Turkish
Army.
Redistribution Bill.
A Bill passed in 1885 as the
complement of the Franchise
Act of 1884. It subdivided
the old constituencies so as to
leave only a few two-member
constituencies in the boroughs.
All the counties were divided
into districts, each district re-
turning one member. The
plan adopted was the result of
a conference between the two
parties.
p
2IO DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Reeve.
The Shire-reeve or Sheriff in
Saxon times was the repre-
sentative of the King for judi-
cial and fiscal purposes. He
presided over the Shire Court.
Referendum.
A provision in the constitu-
tion of Switzerland to the effect
that all laws passed by the
Federal Assembly must be sub-
mitted to the popular vote, if
such a course is demanded by
30,000 Swiss citizens, or by the
legislatures of eight Cantons.
Reform Bill.
The Great Reform Bill of 1832
abolished no less than fifty-six
rotten boroughs, but its pro-
visions as to redistribution and
the franchise still left the
larger share of political power
in the hands of the landowning
classes. It was first introduced
in 183 1, and passed the Com-
mons by a majority of one, but
was rejected by the Lords. A
dissolution followed and, on
the new Parliament assembling,
the Bill again passed the Com-
mons, this time by a majority
of 109, but was again rejected
by the Lords. The Ministry
refused to resign, and the popu-
lar feeling was so strong that
the Lords were forced to give
way, and the Bill became law
in 1832. In addition to 11 1
seats obtained by the dis-
franchisement of the rotten
boroughs, some thirty boroughs
were deprived of one member
each. Of the seats thus ob-
tained sixty-five were distri-
buted among the counties,
sixty-five among the larger
towns, and thirteen were al-
lotted to Scotland and Ireland.
The borough franchise was
given to ten pound house"
holders, and in the counties the
vote was given to copyholders
and leaseholders, and to tenants
at will paying ;^so in rent.
Reform Bill of 1867.
This Bill, passed by Lord
Derby's Ministry in 1867, en-
franchised all occupiers and all
lodgers, of one year's residence,
paying ;^io per annum rent in
the boroughs, and in the
counties all owners of property
of ;^5 annual value and all oc-
cupiers paying ;^i2 per annum.
Tacked on to it was a Redistri-
bution Bill which disfranchised
certain small boroughs, and
created a corresponding num-
ber of new constituencies. It
gave an additional member
each to Manchester, Leeds,
Birmingham and Liverpool, and
a member to London Univer-
sity.
Reform Committee.
See Transvaal National Union.
Reforma, Guerra de la.
The war between the fol-
lowers of Juarez, the Mexican
Liberal leader, and the reac-
tionary party under Miramon,
which broke out in 1858. It
ended with the triumph of
Juarez in 1861.
Reformation, Edict of.
An edict issued by Charles V
in 1548 at the Diet of Ratisbon,
providing for the reform of the
Catholic Church throughout the
Empire. It contained regula-
tions for the election of the
clergy, for the administration
of the sacraments and for the
better disciplining of the holders
of benefices.
Reformed Parliament.
The Parliament summoned in
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 211
1654 under the Instrument.
Cromwell dissolved it at the end
of five months.
Reformverein.
An association formed in
1862, having for its object the
unification of Germany under
the leadership of Austria.
Regale.
The right of the French
Kings to present to benefices
falling vacant during a vacancy
in the diocese to which they
belonged, and to enjoy the
revenues of vacant sees. The
question of the exercise of this
right caused a somewhat
acrimonious discussion between
Louis XIV and Innocent XI
in 1 68 1, and led to the publica-
tion of Bossuet's " Declaration
of the Clergy of France."
Regiam Majestatem.
A collection of the ancient
laws of Scotland, said to have
been compiled by order of
David I. Its authenticity is
disputed.
Regicides.
The name given by the
Royalists to the signatories of
the death-warrant of Charles I.
Regimen Militantis, Bull.
The Bull of Paul III, issued
in 1540, giving the Papal ap-
proval to the rules of the
Society of Jesus, as drawn up by
Loyola,
Registration Act.
An Act passed in 1836, and
amended by subsequent en-
actments, rendering obligatory
the registration of all births and
deaths in the United Kingdom.
Prior to this Act registration
was in the hands of the Church,
the parish register being the
only record kept.
Regium Donum.
A grant from the Crown for
the maintenance of Presby-
terian ministers in Ireland. It
was originally granted by
Charles II, and after having
lapsed during the reign of his
successor, was revived by
William III. It was finally
abolished in 1869, at the time
of the Disestablishment of the
Irish Church.
Regulating Act (America).
An Act passed by Lord
North's Government in 1774,
after the Boston Riots, " for
better regulating the Province
of Massachusetts." It with-
drew all rights and privileges
hitherto granted, and placed
the whole executive and judi-
cial power in the hands of the
Governor. . -j ^ v| i
Regulating Act (India). ;'' i
An Act passed in 1773, alter-
ing the form of government of
India, under the East India
Company. The Governor of
Bengal was made Governor-
General of India, with authority
over the Governors of the other
two Presidencies. A council
nominated by Parliament was
formed, and a Supreme Court
on the English model instituted.
Regulators.
The herdsmen and farmers
in the west of North Carolina,
finding it impossible to attend
the law courts, which were sel-
dom held elsewhere than at
Charlestown, formed associa-
tions for the purpose of regulat-
ing their own affairs of police.
In 1770 and 177 1 they came
into conflict with the State
212 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
authorities, and being de-
feated, emigrated west in large
numbers and colonized Tennes-
see.
Reichenbach, Treaty of.
A treaty between Great Bri-
tain, Russia and Prussia, signed
in 1813. It provided for the
maintenance in the field by
Prussia of an army of 80,000
men, in return for a subsidy
from Great Britain of two-
thirds of a million, while a
secret clause stipulated for the
restoration of Prussia to her
territorial position in 1806.
Russia was to supply an army
of 160,000 men, and receive a
subsidy double that of Prussia.
There was to be an issue of
paper money, under the joint
guarantee of the three Powers,
of ;^5, 000,000 sterling, of which
two-thirds was to be at the dis-
posal of Russia. This treaty
may be said to have laid the
foundation of the Grand Alli-
ance, which finally freed Europe
from the domination of Napo-
leon.
Reichskammergericht.
The Supreme Tribunal of
the German Empire, reorganized
from the Imperial Council by
Maximilian I in 1495. Unlike
the Aulic Council, which accom-
panied the Emperor wherever
he went, this tribunal sat per-
manently at Spires.
Reichsrath.
The Austrian Parliament. It
consists of two Houses, the upper
composed of princes of the
blood, nobles, archbishops
and bishops, and certain life
members nominated by the
Emperor ; the lower of elected
members.
Reichstag.
The National Assembly of
the German Empire.
Reine Blanche.
The name given by the
French to Mary Queen of Scots,
because she wore white as
mourning for her husband.
Reinsurance Treaty.
A secret treaty signed by
Russia and Germany, after the
establishment of the alliance
between Germany and Austria,
remaining in force from 1887 to
1890. It is said to have secured
the contracting parties mutually
against invasion by Austria.
The existence of this treaty was
revealed by the Hamburger
Nachrichten, one of Bismarck's
organs, in 1896, and was not
denied by the Government.
Relief.
A tribute due to a feudal lord
on succession to a fief by in-
heritance.
Religiosis, Statute de.
The correct title of the
Statute more commonly known
as the Statute of Mortmain.
Religious Peace.
An edict of the States-
General in 1578 enacting com-
plete toleration to all religions
throughout the United Nether-
lands. It ordered that churches
should be provided by the town
authorities for all forms of
worship, and that no inquiry
should be made into any man's
religious belief. This edict
caused great discontent in the
Walloon provinces, and was
one of the causes of the " Mal-
content " rising.
Religious Peace of Augsburg.
The grant by Charles V, in
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 213
155s, of toleration to all who
accepted the Confession of
Augsburg, but to no other sect.
Any State in the Empire might
set up either form of faith as its
State religion, permission being
given to dissentients to dispose
of their estates and emigrate.
It was, however, provided that
any spiritual prince who ac-
cepted the new doctrine should
lose his office and his revenues.
Religious Peace of Nuremburg.
An agreement, in 1632, be-
tween the League of Schmal-
kald and the Catholics, by
which the latter agreed not to
molest the Lutherans, who in
their turn undertook not to give
an}'- support to the Zwinglists
and Anabaptists.
Remonstrance, Great.
A recapitulation of the tyran-
nical and unconstitutional acts
of Charles the First's reign,
issued by the Long Parliament
in 1 64 1.
Remonstrance, Petition of.
A petition drawn up by Peter
Walsh, on behalf of the Irish
Catholics, and presented to
Charles II in 1666. It pro-
tested against the prevailing
opinion that the toleration of
Catholicism was a danger to the
State.
Remonstrants (Netherlands).
The followers of Arminius,
who in 1 6 10 presented to the
States-General a remonstrance
against the charges of heresy
that had been brought against
them. They set forth in this
document what are known as
the " Five Articles of Arminian-
ism."
Remonstrants (Scotland).
The Scotch Presbyterians who
remonstrated against the union
of Argyle and others with the
Royalist party to oppose Crom-
well in 1650.
Renaissance.
The revival of learning in
Italy in the fifteenth century^
It was largely due to the advent
in the West of many Greek
scholars who fled from Con-
stantinople on its capture by-
the Turks in 1453, and intro-
duced the masterpieces of
Greek literature for the first
time to the scholars of the West.
The revival was further aided
and stimulated by the invention
of printing, which had recently
taken place.
Rense, Union of.
A league of the electors to
the Imperial throne, pledged
to support the Emperor, Louis
of Bavaria against the pre-
tensions of Benedict XII, and
to maintain the independence
of Germany.
Repartimiento.
A system prevailing in
Spanish South America, where-
by the natives were divided into
districts, for the purpose of
forced labour, and Government
depots provided to supply them
with necessaries. This system
led to the most outrageous
extortion, the officials forcing
on the natives commodities
they did not need, at exorbitant
prices. In 1780 the miscon-
duct of those officials brought
about a rising of Indians, under
Condorcanqui, an Inca Cacique,
who, however, was captured by
the Spaniards and put to death.
The revolt was continued by
his cousin, Andres, the last of
the Incas, who captured Sorate,
214 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
and massacred all the inhabi-
tants. He was, however, shortly
afterwards captured, and the
revolt suppressed, but it was
not fruitless, for it led to the
abolition of the Repartimiento
system.
Repealers.
The supporters of Daniel
O'Connell in his agitation for
the Repeal of the Union in
1825 and onwards.
Reptile Fund.
The interest on the indemnity
payable to the ex- King of
Hanover for the loss of his
sovereign rights, which indem-
nity had been impounded by
Prussia on the ground that the
ex-King continued his attacks
on her. This fund was em-
ployed by Bismarck to subsidise
the semi-ofiSicial Press.
Reptile Press.
The German newspapers
which received payment from
Bismarck out of the Guelf
fund to support his views, were
known by this name.
Republicans (U.S.A.).
One of the two great parties
in the United States. The
three chief points in their poli-
tical creed are Protection, the
maintenance of the Gold Stan-
dard, and Equal Rights for the
Black and White races. They
are strongest in the manufac-
turing districts of the East
and Centre. Their opponents,
the Democrats, are less united ;
in the South they are strong
for the suppression of the
negro, but by no means united
on the other two questions.
In the mining States of the
West the question which is most
to the fore is the free coinage of
silver, while in the grain and
cattle districts free trade is
the rallying cry. The Demo-
crats are also supporters of
States Rights against Federal-
ism, though this is now rather
an academical than an acute
question.
Requests, Court of.
A court established by
Somerset in the reign of Edward
VI, to enable such of the poorer
classes as had grievances against
the administration, to approach
him privately. He used this
court to set aside, whenever it
suited his purpose, the ordinary
process of law.
Rescissory Act.
An Act passed by the Scot-
tish Parliament of 1661 (the
Drunken Parliament ) cutting
off or repealing all the legisla-
tion since 1640.
Resolutioners.
The Scotch Presbyterians,
under Argyle, who adopted the
resolution to unite with the
Royalists against Cromwell.
Restitution, Edict of.
An edict issued by the Em-
peror Ferdinand II, immedi-
ately after the Peace of Liibeck,
in 1629, restoring ecclesiastical
matters to the condition in which
they were at the time of the
Treaty of Passau in 1 5 52, and de-
claring that Catholics only were
entitled to benefit by the pro-
visions of that instrument. The
execution of this edict met with
strong opposition from the Pro-
testants, and it was largely in-
strumental in bringing about
the intervention of Gustavus
Adolphus,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 215
Resumption Act.
An Act passed in 1700, dealing
with the forfeited lands which
had fallen into the King's hands
after the pacification of
"Limerick. Some of them had
been restored to their original
o%\Tiers, and others granted as re-
wards for services rendered, or
given to the King's favourites.
The Act revoked all these
grants, and vested the land in
trustees.
Reunion, Edict of.
An edict issued by Henri III
in 1585, revoking all previous
measures of toleration and
summoning the Huguenots to
recant or leave France.
Revolution of July, 1830.
The revolution by which
Charles X was forced to abdi-
cate the throne of France.
Revolution of July, 1848.
The revolution by which
Louis Philippe was driven into
exile, and the second French
Republic established. Its
effects were felt throughout the
Continent of Europe, and it
was followed by republican
risings in Germany, Italy,
Belgium and elsewhere.
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 estab-
lished in 165 1. The league
was supported financially by
Louis XIV, and its affairs were
managed by a Directory, sitting
at Frankfort, under the presi-
dency 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,
Wiirtemberg, the Duchy of
Berg, Hesse-Darmstadt, and
some other States of minor im-
portance, and was in alliance
with France.
Rhodes, Knights of.
See Malta, Knights of.
Rhudlann, Statute of.
A statute of Edward I, en-
acted in 1204, by which Wales
was annexed to the EngUsh
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.
Riding of Parliament.
An old feudal custom con-
nected with the opening of the
Scots Parliament, celebrated
with special pomp at the meet-
ing of the last Parliament in
1703. All the members rode
in procession from Holyrood to
Parliament Square, fully robed
and accompanied by train-
bearers and servants.
Ridolfi Plot.
A plot instigated by Pius V
in 1 57 1, against Elizabeth and
in the interests of Mary Queen
of Scots. Ridolfi was em-
ployed to sound the Duke of
Norfolk, who consented to enter
into the scheme. A Catholic
rising was to be engineered.
2i6 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
which was to be aided by a
Spanish invasion, EUzabeth
was to be dethroned, and the
Cathohc reHgion restored. The
existence of the plot was dis-
covered through the arrest of
one of Ridolfi's messengers.
His letters being in cypher, the
names of the conspirators were
not discovered. A little later,
however, Norfolk was found in
treasonable correspondence with
Mary's partisans in Scotland,
the whole scheme was laid bare,
and the leaders arrested. Nor-
folk was executed in the follow-
ing year.
Rial's Rebellion.
A rising of Indian half-breeds
in Saskatchewan, North-West
Canada, in 1885, under Louis
Riel, who had been the ring-
leader of the Red River Re-
bellion in 1869. It was easily
suppressed by the Canadian
Militia, and Riel captured and
executed.
Right, Captain.
The name given to the head
of a secret agrarian society which
sprang up in Munster about
1785.
Right of Search.
In maritime law, the right to
search neutral vessels for the
enemy's merchandise. It was
abolished by the Treaty of
Paris in 1856, when it was
agreed that a neutral flag should
cover the merchandise, ex-
cept in the case of contraband of
war.
Rights of Man, Declaration
of the.
A declaration of the principles
of government recognized by
the Revolutionists, adopted by
the French National Assembly in
1789.
Rigsdag.
The Parliament of Denmark.
It is composed of two Houses, the
Landsthing, consisting partly
of elected members and partly
of life members nominated by
the King, and the Folkething,
an assembly elected by practi-
cally universal suffrage.
Riot Act (England).
An Act passed in 171 5, pro-
viding that any twelve or more
persons assembled to the dis-
turbance of the peace who shall
fail to disperse when called upon
to do so by proclamation of a
magistrate or sheriff, shall be
deemed guilty of felony.
Riot Act (Ireland).
An Act passed by the Irish
Parliament in 1787 for the sup-
pression of agrarian crime. The
Bill, as originally drafted, con-
tained a clause enacting that
all Roman Catholic chapels
in which agrarian societies had
held meetings should be razed
to the ground. This clause,
however, excited violent opposi-
tion, and was expunged from the
Bill.
Riots.
See Anarchist, Astor Place,
Austin, Birmingham, Black
burn, Boston, Bread, Bristol,
Chartism, Donauworth, Draft,
Evil May Day, Glasgow, Gordon,
Hyde Park, Kimberley, Luddite,
Mitchelstown, Morant Bay,
O.P,, Porteous, Rebecca, Tithe,
Trafalgar Square, Twenge's.
Robert the Devil,
The younger brother of
Richard, Duke of Normandy,
was so called. He rebelled
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 217
against his brother, and, find-
ing himself worsted, feigned
submission, and invited the
Duke and his chief followers
to a banquet, where he poisoned
them, and succeeded to the
Dukedom,
Roberts' March.
The famous march of Lord
Roberts (then Sir Frederick)
to the relief of Kandahar. He
started from Kabul in August,
1880, with 10,000 troops and
8,000 camp followers, taking
provisions for the whole march,
as it was impossible to procure
supplies 671 route. The dis-
tance of 318 miles was accom-
plished in twenty-three days,
inclusive of halts.
Robin Redbreasts.
See Bow Street Runners.
Robot.
A form of the corvee, in exist-
ence in Bosnia and Herze-
govina under Turkish rule. It
was abolished by the Austrians
in 1892,
Rock, Captain.
The name adopted by the
leader of an Irish agrarian
society in 1822.
Roeskild, Treaty of.
A treaty between Denmark
and Sweden, signed in 1656,
after the successful campaign of
Charles X of Sweden. Den-
mark thereby surrendered all
her remaining Swedish posses-
sions.
Rogue Money.
A tax levied in Scotland in
former times, the proceeds of
which were applied to the
apprehension and prosecution
of criminals. It was first
raised by statute in the reign of
George I,
Rohosz.
In ancient Poland a self-
constituted assembly of nobles,
who took the lead in calling the
nobility to arms when force
became necessary to enable
them to obtain from the King
satisfaction of their demands.
It was practically a revolu-
tionary committee.
Roi Citoyen.
Louis Philippe* of France was
called the Citizen King.
Roi des Barricades.
A nickname of Louis Philippe,
whose accession was preceded
by an emeute lasting three days,
during which the mob raised
numerous barricades in the
streets of Paris.
Roi du Roi.
A sobriquet of Cardinal
Richelieu, who during the
reign of Louis XIII (1610-1643)
was the real ruler of France.
The same title was bestowed
on Anne de Joyeuse, because
of his ascendency over Henri III
(1574-1589).
Roi Panade.
A nickname of Louis XVIII
of France.
Roi Soleil.
A sobriquet of Louis XIV of
France.
Rois Faineans.
A name given to the later
kings of the Merovingian
dynasty, who took no part in
the government of their States,
leaving all public affairs in the
hands of the Maire du Palais.
Roman Triumvirate, 1848.
A Provisional Government
21 8 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
established by the revolutionary
party in Rome in 1848, It
consisted of Counts Corsini,
Camerata and Galetti.
Roman Triumvirate, 1849.
An executive appointed by
the Italian ConstituentAssembly,
which met in Rome with
the object of promoting Italian
unity under a Republican
Government, and proceeded to
depose the Pope as a secular
ruler. The members of the
Triumvirate were Mazzini, Safh
and Armellini.
Roman-Dutch Law.
The fundamental law of the
Orange Free State and South
African Republic. It is based
on the Institutes of Justinian,
with the changes introduced
into them in the Netherlands.
Rome, League of.
A league against the Turks,
formed under the auspices of
Adrian VI in 1523. Its mem-
bers were Charles V, Henry
VlII, the Archduke of Austria,
the Duke of Milan, and the
Republics of Venice, Florence,
Genoa, Siena and Lucca.
Rome, Synod of.
At this Synod, held in 1059,
Nicholas II issued regulations
for the election of the Pope,
which with slight modifications
are in force at the present day.
Up to this date the election had
been more or less under the
control of the Emperor, but by
the new regulations it was
vested in the Cardinals assembled
in Conclave.
Rome-Scot.
Another name for Peter's
Pence.
Romorantin, Edict of.
An edict issued by de I'Ho-
pital, in 1560, transferring the
power of judging heretics from
the special court established by
the Guises to the bishops.
Roncaglia, Diet of.
A Diet held by Frederic Bar-
barossa in 11 58, after the sur-
render of Milan. Edicts were
issued increasing the power of
the Emperor over the Italian
cities, regulating the appoint-
ment of podestas to act jointly
with the consuls, and forbidding
private war between the various
cities.
Ronin.
In old Japan, men of gentle
blood who, by the commission
of some crime or for some other
reason had become detached
from their clan, and ceased to
owe allegiance to any feudal
lord. Many became hired
swashbucklers ; others fell in
the social scale, and entered in-
to trade. The word signifies
" wave men."
Roof of the World.
The name given to the Pamirs,
the great Central Asian plateau,
the mean elevation of which is
13,000 feet above the sea-
level.
Root and Branch Bill.
The name given to a bill in-
troduced into Parliament in
1 64 1, for " the utter abolition
of archbishops, bishops, deans,
archdeacons, prebendaries and
canons."
Roturiers.
Wealthy citizens in the French
feudal days, who purchased
land from the feudal lords.
The ranks of the nobility were
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 219
recruited from their descen-
dants, as the possession of land
for three generations ennobled
the third holder. This was
abolished, however, in the
reign of Philip the Fair, from
which time the roturiers re-
mained a class apart.
Round Robin.
A document signed by the
Duke of Leinster, and other
Irish peers and commoners, by
which the signatories undertook
to make government in Ireland
impossible, if the government
inflicted penalties upon any of
their number on account of
their action in the matter of the
regency in 1789. They had
been instrumental in obtaining
a resolution of the Irish Parlia-
ment, in opposition to the
JVlinistry, offering the sovereignty
of Ireland unconditionally to
the Prince of Wales.
Round Table Conference.
A series of meetings held in
1887 between Sir George Tre-
velyan, Mr. Chamberlain, Mr.
John Morley and Sir William
Harcourt, with the object, if
possible, of finding a basis for
the reunion of the Liberal
Unionists and the Glads tonians.
No result was arrived at.
Roundheads.
The name given to the Puri-
tan party, on account of their
close-cropped hair. It was
first used during the riots in
London in 1641.
Rout of Moy.
An attempt by 1,500 men
of the Clan MacLeod, in 1846,
to capture the Young Pretender,
who was staying at the Castle
of Moy, belonging to the Laird
of Macintosh. Their approach
was discovered by the black-
smith of the Macintoshes, who
with five or six companions was
patrolling near the castle. This
small party separated, and
firing into the MacLeods from
different parts of the wood, so
disconcerted them that they
fled in disorder, thinking they
had fallen into an ambush of
the Pretender's whole army.
Royal Marriage Act.
An Act passed in 1772, for-
bidding any member of the
Royal Family, except the
children of Princesses married
abroad, to marry under the age
of twenty-five without the
King's consent. After that age,
twelve months' notice of such
intended marriage must be
given, and unless petitioned
against by both Houses of
Parliament, the marriage could
then take place.
Royal Martyr.
Charles I of England is so
called.
Royal Titles Act.
An Act passed in 1876, by
which the title of Empress of
India was added to the Royal
titles.
Riichversicherung.
See Reinsurance Treaty.
Rump.
The name given to the rem-
nant of the Long Parliament,
which continued to sit after
Pride's Purge, until ejected by
Cromwell in 1653. In 1659,
after CromweU's death, the
Rump was recalled, and re-
turned, to the number of forty-
two, with Lenthall, the Speaker.
In the following year, however,
they were again turned out by
Monk, and the Long Parliament
at last came to an end.
220 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Run-about Raid.
A rising in Scotland in 1565,
of certain noblemen who were
displeased at Mary's marriage
with Darnley, Their leader was
the Earl of Murray. They were
unable to stand against the
Queen's supporters, and, after
various rapid marches, finally
crossed the border into England
and disbanded their forces.
Rupert of Debate.
This name was given to
Edward, Earl of Derby (1799-
1869) by Lord Lytton.
Russian Note of 1870.
A Note issued by the Russian
Government, in which, taking
advantage of the Franco-Ger-
man War, Russia declared that
she no longer considered herself
bound by the Black Sea Neu-
trality clause in the Treaty of
Paris, and that she held herself
at liberty to build and maintain
a fleet of warships in those
waters. This Note caused in-
tense irritation in London, but
no steps could be taken till the
close of the war, when a con-
ference met in London to con-
sider the point at issue.
Russo-Japanese Convention.
A convention between Russia
and Japan, signed in 1897, by
which the contracting parties
guaranteed the independence
of Korea. Japan was permitted
to keep a force of 200 armed
police for the protection of the
telegraph lines, and a small
military force in Seoul, Fusan
and Gens an. Russia was
allowed to maintain an equiva-
lent force for the protection of
her legation.
Ruthven, Raid of.
The seizure of James VI of
Scotland at Perth in 1581 by
Lord Gowrie and others of the
Protestant leaders, by way of
checkmating the schemes of
Lennox and the Catholics for
the restoration of Catholicism.
Ruytergeld.
In feudal Holland a tax paid
in lieu of military service, simi-
lar to scutage.
Rye House Plot.
A Whig conspiracy to assas-
sinate Charles II in 1683. It
was revealed by one of the con
spirators, and its ringleaders,
Russell and Sidney, were con-
victed and executed, while the
Earl of Essex died by his own
hand in prison.
Ryotwari.
The system of land taxation
in India by which every peasant
farmer is looked upon as the
proprietor of his land, and pays
his taxes direct to the Govern-
ment. It is the opposite of
the Zemindari system, the
survival of the system practised
under Mogul Emperors, where
the Zemindar was responsible
for the taxation of a certain
district.
Ryswick, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1697 be-
tween France, England, Holland
and Spain, ending the War of
the League of Augsburg, where-
by Louis XIV surrendered all
his conquests since the Treaty
of Nimeguen in 1678, and
agreed to acknowledge William
III as King of England, and to
withdraw his support from
James. A month later the
Emperor Leopold, who was
not a signatory of the first
treaty, signed a separate in-
strument, by which he recovered
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 221
all Louis' conquests except
Strasburg, including all the
French fortifications on the
right bank of the Rhine. Lor-
raine was restored to the Duke
Leopold, with the proviso that
passage should be granted when
required to the troops of France.
Sac and Soc.
Freedom from the jurisdic-
tion of the Hundred which, in
Saxon times, generally accom-
panied grants of land. From
this arose the jurisdiction of
the feudal lords over their own
estates, including such town-
ships as might be built upon
them.
Safety, Committee of.
A committee composed of
ten commoners and five peers
appointed by the Long Parlia-
ment in 1642, to conduct the
war against the King.
Sagas.
The Norse chronicles, re-
cording the exploits of the most
famous Viking chiefs. The
earliest Sagas to which even
an approximate date can be
assigned are of the sixth cen-
tury : the latest, of the thir-
teenth.
St. Andrew, Order of.
The oldest Russian order of
knighthood, founded by Peter
the Great in 1698.
St. Bartholomew.
The massacre of the Hugue-
nots in Paris on St. Bartholo-
mew's day, 1572, when 15,000
j)ersons are said to have per-
ished. The Due de Guise took
an active part in the massacre,
which was doubtless planned
with the connivance of Charles
IX and Catherine de' Medici.
Among those who were mur-
dered was Admiral Coligny.
St. Brice, Massacre of.
The Massacre of the Danes
settled in Wessex, by iEthelred
the Unready, on St. Brice's
day, 1002.
St. Esprit, Order of the.
A French order of knight-
hood, founded by Henri III in
1578. It ceased to exist after
the revolution of 1830.
St. George, Company of.
The first body of regular
troops raised in Italy. It was
formed by Count Barbiano
about 1379.
St. Germains, Treaty of.
A treaty between Charles IX
and the Huguenots, signed in
1570. It granted to the Hugue-
nots the right of worshipping
according to their own rites in
private houses, with certain
restrictions as to the numbers
present. The Reformed Reli-
gion was to be maintained in
those towns which had held
out for the Huguenot cause
up to the signing of the treaty,
and four towns. La Rochelle,
Cognac, Montauban and La
Charite, were given them as
places of safety.
St. Hubert, Order of.
An ancient Bavarian order of
knighthood, founded in 1444,
by Gerard V, Count of Ravens-
berg. It is conferred only on
members of the Bavarian
Royal Family, foreign sove-
reigns, princes and barons.
222 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
St. Lazare, Knights of.
A French order of religious
chivalry, confirmed by Pope
Alexander IV in 1255. Their
special function was the cure
of lepers. The order existed
until the Revolution.
St. Patrick, Order of.
An order of knighthood in-
stituted by George III in
1783. The Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland is an ex-ofhcio member.
St. Petersburg, Treaty of.
A treaty between England
and Russia, signed in 1805, by
which the signatories pledged
themselves to support a Euro-
pean league to demand from
France the evacuation of Han-
over and Italy and the inde-
pendence of Holland and Swit-
zerland. They further under-
took not to interfere in the
internal affairs of France, and
to summon a Congress for the
settlement of all outstanding
European questions. This
treaty was the germ of the
Coalition against Napoleon.
St. Simonism.
The political system of the
Comte de St. Simon (1760-
1825) who may be considered
the founder of French socialism.
It includes the abolition of the
hereditary principle, and the
vesting in the State of
all the instruments of pro-
duction, the worker, however,
being rewarded according to
his capacity, and not by equal
division regardless of merit.
Saisons, Societe des.
A revolutionary secret society
in Paris, headed by Bernard,
Blanqui and Barbes. Some
600 members of the Society rose
in 1837, and raised barricades
in the streets of Paris, but the
outbreak was immediately sup-
pressed, and its leaders were all
seized and imprisoned.
Saladin Tax.
A tax of a tenth on all pro-
perty, imposed by Henry III
for the prosecution of the
Crusades.
Salamanca, Council of.
A council summoned by Fer-
dinand of Spain in i486, to
which were submitted the plans
of Columbus for a voyage to the
West.
Salbai, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1782 at
the close of the first Mahratta
War, by which the Mahrattas
agreed to pension Raghoba,
and Haidar Ali surrendered all
his conquests. It was further
stipulated that all Europeans
other than British and Portu-
guese should be expelled from
the Mahratta States.
Salchichon (The Sausage).
A nickname bestowed by the
Spaniards on Thomas, Duke of
Genoa, who was put forward
by Marshal Prim as a candi-
date for the Spanish throne.
Salford Court of Record.
A Court of Record of the
Hundred of Salford, which dates
back to Anglo-Saxon times. It
is one of the very few mediaeval
courts which were not abolished
by the Judicature Act of 1873.
Salic Law.
A code of laws promulgated
by Clovis, generally called the
founder of the French Mon-
archy, circ. 500. By the Salic
Law women were forbidden to
inherit land, a prohibition
which was afterwards inter-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 223
preted as including the right
of succession to the throne.
The Enghsh Kings refused to
accept this interpretation, and
the various attempts they made
to enforce their claim to the
French throne led to the pro-
longed conflict known as the
Hundred Years War, which
broke out in the reign of
Edward III. Edward claimed
the throne through his mother
Isabella, daughter of Philip IV,
all of whose sons died without
male issue.
Sallee Rovers.
The name given to the
Moorish pirates who infested
the Mediterranean till well into
the nineteenth century. Sallee
or Sali, one of their principal
ports, is on the Atlantic coast
of Morocco.
Samoan Conference.
A conference held at Berlin
in 1889, at which Germany,
Great Britain and the United
States were represented. An
arrangement was arrived at by
which the three Powers recog-
nized the independence of
Samoa, and the right of the
natives to elect their king. At
the same time provision was
made for a Supreme Court of
Justice, under European con-
trol, and for the regulation of
the trade in arms and intoxi-
cating liquors. It was siiper-
seded in 1899 by the Samoan
Treaty.
Samoan Treaty.
A treaty between Germany,
Great Britain and the United
States signed in 1899, after the
suppression of the civil war
between Mataafa and Mahetoa.
Germany obtained possession
of Samoa, and the United
States secured a naval port at
Tutuila, in Pago Pago, while
England's rights over Tonga
were recognized. Equal liberty
of trading was secured to all the
contracting parties.
Samurai.
The military, governing and
literary class in Old Japan, the
retainers of the Daimios. They
were the highest of the four
classes into which the nation
was divided, and formed in fact
the gentry of Japan. The army
and navy of to-day are almost
exclusively of&cered by mem-
bers of the Samurai families.
San Ildefonso, Treaty of.
A treaty between Spain and
the French Directoire, signed in
i794,providing that either Power,
in the case of one or the other
being attacked, should provide
for its ally material aid in the
shape of fifteen ships of war, and
a land contingent of 24,000
men. This provision, however,
was not to apply to the war in
which France was then engaged,
excepting only in the case of
England, against whom Spain,
having grievances of her own,
was prepared to take up arms
at once.
San Juan Arbitration.
The question as to the owner-
ship of the island of San Juan,
l5dng between Vancouver and
the American coast, arose out
of the wording of the Treaty of
Ghent in 18 18, by which in-
strument the middle of the
channel between Vancouver
and the mainland was fixed as
the boundary. San Juan being
in the middle of the channel,
the question of ownership was a
224 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
doubtfulfone, but the arbitra-
tors, in 1872, decided in favour
of the United States.
San Stefano, Treaty of.
A treaty signed by Russia
and Turkey, at the close of the
Russo-Turkish War in 1878.
By its provisions the whole
of the Christian provinces of
Turkey were rendered practi-
cally independent, while Bul-
garia was erected into an im-
portant state with a port on
the iEgean Sea. England re-
fused to recognize this treaty,
and eventually Russia agreed
to submit it to a European
Congress, which was held at
Berlin in the autumn of the
same year.
Sanctuary.
The right claimed by the
Church of affording protection
to criminals who took refuge in
churches and other consecrated
precincts. In some cases these
refugees from justice were en-
abled to set the law at defiance
for years, by keeping within
these precincts. Some of the
most notorious of these cities
of refuge were abolished by
Act of Parliament in 1697, but
it was not until the reign of
George I that the last of them,
the Sanctuary of St. Peter's,
Westminster, ceased to exist.
Sand River Convention.
A treaty signed in 1852 by
which the British Government
recognized the right of the
emigrants beyond the Vaal to
manage their own affairs, and
govern themselves in accordance
with their own laws. Other
clauses of the Convention pro-
vided for free trade, except in
arms, arbitration in any dispute
that might arise in respect of
the boundary over the Drakens-
berg, extradition, and free
passage of the Vaal for all
except criminals and fugitive
debtors. The British Govern-
ment further disclaimed the
right to make treaties with
native tribes north of the Vaal.
Sandomierz, Confederation of.
A league of the nobles of
Little Poland formed in 1702 to
oppose Charles XII of Sweden
and support Augustus II.
Sanfedisti.
A Neapolitan secret society
established in Naples, with the
approval of the Pope, during
the first decade of the nineteenth
century, to oppose the Car-
bonari and support the Church.
Sanquhar Declaration.
A declaration issued by
Richard Cameron and other
leaders of the Covenanters in
1680, proclaiming that Charles
I had forfeited the crown by his
breach of the Covenant.
Sans Gene, Madame.
The sobriquet of the Mare-
chale Lefebvre, Duchesse de
Dantzic, given her on account
of her free and easy manners
at the Court of Napoleon.
She had been a washerwoman,
and afterwards followed her
husband in the wars as a
vivandiere.
Sans Souci, the Philosopher of.
Voltaire's name for Frederick
the Great of Prussia (1740-86).
Sansculottes.
The revolutionary rabble of
Paris, so called by the Royalists
because they wore trousers in-
stead of the knee-breeches
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 225
affected by the upper classes.
The word means literally " with-
out breeches."
Santa Hermandad.
See Hermandad.
Santa Junta.
A league of the Castilian
cities in 1520, under Juan de
Padilla and Ferdinand de
Avalos, which refused to re-
Gognize the authority of Adrian
Boyens, the Fleming appointed
Regent by Charles V. Charles
offered certain concessions,
which were refused, and a civil
war resulted, which ended in the
total defeat of the Junta in
1 521, though Toledo held out
for another year. This rising
is also known as the Revolt of
the Communeros.
Santiago de Compostella, Order
of.
A Spanish order of rehgious
chivalry founded in 1170, and
approved by Papal Bull in 1175.
Its members were vowed to
obedience, community of goods
and conjugal chastity, and also
to perpetual war against the
Mussulman.
Santiago, Treaty of.
A treaty between Chile and
Bolivia, concluded in 1866,
delimiting the frontier between
the two States.
Sardinia, Kingdom of.
This kingdom came into exist-
ence in 1720, when Sardinia was
ceded by Austria to the House
of Savoy, in exchange for Sicily,
the name being applied to the
new combination of Savoy,
Sardinia and Piedmont. It
lasted until Victor Emmanuel
became King of United Italy in
1861.
Sardinian Convention.
A convention, signed in 1855,
by which the King of Sardinia
undertook to furnish 1 5 ,000 men
in aid of France and England
in the Crimea, the troops to be
transported by England, In
return the allies guaranteed
the integrity of the King's
dominions.
Sarnen, League of.
A league formed in 1832 by
the cantons of Basle, Uri,
Schwyz, Unterwalden, Valais,
and Neuchatel to oppose Federal
revision and support the Federal
Pact of 1 81 5. It was also
called the Sonderbund.
Satisfaction.
An agreement arrived at in
1578 between the Protestant
party and the Catholic magis-
trates of Amsterdam, whereby,
following the example of other
Dutch cities, the two religions
were placed on an equal footing.
Satsuma Rebellion.
A rising of the Prince of
Satsuma against the Japanese
Government in 1877, at the
head of the party opposed to
reform. The rebellion was soon
suppressed.
Savary, Code.
A codification of the French
Commercial Law, issued by
Louis XIV in 1673.
Saviour of the Nations.
The Duke of Wellington was
so called after the battle of
Waterloo.
Savoy Conference.
A conference of bishops of
the Church of England, held in
1 66 1, with the object of so
amending the liturgy as to per-
Q
226 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
mit of the Puritan party remain-
ing in the Church. It was, how-
ever, found impossible to arrive
at any acceptable middle course.
Savoy Confession.
A declaration of faith of the
Congregational Churches of
England, issued in 1658. It is
a modification of the West-
minster Confession.
Saxonicum Litus.
The ancient name of the coast
line of England, from the Wash
to Shoreham.
Scabini.
Judicial assessors, twelve in
number, chosen by the allodial
landowners, who accompanied
each Count to the general assem-
blies of the early French kings.
Scalds.
The bards of the ancient
Norsemen were so called.
Scandalum Magnatum.
The spreading of libellous
reports concerning peers, judges
or great officers of the State was
created an offence by a statute of
1275, which was repealed in
1887.
Schism.
After the Avignon Captivity
and the death of Gregory XI,
the cardinals, under pressure of
the Roman populace, elected as
Pope in 1378 a perfectly unfit
person, who took the name of
Urban VI. They endeavoured
to persuade him to resign, but
failing, elected Robert of Geneva,
who took the name of Clement
VII. The schism continued,
each Pope having a successor
appointed at his death, till at the
Council of Pisa, in 1409, both
were deposed, and a Franciscan
monk elected who took the
name of Alexander V. As
neither of the deposed Popes
would give way, there were now
three. Alexander was suc-
ceeded by Cossa, as John XXIII,
and finally the schism was ended
by the Council of Constance in
141 5, where all three Popes
were deposed, and Martin V, a
Colonna, was elected.
Schism Act.
An Act passed in 17 14, by
which all persons were forbidden
to keep schools or act as tutors,
who were not members of the
Church of England, and duly
licensed for the purpose by the
bishop. It was repealed in
1719.
Schism, Great.
The severance between the
Churches of the East and the
West, which became final in
1054, when the legates of Pope
Victor II laid the papal ana-
thema upon the altar of St.
Sophia of Constantinople.
Schleswig-Holstein Question.
By the Treaty of London of
1852 it was provided that the
succession to the Danish throne
was to be vested in Prince
Christian of Schleswig-Holstein,
but that the Duchies, one of
which, Holstein, was a German
Duchy, sending delegates to the
German Diet, should not be in-
corporated in the kingdom of
Denmark. The Danes, how-
ever, did not observe the com-
pact, and before the death of
Frederick VII of Denmark, in
1862, Schleswig had been made
practically a part of Denmark.
After the succession of Christian
IX, Austria and Prussia, finding
protests unavailing, entered the
Duchies, and, after a short
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 227
struggle, overwhelmed the Dan-
ish army. By the Treaty of
Gastein, signed in 1865, Schles-
wig was allotted to Prussia and
Holstein to Austria.
Schmalkald, Articles of.
A profession of the Lutheran
doctrine, similar to, but more
forcibly worded than, the Augs-
burg Confession, drawn up by
Luther at the request of John
Frederick of Saxony.
Schmalkald, League of.
A confederation of the
Lutheran Princes of Germany,
headed by the Elector of Saxony,
formed in 1530 to unite the
supporters of the Reformed
Religion against Charles V.
Schomburgk Line.
The line of demarcation be-
tween British Guiana and
Venezuela fixed by Sir Robert
Schomburgk in his of&cial survey
of the colony in 1840. The
Schomburgk Line was, with
unimportant exceptions, upheld
by the arbitrators in the
Venezuelan arbitration award
of 1899.
Schonbrunn, Proclamation of.
A proclamation of Napoleon
in 1805, declaring the deposition
of the Bourbons from the throne
of Naples.
Schonbrunn, Treaty of.
A treaty between France and
Prussia, signed in December
1805, by which Napoleon suc-
ceeded in detaching Prussia
from the coalition. Prussia
entered into an offensive and
defensive alliance with France,
and surrendered Anspach and
Neuchatel, receiving Hanover
in exchange.
Scots Plot.
See Queensberry Plot,
Scottish Solomon.
A sobriquet of James I of
England and VI of Scotland.
Scrutin d'Arrondissement.
A system of election by which
every Department is divided
into wards, or divisions, each
returning one member to the
Chamber of Deputies. It is the
system at present in force [in
France.
Scrutin de Liste.
A system of election in France
by which all the deputies for a
Department are elected en bloc.
It was in force in 1 848 and again
in 1 87 1, while an unsuccessful
attempt to reintroduce it was
made in 188 1. It is also the
system prevailing in Italy.
Scullabogue, Massacre of.
The massacre by the Irish
Rebels in 1798 of nearly 200
Protestant prisoners. They
were shut up in a barn, and
after the defeat of the rebels at
New Ross, the barn was fired
and they were burnt to death,
or piked as they attempted to
escape.
Scutage.
A money payment exacted
from knights in lieu of personal
service. The first instance of
it occurs in the reign of Henry II.
It enabled the king to hire
mercenaries for his foreign wars,
and to dispense with the services
of his barons, and came to be
regarded as a regular source of
revenue. The right of the
sovereign to exact it, however,
was greatly restricted by Magna
Charta. It was also known as
escuage.
228 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Sea-dogs.
English privateers in the early
days of Elizabeth, who preyed
on French commerce in the
Channel, sailing under letters of
marque granted by Conde and
the Huguenots. When the dif-
ferences between the Huguenots
and Catholics were adjusted and
the letters of marque with-
drawn, they joined the Dutch
" Beggars of the Sea " in their
raids upon the Spaniards.
Sealed Knot.
A small band of Royalists
formed as a secret committee to
manage the affairs of the party
in 1657. One of their number,
Willis, was in the pay of Crom-
well, who was thereby enabled
to counteract their numerous
plots for his destruction.
Secession, Ordinance of.
The declaration issued by
South Carolina in 1 860 dissolving
its union with the United States.
The other Southern States fol-
lowed with similar declarations.
Second Charlemagne.
A sobriquet of Charles V,
Emperor of Germany (1519-58)-
Second Washington.
Henry Clay, the American
statesman (1777-185 2), was so
called.
Secret Treaty.
A document published in the
Times of July 25, 1870, pur-
porting to be the text of a treaty
between France and Prussia,
containing the following pro-
visions : the recognition by
France of Prussia's acquisitions
in the war with Austria ; an
undertaking by Prussia to use
her influence with Holland to
secure Luxemburg for France,
and to aid France if she found
it necessary to undertake the
conquest of Belgium, providing
a force if required to resist any
foreign interference ; an under-
taking by France not to oppose
Prussia's designs for the uni-
fication of Germany. Whether
this treaty was ever signed or
not, there is little doubt that
proposals of this nature were
made to Bismarck by Benedetti,
Napoleon's minister at Berlin.
Sections, Journee des.
October 5, 1794, on which day
the troops of the Convention,
under Buonaparte, routed the
National Guard of the " Sec-
tions " of Paris and established
the rule of the Directoire, thus
marking the end of the Revolu-
tion.
Sects.
See Albigenses, Alumbrados,
Anabaptists, Arminians, Arya
Somaj, Assassins, Bianchi, Brah-
mo Somaj, Brownists, Calixtines,
Cameronians, Doppers, Duk-
hobors, Erastians, Fifth Monar-
chy Men, Flagellants, Hussites,
Iconoclasts, lUuminati, Indepen-
dents, Jansenists, Karmathians,
Latitudinarians, Levellers, Lol-
lards, Molokani, Moravians, Mor-
mons, Old Catholics, Quakers,
Quietists, Senussi, Shakers,
Shiah, Sikhs, Socinians,- Skoptsi,
Stundists, Sunni, Taborites,
Utraquists, Wahabis, Waldenses.
Secularization.
By a treaty concluded in 1803,
in the promotion of which
Napoleon took a prominent
part, the ecclesiastical States of
Germany, three of which, the
Sees of Mayence, Treves and
Cologne, were Electors to the
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 229
Imperial crown, were secularized
and distributed among the other
German States.
Securities Bill.
A Bill brought forward at the
instance of Charles II in 1679,
to provide for the succession of
James, who was a declared Roman
Cathohc. The Bill provided
that while a Catholic prince was
on the throne the right of
appointing to livings should be
withdrawn from him, and that
the appointment of all judges,
councillors, lords lieutenant
and officers of the fleet should be
in the hands of the two Houses
of Parliament. This Bill was
not considered sufficiently
stringent.
Security, Act of.
An Act passed by the Scottish
Parliament in 1703, declaring
that the successor of Queen
Anne in Scotland should not
be the same as in England,
unless free commercial inter-
course were secured between
the two countries.
Sedan, Man of.
A name bestowed on Napoleon
III after his surrender, with the
army of Macmahon, at Sedan in
September, 1870.
Self-denying Ordinance.
A resolution of the ParHament,
passed at the instance of Crom-
well, by which the members of
both Houses were made ineli-
gible for commands in the army.
Its object was to get rid of some
of the Parliamentary generals,
such as Manchester, Essex and
Waller, in as delicate a way as
possible. The resolution was at
first rejected by the Lords, but
was afterwards passed.
Selski Starosta.
The village elder or elected
head of a Russian mir, or village
community.
Semiramis of the North.
Margaret of Denmark (1387)
was so called. Voltaire also
gave this title to Catherine of
Russia (1729-96).
Sempach, Convention of.
A military ordinance promul-
gated in 1393 by the eight
federated cantons of S\vitzer-
land, together with Soleure,
making provision for the re-
pression of private war, brigand-
age and pillage.
Senussi.
A Mohammedan religious
fraternity founded at Fez by
Mohammed-es-Senussi about
1830. It has spread all over
Northern Africa, and is a power-
ful factor in uniting African
Mohammedanism.
September Convention.
A convention between France
and Italy, signed in 1864, by
which Louis Napoleon agreed
gradually to Avithdraw the
French troops from Rome, Victor
Emmanuel undertaking not to
violate the Pope's territory.
September Laws.
A series of laws restricting the
liberty of the Press, passed in
France in 1835.
September Massacres.
The massacre, after a mock
trial, of the priests, officials and
other Royalists confined in the
prisons of Paris between the
2nd and 6th of September, 1792.
About 1 ,000 prisoners are known
to have perished. The men
230 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
afterwards called the Septem-
briseurs.
Septembrists.
A section of the democratic
party of Portugal, during the
reign of Queen Maria, who in
September, 1836, demanded the
abrogation of the Charter of 1 826
and a return to the democratic
form of governmicnt established
by the Constitution of 1824, A
compromise between them and
the supporters of the Charter
was effected in 1852.
Septennial Act.
An Act passed in 17 16, pro-
longing the term of the then
existing Parliament from three
to seven years. It was intended
as a temporary measure, but has
never been repealed, and is the
Act under which Parliaments
are now held.
Serfs, Russian.
Prior to the emancipation of
the serfs by Alexander II. in
1 86 1, the Russian peasants
were serfs, either of the State, or
of a great landowner. The
State serfs were practically free,
with the exception that they
could not change their domicile,
but they were permitted, on
payment of a small fee, to leave
their villages, subject to the
due payment of their share of
the village taxes. The serfs of
the nobles were more like slaves.
Some of them were taken as
house servants, others remained
in the villages and rendered
certain services to the lord in
return for the land which he
surrendered to the village com-
mune. The house serfs were
practically chattels, and were
not infrequently sold.
Seringapatam, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1792 at the
close of the third Mysore War,
by which Tippu Sahib surren-
dered Dindigul, Baramahal and
Malabar, and agreed to pay a
war indemnity of three crores
of rupees to the British and
thirty lacs to the Mahratta States.
Serrar del Consiglio.
A measure passed in Venice in
1298 providing that no citizens
should be eligible for election to
the Grand Council except the
families of senators then in office.
The Government was thus estab-
lished on purely aristocratic
lines.
Servian Capitulation.
A treaty signed in 1375 be-
tween Mourad I, Sultan of
Turkey, and Lazar, Despot of
Servia, by which Servia acknow-
ledged the suzerainty of Turkey
and agreed to pay an annual
tribute.
Settled Lands Act.
An Act passed in 1882, intro-
duced by Lord Cairns, removing
many of the restrictions and
difficulties existing in dealing
with entailed estates.
Settlement, Act of, 1652.
An Act passed by Cromwell,
providing for the banishment of
all the ofiicers of the Catholic
army in Ireland, who, with their
followers, withdrew to the Con-
tinent, to the number of some
30,000 ; the confiscation of a
portion of the property of the
remaining Royalists, and the
distribution of their lands
among the English adventurers.
It further confined the Catholics
to the right bank of the Shannon.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 231
Settlement, Act of, 1661.
An Act passed after the Re-
storation, by which, and a sup-
plementary Act passed in 1665,
restitution was made to the
dispossessed Royalist officers
and some others, partly out of
lands which had not been
alienated by Cromwell, and
partly out of land surrendered,
to the extent of one-third of
their estates, by the adven-
turers. The majority of the
claims for compensation were
disregarded, with the result that
by far the larger part of Ireland
remained in Protestant hands.
This Act was repealed by the
Irish Parliament summoned by
James II in 1689.
Settlement, Act of, 1700.
The Act settling the succession
after the death of Queen Anne
upon the Electress Sophia of
Hanover and her descendants.
It provided for various limita-
tions of the royal prerogative ;
among its provisions being that
the sovereign should be a mem-
ber of the Church of England ;
that Great Britain should not
be called upon to defend any
territories not being British ter-
ritory, without the consent of
Parliament ; that the sovereign
should not quit the realm ; that
no person born out of the realm
should be capable of holding
office under the Crown, and that
no person holding office or en-
jo5n[ng a pension should sit in the
House of Commons.
Settlement, Law of.
A law passed in 1662, pro-
viding that a labourer not born
in the parish or resident therein
for forty days, might be removed
to the parish of his birth or for-
mer residence, on complaint of
the overseers that he was likely
to become chargeable to the
rates. The object was that each
parish should be compelled to
support its own paupers, under
the Poor Law of Elizabeth.
Settlement of India Act.
An Act passed in 1858, trans-
ferring to the Government of the
Queen all the territories hitherto
governed by the East India Com-
pany.
Seven Bishops, Petition of the.
A petition signed by the
Archbishop of Canterbury and
six bishops against the Declara-
tion of Indulgence of James II
in 1687. The bishops were
brought before the Council and
ordered to find bail, and on
refusing were committed to the
Tower.
Seven Cantons, League of the.
The Siebenkonkordat, a league
of the liberal Cantons, Lucerne,
Zurich, Berne, Soleure, St. Gall,
Aargau and Thurgau, formed in
1832, with the object of pro-
tecting the constitutions of these
Cantons and promoting Federal
reforms.
Seven Days Battle.
A series of battles fought
during the Peninsular Campaign
of the American Civil War, from
June 25 to July i, 1862, between
the Federals under McClellan and
the Confederates under Lee.
McClellan was driven back to the
James River.
Seven Days King.
Masaniello was so called after
his brief rule in Naples in 1647.
Seven Earls.
The dignitaries next in im
232 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
portance to the king in mediae-
val Scotland. In the time of
Alexander I they formed the
Council of the Kingdom, and
they claimed the right of ap-
pointing the king.
Seven Pillars.
The seven men chosen in 1639
by the Puritan colonists of New
Haven to organize the Govern-
ment of the colony. The most
prominent among them were
Eaton and Davenport.
Seven Points.
A document published in
1 87 1, purporting to be an agree-
ment between certain prominent
Conservatives and the delegates
of the Council of Skilled Work-
men, on the subject of social
reform. As the " points " in-
cluded a statutory eight hours'
day, free places of amusement
and full local self-government in
all towns and villages, it is not
surprising that the document
was repudiated by most of those
who were said to have signed it,
including Lords Salisbury, Lome
and Carnarvon.
Seven Weeks War.
The war between Prussia and
Austria in 1 866 is so called.
Seven Years War.
The war maintained by
Frederick the Great, with some
aid, chiefly naval and financial,
from England, against the com-
bined forces of France, Russia,
Austria, Sweden and Saxony.
It lasted from 1756 to 1763, but
early in 1762 Frederick succeeded
in detaching Russia from the
allies and received her aid till
the end of the struggle.
Seville, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1729 by
England, Spain and France, and
subsequently Holland, thus de-
taching Spain from the Austrian
alliance concluded by the Treaty
of Vienna of 1725. Spain re-
voked all the concessions made
to Austria under that instru-
ment, again confirmed the
Asiento, and in return received
the support of the other signa-
tories to the succession of Don
Carlos to the Duchies of Tuscany
and Parma.
Shakers.
A sect founded in England
about 1757 by a body of seceders
from the Quakers, under Ann
Lee, known as Mother Ann,
They emigrated to America in
1772, where they are found
chiefly in New York State.
Shays' Rebellion.
A rising in Massachusetts in
1786, headed by an ex-officer
named Daniel Shays, in oppo
sition to a decision of Congress
to apportion the National Debt
of the United States among the
various States of the Union. The
rising was quickly suppressed
by the militia, and the ring
leaders arrested.
Sheriff's Tourn.
The Hundred Court, when oc-
cupied with the View of Frank
pledge, was known by this name.
Sherman's March.
The famous march of General
Sherman during the American
Civil War from Atlanta to
Savannah, a distance of 300
miles, which he accomplished
in about a month, reaching
Savannah in December, 1864.
She- wolf of France.
Isabel, daughter of Philip the
Fair, and Queen of Edward II of
England, was so called.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 233
Sheyk-ul- Islam.
The chief of the Ulema of
Constantinople.
Shiah.
One of the two great Moham-
medan sects. It rejects the
Sunni, or body of tradition,
accepting the Koran only.
Shimonoseki, Treaty of.
A treaty, closing the Chino-
Japanese War, signed April 10,
1895. China agreed to cede to
Japan Formosa, the Pescadores
and the Liao-Tung Peninsula,
including Port Arthur, and to
pay an indemnity of 200 million
taels. However, Russia, France
and Germany intervened and
forced Japan to surrender the
Liao-Tung peninsula, receiving
as compensation an additional
, 30 million taels.
Shinto.
The ancient and also the State
religion of Japan. It is in its
origin a form of ancestor and
hero worship, but has been much
corrupted by the interweaving
of many of the grosser Budd-
histic superstitions.
Ship-money.
A tax imposed by Charles I
in 1634, first on the maritime
counties, but later on the whole
kingdom, ostensibly to protect
the country from the incursions
of the Algerine pirates and from
Dutch aggression, but in reality
to provide himself with funds
without having recourse to Par-
liament. It was in resisting the
payment of this tax that Hamp-
den first became prominent.
The House of Commons declared
it illegal in 1641, and at the same
time impeached the six judges
who had pronounced in favour
of the right of the Crown to
impose it.
Shogun.
The de facto ruler of Japan
prior to the Revolution of 1 868.
The title signifies Commander-
in-Chief, and his relations with
the Tenno or Mikado, the
legitimate sovereign of Japan,
were analogous to those of the
Maire du Palais and the Mero-
vingian Rois Faineants. The
title of Tycoon or Great Prince
was assumed by the Shogun to
impress the Western nations
with his dignity when diplo-
matic relations were first opened
with Japan. The title of
Shogun was first borne by
Minamoto-no-Yoritomo in 11 92.
Short Parliament.
A Parliament summoned by
Charles I in 1640 in the hope of
obtaining supplies to meet the
threatened renewal of hostilities
with Scotland. The Parliament
met on April 13, but finding it
more intent on the redress of
grievances than on the grant of
supplies, Charles dissolved it on
May 5 following.
Short-lived Administration.
The name given to the
Ministry formed by William
Pulteney, Earl of Bath, in
February, 1746. It held office
for two days only.
Sicilian Vespers.
A rising in Sicily in 1282,
when the adherents of Don
Pedro of Aragon, a claimant to
the Sicilian throne, annihilated
the French garrison of his rival
Charles of Anjou. The first
outbreak took place at Palermo,
and the insurrection spread
rapidly through the island till
234 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
not a Frenchman was left alive
in Sicily.
Sick Man of the East.
A phrase commonly applied
to the Turkish Empire. It was
first used in its present form by
Nicholas I of Russia in 1854, but
Montesquieu (1689-175 5) in the
Lettres Persanes speaks of the
Ottoman Empire as " Ce corps
malade" (This sickly body).
Siebenkonkordat.
See Seven Cantons.
Siete Partidas.
The famous code of laws com-
piled by Alfonso (surnamed the
Wise), of Leon and Castille
(1252-82). The code became
the basis of the law of Spain.
Sieve Oultagh.
The name given to the head
of the Whiteboys, an Irish Secret
Society in Munster in 1761.
Silent, The.
The sobriquet of William I,
Prince of Orange (1533-84).
Silk Riots.
An outbreak of the Spital-
fields weavers in 1765 owing to
their disappointment at the
rejection of a Bill prohibiting
the importation of foreign silks.
They were, after serious rioting,
quieted by the promise that the
Bill would be reintroduced.
Silly Billy.
A nickname of William IV.
Silver Coinage Act.
An Act of Congress, passed in
1890, by which the Treasury is
obliged to purchase ,four and a
half million ounces of silver
monthly at market price, such
price not to exceed 37 1|- grains
of silver per dollar.
Sikhs.
A religious sect in Northern
India, founded in the sixteenth
century by Babu Nanak. They
profess a reformed form of
Hinduism, rejecting caste and
various Brahminical supersti-
tions. Under Govind Rai,
towards the end of the seven-
teenth century, they formed a
strong military organization,
which reached its zenith under
Ranjit Singh early in the nine-
teenth century. Their power
was finally crushed by the
British in 185 1.
Sikkim Treaty.
A treaty between Great
Britain and China, signed in
1 890, by which China recognized
the British rights in Sikkim.
Simla Manifesto.
A proclamation issued by
Lord Auckland in 1838 setting
out the British policy with
regard to Afghanistan. It de-
clared that Dost Mahomed and
his brother had shown them-
selves unfriendly to England by
supporting the Persian designs
on Herat and by attacking
Ranjit Singh. That in conse-
quence the British Government
had decided to support the
claim of Shah Sujah-ul-Mulk to
the throne of Afghanistan and
maintain him thereon by force
if necessary.
Simple Repeal.
A controversy in the Irish
Parliament, which arose in 1782
immediately after the establish-
ment of Grattan's Parliament.
A party headed by Flood held
that the abnegation by Eng-
land of her former legislative
control was not sufficient, as she
might at any time re-enact the
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 235
obnoxious controlling laws. He
held that England should ex-
pressly renounce all controlling
rights. Grattan held that the
repeal of these enactments was
sufi&cient, and carried Parlia-
ment with him, but the masses
continued to hold the opposite
opinion,
Sindhia.
The title of the Mahratta
rulers of Gwalior.
Sinope, Massacre of.
The destruction of a Turkish
squadron by the Russian fleet at
Sinope in 1853. It seems clear
that no quarter was given, and
it is said that of the crews of
nine Turkish men-of-war only
400 survived, almost all of
whom were wounded.
Sirji Arjengam, Treaty of.
A treaty between the British
and Daulat Rao Sindhia of
Gwalior, signed in 1803 at the
close of the second Mahratta
War. Sindhia ceded to the
British all his territory between
the Jumna and the Ganges, all
north of Jeypur, Jodhpur and
Gohad, and all between Adjanta
Ghat and the Godaveri, together
with the town and district of
Sistova, Treaty of.
A treaty between Austria,
Prussia, and Turkey, signed in
1 79 1, by which Leopold of
Austria surrendered all his con-
quests, in consequence of the
mediation of Prussia and
England. By a separate con-
vention the Porte agreed to
cede to Austria Old Orsova and
a small district in Croatia.
Sitvatorok, Treaty of.
A treaty between Austria and
the Porte, signed in 1607. The
Porte abandoned the tribute
hitherto paid by Austria, recog-
nized the Austrian Sovereign as
Emperor, instead of only King
of Vienna, as the Turks had
hitherto styled him, and agreed
that the future diplomatic inter-
course should be carried on on a
footing of equality between the
two nations. This treaty may
be said to mark the turning
■-point in the fortunes of the
Ottoman Empire.
Six Acts.
A series of enactments passed
in the autumn session of 18 19 to
strengthen the law against sedi-
tion, in view of the numerous
risings of the past few years.
They were as follows : (i) An
Act to prevent delay in the ad-
ministration of justice ; (2) an
Act to prevent the training of
persons in the use of arms ; (3)
an Act for the prevention of
blasphemy and seditious Ubel ;
(4) an Act authorizing Justices
of the Peace to seize and retain
arms ; (5) an Act subjecting
certain publications to the news-
paper stamp duty ; and (6) an
Act to prevent seditious assem-
blies.
Six Articles, Act of the.
An Act passed in 1539, at the
instance of the Anti-Reformers
headed by Norfolk, by which the
acceptance of six cardinal ar-
ticles of the Catholic faith was
made obhgatory under heavy
penalties. It was repealed by
an Act passed in 1547, on the
accession of Edward VI.
Six Circles.
By a decree of the Diet of
Augsburg in 1500, Germany was
divided into six circles — Bavaria,
236 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Franconia, The Rhine, Saxony,
Suabia and Westphalia.
Six Cities, League of the.
A league formed in 1346 by
the German towns of Baut-
zen, Gorlitz, Kamenz, Lauban,
Lobau and Zittau for mutual
protection against the maraud-
ing barons.
Six Edicts.
A series of edicts of a liberal
character issued by Turgot, the
minister of Louis XVI in 1776.
They provided for the suppres-
sion of ( I ) the Caisse de Poissy ;
(2) duties on grain in the mar-
kets ; (3) harbour dues ; (4)
statutes of apprenticeship and
incorporation ; (5) the corvee,
and for (6) the diminution of
market dues. They met with
much opposition, and were not
registered without recourse to a
Lit de Justice.while they eventu-
ally led to Turgot's downfall.
Six Nations.
The five tribes of North
American Indians kno^vn as the
Five Nations admitted into their
confederacy, in 17 15, the Tus-
caroras, and were afterwards
known as the Six Nations.
Sixpenny War.
The O.P. riots were so called,
as being caused by the decision
of the managers of Covent
Garden Theatre to raise the
prices by sixpence.
Sixteen.
A society formed about 1584
by the more violent partisans
of the League. It was so called
because its proceedings were di-
rected by a committee of sixteen,
each of whom took a district
of Paris under his special charge.
Sixteen, Council of.
A council provided by the
will of Henry VIII, to act as
regents until Edward VI came
of age. They were also called
the Executors.
Skanderbeg.
See Iskander Beg.
Skinners.
Bands of American marauders
who infested the east bank of
the Hudson during the American
War of Independence.
Skirmishing Fund.
The name given to a fund
raised by the Fenians about
1880, for the purpose of pro-
curing the commission of dyna-
mite outrages in England.
Skoptsi.
A Russian sect of schismatics,
who practise- self-mutilation.
They interpret the Scriptures
literally, and act on the injunc-
tion: " If thine eye offend thee,
pluck it out."
Skuptschina.
The Servian National As-
sembly.
Slachter's Nek, Insurrection of.
An insurrection of burghers
in the Graaf-Reinet district of
Cape Colony in 1815, arising out
of an attempt to bring a certain
Jan Bezuidenhoot to justice for
ill-treating a Kaffir. He and
his relations and neighbours
rose against the Government,
but were overpowered, after a
short resistance, at Slachter's
Nek, Bezuidenhoot fled, but
was killed by his pursuers a few
days later. Six of the leaders
were condemned to death, but
at the execution four of the
ropes broke. Notwithstanding
the remonstrances of the spec-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 237
tators, who considered this
to be a Divine intimation of
their innocence, the sentence
was duly carried out. This
execution is still looked upon
by the Dutch as one of the crimes
of the British Government.
Slave Kings.
The third Dynasty of the
Mohammedan Kings of India,
founded by Kutb-ud-Din, the
favourite slave of Mohammed
of Ghor, who ruled as Moham-
med's viceroy from 1186 to
1206, and on his master's death,
without issue, ascended the
throne. The dynasty lasted
till 1288.
Slave Trade.
The trade in slaves was made
a felony by an Act passed
in 1807. The Act abolishing
slavery in the British Domin-
ions, known as the Emancipa-
tion Act, was not passed till
1833.
Slavery.
See Abolitionists, Anti-Sla-
very, Compromise Act, Dred
Scott, Emancipation, Freesoil-
ers, Fugitive, Harper's Ferry,
Kansas, Missouri Compromise,
Squatter Sovereignty, Under-
ground Railroad, Wilmot Pro-
viso.
Slavophils.
A band of educated Musco-
vites who led the reaction
against the indiscriminate adop-
tion of Western ideas, and the
abandonment of ancient Russian
customs. They were especially
active about the period of the
emancipation of the serfs in
1 861, when the village com-
munal system was threatened
by the reforming party.
Sliding Scale.
A system of graduated duties
on imported corn, based upon
the prices ruling for home-grown
wheat, first adopted in the Corn
Law of 1804.
Smithfield, Treaty of.
A treaty between the Orange
Free State and Moshesh, para-
mount chief of the Basutos
signed in 1855. It was de-
signed to prevent friction be-
tween the Basutos and the
farmers living along their bor-
ders, but Moshesh clearly had
no intention of observing its
provisions, and took no trouble
to enforce them on his subjects.
Snow King.
A nickname given by the
Viennese to Gustavus Adolphus
of Sweden (161 1-32).
Snow Queen.
A sobriquet of Christina,
Queen of Sweden (1633-54).
Sobranje.
The Bulgarian National As-
sembly.
Societies, Secret.
See Alumbrados, Barn-burn-
ers, Boxers, Burschenschaft,
Camorra, Carbonari, Clan-na-
Gael, Consistoriali, Danites,
Fenians, Gran Reunion, Great
Triad, Hintchak, Human
Leopards, lUuminati, Invin-
cibles, Ku Klux, Lautaro,
Levellers, Mafia, Molly Ma-
guires. Moonlighters, Mutual-
ists. Nihilists, Oakboys, Omla-
dina, Orangemen, Patrons of
Husbandry, Philike Hetairia,
Ribbonism, Right, Rock, Sai-
sons, Sanfedisti.
Socinians.
A sect founded by L^lius
238 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Socinus in 1560, which num-
bered many adherents in Poland.
Their doctrines were similar to
those of the modern Unitarians.
In 1658 they were proscribed
by the Diet of Warsaw, and the
sect gradually faded out of
existence.
Soft-shell Democrats.
The anti-slavery section of the
Democratic party in New York
from 1848 to 1854,
Soissons, Constitution of.
The earliest existing French
edict. It had reference to the
preservation of the public peace,
and required the consent of the
great feudal lords, who swore to
obey it.
Sokmen.
In Saxon times, freemen who
owed suit to the Lord's court, or
Sok.
Soldiers' Battle.
The Battle of Inkerman is so
called, as having been for the
most part a series of detached
combats, in which regiments
were broken up and officers
separated from their men, owing
to the dense fog that prevailed.
Solemn League and Covenant.
'.;i|An agreement between Scot-
land and the Long Parliament
in 1643, by which the former
undertook to join forces -with
the Parliament against Charles I,
on condition that the Oath of
the Covenant was taken by the
English.
Solid South.
A phrase used to express the
consistency of the Southern
States of America in their sup-
port of the Democratic Party.
It appears to have been first
applied during the presidential
campaign of 1876. In 1896
the Solid South showed signs
of breaking up, four Southern
States being carried by the
Republicans.
Solidite.
A system of taxation in
France in the seventeenth cen-
tury, by which a peasant was
held responsible for the taxes
of his neighbours, though he
might himself have paid all that
was due from him.
Solomon of France.
A sobriquet of Louis IX of
France (1226-70).
Son of the Last Man.
The title given by the Parlia-
mentarians to Charles II, after
the execution of his father.
Charles I, was styled the Last
Man, as implying that he was
the last who would sit on the
English throne.
Sonderbund.
See Sarnen, League of.
Sons of Liberty.
A society of Americans, pled-
ged to work for liberty in the
American colonies, which was
founded in New York in 1765.
It derived its name from a
phrase used by Isaac Barre,
in a speech in the House of
Commons during the debate
on the Stamp Bill in 1765. The
last achievement of the Society
was the convening of the Conti-
nental Congress in 1774.
Sonthal Revolt.
A rising of the Sonthal hill-
men in India in 1855, due to
dislike of the procedure of the
courts of justice in enforcing
the claims of Bengali money-
lenders. They raided the
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 239
European stations, and were
not subdued without consider-
able difficulty.
Sound Dues.
A tax payable to Denmark
by all foreign ships entering or
quitting the Baltic. It was
abolished in 1857.
South Sea Bubble.
A scheme professedly for
trading to the Pacific, originally
launched in 171 1, In 1720 Sir
John Blount, one of the direc-
tors, negotiated an arrangement
^\dth the Government, by which
the Company took over the
National Debt, amounting to
some sixteen millions, the
Government paying a lower
rate of interest than they had
been pa^dng to the annuitants.
The Company then persuaded
the holders of Government
Annuities to exchange them for
Shares in the Company. The
plan was fairly successful, but
led to a wild inflation in the
value of the shares, and in the
subsequent collapse thousands
were ruined.
Southampton, Treaty of.
A treaty of alliance between
England and Holland, signed
in 1625, pledging the contracting
parties to support each other
against Spain, so long as she
occupied any part of the Pala-
tinate, England, however, re-
served to herself the right to
claim compensation from Hol-
land for the massacre of Am-
boyna.
Spanish Fury.
The name given to the sack
of Antwerp by the Spaniards
under Sancho d'Avila, in 1576.
It is estimated that over 7,000
of the inhabitants perished.
Spanish Main.
Properly the mainland be-
tween the mouth of the Orinoco
and the Isthmus of Panama,
but often improperly employed
to denote the Caribbean Sea.
Spanish Marriages.
The question of the marriage
of Isabella, the young Queen of
Spain, nearly led to a rupture
between England and Spain in
1846. Louis Philippe proposed
as her husband the Duke of
Cadiz, believing that such
marriage would prove unfruitful.
At the same time the Queen's
sister, the Infanta, was to be
married to the Due de Mont-
pensier, \vith the object of
eventually placing the Crown of
Spain on the head of a French
Prince. Palmerston proposed
that the second marriage should
be postponed until the Queen'
had issue, to which the King
feigned assent, but meanwhile
he and his minister, Guizot,
worked on the Queen Regent to
consent to the marriages taking
placing at once, and they were
duly solemnized, causing great
indignation in England.
Spanish Succession, War of the.
A war arising out of the
bequest of the Spanish Crown
to Phihp, Duke of Anjou, in
1700, by Charles II of Spain,
who had left no direct heir.
The Grand Alliance of England,
Holland and the Empire was
promptly formed to oppose this,
while Louis XIV supported his
grandson. Marlborough's cam-
paign in Flanders, and the over-
running of Spain by the Arch-
duke Charles followed, but in
171 3 Philip was recognized by
the AUies as King of Spain, and
the war ended.
240 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Specie Circular.
A circular issued by the
United States Treasury in 1836,
directing collectors of revenue to
accept nothing but coin in
payment of customs and other
dues. It caused the bank-
ruptcy of many well-known
American business houses.
Speenhamland Act.
The name given to a pro-
clamation issued in 1795 by the
magistrates of Buckingham-
shire and some other counties,
fixing the amount of outdoor
relief to be afforded according
to the price of wheat and the
number of children in the family.
The practical result in the
agricultural districts was the
substitution of relief for wages.
Spires, Diet of.
A diet of the German Em-
pire, held in 1529, which re-
pealed the Act of Toleration
passed at the previous Diet. The
Lutheran Party, headed by the
Elector of Saxony, the Margrave
of Brandenburg and the Land-
grave of Hesse, signed a protest
against the action of the Diet,
whence the reforming party
became known as Protestants.
Spurs, Battle of the.
This name is given to two
battles: (i) The Battle of
Courtrai, when the Flemings
defeated the French, July 11,
1302. It is said that 7,000
gilt spurs were picked up on the
field of battle ; (2 ) the Battle of
Guinegate, where Henry VIII
defeated the French, August 18,
1513. The name is derived
from the headlong flight of the
French cavalry.
Squadrone Volante.
A party under the leadership
of Tweeddale in the last Scottish
Parliament (1705), which at-
tempted to hold the balance
between the supporters and the
opponents of union with Eng-
land.
Squatter Sovereignty.
The principle of leaving the
slavery question to the decision
of the settlers, first applied
on the admission to the Union
as territories of the districts
acquired from Mexico in 1848.
It was afterwards extended, in
defiance of the Missouri Com-
promise, to Kansas and Ne-
braska in 1854.
Stabbing, Statute of.
An Act passed in the reign of
James I, by which, for the first
time in England, it was made
a capital offence to draw sword
or dagger on a man whose sword
was not drawn, if within six
months he died from wounds
thus received. The Act was
passed to put a stop to the con-
stant brawls between the English
courtiers and James' Scottish
followers.
Stalwarts.
A section of the Republican
Party in the United States, led
by Senator Conkling of New
York, who were opposed to
President Garfield in 1881 on
the question of Civil Service
Reform. Guiteau, the assassin
of Garfield, was a Stalwart, and
gave as his reason for the crime
that he could see no other way
to bring about a reunion of the
Republican Party.
Stamford, Statute of.
A statute of reform forced
upon Edward II by his nobles
in 1309. It renewed the first
Statute of Westminster, checked
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 241
the abuses of constables and
others exercising the royal au-
thority, and repealed certain
unauthorized taxes upon wool
and hides.
Stamp Act.
An Act passed in 1765, for
the purpose of raising revenue
from the colonies. It was even
more unpopular in America
than the American Customs Act,
and proved almost impossible
to enforce. It was repealed in
1766.
Standard, Battle of the.
The name given to the Battle
of Luton Moor, between the
English and the Scots in 11 38.
The standard displayed on this
occasion was that of St. Cuth-
bert of Durham, which was
always thought to secure vic-
tory.
Stannaries.
The tin mines of Cornwall
are so called. Their adminis-
tration is in the hands of the
Warden of the Stannaries, an
official of the Duchy of Corn-
wall. The Stannaries are
technically the property of the
Crown, and are worked under
Royal License.
Staple.
A term apphed to the chief
products of England, and also
to certain towns in Flanders
where alone these commodities
were permitted to be sold.
These transactions were carried
out under the surveillance of
Government officers, and it was
obligatory on the vendor to
bring back a certain proportion
of the proceeds of the sale in
coin. Edward III, however,
named nine English towns as
the Staple towns, and made it a
penal offence for an Englishman
to carry any of the staple
commodities beyond the seas.
Staples, Statute of.
A statute of 1353, regulating
foreign trade and the privileges
of the Merchant Guild.
Star Chamber, Court of.
A court established by Henry
VII in 1487, to check the power
of the great feudal houses by the
suppression of maintenance,
which, by providing them with
large bodies of armed retainers,
enabled the more powerful
nobles to foment disturbances
and insurrections. Later the
Star Chamber became an instru-
ment in the hands of the Sove-
reign for the suppression of free
speech, and its arbitrary and
corrupt decisions became notori-
ous. It was abolished by Act of
Parliament in 1641.
Star of the North.
A name given to Gustavus
Adolphus of Sweden by the
German Protestants during the
Thirty Years War.
Stars and Stripes.
The flag of the United States.
It consists of thirteen stripes,
being the number of the original
States of the Union, and a num-
ber of stars equal to the number
of States in the Union for the
time being, an additional star
being added for eacn State
admitted.
Start, The.
An excursion of Charles II
into the Highlands in 1650, with
the object of escaping from the
Scottish Presbyterians, of whose
loyalty he was somewhat doubt-
ful, and also of raising a force
in the Highlands to support
R
242 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
him, in which he was entirely-
unsuccessful.
States-General (France).
An assembly of the three
estates of the realm, nobles,
clergy and commoners, first
summoned in 1 302 by Philip the
Fair.
States-General (Netherlands).
The general congress of the
estates of the various prov-
inces forming the Netherlands.
Its chief business was financial,
as through it alone could
the Sovereign legally obtain
supplies.
States' Rights.
A political doctrine in the
United States, which maintains
that the Federal State is not a
sovereign state, but that its
acts require ratification by the
individual States forming the
Union, who are thus at liberty
to disregard its enactments if
they consider them unconstitu-
tional. Thus South Carolina,
in 1832, " nullified " an Act of
Congress relating to import
duties, and the doctrine was
held in i860 to justify the
secession of the Southern States
Status quo ante.
A term used to express the
return after a war to the position
occupied by the belligerents
before the war broke out.
Statutes.
See Apparel, Apprentices, Car-
lisle, Donis, Drogheda, Fines,
Haeretico, Kilkenny, Labourers,
Liveries, Mercatoribus, Prge-
munire, Provisors, Quia Emp-
tores.Rhudlann, Stabbing, Stam-
ford, Staples, Submission, Tal-
lagio, Treason, Uses, Wales,
Westminster, Wills, Winchester.
Steelboys.
An Irish agrarian society,
formed in 1772 in Down and
Antrim, chiefly on the estates
of the Marquis of Donegal,
where there had been wholesale
evictions. Very serious out-
rages were perpetrated, and it
was found necessary to try
prisoners in Dublin.
Steelyard, Merchants of the.
A guild of German merchants
established in England in the
fourteenth century. They were
formed into a guild in order
that they might be kept under
Government supervision.
Stellaland.
A republic in South Africa,
formed by a party of Boer
adventurers who had supported
Massouw, a Battapin chief,
against Mankoroane, in 1882.
Two years later it was annexed
by Great Britain, and incorpor-
ated in British Bechuanaland.
Stockenstrom Treaties.
A series of treaties made by
Sir Andries Stockenstrom with
the Gaika and Fingo chiefs in
1836, after the sixth Kaffir war,
by which the boundaries were
fixed between British territory
and the Kaffir country.
Stockholm, Treaty of, 17 19.
A treaty between Great
Britain and Sweden, by which
Sweden surrendered the Duchies
of Bremen and Verden to
George I, in return for a pay-
ment of one million rix-doUars.
Stockholm, Treaty of, 18 12.
A treaty between Great
Britain, Sweden and Russia,
whereby Sweden undertook to
provide 30,000 men to act with
the Russian troops against
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 243
Napoleon. Great Britain en-
gaged to pay Sweden a subsidy
of one million sterling annually,
to cede to her Guadeloupe,
receiving in return certain com-
mercial privileges, and to accede
to the convention between
Sweden and Russia, relative
to the cession of Norway to the
former Power.
Stockholm, Treaty of, 1855.
A treaty signed by Great
Britain, France, Norway and
Sweden, by which Sweden un-
dertook not to cede or make
any grants of pasturage, fishery
or any other rights to Russia,
Great Britain and France agree-
ing to guarantee Sweden from
Russian aggression.
Stolbova, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and
Sweden, signed in 1617, after
the successful campaign of Gus-
tavus Adolphus, By this
instrument Sweden retained
possession of Ingermanland,
Karelia and part of Livonia,
restoring to Russia the rest of
her conquests.
Stonewall Jackson.
A nickname given to Thomas
J. Jackson, the Confederate
General, during the American
Civil War.
Storthing.
The Norwegian Parliament.
On first assembling, one-fourth
of the members of the Storthing
are chosen to form an Upper
House, known as the Lagthing,
the remaining three-fourths
forming the Lower House, or
Odalsthing. In the event of the
Lagthing twice rejecting a Bill
sent up by the Odalsthing, the
two houses sit together.
Stranniki.
A sect of ascetics in Russia,
which sprang up in the reign of
Catherine II. They believe the
Czar to be Antichrist, and are
opposed to military service, the
payment of taxes, and any
recognition of secular authority.
Strasburg, Oath of.
The oath of mutual fidelity
taken by Louis and Charles,
sons of Louis the Debonnaire,
and their followers, at Stras-
burg, in 841.
Strelitzi.
A body of regular infantry
established, to repel the Tartar
incursions, by Ivan IV (The
Terrible), circ. 1535. They
were disbanded and many of
them killed by Peter the Great
after their rebellion in 1698.
Strelitzi, Conspiracy of the.
A conspiracy of Sophia, half
sister of Peter the Great, aided
by the Strelitzi, to murder Peter,
and rule the State in the name
of her imbecile brother Ivan,
in 1689. Peter was warned,
seized Sophia, and shut her up
in a convent.
Strongbow.
A nickname of Richard de
Clare, Count of Strigul, who
became King of Leinster in
1 170, in succession to Dermot,
his father-in-law.
Stundists.
A Russian dissenting sect,
who object to the ikon-worship
of the Orthodox Church.
Sturm und Drang Zeit.
The end of the eighteenth
century, when the French Revo-
lution had rendered many think-
ing men discontented with exist-
ing institutions, was known in
244 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Germany as the period of
Storm and Stress.
Suabian League.
A league of the cities of
Suabia formed in 1376, for
mutual defence against the
depredations of the Counts of
Wurtemberg.
Subinfeudation.
The practice of making grants
of land by the holders of here-
ditary fiefs to sub-vassals, to be
held on terms similar to those
on which the grantor held from
his overlord. This is the real
origin of the feudal system in its
fullest development.
Submission of the Clergy, Statute
of.
A Statute passed in 1534,
embodying an agreement forced
upon Convocation by Henry
VIII in 1532. It enacted that
no new canons should be issued
without the royal sanction, and
that the power of summoning
Convocation should be vested
in the King, who should also be
entitled to appoint commis-
sioners to revise the Canon Law.
Subsidiary System.
A system introduced by War-
ren Hastings in his dealings with
Oude, and extended by the
Marquis of Wellesley. Under
this system native states ac-
knowledged the paramountcy of
the British Government, which
in return guaranteed their in-
tegrity and independence. They
were bound not to make war
without the consent of the
Government, and undertook to
maintain a force to be at the
Government's disposal when
required.
Subsidy.
A tax imposed by Parliament
in the reign of Charles I to meet
the King's demands for money.
It amounted to 4s. in the £ on
real property, and 2s. 8d. in
the £ on personalty, aliens and
Popish recusants paying double.
Succession, Act of, 1534.
An Act declaring Henry
VIII's marriage with Catherine
of Aragon null and void, and
setting the succession on the
issue of his second marriage,
with Anne Boleyn.
Succession Act, 1701.
An Act restricting in certain
directions the royal prerogative,
and setthng the succession upon
the Electress Sophia of Han-
over. One of its clauses forbade
the sovereign to leave the king-
dom, but it was repealed in
1 7 16, at the instance of George I,
to enable him to visit Jiis king-
dom of Hanover.
Sucker State.
A name derisively applied to
the State of Illinois, U.S.A.,
by the inhabitants of other
Western States.
Sudras.
The fourth or servile caste
of the Hindus.
Suez Canal Treaty.
A treaty between England
and France, signed in 1887,
guaranteeing the neutrality of
the Suez Canal. The Canal is
to be at all times free to the
ships of all nations, but in war
time no belligerent is to be
permitted to land troops or
munitions of war in the Canal
or its ports of access. The
Khedive is charged with the
carrying out of these stipula-
tions. Practically all the Powers
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 245
concerned have given their ad-
hesion to this instrument.
Sunni.
One of the two great Moham-
medan sects. They accept the
Sunna, a collection of laws and
precepts, as well as the Koran.
Supplicants.
Those who signed the Suppli-
cation against the use of Arch-
bishop Laud's Service Book in
1637. In 1638, the Supplicants
having signed the Covenant,
became known as the Coven-
anters.
Supplication of William of
Orange.
A letter addressed to Philip
of Spain by William of Orange
and the Estates of Holland and
Zeeland in 1573, demanding the
restoration of their privileges,
and the recall of the Duke of
Alva.
Suppression of Papacy, Act for
the.
One of the Irish Penal Laws,
passed in 1704. It provided
that no Catholic could be a
guardian or trustee, take land
on a longer lease than thirty-
one years, or inherit land if
there were a Protestant heir
living. It forbade Cathohcs
settling in Galway or Limerick.
The Act was in fact a deliberate
attempt to bribe the younger
generation of Catholics into
apostasy.
Supremacy, Act of.
An Act passed in 1534, con-
ferring on Henry VIII the title
of Supreme Head of the Church
of England. It was made high
treason to question the title.
The provisions of this Act as to
treason were repealed in the
reign of Edward VI, and re-
enacted under Elizabeth.
Surat, Treaty of.
A treaty between the British
and Raghoba, signed in 1775,
by which it was agreed to sup-
port Raghoba for the ofi&ce of
Peshwa, in return for the
cession of Salsette and Bassein.
Suspects, Loi des.
A law passed by the French
Convention in 1793, declaring
suspect: (i) aU persons who had
shown themselves enemies of
liberty; (2) aU w^ho could not
show that they had regular
means of livelihood; (3) those
who refused to take out certi-
ficates of civism; (4) all sus-
pended pubUc functionaries;
(5) ci-devant nobles and their
families; and (6) emigres. All
such persons were to be arrested,
and kept in confinement at
their own expense.
Suttee.
The ancient Hindu custom
of burning the widow on the
pyre with her deceased hus-
band's body. It was put down
during the Viceroyalty of
Lord Dalhousie, circ. 1856.
Swainmote.
In early Norman times the
court of the forest freemen was
so called. It was arranged
on the lines of the Shiremote, or
County Court.
Swaziland Convention, 1890.
A convention between Great
Britain and the Transvaal,
agreeing to preserve the inde-
pendence of Swaziland, and to
appoint a committee of three
persons, one each to be named
by the contracting parties and
one by the Swazis, to rule the
246 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
white residents. It was further
stipulated that the Transvaal
might acquire a railway belt
through Swaziland, and thence
through Amatongaland to the
sea.
Swaziland Convention, 1893.
A convention between Great
Britain and the Transvaal, by
which it was agreed that, sub-
ject to the consent of the Queen
Regent of the Swazis, Swaziland
should be under the protection
of the Transvaal. All British
subjects in Swaziland were to
be at once admitted to full
burgher rights in the South
African Republic. No railway
was to be built beyond the
eastern frontier, without the
consent of Great Britain.
Swaziland Convention, 1895.
The Queen of Swaziland
having refused her consent to
the Convention of 1893, a
further convention was made
similar to that of 1893, but
omitting the clause requiring
the Queen's consent.
Swing, Captain.
See Barn-burners.
Sword in Hand Address.
An address presented to
Queen Anne, in 17 13, by the
Highland Chiefs who had been
the recipients of her gift of
money, which they seem to have
looked upon as payment for
services rendered to the Stuart
cause. In the address they refer
to the sacred house of Stuart,
and express the hope that in
the Queen's successor they may
find one who shall obtain " both
the hereditary and the parlia-
mentary sanction."
Szatmar, Peace of.
The peace concluded in 171 1,
after Rakoczy's Rebellion. Aus-
tria granted the Magyars a
complete amnesty, restoration
of all forfeited property, and the
free exercise of the Protestant
religion.
Szegedin, Peace of.
The peace which ended in
1444 the invasion of the Turkish
dominions by Hunyadi Janos of
Hungary, and George, Despot
of Servia, who penetrated as far
as the Balkans. The Sultan
Amurath restored Servia to
George, against payment of a
tribute of half the revenue of
the State, and placed Wallachia
under the protection of Hun-
gary.
Szell Formula.
See Ausgleich.
Taal.
The corrupt form of Dutch
spoken in the Dutch portions of
South Africa. Its corruption
is due principally to the large
proportion of foreigners among
the early immigrants, and to
their intercourse with the native
Tables, The.
A board or committee estab-
lished in Scotland in 1637,
chosen by the Supplicants with
the object of bringing about an
agreement between Archbishop
Laud and the Presbyterians.
It consisted of four members of
each of the four classes : nobles,
lesser barons, burgesses and
clergy.
Taborites.
The Hussites under John
Zisca were so called, from the
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 247
name he gave their stronghold —
Tabor, a camp or tent.
Tackers.
A section of the extreme
Tories in 1704, who were anxious
to secure the passage of the
Occasional Conformity Bill
through the Lords by tacking
it on to the Land Tax Bill,
which the Lords could not reject
without stopping supplies. They
were unsuccessful, however, in
carrying their point.
Taeping Rebellion.
A rebelhon under Hung Hsiu
Chwan, which broke out in the
province of Canton in 1851.
The rebels marched northward,
and after capturing Nanking,
established their headquarters
there in 1853. They then in-
vaded Honan, Shansi and Chihli,
but were driven back. They
held out, however, against the
Imperial troops until 1864, when
Nanking was captured by Gene-
ral Gordon, and the rebellion
was finally suppressed in the
following year,
Tafna, Treaty of.
A treaty between the French
and Abd-el-Kader, the Algerian
chief, signed in 1847, and as-
suring the French domination
in Algeria.
Tahiti Question.
A serious difficulty which
arose between Great Britain
and France in 1844, owing to
the action of the French in
arresting Mr. Pritchard, a mis-
sionary, who was the British
Consul in Tahiti, and was very
obnoxious to the Roman Catho-
lics. He was only released on
his undertaking to leave the
Pacific. Great indignation was
felt in England at this outrage,
but after lengthy negotiations
the matter was smoothed over,
and compensation given to
Mr. Pritchard.
Taille.
A tax levied in France on the
produce of the soil, paid exclu-
sively by the cultivator, the
landowner being exempt. It
was aboHshed in 1791.
Taille.
A method of warfare intro-
duced by the Archbishop of
Bordeaux in 1228, in his attempt
to bring to terms Count Ray-
mond of Toulouse. It con-
sisted in the systematic cutting
down of vines and fruit trees,
and the destruction of houses
and enclosures.
Tallage.
That portion of the feudal
dues levied by the Norman
Kings which was paid by the
towns. Its arbitrary exaction
was held to be illegal in the
reign of Edward I.
Tallagio non Concedendo, Statute
de.
A Statute passed in 1297,
declaring the exaction of tal-
lages illegal.
Talukdar.
An hereditary contractor for
land revenue in Oude. The
Talukdar collected rents over
a certain district, and paid the
taxes for the district to the
Government. He often had no
proprietary right whatever in
the land. By the new land
system introduced into Oude
by Lord Dalhousie in 1856,
under which the British Govern-
ment entered into direct rela-
tions with the villages, most of
the Talukdars were dispossessed.
248 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
and much discontent was occa-
sioned thereby.
Tammany Ring.
The Democratic party in
New York City, who have for
years kept the absolute control
of public affairs in the city.
As a party organization it grew
out of the Tammany Society,
an organization founded in 1805,
ostensibly as a charitable insti-
tution, and for the promotion
of an extended franchise. In
1 87 1 the connexion of its leaders
with the notorious Erie Ring
led to a crusade against the
party, headed by the New York
Times, and an inquiry disclosed
wholesale jobbery and corrup-
tion in the administration. As
a consequence Tammany was
totally defeated at the polls in
1872, but returned to of&ce at
the following election, and re-
mained in power until 1902,
when they were again driven
from office.
Tamworth Manifesto.
A statement of policy issued
by Sir Robert Peel in 1835,
after the dismissal of the Mel-
bourne Ministry. It promised
considerable concessions to the
Dissenters, and was in many
respects a departure from the
old Toryism, and a recognition
of the necessity for reform along
cautious lines. Those who fol-
lowed Sir Robert Peel in his
new departure were known as
Peelites.
Tanistry.
The ancient law of succession
in Ireland, by which the chief-
tainship of a sept descended
to the eldest and most worthy
of the same blood.
Targowitz, Confederation of.
A confederation of Polish
nobles formed in 1792, under
the auspices of Catherine of
Russia, to oppose the new con-
stitution established in 1791,
and to promote a return to the
old order of things. They com-
pelled Stanislas Augustus to
give way and abrogate the 1791
constitution.
Tartar Invasion.
The invasion of Russia by
the Tartars under Genghis Khan
in 1237. They overran Russia
up to the Carpathians, burning
the chief towns, and carrying
off the inhabitants as slaves.
After subjugating the country,
the Tartars contented them-
selves with demanding an oath
of allegiance and a tribute from
the Russian Princes, allowing
the free exercise of the Christian
religion, and interfering in no
way with the institutions and
customs of the country.
Tattooed Man.
A nickname of James G.
Blaine, derived from a political
caricature, in which he was re-
presented as Phryne before
her judges, tattooed with the
names of the various scandals
with which his name had been
connected.
Tchinovniks.
The holders of Russian official
appointments. They are mainly
drawn from the ranks of the
nobles and the clergy, and in
particular from certain noble
families, who may be said to be
the real rulers of Russia. There
are fourteen classes of officials ,
which classes are called
" Tchins." Every official, what-
ever his birth, has to enter in
the lowest Tchin, and promotion
is nominally by merit only.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 249
Tea- Party.
The Boston tea riots are so
called.
Tea-room Party.
A party of advanced Radicals
who opposed Mr. Gladstone's
amendment to Lord Derby's
Reform Bill of 1867. This
amendment would have re-
stricted the borough franchise
to those occupiers whose nam.es
were on the rate book, but would
have drawn a line of value
below which no house should be
rated. This small party not
only defeated Mr. Gladstone,
but succeeded in forcing upon
the Government household fran-
chise pure and simple.
Temperance, Apostle of.
The name given to Father
Mathew, the Irish Temperance
advocate, circ. 1838.
Templars, Knights.
An order of knighthood estab-
lished in Palestine in 11 18, and
confirmed by Honorius II in
1 128. Its functions were the
protection of pilgrims to the
Holy Sepulchre, and its head-
quarters were on the site of
Solomon's Temple. During the
thirteenth century, the order,
which had become very power-
ful, and spread widely over
Europe, was accused of heresy
and other crimes, and was pro-
scribed by Clement V in 13 12,
and its property confiscated.
Ten Articles.
A profession of the Protestant
Doctrine as then held in England
drawn up by a Convocation held
in 1536, and based upon the
Confession of Augsburg.
Ten, Council of.
The Supreme Council of
Venice, established in 13 10. It
really consisted of seventeen
members, as to the ten were
added the Doge and his six
councillors. It controlled the
magistracy and the senate, and
had charge of the foreign rela-
tions of the Republic. It is,
however, best known as an arbi-
trary secret tribunal, trying
and condemning for all classes
of offences against the laws and
the State, without appeal.
Ten Jurisdictions, League of the.
A league formed in the eastern
part of Rhaetia in 1436, in the
territories of the Counts of
Toggenburg. It afterwards
amalgamated with the Grau-
bund and the Gotteshausbund.
Ten Minutes Bill.
The Reform Bill of 1867, as
first introduced, is so called.
At a Cabinet Council held on the
day that Mr. Disraeli was to
introduce the Bill, it was found
that Ministers were not in agree-
ment, and there were only ten
minutes left to decide what was
to be done. It happened that
a Bill had been prepared, pro-
posing a milder measure of
reform, and this it was decided
to introduce. It met with little
approval from any section, and
was ultimately withdrawn in
favour of the original Bill.
The story was some time after-
wards told by Sir John Paking-
ton to his constituents, and the
makeshift Bill was promptly
christened the Ten Minutes
Bill.
Tenmannetale.
The name by which the sys-
tem of Frankpledge was known
in the northern parts of Eng-
land.
250 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Tenth of August, Massacre of
the.
The massacre of the Swiss
Guards at the Tuileries, on
August lo, 1792, is known by
this name. It is estimated that
5,000 persons perished at the
hands of the Paris mob.
Tenure of Office Act.
An Act passed by the United
States Congress in 1867, to pre-
vent the removal from office by
the President, without the con-
sent of the Senate, of any person
holding a Government position.
It was enacted in consequence
of the action of President John-
son in removing Mr. Stanton
in what was held to be an un-
constitutional manner.
Teplitz, Treaty of.
A treaty of alliance between
Russia, Austria and Prussia,
signed in 181 3, and directed
against Napoleon.
Terreur Blanche.
The name of the White
Terror was given to the excesses
of the counter-revolutionists in
the French provinces, especially
in the South, in 1795, after the
fall of Robespierre.
Terror, Reign of.
The culmination of the French
Revolution, lasting from the
fall of the Girondins, in October
1793. to that of Robespierre, in
July 1794. During this period
the only limit to the number of
executions was the time at the
disposal of Fouquier-Tinville
and the Revolutionary Tribunal
for the trial of prisoners.
Terrorists.
The extreme revolutionary
party in Paris in 1848. They
demanded, not work, but the
spoliation of the rich, and were
prepared to adopt the methods
of 1793 to secure their object.
They attempted to coerce and
dissolve the National Assembly,
and set up a Revolutionary
Government at the Hotel de
Ville, but were overpowered
by the Garde Mobile.
Terry Alts.
An Irish rebel society which
was guilty of numerous out-
rages in Clare during the years
immediately following the
Union.
Teschen, Peace of.
A treaty signed at the con-
clusion of the Bavarian War of
Succession in 1779, by which
Austria withdrew her opposi-
tion to the reunion of Anspach
and Bayreuth with Prussia.
Certain territorial changes were
made in Bavaria, and the Treaty
of Westphalia was renewed.
Teshu Lama.
The second spiritual ruler of
Thibet, who exercises the func-
tions of the Dalai Lama between
the death of one occupant of
that position and the enthrone-
ment of his successor.
Test Act.
An Act passed in 1673, ordain-
ing that all holders of temporal
offices under the Crown must
receive the Sacrament according
to the rites of the Church of
England, and renounce the
doctrine of Transubstantiation.
James II endeavoured to bring
about its repeal, but without
success, and it remained on the
Statute Book till 1828.
Tetrapolitan Confession.
The profession of faith of the
Reformed Non-Lutheran Ger-
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 251
man Church, drawn up by
Bucer, and issued in 1530.
Teutonic Knights.
An order of knighthood
founded by Henry, King of
Jerusalem, during the third
Crusade, its original members
being followers of Frederick
Barbarossa. In 1230, under
their Grand Master, Hermann
von Salza, the Teutonic knights
marched against the Pagans of
the Baltic shore of what is now
known as Prussia. This country,
which was a fief of Poland, they
held until 1526, when Albert of
Brandenburg, then Grand
Master, made a treaty with
Sigismund of Poland, by which
Prussia was erected into a
Grand Duchy, with Albert as
Grand Duke. The order was
dissolved by Napoleon in 1809.
Thaba Bosigo, Treaty of.
A treaty between the Orange
Free State and Moshesh, signed
in 1866, after the Basuto war
of 1865-6. Moshesh surrendered
the greater portion of his country
to the Free State, and undertook
to withdraw all his subjects
from the ceded territory. He
not only failed to carry out the
terms, but in the following years
sent large bodies of warriors
into these districts, and pre-
vented their settlement by
Europeans.
Theatins.
A monastic order, founded by
John Caraffa, Bishop of Theate
(afterwards Paul IV), and au-
thorised by Clement V in 1524.
The Theatins were strong sup-
porters of the movement for the
reform of the Papacy which
arose within the Church about
the middle of the sixteenth
century.
Thegns.
In Saxon times the thegns
were originally the King's ser-
vants. Later, enriched by
grants of land, they superseded
the old nobility, and became
eventually the Barons.
Thelusson's Act.
An Act passed in 1800, by
which it was made illegal to
devise property to accumulate
for a longer period than twenty-
one years. It arose from the
will of Peter Thelusson, a
wealthy merchant, who left
^800,000 to accumulate until
his grandson's grandson reached
the age of twenty-one. The
will led to protracted litigation,
and the resulting accumulation
was consequently much less
than had been anticipated.
Theological Controversy.
An assembly of Catholic and
Protestant divines, held at
Westminster in 1559, to discuss
certain points of dogma and
ritual. The questions set for dis-
cussion were : the use of prayer in
a tongue not understood by the
people, the right of individual
congregations to alter their
ritual to suit their needs, and
the propitiatory sacrifice for the
quick and the dead in the cele-
bration of the Mass. No deci-
sion was arrived at on any
point.
Theows.
In Saxon times the slaves of
the feudal lords, reduced to the
servile condition either as prison-
ers of war, or through debt.
Thermidoriens.
The party who voted the de-
252 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
cree of accusation against Robes-
pierre and his followers in
July (Thermidor) 1794. During
the Directoire they still showed
themselves advanced Republi-
cans, being in favour of main-
taining the decrees against the
clergy, the noblesse and the
emigres.
Thing.
Amongst the Norsemen, the
assembly of freemen. The
Things were of varying import-
ance, and bore different names,
according to the purpose for
which they were convoked.
Thus, the Althing was the
general assembly of the nation,
held annually ; the Konungs-
thing, a meeting specially sum-
moned by the King ; and so on
down to the Husthing, a meeting
of his own men summoned by
any petty chief,
Thingamen.
Another name for the House-
karls of King Knut,
Third Section.
A section of the Russian
secret police, specially estab-
lished to watch all political
movements. It was formed by
Nicholas I in 1865.
Thirteen Cantons, Confederation
of.
The Confederation formed by
the admission, between 148 1
and 1 5 13, of the Cantons of Fri-
bourg, Soleure, Basle, Schaff-
hausen and Appenzell, into the
Perpetual League.
Thirteen States.
The thirteen American
colonies forming the original
thirteen States of the Union
were Connecticut, Delaware,
Georgia, Maryland, Massa-
chusetts, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, iSTew York, North Caro-
lina, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina and
Virginia,
Thirty, Battle of the.
A combat between the fol-
lowers of Simon de Montfort
and those of Charles of Blois,
fought at Ploermel in Brittany
in 1350. The combatants
were limited to thirty on each
side, and the English were de-
feated.
Thirty Years War.
A war between Ferdinand II
and the Protestant Princes of
Germany, which broke out on
the accession of Ferdinand to
the Austrian throne in 161 9.
The Protestant Princes had
elected to the Imperial Throne
Frederic V, the Elector Pala-
tine, and took up arms in his
support. Sweden under Gus-
tavus Adolphus, and later
France, were drawn into the
conflict, and the war did not
terminate till 1648, when Fer-
dinand III signed the Treaty of
Westphalia,
Thirty-nine Articles.
The articles of faith of the
Church of England, consisting
of thirty-nine of the original
forty- two articles issued in 1552.
By an Act of Elizabeth passed
in 1 57 1, the acceptance of these
was made incumbent on all the
clergy of the Established
Church.
Thirty-six, Council of.
A council appointed in 1357
to carry on the Government
of France during the captivity
of John. They had power to
levy taxes, to appoint the chief
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 253
officers of State, and generally
to exercise all executive func-
tions.
Thirty-three Articles.
A code of laws drawn up by
the Volksraad of Potchefs-
troom in 1844, and adopted in
1849 by all the communities
established to the north of the
Vaal river.
Thistle, Order of the.
An order of knighthood in-
stituted, according to tradition,
by Archaicus, King of the
Scots in 809. Though thus older
than the Garter in its origin,
it has been several times in
abeyance, having been revived
by James V of Scotland, by
James II of England, and finally
by Queen Anne, who placed it
on its present footing.
Thorn, Conference of.
A conference summoned by
Ladislaus IV of Poland in 1645,
in an endeavour to unite the
Protestants to the Catholic
Church. It lasted about four
months, and was entirely with-
out result.
Thorough.
The Policy of Thorough is the
phrase used by Strafiord and
Laud to express their deter-
mination to carry through their
schemes for the public advan-
tage, regardless of the obstacles
thrown in their way by in-
terested parties.
Thralls.
Among the Norse nations
slaves were so called. They
were generally captives taken
in war.
" Three Acres and a Cow."
A phrase used by Mr. Jesse
CoUings, in the election cam-
paign of 1885, expressive of the
plank in his programme of free
allotments of land for all agri-
cultural labourers.
Three Emperors, Battle of the.
The battle of Austerlitz,
December 2, 1805, is so called,
because Napoleon and the Em-
perors of Austria and Russia
were aU present.
Three F's.
The ostensible programme of
the Irish Land League in 1880 :
Fixity of Tenure, Fair Rent,
Free Sale.
Three Kings, Alliance of the.
An alliance formed in 1849
between the Kings of Prussia,
Hanover, and Saxony, to take
joint measures for the sup-
pression of the disorders rife
in their States at that time.
Thresher, Captain.
The pseudonym of the leader
of a band of lawless Irishmen,
who in 1806 attacked the
collectors of tithes.
Throgmorton's Conspiracy.
A conspiracy of certain Jesuits
and English Catholics in 1583,
to rise against Queen Elizabeth,
in conjunction with an invasion
of French and Spanish troops.
Suspicion was aroused by Throg-
morton's constant visits to the
Spanish Ambassador. He was
arrested, and under torture
revealed the details of the plot,
and the names of the principal
conspirators.
Thugs.
A quasi-religious sect of rob-
bers and murderers in India,
who despatched their victims by
stranghng. They were put
down by Lord Dalhousie about
1856.
254 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Thunderbolt of Italy.
The sobriquet of Gaston de
Foix, Due de Nemours (1489-
15 12), given him on account of
his brilliant campaign in Italy.
Thurn and Taxis.
A princely house of Germany,
with large estates in Austria,
Bavaria, Wurtemberg, and else-
where, who established the
earliest postal system in Ger-
many in 1460. In 1595 a
member of the house was ap-
pointed hereditary grand master
of the posts of the Empire, and
though the privileges of the
ofhce were gradually infringed
by the larger German States,
the monopoly was not finally
abolished till 1867.
Tiberine Republic.
A republic with Rome as its
capital, established by Napo-
leon in Central Italy in 1797.
Tichborne Case.
See Claimant.
Tientsin, Treaty of, 1858.
A treaty between Great
Britain, France and China, at
the close of the war of 1857,
providing for the establishment
of Chinese Legations in London
and Paris, and French and
English Legations in Pekin, the
toleration of Christianity in
China, and access to the interior
of China and to the navigable
rivers for British and French
subjects. In i860 the envoys
proceeding to Pekin to exchange
ratifications were not permitted
to proceed. Further hostilities
ensued, and certain European
prisoners were barbarously tor-
tured by the Chinese, in revenge
for which the Allies destroyed
the Summer Palace of Pekin.
Tientsin, Treaty of, 1885.
A treaty between France and
China, by which China with-
drew her claim to exercise a
protectorate over Annam.
Tiepoli, Conspiracy of.
" A conspiracy of Venetian
nobles, headed by Tiepoli and
the family of the Querini,
against Gradenigo, the Doge
of Venice, in 13 10. The con-
spirators enlisted the aid of the
Paduans, and formed a plan to
seize the Doge in the Ducal
Palace by means of their own
armed retainers, holding the
Square of St. Mark till the
arrival of the Paduans. The
plan miscarried, owing to the
vigilance of the Doge, who was
prepared for the attack, and
the conspiracy failed. Many of
the leaders were killed in the
fighting, and others were exe-
cuted, but Tiepoli escaped.
Tiers Etat.
The third estate of the Realm,
or Commoners, in France. It is
held that they were first con-
sulted by Louis IX, who s-um-
moned twelve citizens from the
principal towns of France, to
advise him on the national
coinage.
Tiers Parti.
A moderate party formed in
the French Assembly in 1832,
in the reign of Louis Philippe.
In 1834 they formed a ministry
under the Due de Bassano, but
the Chamber refused to support
it, and it resigned in three days.
In 1836, however, it formed a
more durable administration
under Thiers.
Tilsit, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1807 be-
tween France, Prussia and
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 255
France all her provinces on
the left bank of the Elbe, to
form the kingdom of West-
phalia for the benefit of Jerome
Buonaparte. In addition, recog-
nition was accorded to Louis
Buonaparte as King of Holland,
to Joseph as King of Spain, and
to the Confederation of the
Rhine. The Grand Duchy of
Warsaw was created out of the
Duchies of Warsaw and Posen,
and given to the King of
Saxony. There were certain
secret clauses in the treaty
between France and Russia, by
which Russia agreed to aid
France against England and to
coerce Portugal, Sweden and
Denmark to take the same
course, while France undertook
to aid Russia against the Turks
if the Porte declined to accept
his mediation.
Tio Porsupuesto, El.
The nickname of Bolivar, the
Liberator of South America,
from his habit of beginning an
argument with the words " Por
supuesto," " Let us suppose."
Tithe Commutation Act.
An Act passed in 1836, com-
muting the tithe into a perman-
ent rent charge upon the land,
annually adjusted upon the
price of corn, and redeemable
at twenty-five years' purchase
of the average amount.
Tithe Commutation Act (Ire-
land).
An Act passed in 1838, com-
muting the tithe into an annual
rent charge, with a reduction of
25 per cent. At the same time
the loan of one million sterling
made in 1833 in aid of the
destitute Irish Clergy, was con-
verted into a gift.
Tithe Riots.
A series of disturbances in
Montgomeryshire and elsewhere
in North Wales in protest against
the payment of tithes in 1887.
Riots were caused by sales
under distraint in various parts
of Wales, and for some time
such sales could only be carried
out under military protection.
Togakuto.
The Society of Oriental Learn-
ing, a party in Korea violently
opposed to Western ideas, and
anxious to exclude all foreigners.
In 1893 some 200,000 members
gathered in Seoul, with the
object of coercing the King,
who had refused their pre-
posterous demands.
Toisee.
An order issued by Emery,
finance minister of Louis XIV,
in 1644, to the effect that houses
built in the Paris suburbs in
contravention of an edict issued
a hundred years before, but never
enforced, should be redeemed
by payment of a heavy fine.
This order caused great dis-
content, and was eventually
withdrawn.
Tokoli's Rebellion.
A rising of the Magyars
against Austrian domination in
1678, headed by TokoU, who,
aided by the Turks, succeeded
in driving the Austrian troops
out of Hungary. He maintained
his position until 1683, when he
was defeated, and the Turks
being at the same time repulsed
from Vienna, the rising came
to an end, and Tokoli was
forced to flee the country.
Toledo, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1538 after
Russia. Prussia abandoned to
256 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Francis' invasion of Piedmont,
by Charles V and Francis I,
by which Francis obtained
possession of Bresse, Savoy,
and half of Piedmont, Charles
taking the remainder of Pied-
mont and the Milanese. The
Pays de Vaud was left to Berne,
and the independence of Geneva
guaranteed.
Tolentino, Treaty of.
A treaty between France and
the Papal See, signed in 1797.
By this treaty the Pope sur-
rendered the Legations and
Ancona, and agreed to the final
inclusion of Avignon in France.
He also consented to pay a
heavy sum in coin and jewels
and to permit the removal to
France of certain specified works
of art. In return France recog-
nized the Pope's power to con-
trol the religious communities
in Rome.
Toleration Acts.
An Act passed on the accession
of William and Mary in 1689,
giving Protestant Dissenters the
right to hold services in their
own chapels, provided such
chapels were registered. A fur-
ther Act applying to Scotland
was passed in 17 12 for the
toleration of all episcopal clergy-
men who were willing to take
the Oath of Abjuration estab-
lished by the Act of 1702.
Tonkinois, Le.
A nickname of Jules Ferry,
referring to his responsibility
for the unpopular Tongking ex-
pedition of 1883.
Tonnage and Poundage.
A tax levied on all mer-
chandise other than the staple
commodities, whether exported
or imported. It varied from
IS. 6d. to 3s. on every tun of
wine or beer, and from 6d. to is.
on every pound of merchandise.
It was first levied in the reign
of Edward III.
Toom Tabard.
Empty Jacket, the nickname
of John Baliol, King of Scotland
(1292-1314), because he had
the semblance but not the
reality of royal power.
Tordesillas, Treaty of.
A treaty between Spain and
Portugal, signed in 1494. Portu-
gal being dissatisfied with the
terms of the Papal Bull of
Demarcation, Spain agreed to
the dividing line between the
two spheres of colonisation being
drawn 370 leagues west of Cape
Verde. Under the terms of this
treaty Portugal subsequently
claimed Brazil.
Torgau, League of.
A league formed at Torgau
in 1526 by the Protestant
Princes of Germany, headed by
the Landgrave of Hesse and the
Elector of Saxony, as a counter
move to the reported combina-
tion of Duke George of Saxony,
the Elector of Brandenburg,
the Archbishop of Mentz and
other Catholic Princes to oppose
the Reformation.
Torres Vedras, Lines of.
The strongly intrenched posi-
tion in front of Lisbon, occupied
by Wellington during the winter
of 1810-11, after the fall of
Ciudad Rodrigo.
Tory.
The name given to the Loyal-
ist Party in the reign of
Charles II. It is taken from
the name applied to the Irish
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 257
outlaws. The word now implies
extreme Conservatism.
Tory Democracy.
The political creed of Lord
Randolph Churchill and his
followers. He maintained that
Toryism was not necessarily
the creed of an exclusive class,
but was as democratic in its aims
as Radicalism.
Toshachs.
In the earliest days of Scottish
history, an inferior grade of
chieftain in the Highlands.
Tourkmantchai, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and
Persia, signed in 1828, by which
Persia ceded Erivan and Nakit-
chevan, and accorded excep-
tional commercial facilities to
Russian sub j ects .
Tours, Edict of.
An edict issued by Henri IV
in 1 591, repealing the edicts
of his predecessor with respect
tD the Huguenots, and re-estab-
lishing the Concordat between
the two religions contained in
the Edict of January.
Tractarian Movement.
See Oxford Movement.
Trade Unions.
Combinations of workmen in
a particular trade, formed for
mutual protection against ra-
pacious employers, and also as
benefit societies. They are
mostly the growth of the nine-
teenth century, but have their
origin in the trade guilds of the
earlier times.
Trafalgar Square Riots.
A series of disturbances in
London in 1887. Meetings,
nominally of unemployed, were
held in Trafalgar Square, and
addressed by well-known Social-
ist leaders, among others John
Burns and Cunningham -
Grahame. As these meetings
led to disorder and obstruction
of the traffic, they were pro-
hibited by Sir Charles Warren,
the Chief Commissioner of
Police. The Socialists insisted
on their right to hold the meet-
ings, and the disturbances cul-
minated on Sunday, November
13th, when a number of proces-
sions on their way to the Square
were broken up by the police,
and their leaders arrested, severe
fighting taking place at several
points. This, however, ended
the rioting, as no further at-
tempts were made to hold the
prohibited meetings.
Trails-batons.
Outlaws who in 1305 infested
the country districts of England,
hiring themselves out for the
execution of private vengeance.
Stringent measures were taken
against them under the Statute
of Winchester.
Train-bands.
Properly the Trained Bands,
a force in the nature of a militia,
established by James I in 1604,
to replace the Fyrd. They
numbered 160,000.
Transplantation, Irish.
By an Act of Parliament
passed in 1653, the whole of
Ireland, excepting Connaught
and the county of Clare, was
opened for settlement by ad-
venturers and the soldiers of the
Commonwealth. The whole of
the Irish population was trans-
planted to the province and
county named above.
Transvaal National Union.
An association of the Uit-
s
258 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
landers in the South African
Republic, formed in Johannes-
burg in 1892, with the object
of securing the franchise and
reforms in general for foreigners
settled in the country. In
December 1895 it took the name
of the Reform Committee, and
was largely instrumental in
bringing about the Jameson
Raid, which took place at the
end of that month, though it
seems evident that the actual
moment chosen for the Raid did
not accord with its plans. After
Jameson's defeat the leaders of
the Committee were arrested
and tried for -treason, four of
them being sentenced to death,
though they were afterwards
reprieved.
Treason, Statute of.
A Statute of Edward III, in
1352, which defines high treason
as plotting the death of the King
or Queen, or their eldest son,
levying war against the King, or
comforting or adhering to his
enemies. This Statute is still
in force.
Treaties, Conventions, Alliances,
etc.
See Abbeville, Abo, Adam Kok,
Adis Ababa, Adrianople, Aigun,
Aix-la-Chapelle, Akerman, Alas-
ka, Aliwal North, Amboise,
American-Japanese, American-
Spanish, Amiens, Anglo-Chinese,
Anglo-Dutch, Anglo - French,
Anglo - German, Anglo - Italian,
Anglo - Japanese, Anglo - Portu-
guese, Anglo - Russian, Arras,
Ashburton, Association, Barce-
lona, Bardo, Barrier, Barwalde,
Basle, Bassein, Bekcagsog, Bel-
gian, Berlin, Berwick, Black Sea,
Bloemfontein, Bond - Blaine,
Breda, Breslau, Bretigny,
Brigham, Bromsebro, Brunnen,
Brussels, Bucharest, Budchaz,
Cadan, Caen, Campo-Formio,
Cappel, Carlowitz, Cassini,
Cateau Cambresis, Chartres,
Chaumont, Christian, Cintra,
Clair-on-Epte, Clayton-Bulwer.
Closter Seven, Commercial, Con-
federation, Conflans, Constance,
Cretan, Crown, Cyprus, Darda-
nelles, Deogam, Dover, Dreikai-
serbund, Dual, Edinburgh,
Evora, Falczi, Falaise, Family,
Ferdinand, Field, Fisheries,
Folenbray, Fommanah, Fon-
tainebleau, Franco- American,
Franco-Annamese, Franco-
Siamese, Frankfort, Fredericks-
hamm, Gandamak, Gastein,
Geneva, Ghent, Gisors, Grand
Alliance, Great Intercourse,
Guadeloupe-Hidalgo, Gulistan,
Hanover, Hay-Pauncefote, Holy
Alliance, Hubertsberg, Hue,
Iglau, Imparani, Jassy, Join-
ville. Jay, July, Kenil worth,
Kiel, Kuldja, Kutchuk Kain-
ardji, Lahore, Lambeth, Lodi,
London, Longjumeau, Liibeck,
Loo, Luneville, Luxemburg, Ma-
dras, Madrid, Malus Intercursus,
Mandeshwar, Mangalore, Man-
tua, Meersen, Methuen, Mol-
davian, Mon9on, Montpelier,
Nanking, Nertchinsk, Newport,
Nimeguen, Northampton, Not-
tingham, Nystad, Olmiitz,
Oregon, Paix, Panama, Paris,
Passau, Passarowitz, Peace,
Pecquigny, Peronne, Perpetual,
Pilnitz, Poland, Prague, Pres-
burg, Pretoria, Pruth, Puran-
dhar, Pyrenees, Quadrilateral,
Quadruple, Reichenbach, Re-
insurance, Roeskild, Russo-
Japanese, Ryswick, St. Ger-
mains, St. Petersburg, Salbai,
Samoan, San Ildefonso, San
Stefano, Sand River, Santiago,
Schonbrunn, Secret, September,
Seringapatam, Servian, Seville,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 259
Shimonoseki, Sikkim, Sitvato-
rok, Smithfield, Southampton,
Stockenstrom, Stockholm, Stol-
bova, Suez, Surat, Swaziland,
Szatmar, Szegedin, Teplitz, Tes-
chen, ThabaBosigo, Three Kings,
Tientsin, Tilsit, Toledo, Tolen-
tino, Tordesillas, Tourkman-
tchai, Tripartite,Triple, Tri-regal,
Troyes, Turin, Unkiar Skelessi,
Utrecht, Uxbridge, Vaal, Verdun,
Vereeniging, Versailles, Vervins,
Vienna, Villefranche, Wallachia,
Wallingf ord, Washington, Water-
boer, Wedmore, Werela, West-
phalia, Worms, Yandabo, Zanzi-
bar, Zurich.
Treaty Ports.
Ports specially set aside for
trade purposes and the resi-
dence of foreigners in countries
where unrestricted foreign trade
is not permitted, as in China.
Treinta y Tres.
The thirty-three Uruguayan
patriots who raised the standard
of revolt against Brazil in 1825.
Aided by Argentina, Uruguay
shook off the Brazilian yoke
and was proclaimed an inde-
pendent republic in 1828.
Trek, Great.
The great emigration of Dutch
settlers from Cape Colony in
1836 and 1837. A variety of
causes, among others the eman-
cipation of the KajB&r slaves,
for which the farmers received
very inadequate compensation,
led to this trek, which brought
about the first colonisation of
the country beyond the Orange
river. Other parties crossed the
Drakensberg into Natal, where
they established a republic in
1838.
Trek, Second.
An emigration of Boer far-
mers from the country between
the Orange river and the Vaal,
in 1844 and 1845. Their object
was to escape British rule,
which was about to be estab-
lished in the country they
were leaving, and which took
shape in the Orange River Sove-
reignty in 1848. These trekkers
founded the South African Re-
public.
Trent, Council of.
A council summoned by Paul
III in 1545, to settle, if possible,
the religious questions arising
out of the Reformation. The
council lasted till 1563, and in
the end merely emphasised the
differences between the Catholic
Church and the Reformers,
reasserting as essentially Catho-
lic the doctrines of purgatory,
transubstantiation, the inter-
cession of saints, and others.
Trent Incident.
The forcible removal from an
English steamer, the Trent,
by Captain Wilkes, of the
U.S. sloop Jacinto, of Messrs.
Mason and Slidell, who were
on their way to Europe as
envoys of the Southern States
in 1 861. They were subse-
quently released, but not until
considerable public feeling had
been aroused on both sides, and
the British Government had
gone the length of reinforcing
the Canadian garrison.
Treuga Dei.
The Truce of God, imposed
upon all the vassals of the
Empire who were at war amongst
themselves by an edict of the
Emperor Henry III, issued at
the Diet of Constance in 1403.
26o DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
It was to be observed from
Wednesday evening till Monday
morning in each week.
Tribunal Revolutionnaire.
A tribunal, at first called the
Tribunal Extraordinaire, estab-
lished by the French Convention
in March 1793, to deal with
Royalist and other suspects and
political prisoners. It was com-
posed of five judges, with a
standing jury, each member of
which had to give his verdict
audibly. There was no appeal
from the decisions of this court,
which sent some two thousand
persons to the guillotine.
Tribune of the People.
A sobriquet of John Bright.
Tricoteuses de Robespierre.
Robespierre's knitters were a
knot of women who, during
the Terror, used to sit, knitting,
at the meetings of the Conven-
tion and of the Tribunal Revo-
lutionnaire, or round the guillo-
tine. They were also called
"Les Furies de la Guillotine."
Triennial Act.
An Act passed in 1694, limit-
ing the duration of a Parliament
to three years. It was practic-
ally repealed by the Septennial
Act of 1716.
Triers.
An examining body appointed
by Cromwell in 1554, to inquire
into the qualifications of persons
appointed to benefices. Any
one, other than a Catholic, whose
creed was fundamentally ortho-
dox, and whose life was free
from reproach, was permitted
to retain his cure.
Trim, Remonstrance of.
A document submitted to
Charles I by Ormonde in 1643,
in which the Irish Catholics conv-
plained of the disabilities under
which they laboured owing to
the legislation of Elizabeth's
reign. At the same time they
offered to place ten thousand
men at the King's disposal.
Trinoda Necessitas.
In Saxon times the obligation
thrown on every inhabitant of
bearing his share in (i) war
service ; (2) the repair of roads
and bridges; and (3) the mainte-
nance of fortifications. This
obligation was continued after
the Conquest,
Tripartite Treaty, 1800.
A treaty between the British,
the Nizam of Hyderabad, and a
representative of the ancient
royal family of Mysore, dividing
between the three signatories
the dominions of Tippu Sahib.
Tripartite Treaty, 1856.
A treaty signed by Great
Britain, France and Austria,
immediately after signature of
the Treaty of Paris of 1856,
guaranteeing the independence
and territorial integrity of Tur-
key, and declaring that they
would consider any infraction
of the Treaty of Paris to be a
casus belli.
Triple Alliance, 1668.
An alliance concluded in 1668
between England, Holland and
Sweden, by which the contract-
ing parties bound themselves to
oppose the advance of France.
Within two years, however,
Charles II signed a treaty with
the French king, binding him-
self not to interfere with the
French designs on the Nether-
lands.
Triple Alliance, 17 17.
An alliance of England »
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 261
France and Holland, guarantee-
ing the clauses of the Treaty of
Utrecht with reference to the
English Protestant succession,
the French succession, and the
renunciation by Spain of her
claim to the throne of France.
It was intended as a counter-
poise to the alliance of Russia,
Sweden and Spain. It became
the Quadruple Alliance by the
adhesion of Austria in 17 18.
Triple Alliance, 1883.
In 1879 Germany and Austria
entered into a defensive alliance,
which provided for mutual
assistance against Russia, and
at least a benevolent neutrality
against any other Power. In
1883 it was announced that
Italy was a party to this alliance,
which then became known as
the Triple Alliance. It has
been several times renewed, the
last occasion being in 1902.
Triple Alliance (India).
An alliance between the Eng-
lish, the Peshwa and the Nizam,
concluded in 1790, by which
it was agreed that the con-
tracting parties should combine
to invade the dominions of
Tippoo Sahib, and that all
conquests should be equally
divided between them.
Triple Alliance, War of the.
The war waged by Brazil,
Argentina and Uruguay against
Paraguay from 1865 to 1869.
Tri-regal Alliance,
An alliance between the kings
of Prussia, Saxony and Han-
over in 1849, with the object
of bringing about a union of the
German States, to the exclusion
of Austria. It was broken up
by the Humiliation of Olmtitz
in 1850.
Trismegistus, The German.
Rudolph II of Germany was
so called.
Triumvirate, The.
Grenville's Ministry in 1763
was so called, because the Secre-
taries of State, Lords Egremont
and Halifax, were regarded as
holding the direction of affairs
jointly with GrenvUle.
Triumvirate, The Catholic.
The league between the Due
de Guise, the Marechal de St.
Andre, and the Constable of
France in the reign of Charles IX
was so called.
Triumvirate, The (Russia).
This title was given to Adam
Czartoryski, Novossiltsof and
Strogonof, the three principal
advisers of Alexander I of Russia
on his accession.
Troppau, Congress of.
A meeting of the Russian,
Austrian and Prussian sover-
eigns in 1820, to consider the
questions raised by the Nea-
politan revolution, and to con-
firm the Holy Alliance.
Trott of Turriff.
An attack by the Gordons
under Robert Johnston on the
Covenanters at Turriff in 1639,
the Covenanters being driven
out.
Troubles, Council of.
See Blood Council.
Trough, Race of the.
See Farquharsons.
Troyes, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1420 by
Henry V of England and Philip,
Count of Charolais, on behalf
of the Burgundian Party, by
which it was provided that
Henry should marry Catherine
262 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
of France, and succeed to the
French Crown on the death of
Charles VI. It only resulted
in a fresh effort on the part of
the patriotic party, the Armag-
nacs, and the defeat of the
English at Beauge, while Henry,
hastening back to France to re-
establish his position, died there
in 1422.
Truck Act.
An Act passed in 1831, and
extended in 1887, forbidding
the payment of wages, either
wholly or in part, in goods.
It applies to all persons engaged
in manual labour, except do-
mestic servants.
Tsung-li-Yamen.
The old Board of Foreign
Affairs in China. It was abol-
ished by Imperial edict in 1901,
and replaced by a new Board
known as the Wai-Wupu.
Tubingen, Treaty of.
The name given to an agree-
ment between Ulrich of Wiir-
temberg and his subjects in
1 5 14, by which the latter agreed
to pay the Duke's debts in re-
turn for certain concessions.
Tuchins.
Bands of revolted peasants
in the Cevennes in 1381, who
waged war against all who did
not belong to the labouring
classes.
Tugendbund.
A secret society established
in Germany in 1808, to arouse
the national spirit against the
domination of Napoleon.
Tulchan Bishops.
The contemptuous sobriquet
given to the titular bishops in
Scotland, 1572, referring to their
surrender to the lay patrons
of practically the whole of their
benefices. " Tulchan " is a
calf -skin, stuffed with straw,'
used to induce a cow to give
her milk more easily.
Turin, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in i860 by
France and Sardinia, providing
for the cession to France of
Savoy and Nice, in return for
Lombardy, in accordance with
the secret agreement of Napo-
leon III and Victor Emmanuel.
Turkey Company.
A trading company incor-
porated in 1 581, for the con-
solidation of the various interests
trading in the Levant.
Turnip-Hoer.
A nickname of George I, who
is said to have suggested plant-
ing St. James's Park with
turnips.
Turpentine State.
A popular name for the State
of North Carolina, referring
to its large production of tur-
pentine.
Tuscany, League of.
A league of the Tuscan cities,
formed under the auspices of
Innocent III, " for the honour
and aggrandizement of the
Apostolic See." Pisa alone
refused to join the league.
Tweed Ring.
A ring headed by W. M.
Tweed, the Tammany Boss,
which robbed the city of New
York of large sums. Tweed was
convicted of fraud in 1873. See
Tammany.
Twelve Peers of France.
A body of peers, holding
direct from the Crown, who
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 263
were limited to twelve during
the reign of Philip Augustus
(i 180-1223). They were six
lay peers, namely, the Dukes of
Normandy, Aquitaine and Bur-
gundy, and the Counts of
Toulouse, Flanders and Cham-
pagne; and six spiritual, the
Archbishop of Rheims, and the
Bishops of Beauvais, Chalons,
Langres, Laon, and Noyon.
Twenge's Riots.
In 1230 a secret society
formed, under the leadership
of Sir Robert Twenge, to oppose
the granting of benefices to
foreign priests, had recourse to
violent measures to advance
their cause. Many foreigners
were robbed and outraged, and
Twenge had the audacity to
justify himself before Henry III,
and was allowed to go unpun-
ished.
Two Nations, Committee of the.
A joint committee appointed
by the English and Scots Parlia-
ments in 1643, after the accept-
ance of the Solemn League and
Covenant, to carry on the war
against the King.
Tycoon.
See Shogun.
Tynwald, Court of.
The legislature of the Isle of
Man. It is composed of two
houses, the Council and the
House of Keys.
Tything.
The ten persons united under
the system of Frankpledge were
called a tything.
u
Udallers.
The name given to the pro-
prietors of allodial lands in the
Orkneys.
Ukase.
A decree of the Czar of Russia
is so called. The Czar being
an absolute monarch, it has all
the force of a legal enactment.
Ulema.
The body of professional
theologians and lawyers in Tur-
key. They are the interpreters
of the law of the Koran, and
from their body are selected the
pleaders and magistrates as
well as the priests. The head
of the Ulema is the Sheyk-ul-
Islam.
Ulm, Capitulation of.
The surrender of the Austrian
General Mack, with 30,000 men,
to Napoleon in October 1805.
Ulster Custom.
A system of land tenure pre-
vailing in the greater part of
Ulster, by which the tenant's
property in all improvements
affected by him is recognised
by the landlord. This custom
had practically the force of law,
and was made a part of the
Irish Land Laws by Mr. Glad-
stone's Act of 1870.
Ulster Massacre.
The Irish rebellion of 1641
began with an attack upon the
English settlers in Ulster, many
of whom, living outside the
towns, were murdered in cold
blood. The number of victims
has been put as high as 300,000,
but this is doubtless a gross
exaggeration. Still, some thou-
sands unquestionably perished.
Ulster, Plantation of.
The colonisation, between
1606 and 161 2, of lands for-
feited from Tyrone, Tyrconel,
264 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
and other rebels, by retired
servants of the Crown. It was
a condition of the colonisation
that the Irish were to be con-
fined to their own districts,
and not allowed to settle on
the forfeited lands. The City
of London undertook the coloni-
sation of Derry.
Ultimus Romanorum.
A sobriquet of Horace Wal-
pole (1717-97).
Ultramontanes.
The name given to any party
strongly supporting the Papal
claim to temporal power. It
was used especially in Germany,
of the Catholic party, led by
Dr. Windthorst during the
Kulturkampf.
Umritsar, Treaty of.
A treaty between the East
India Company and Ranjit
Singh, concluded in 1809. It
provided that the British should
not seek to exercise any control
in the territories north of the
Sutlej, while Ranjit Singh
agreed to respect the rights of
the cis-Sutlej chiefs living under
British protection.
Unam Sanctam, Bull of.
A Bull issued by Boniface
VIII at the Council of Rome
in 1302, declaring that the
temporal power is inferior to the
spiritual, and that the Pope has
the power of appointing and
deposing sovereigns. This Bull
was specially directed against
Philip the Fair of France.
Uncle Sam.
The popular name for the
Government of the • United
States.
Uncrowned King.
Charles Stewart Parnell was
called the Uncrowned King of
Ireland.
Underground Railroad.
An organization formed in
the Northern States of America,
after the passing of the Fugitive
Slave Law in 1850, to aid
fugitive slaves to escape to
British territory.
Undertakers.
A number of English gentle-
men who undertook the settle-
ment of Ulster in 1569. The
forfeited lands were to be
peopled by settling a family on
each 240 acres, and no Irish
were to be admitted as tenants.
Neither of these obligations was
adhered to, and little was
accomplished till the Planta-
tion of Ulster in 1606.
Undertakers.
The name given to certain
members of the Addled Parlia-
ment in 161 5, who undertook
to control it in the interests of
the King. Their plans became
known, and they consequently
failed to carry out their scheme.
Undertakers, Parliamentary.
Twenty-five Irish land-
owners who, in the unreformed
Parliament, were able to control
the return of 116 members out
of a house of 300. They were
thus enabled to make their own
terms with the Government,
and were consequently known
by the above title.
Uniformity, Act of.
An Act passed in 1549
(Edward VI), forbidding the
use in churches of any book of
prayers except the Book of
Common Prayer approved by
the Parliament then sitting,
and known as Edward VI' s
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 265
First Prayer Book. Certain
alterations having been made
in the book, a further Act was
passed in 1552, substituting
the new version for the First
Prayer Book. The use of this
book having been abohshed
during Mary's reign, it was again
made obhgatory by an Act of
Queen Elizabeth in 1559, and
made to apply to Ireland, while
the same course was pursued
after the Restoration in 1662,
with the additional proviso that
no clergyman might hold a
living who was not ordained by
a bishop and prepared to accept
the Prayer Book.
Unigenitus, Bull.
A Bull issued by Innocent X
in 1653, in condemnation of
the Jansenist heresy.
Union Catholique.
A union of the League with
the less bigoted Catholics of
France, formed in 1588 on the
virtual acceptance by Henri III
of the League formulas.
Union Cellar.
An underground cellar in the
High Street, Edinburgh, where
the principal supporters of the
union with England held secret
meetings, the feeling against
the union being so strong that
they dared not meet openly.
Union de la France Chretienne.
A union formed in 1891 to
hinder the movement for ad-
hesion to the Republic on the
part of the Catholic party. Its
leaders were M. de Chesnelong,
the Comte de Mun, and the
Baron de Mackau.
Union of Calmar.
By this instrument, promul-
gated in 1397 by Margaret of
Denmark, the three northern
kingdoms of Norway, Sweden
and Denmark were united into
one monarchy. It was re-
nounced by Sweden in 1523.
Union Jack.
The union flag, when hoisted
at thejackstafi of a man-of-war,
is so called. The union flag is
composed of the red cross of
St. George on a white ground
(England), the white saltire of
St. Andrew "on a blue ground
(Scotland), and the red saltire
of St. Patrick on a white ground
(Ireland).
Union v/ith Ireland.
The Act of Union with Ireland
was finally passed in 1800.
Resolutions in favour of it had
been submitted to the Irish
Parliament in 1799, and though
supported in the main by the
Irish Catholics, they were op-
posed by Grattan, Curran and
other Irish leaders, and rejected.
Pitt was determined that in the
interests of both countries the
union must take place, and, the
Irish Parliament having been
dissolved, he succeeded by un-
limited bribery in securing a
Parliament containing a ma-
jority pledged to vote for the
union. This Parliament met
in 1800, and the necessary
resolution was passed by a
majority of forty-six.
Union with Scotland.
The ParHamentary Union be-
tween the two kingdoms was
agreed to in 1706, the terms
being settled by commissioners,
thirty-one on each side, ap-
pointed for the purpose. The
basis of the agreement was that
there should be one kingdom,
one Parliament and one Sue-
266 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
cessor. The national flags were
to be combined, and the two
countries known as the United
Kingdom. The confirming Act
was passed by the Scots Parlia-
ment in 1706, by the English in
1707.
United Brotherhood.
See Clan-na-Gael.
United Colonies of New England.
See Confederation, Treaty of.
United Diet.
A combination of the eight
Provincial Assemblies of the
Prussian monarchy, convened
by Frederick William IV in 1 847.
It sat for eleven weeks only, and
was replaced by the Constituent
Assembly summoned to prepare
a constitution in 1848.
United Irish League.
A league founded by William
O'Brien in the congested dis-
tricts of the west of Ireland
in 1897. Its ostensible object
is to secure an increase in the
size of tenants'holdings by break-
ing up grass farms. Its methods
are not free from intimidation.
United Irishmen.
A society founded in 1789 by
Wolfe Tone, in the attempt to
unite, in opposition to the
Government, the Irish Catholics
and the Republican Protestants
of Ulster.
United Provinces. '
The name given to the seven
provinces of the Netherlands,
namely, Holland, Zeeland,
Utrecht, Friesland, Groningen,
Gelderland and Oberyssel, which
formed the Union of Utrecht in
1579-
University Tests Act.
An Act passed in 1871,
abolishing all religious tests for
admission to the Universities of
Oxford and Cambridge, and
making all graduates of the
Universities eligible for fellow-
ships, whether in Holy Orders
or not.
Unkiar Skelessi, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and
Turkey, signed in 1833, by
which, regardless of the protests
of France and England, Turkey
agreed to open the Bosphorus
to the warships of Russia, while
the Dardanelles remained closed
to those of every other Power.
Unlearned Parliament.
The Parliament of Henry IV,
which met at Coventry in 1404,
was so called because it con-
tained no lawyers.
Unser Fritz.
Frederick, Emperor of Ger-
many, was called Our Fritz by
his subjects.
Unspeakable Turk. '
A phrase applied to the Otto-
man Empire. It was first used
by Thomas Carlyle.
Useless Parliament.
The name given to the first
Parliament of Charles I. It met
in June 1625, was removed to
Oxford in August, and dissolved
on the 12th of that month
without having transacted any
business.
Uses, Statute of.
By common law, landed pro-
perty could only be left to the
eldest son, and it had become
the custom to saddle property
so left with " uses," or charges,
in favour of the younger chil-
dren. This had caused inex-
tricable confusion as to title,
and a statute of Henry VIII,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 267
passed in 1535, forbade the
practice. It was very soon
repealed.
Uti Possidetis.
A term signifying the reten-
tion by the parties to a treaty
of all such territories as they
may have conquered or become
possessed of up to the signature
of the document.
Utraquists.
The name given to a section
of the Hussites who stood firm
in their demand that the Com-
munion should be administered
in both kinds.
Utrecht, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 17 13
between Louis XIV and the
allies, England and Holland,
the Emperor not being a party
to the instrument, at the close
of the War of the Spanish
Succession. By its terms the
allies recognized the Bourbon
succession to the Spanish
throne, with the proviso that
the two crowns should never
be united in one person. Louis
acknowledged Anne and the
Protestant Succession. England
retained Gibraltar, Minorca and
Newfoundland, the latter sub-
ject to the fishery rights of
France. Spain again granted
England the Asiento, and cer-
tain fortified towns were given
to the Dutch as a barrier in the
Netherlands. The Emperor
signed a separate treaty at
Rastadt in the following year.
Utrecht, Union of.
A union of the various pro-
vinces of the Netherlands in
1597, when they undertook to
support each other in opposing
the claims of the Spanish King.
The free exercise of the Protes-
tant religion was guaranteed to
Holland and Zeeland. This
union may be looked upon as
the foundation stone of the
Dutch Republic.
Uxbridge, Treaty of.
An attempt on the part of
the Presbyterians in Parliament
to come to terms with Charles I
in 1645. Negotiations were
opened at Uxbridge, the Parlia-
mentary demands being the
aboHtion of Episcopacy, the
continuation of the war in
Ireland, and the control by Par-
liament of the Army and Navy
and of appointments to the
great offices of State. The King
withdrew from the negotiations,
owing to the dissensions in
Parliament between the Inde-
pendents and Presbyterians,
which he anticipated would
eventually enable him to obtain
better terms.
Vaal, Treaty of the.
A treaty between the Trans-
vaal and the Orange Free State.
signed in 1857, after President
Pretorius' abortive invasion of
the Free State. The two
countries mutually acknow-
ledged each other's independ-
ence, with the Vaal as the
boundary between them. The
Transvaal repudiated the acts
of Pretorius in his attempt to
interfere with the internal
Government of the Free State,
while the Free State undertook
to use every endeavour to
compel Schoeman and Joubert
to cease hostilities, and further
agreed to accord to burghers of
268 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
the Transvaal the same privi-
leges as were granted to those
of Cape Colony and Natal.
Vaccination Act.
An Act passed in 1898, sub-
stituting the use of calf-lymph
for the old arm-to-arm system
in public vaccination, and per-
mitting parents who had a
conscientious objection, to with-
hold their children from vaccina-
tion, on satisfying a magistrate
of the same.
Vagabonds Act.
An Act passed in 1704, em-
powering Justices of the Peace
to hand over to the military
authorities, as recruits, all able-
bodied men who were without
visible means of subsistence.
Valtelline, Massacre of the.
A massacre of the Grisons
Protestants in the Valtelline
Valley in 1620, by Robustelli,
acting with the connivance of
the Austrians and the Spaniards.
Vassalage.
In the Middle Ages, the con-
dition of feudal dependence,
either upon the Lord Para-
mount, as in the case of the
great territorial nobles, or upon
a vassal of the Lord Paramount.
Vassy, Massacre of.
The massacre, in 1562, of a
body of Huguenots who, in
accordance with their strict
legal f rights, were holding a
service outside the town of
Vassy in Champagne. The
murderers were the retinue of
the^- Due de Guise, and the
victims numbered sixty, while
over two hundred were wounded.
This atrocity led to the outbreak
of the first Huguenot War.
Vatican Council.
The OEcumenical Council held
in Rome in 1870, at which the
dogma of the Infallibility of the
Pope was promulgated.
Vavassors.
The name given on the
Continent to the vassals of the
great feudal lords.
Vehmgerichte.
Secret tribunals established
in Germany during the Middle
Ages, to try persons arraigned
on capital charges, and to carry
out the sentence in case of con-
viction. The most famous was
that of Westphalia. Any free
born German was eligible as a
member, or Freischoffe, and
many German Princes were
initiated. The powers of the
Vehmgerichte were greatly
curtailed by Maximilian, the
original purpose of these tri-
bunals having been over-
shadowed by their employment
as vehicles of private vengeance,
and they gradually lost all
influence, till they were finally
dissolved by Jerome Buona-
parte in 181 1.
Veishya.
The third, or agricultural,
caste among the Hindus.
Vellore, Mutiny of.
A rising of native troops in
the Madras Presidency in 1806,
caused by a change in the head-
dress of the Sepoy, to whom it
was suggested by agitators that
he was to be forcibly Christian-
ized. The rising was soon
suppressed.
Venezuela Boundary.
In January 1895 Venezuelan
troops crossed the Cuyuni river,
part of the Schomburgk line,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 269
into British Guiana, and hoisted
the Venezuelan flag in territory
which had been occupied by the
British colonists for many years.
Obtaining no redress, Lord
Salisbury issued an ultimatum,
whereupon Venezuela appealed
to the United States to inter-
vene, in support of the Monroe
doctrine. President Cleveland
and Mr. Olney took a high hand,
and went the length of appoint-
ing an American Commission to
examine into the boundary
question. After long negotia-
tion arbitration was agreed
upon, and a treaty settling the
details was signed in February
1897. The award of the arbi-
trators was issued in 1899, and
practically confirmed the
British claim to the Schom-
burgk line, but gave Venezuela
Barima Point, at the mouth
of the Orinoco, and a tract of
country west of the Wenama
river.
Venice, League of.
A league formed in 1495
between Spain, Austria, Milan,
Venice and Rome, the signa-
tories binding themselves to
unite for the protection of any
one of the contracting parties
that was attacked, and especi-
ally for the preservation of the
States of the Church. It is
the first example in history of a
coalition for mutual defence.
Venner's Plot.
A plot of the Fifth Monarchy
men in 1660, under Thomas
Venner, to dethrone Charles II.
The plan was to seize Whitehall
during the King's absence, when
Venner, a wdld fanatic, trusted
to Divine help to carry out the
rest of his scheme. The plot
failed, and Venner and other
leaders were arrested, but only
after a desperate resistance.
Verdun, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 843, after
a short conflict, by the three
sons of Charlemagne, Charles the
Bald, Louis and Lothair. The
eldest son, Lothair, renounced
his right to the paramo untcy.
and the younger sons entered
into full enjoyment of their
territories, the Empire being
thus divided. This treaty
marks the division of the Prank-
ish nation into French and
Germans.
Vereeniging Conference.
The conference of Boer leaders
held at Vereeniging in May 1902,
at which the terms of surrender
were discussed and finally ac-
cepted. The terms provided
for the immediate laying down
of arms by the Boer com-
mandos, the acknowledgment
of the King as their lawful
sovereign, the return of the Boer
prisoners as soon as practicable,
freedom of surrendered burghers
from all judicial proceedings
except for acts contrary to the
usages of war, the use of the
Dutch language in the schools,
if demanded, and in the law
courts when necessary, and the
establishment in due course of
representative government. The
British Government further
agreed to provide ;^3, 000,000 as
a free gift, towards the re-
settlement of the country, and
a loan of unstated amount, on
easy terms, for the same pur-
pose.
Vernacular Press Act.
An Act passed in India in
270 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
1878 to control native news-
papers publishing seditious
libels. It gave the Govern-
ment power to make the editor
of a native newspaper enter
into a bond not to print sedi-
tious matter, and also authorized
the seizure of plant in the event
of non-compliance with the
terms of the bond. The Act
was repealed in 1882.
Verona, Congress of.
A Congress of the Powers held
in 1822, to consider the situation
in Spain. It resulted in the
armed intervention of France
in the following year.
Veronese Vespers.
A rising at Verona in 1797,
during the French occupation.
It was promptly put down, but
not before the Veronese had
murdered four hundred French
sick and wounded, lying in the
hospitals of the town.
Versailles, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1783
between Great Britain on the
one hand, and Spain, France
and the United States on the
other, at the conclusion of the
American War of Independence.
France retained Tobago, and
Spain, Florida and Minorca, but
all other conquests were restored
on both sides. As between
Great Britain and the United
States, this treaty simply con-
firmed the provisions of the
Treaty of Peace of 1782.
Vervins, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1598 be-
tween Henri IV of France and
Philip II of Spain, after the
recovery by Henri of Amiens,
which had fallen into the hands
of the Spaniards. By its terms
France recovered all the terri-
tory occupied by Spain during
the previous ten years, her
frontier being restored to that
settled by the Treaty of Cateau
Cambresis.
Veto.
Under the Swiss Constitution,
the right of the people to reject
a law passed by the Assembly,
by means of the Referendum.
Veto Act.
An Act passed by the General
Assembly of the Church of
Scotland in 1834, at the instiga-
tion of Dr. Chalmers, declaring
it to be a fundamental law of
the Church that no pastor could
be imposed on a congregation
against their will.
Victorian Deadlocks.
These were three in number,
caused by attempts to tack
on to the Appropriation Bill
resolutions of a controversial
character. The first occurred
in 1865, when the Legislative
Council refused to pass the
Appropriation Bill with certain
tariff resolutions of a protec-
tive character appended. The
Governor thereupon declined
to sign warrants for payments
out of the Treasury, and the
business of the country was at
a standstill. The Government,
however, got out of the diffi-
culty by having recourse to the
banks. The second or great
deadlock arose from the inclusion
in the Appropriation Bill of a
grant of ;^20,ooo to Sir Charles
Darling, the retiring Governor,
in 1867. This was ended by the
refusal of Sir Charles, in July
1868, to accept the grant. The
third arose in 1877 over the
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 271
question of payment of mem-
bers, the council again refusing
to pass the Appropriation Bill
with this provision tacked on.
The Government thereupon dis-
missed a large number of civil
servants. A compromise was,
however, arrived at, and the
of&cials reinstated. The day
on which the dismissals took
place is known as Black Wed-
nesday.
Vienna Congress.
A congress of the Great
Powers, held in 18 14-15, at
which Great Britain, France,
Austria, Prussia and Russia
were represented. It confirmed
in its main features the Treaty
of Paris of 1 8 1 5 , with the follow-
ing additional provisions : one-
third of the kingdom of Saxony
was surrendered to Prussia; the
Duchy of Posen was retained
by Prussia, and part of Galicia
by Austria, while Russia secured
the rest of Poland; the Bourbons
were restored in Naples, the
T5n:ol was given back to Austria,
and certain arrangements made
as to the minor German and
Italian States. The Congress
further pronounced in favour of
the free navigation of rivers,
and of the suppression of the
slave trade.
Vienna Conference.
A conference of the four Great
Powers, held in 1853, with the
object of mediating between
Russia and Turkey, A note
was drawn up which was
accepted by Russia, but refused
by Turkey, the Sultan declining
to admit that Russia's cham-
pionship alone maintained the
Greek Church in his dominions.
During the sitting of the con-
ference Turkey declared war. It
being found impossible to bring
the antagonists to terms, the
conference was dissolved.
Vienna, Definitive Peace of.
A treaty signed in 1738 by
Austria, France, Spain and
Sardinia, after the War of the
Polish Succession. By its pro-
visions Lorraine was ceded to
France, the Duke of Lorraine
receiving in exchange the Duchy
of Tuscany. Spain retained
Naples and Sicily, and Sardinia
obtained Novara and Tortona,
and some other frontier towns.
Vienna, Peace of.
A treaty between France and
Austria, signed in 1809 after the
defeat of the Austrians at
Wagram, by which Austria was
despoiled of further territory
for the benefit of France,
Russia and Bavaria. Austria
also agreed to recognize Joseph
Buonaparte as King of Spain,
and to support the Continental
Blockade.
Vienna, Treaty of, 1725.
A treaty between Spain and
Austria, by which Spain ac-
cepted the Pragmatic Sanction,
and agreed to open her ports
to German commerce ; while
Austria recognized Don Carlos
as the successor to the Duchies
of Parma and Tuscany, and
undertook to use her influence
with England to obtain the
restoration to Spain of Gibraltar
and Minorca. There was, how-
ever, a further secret treaty,
binding both countries to assist
in the restoration of the Stuarts,
while Austria promised aid in
compelling the return of Gib-
raltar and Minorca, by force if
necessary.
272 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
Vienna, Treaty of, 1731.
A treaty between Austria,
Spain, Holland and England.
The three latter powers united
in guaranteeing the Pragmatic
Sanction, while Austria agreed
to the occupation of Parma and
Tuscany by Spanish garrisons.
Vienne, Council of.
A council summoned by Pope
Clement V in 13 12, at which he
pronounced the dissolution of
the Order of Knights Templars.
Vieux Renard.
Marshal Soult (i 769-1 851)
was so called by his soldiers.
View of Frankpledge.
The periodical revision by the
Hundred Court of the Tythings,
or divisions of ten men, under
the system of Frankpledge.
Vigo Galleons.
The name given to an ex-
pedition under Sir George Rooke
in 1702, when the English fleet
forced an entrance into Vigo
Bay, and destroyed the French
fleet, together with the Spanish
galleons, which had just arrived
with treasure from America.
Vilagos, Surrender of.
The surrender of the Magyars
at the end of the Hungarian War
of Independence in 1849. It
was negotiated between General
Gorgey and the Russian General
Paskievitch, and it is said on
good authority, though there
is no documentary evidence to
prove it, that Gorgey was in-
duced to consent to the sur-
render by the promise that no
Hungarian officer should be
given up to the Austrians, and
that Russia would undertake to
secure independence for the
Magyars under a Russian Prince.
The promise, if ever made, was
certainly not kept, and the
Austrians tried and executed
many of the Magyar leaders.
Villafranca Treaty.
A treaty between France,
Sardinia and Austria, signed in
1859, after the defeats of the
latter Power at Magenta and
Solferino. Austria withdrew
entirely from Lombardy, which
was made over to Sardinia, in
accordance with the arrange-
ment secretly arrived at between
Napoleon III and Victor Em-
manuel.
Villeins.
Under the feudal system in
England the serfs or dependents
of the feudal lords were so
called. They were bound to the
soil and forced to render various
menial services. On the Conti-
nent the villeins appear to have
been in a better position than
the serfs proper, being bound
only to pay certain tribute, or
render certain definite services.
Villers-Cotterets, Ordonnance de.
An edict of Francis I of
France, issued in 1539, to re-
form the administration of jus-
tice, and abbreviate trials. It
also provided for the official
registration of baptisms and
burials.
Vinland.
The name given to the Viking
Colony on the American Conti-
nent, probably a portion of
Rhode Island, founded by Leif,
son of Eric the Red, about
1000 A.D.
Virgin Queen.
Queen Elizabeth of England
was so called.
Virginia, Charter of.
The first Colonial Charter,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 273
issued by James I in 1606. A
certain territory was thereby
set aside to be colonised by two
companies of adventurers, one
from London, the other from
the west of England. The first
company only was successful.
The land was to be held on a
tenure of homage, and a small
royalty payable on all precious
metals extracted from the soil.
An English council was formed,
to exercise a general superin-
tendence over the affairs of the
colony. All colonists and their
descendants were to retain their
rights as British subjects.
Virginia, Declaration of.
A declaration drafted by
George Mason, and voted by
the Convention of Virginia, in
May 1776. It declared that all
power sprang from and was
vested in the people; that all
men were free by nature; that
government should be for the
common welfare; that no office
should be hereditary, and that
there should be no restraint of
the free exercise of religion.
Virginian Liberties, Ordinance
for the Security of.
An ordinance issued in 1621,
giving Virginia a written con-
stitution. It provided for a
Governor and a permanent
Council, appointed by the Vir-
ginia Company, and for an
elected assembly, with legis-
lative powers, to meet annually.
The acts of this assembly were
subject to the Governor's veto,
and must further be ratified
by the Company in London,
while all ordinances issued by
the Company equally required
the ratification of the assembly.
It was also provided that the
procedure of the colonial courts
should be assimilated to the
English practice.
Voivodes.
The Princes of Moldavia and
Wallachia were so called until
1789, when these principalities
came under the protection o
Russia.
Volksraad.
The popular assembly in the
Orange Free State and the South
African Republic was so called.
Voortrekkers.
The name given to the Boers
who took part in the Great Trek
of 1836-7.
Vote of Non-Addresses.
A resolution of the Long
Parliament, passed on January
15, 1648, refusing, in view
of the duplicity shown by
Charles in the negotiations at
Carisbrook, to receive any mes-
sage from, or make any applica-
tion to, the King.
Vowel's Plot.
A Royalist conspiracy to
assassinate the Protector on
his way to Hampton Court in
1654.
Vox in Excelso, Bull.
A bull of Clement V, issued
in 1 3 12, suppressing the Order
of the Knights Templars.
w
Wager of Battle.
A method of trial based on the
Norse trial by duel, introduced
into England by William the
Conqueror, Any person charged
with an offence by a private
individual could challenge him
274 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
to mortal combat, and if he were
successful, or could escape de-
feat for a whole day, was ac-
quitted of the charge. Wager
of battle was not legally abol-
ished until 1 8 19.
Wahabis.
A sect of fanatical Moham-
medans, whose centre is at Nejd,
in Arabia, though they are
spread over the whole Moslem
world. As a military power
they were at one time to be
feared, but their organization
was broken up by Mehemet Ali
and Ibrahim Pasha at the
beginning of the nineteenth
century.
Waitangi, Treaty of.
A treaty between the British
Government and the Maories in
1 840,whereby the latter acknow-
ledged the English sovereignty
over New Zealand, while they
were guaranteed in the undis-
turbed possession of their lands.
Wai-Wupu.
The new board appointed
by the Emperor of China in
1902, to succeed the Tsung-li-
Yamen in the control of Foreign
Affairs. It has precedence over
all the other departments of
State.
Walcheren Expedition.
An abortive expedition des-
patched by England to the
Island of Walcheren in 1809,
with the object of capturing
Antwerp and destroying the
French fleet in the Scheldt.
The expedition captured Flush-
ing, but had no further success,
and was withdrawn within the
year, the major portion of the
force employed having been
incapacitated by fever.
Waldemariana, Constitutio.
The constitution established
in Denmark by Waldemar III,
surnamed the Restorer (1340-
75).
Waldenses,
A religious sect who seceded
from the Church under Peter
Waldo, a Lyons merchant, about
1 160. They spread rapidly
over France and Germany, but
their chief seat was in the
valleys of Savoy and the Pays
de Vaud. They suffered perse-
cution under Philip Augustus
(i 180-1223), and again under
Francis I in 1540, and finally
were almost exterminated by
Louvois between 1687 and 1690.
Wales, Court of.
A court established in the
reign of James I, to supersede
the ordinary courts in the
counties of Hereford, Shrop-
shire, Worcestershire and
Gloucestershire, which were
withdrawn from the jurisdiction
of the common law, on the plea
that they were the Welsh
Marches.
Wales, Ordinances of.
A series of severely repressive
laws against the Welsh, issued
by Henry IV in 1401.
Wales, Statute of.
A statute of Edward I, issued
in 1284, oil fhe annexation of
Wales. It applied to the con-
quered country the laws and
institutions of England, with
such exceptions as were deemed
advisable to meet the prejudices
of the Welsh. See Rhudlann.
Wallace's Larder.
The dungeon of Ardrossan.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 275
into which Wallace threw the
bodies of the slaughtered garri-
son, when he captured the for-
tress in the reign of Edward I.
Wallachia, Capitulation of.
A treaty between Murad I of
Turkey, and the Voivode of
WaUachia, signed in 1391, by
which the Voivode recognized
the suzerainty of Turkey, and
agreed to pay an annual
tribute.
Waller's Plot.
A conspiracy headed by
Waller, the poet, who had been
won over by the Royalists in
1643, to collect troops and seize
upon London. The plot mis-
carried, however, and Waller
was forced to make his sub-
mission to the Parliament.
Wallingford, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1 1 53, which
ended the civil war of Stephen.
Stephen was accepted as King,
while Henry of Anjou was
recognized by Stephen as heir
to the throne. It was also
agreed that the castles were to be
razed, and all foreign mercen-
aries dismissed.
Wanderers.
The Covenanters who left
their homes to follow their dis-
possessed ministers in 1669 were
so called.
Wapenshaw.
A gathering of the people in
ancient Scottish times, for the
purpose of ascertaining that
every man was properly armed,
and fit to take the field if called
upon.
Wapentakes.
In the counties settled by the
Danes, these correspond to the
Saxon Hundreds.
Wards, Court of.
A court established by Henry
VIII in 1540, to enforce the
rights of the Crown over its
wards, and secure to the King
the full benefit arising from the
exercise of wardship. The court
was abolished in 1660.
Wardship.
In early feudal times, in the
event of a minor succeeding to a
fief, the overlord claimed to act
as guardian, both of the land
and of the infant. This right
was restricted by Magna Charta.
Wars.
See Arkansas, Armagnac,
Augsburg, Austrian Succession,
Barons, Bavarian Succession,
Bien PubHc, Bread and
Cheese, Casenbrotspel, Douglais,
Farthings, Hundred Years,
Hungarian, Jenkin's Ear,
King Philip, Nobles, Opium,
Pacific, Polish Succession,
Rappenkrieg, Reforma, Seven
Weeks, Seven Years, Spanish
Succession, Thirty Years.
Wartburg, Festival of.
An assembly of German stu-
dents held in 1 8 17, to commemo-
rate the tercentenary of the
Reformation. The occasion was
utilised for the formation of a
league of students to promote
liberal ideas in politics and
national unity.
Washington, Treaty of.
See Ashburton Treaty.
Washington, Treaty of, 1871.
A treaty between England
and the United States, signed
in 1 87 1, providing for the sub-
mission to arbitration of the
Alabama and the San Juan
questions, and arranging a
276 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
modus vivendi on the Canadian
Pishery Question. Both the
arbitrations went against Great
Britain.
Watch and Ward, Statute of.
A statute passed in 1285
(13th Edward I), providing for
the pohcing of the streets of
London.
Waterboer, Treaty with.
The first treaty signed in South
Africa with a native chief.
Waterboer was a Griqualand
chief, and by this treaty, signed
in 1834, he undertook to main-
tain order within his territories
and protect the colonial border
irom marauders passing through
his country, in return for which
he was to receive ;^ioo per
annum, and two hundred mus-
Icets and ammunition.
Wedmore, Treaty of.
A treaty between Alfred and
the Danes, concluded after the
defeat of the latter at Edington
in 878. By this treaty East
Anglia was surrendered to the
Danes, while a line was drawn
separating their kingdom from
Wessex, by which a large portion
of Mercia was restored to Wessex.
It was further provided that the
Danes were to hold their lands
as vassals of the King of
Wessex, and to embrace Chris-
tianity.
Weregild.
In Anglo-Saxon times, a
money compensation paid by a
murderer to the relatives of the
murdered man. It varied in
amount according to the rank
of the victim.
Werela, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and
Sweden, signed in 1790, at the
conclusion of the war entered
into by Gustavus of Sweden to
support the Turks. No terri-
torial changes took place.
Westminster Assembly.
An assembly of divines, held
between 1643 and 1649, at
which Presbyterianism was
made the established religion
of England, in accordance with
the Solemn League and Coven-
ant. The assembly also issued
the Directory, as a substitute
for the Book of Common
Prayer.
Westminster Confession.
The confession of faith issued
by the Westminster Assembly
in 1643. It contains thirty-
three articles, and is an expo-
sition of the Calvinistic doc-
trine.
Westminster, Provisions of.
A series of provisions based
on those of Oxford, issued in
1259, and afterwards embodied
in the Statute of Marlborough.
Westminster, Statutes of.
The first Statute of West-
minster was passed by the first
Parliament of Edward I in 1275.
It was practically a codification
of previously existing laws and
statutes which had not been
fully enforced. It secured the
Church in its rights, re-enacted
the various charters, and re-
formed many abuses in the
administration of the law. The
second Statute of Westminster
is the Statute also known as
De Donis Conditionalibus.
Westminster, Synod of.
A synod held in 1 102, at which
decrees were issued against
simony, marriage of the clergy
and other ecclesiastical abuses,
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 277
and also against the selling of
men into slavery.
Westphalia, Treaty of.
This treaty, signed in 1648
by France, Sweden and the
Empire, put an end to the
Thirty Years' War. It estab-
lished and recognized Protest-
antism in Germany, and made
provision for the equal repre-
sentation of the two religions
in the German Diet. France
obtained Alsace, Sweden se-
cured Bremen, North Pomer-
ania and Stettin, and there were
certain changes among the
smaller German States.
Whigamores' Raid.
A rising of the peasantry of
the west of Scotland in 1648,
in opposition to the supporters
of the Engagement.
Whigs.
A name first applied to the
Covenanters in the west of
Scotland, and afterwards to the
anti-Stuart party in England.
They later represented the party
of progress and reform, in
which sense they were the pre-
decessors of the Liberals.
Whimsicals.
The name given to the English
Tories who supported the House
of Hanover on the accession of
George I.
Whip with Six Lashes.
The name given to the Six
Articles of Henry VIII, issued
in 1539.
Whisky Insurrection.
A serious rising in Western
Pennsylvania in 1794, caused
by an attempt of the authorities
to suppress illicit distillation,
which was rife in that region.
Some six or seven thousand
insurgents were in arms, and
the outbreak was only sup-
pressed after the militia of four
of the neighbouring States had
been called out.
Whitby, Synod of.
A synod held in 664, at which
the Saxon Churches definitely
decided to adhere to the Church
of Rome, rather than to the
Celtic Church founded in Ire-
land by St, Columba.
White Bands, The Parliament
of.
The name given to the Parlia-
ment of 1 32 1, which banished
the Despencers, owing to the
followers of the Barons wearing
white favours.
White Capes.
See Chaperons Blancs.-
White Clergy.
The parish priests in Russia
are so called, as distinguished
from the Black Clergy, or
monastic priesthood. They take
no part in ecclesiastical ad-
ministration, and are permitted
to marry.
White Company.
A famous band of mercen-
aries which served in the French
wars, and, after the Peace of
Bretigny, in Italy. Its leader
was Sir John Hawkwood.
White Cross Knights.
The Knights Hospitallers were
so called.
White Devil of Wallachia.
The nickname given by the
Turks to George Castriot (Is-
kander Beg), the Albanian hero
(1404-67).
White League.
An organization formed in
the Southern States, after the
278 DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
American Civil War, to prevent
the exercise of the franchise by
the coloured population.
White Sheep.
The Turcomans who overran
Persia in 1468 were so called.
White Ship.
See Blanche Nef.
Whiteboys.
See Levellers.
Whitecaps.
A secret association in Indiana,
U.S.A., formed originally as a
vigilance society, which later
was guilty of many outrages.
Who Who Ministry.
The ministry formed by Lord
Derby in 1852. Many of its
members were new to office,
and the story goes that the Duke
of Wellington, who was very
deaf, was being told by Lord
Derby the names of his col-
leagues. At each unfamiliar
name, the Duke kept ejacu-
lating, Who ? Who ?
Wild Geese.
The name given to the Irish-
men recruited by France for
service in the Irish Brigade
during the eighteenth century.
Wills, Statute of.
A statute passed in 1540,
providing that land held in fee
simple might be devised by will.
This right had been greatly re-
stricted by the Plantagenet
legislation.
William the Silent.
The sobriquet of William,
Prince of Orange (1533-84).
Wilmot Proviso.
An amendment, carried by
Mr. David Wilmot, in the United
States House of Representa-
tives, to the Bill for the purchase
of Mexican territory in 1846.
It provided that neither slavery
nor involuntary servitude should
ever exist in the territory to be
acquired. The amendment was
thrown out by the Senate.
Winchester, Statute of.
A re-enactment in 1285 of the
Assize of Arms of Henry II.
It laid upon the counties the
duty of keeping order within
their boundaries, and of sup-
pressing brigandage and high-
way robbery, and defined their
obligations towards the national
defence.
Winter King.
The nickname of Frederick V,
Elector Palatine, who was King
of Bohemia during the winter
of 1619-20.
Wisbuy, Ordinances of.
A code of maritime laws
issued during the fourteenth
century, governing the opera-
tions of the Baltic traders. It
takes its name from Wisbuy,
a town in Gothland.
Wisliza, Code of.
A code of laws framed by
Casimir the Great, in 1 347, which
remained the basis of Polish
legislation till the end of the
eighteenth century.
Witanagemot.
In Saxon times, the central
assembly of the nation, pre-
sided over by the King or his
representative. In early days
it was open to all freemen, but
later came to be composed of
the nobles and thegns about the
King's person. The word signi-
fies the Assembly of the Wise.
Wizard.
John Sobieski, King of Poland
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 279
(1674-96), was so called by the
Turks.
Wolverine State.
The State of Michigan, U.S.A.,
is so called, because in early days
it was infested with wolverines.
Wonderful Parliament.
A Parliament of Richard II,
assembled in 1388. It consisted
almost entirely of partisans of
the Duke of Gloucester, and
during a session of 122 days
was mainly occupied in the
removal of his enemies. It is
also known as the Merciless
Parliament.
Wood's Halfpence.
A controversy between the
English and Irish Parliaments
in 1722, over a patent granted
to an Englishman named Wood,
to coin copper money for issue
in Ireland. Dean Swift's famous
" Drapier's Letters " appeared
on the Irish side of the contro-
versy, and eventually the patent
was withdrawn.
World's Wonder.
The sobriquet of Frederick II,
Emperor of Germany (1215-50).
Worms, Concordat of.
A concordat negotiated at
the Synod of Mayence, and pro-
claimed at Worms in 1122, by
which the Pope agreed to
the election of bishops and abbots
by their chapters, throughout
the German Empire. The Em-
peror renounced the right of
investiture with the ring and
staff, but it was agreed that
this investiture should not take
place till the newly elected
prelate had sworn fealty to the
Emperor. This concordat was
confirmed by the first Lateran
Council in 1123.
Worms, Diet of.
A Diet held in 1521, to which
Luther was summoned, under
a safe conduct, in order that
he might have the opportunity
of retracting his heresies. This
he declined to do, and but for
the assistance of the Elector of
Saxony, he would very pro-
bably have met with the fate
of John Huss under similar
circumstances.
Worms, Edict of.
An edict issued by the Diet
of Worms in 1821, outlawing
Luther, and all those who
sheltered or aided him, or who
printed, sold or read his works.
Worms, Treaty of.
An alhance between England,
Holland, Austria, Saxony and
Sardinia, signed in 1743, to up-
hold the Pragmatic Sanction.
Wiirtzburg, League of.
A league of the Catholic
princes of Germany, formed in
1 6 10, under Maximilian of Ba-
varia, to oppose the Protestant
Union.
Wyandotte Constitution.
The Constitution of Kansas,
adopted in 1859, under which
Kansas was admitted to the
Union. It abolished slavery
throughout the State.
Wyoming Massacre.
During the American War of
Independence in 1778, the settle-
ment in the Valley of Wyoming,
Pennsylvania, was attacked by
the British, together with a band
of Seneca Indians. Most of the
able-bodied men were in the
field under Washington, and
only 300 opposed the British
force, which overpowered them,
and accepted their surrender.
28o DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS
It was, however, impossible to
control the Indians, who later
again attacked the settlement,
and massacred a large number
of the inhabitants.
X
X Y Z Mission.
An American mission des-
patched to France in 1797.
Attempts were made to bribe
them, the agents employed
using, in their correspondence,
the initials X, Y, Z.
Yandabo, Treaty of.
A treaty between Great
Britain and Burmah, signed in
1826, at the end of the Burmah
War of 1824, whereby Great
Britain acquired Arrakan and
Tenasserim.
Yangtse Agreement.
See Anglo-German Agreement.
Yankee.
The name first applied to
the colonists in the New England
States by the British soldiers
during the American War of
Independence. It is supposed
to be derived from an Indian
corruption of English—" Yen-
gies," or " Yanghies."
Year of Corbie.
This name was given by the
French during the Thirty Years*
War to the year 1636, when the
Imperial troops penetrated into
France to Corbie, within fifty
miles of Paris, and apparently
had the capital at their mercy.
They preferred, however, to
retire, loaded with booty, but
the imminent danger was long
an unpleasant memory to the
Parisians.
Young Cub.
Charles James Fox (1749-
1806) was so called.
Young Czechs.
The Radical section of the
Czech or National Party in
Bohemia.
Young England.
The party of young Tories
who strongly opposed the repeal
of the Corn Laws from 1839
to 1846, and favoured a return
to the manners and customs of
an earlier day. Among its leaders
was Lord John Manners.
Young Ireland Party.
A party formed in Ireland in
1847, as a rival association to the
Repealers who followed O'Con-
nell. Their leaders were Smith
O'Brien, Meagher and Mitchel,
and they were in favour of
physical force rather than of
constitutional agitation. An
abortive attempt at a rising
under their auspices in 1848
was easily suppressed, and the
society came to an end immedi-
ately afterwards.
Young Italy.
A secret society founded by
Mazzini about 1830, to work for
the emancipation of Italy.
Young Pretender.
Charles Edward Stuart, son
of James Edward, and grand-
son of James II, was so called
by the supporters of the Hano-
verian succession.
Young Turks.
The Turkish reform party.
For obvious reasons they are
for the most part resident
beyond the limits of the Turkish
Empire.
DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS 281
Zanzibar, Treaty of.
.A treaty between Germany
and Zanzibar, signed in 1885.
The Sultan of Zanzibar thereby
recognized Germany's rights
over Chagga and Kilimanjaro,
and accorded certain trade
facilities to the German East
Africa Company.
Zaporovian Commonwealth.
A community of Free
Cossacks on the Dnieper. They
were not finally deprived of
their independence till the reign
of Catherine II, circ. 1780.
Zehngerichtenbund.
See Ten Jurisdictions.
Zelanti.
A body of Cardinals, headed
by Cardinal Orsini, who had
great influence in Rome circ.
1700, and whose efforts were
directed towards stricter dis-
cipline in the Church.
Zemindars.
Under the Mohammedan
rulers of India, the Zemindars
were officers who were charged
with the collection of taxes
over a certain district. In 1793
these officers were, in Bengal,
converted by Lord Cornwallis
into landowners, each in his
own district, who alone paid
land-tax to the Government,
and recouped themselves by
rents received from the peasants
or ryots. This system is known
as the Zemindari System.
Zemstvo.
The Russian provincial and
district assemblies are so called.
The Zemstvo is elected, in cer-
tain fixed proportions, by the
landowners, the village com-
munes and the muncipalities.
It meets at least once a year, but
has a permanent bureau, always
in session, chosen from among
its members for executive pur-
poses. It is charged with the
maintenance of roads and
bridges and other public works,
and the supervision of education,
sanitation and agriculture. It
also elects the local justices of
the peace.
Zollverein.
A union of the German States
for commercial purposes, entered
into under the auspices of
Prussia in 1833. It provided
for free internal trade, and a
uniform system of customs
duties for the whole union.
Zurich, Compromise of.
An attempt by Calvin and
Farel, in 1549, to amalgamate
the different doctrines of Calvin
and Zwingli. It met with little
acceptance on the part of the
Protestant Cantons.
Zurich, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1859 con-
firming the Treaty of Villafranca,
which provided for the cession
by Austria of Lombardy, to be
transferred by France to Sar-
dinia.
INDEX
Aargau, 231.
Abbaside Khalifs, 23.
Abd-el-Kader, 247.
Abdallah, King of Granada, i.
Abdul Hamed, Sultan of Turkey,
140.
Abdul Mejid, Sultan of Turkey, 115.
Aboyne, Lord, 42.
Abyssinia, 2, 172.
Acre, 134-
Adams, Samuel, 91, 171.
Adansi, 96.
Addison, Joseph, 139.
Adige (River), 154.
Adjanta Ghat, 235.
Adrian I, Pope, 78.
Adrian IV, Pope, 3.
Adrian VI, Pope, 218.
Adrianople, 3.
Adolphus Frederick of Holstein, 2.
iEthelfled, 95, 141.
JEtheked I, 176.
iEthelred the Unready, 72, 104,
118,221.
iEthelstan, 117.
^thelwulf, 193.
Afghanistan, 103, 105, 166, 188,
217, 234.
Afridis, 105, 166.
Agilulf, King of the Lombards, 129.
Ahausen, 204.
Ahmed I, Sultan of Turkey, 174.
Ahmednaggar, 235.
Aix-la-Chapelle, Peace of, 20, 201.
Alabama, 112.
Alabama claims, 275.
Alaska, 11, 26.
Albania, 130, 277.
Albert II, Emperor, 201.
Albert of Brandenburg, 251.
Albuquerque, Alfonso d', 200.
Alemtejo, 97.
Alenfon, 106.
Alengon, Due d', 201.
Alexander III, Pope, 3, 48, 190.
Alexander IV, Pope, 150.
Alexander V, Pope, 122, 196, 226.
Alexander VI, Pope, 75, 122, 222.
Alexander I of Russia, 261.
Alexander II of Russia, 174, 230.
Alexander I of Scotland, 232.
Alexander III of Scotland, 156.
Alexandria, 13, 70.
Alfonso I of Aragon, 93.
Alfonso III of Aragon, 13.
Alfonso V of Spain, 102.
Alfonso VI of Spain, 53.
Alfonso the Wise, 234.
Alfred the Great, 79, 141, 160, 170,
276.
Algarves, 97.
Algeria, 233, 247-
Allahabad, 27. 125.
Allen, Cardinal, 3.
Alsace, 99, 163, 191, 277-
Al thorp. Lord, 128.
Alva, Duke of, 33, 245.
Amadeus V of Savoy, 12.
Amatongaland, 246.
Amazon (River), 43.
Ambojma, 239.
Amiens, 270.
Amoy, 180.
Amsterdam, 225.
Amurath I, Sultan of Turkey, 131.
Anabaptists, 213.
AnatoUa, 14.
Ancona, 256.
Andrassy, Count, 10.
Andres, Last of the Incas, 213.
Andrew II of Hungary, 107.
Anglo-Saxons, 34, 39, 50, 82, 88, 92,
95, 96, 100, 103, 104, 116, 117,
118, 122, 142, 1495 156, 160, 181,
221, 222, 232, 238, 249, 251, 260,
263, 272, 276, 278.
284
INDEX
Angola, 63.
Angus, Archibald Sixth Earl of, 18.
Aniello, Tommaso, 161.
Anjou, I, 38, loi.
Annam, 31, 99, 121, 254.
Anne Boleyn, 244.
Anne de Joyeuse, 217.
Anne of England, 37, 88, 149, 192,
23, 206, 231, 246, 253, 267.
Anne of Austria, 82.
Anne, Regent of France, 112, 1^4-
Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury,
26.
Anspach, 204, 227.
Antigua, 38.
Antrim, 242.
Antwerp, loi, 158, 239, 274.
Appenzell, 144, 252.
Arabi Pasha, 81.
Arabia, 166, 274.
Arad, 122.
Aragon, 13, 135, 167.
Arbitration Tribunal, 113.
Archaicus of Scotland, 253.
Arcis-sur-Aube, 15.
Ardalian, 28.
Ardrossan, 274.
Argentine Republic, 104, 196, 259,
269.
Argyll, Archibald Fifth Earl of, 69.
Argyll, Archibald Eighth Earl of,
124, 213, 214.
Arizona, 103.
Arkansas, 26.
Arlington, Henry Earl of, 42.
Arma'^nacs, 185, 262.
Armellini, 218.
Armenians, 112, 118.
Arminians, 65, 79, 108, 213.
Armstrong, William, 138.
Arnauld, Antoine, 131, 199.
Arnold of Brescia, 117.
Arracan, 280.
Arteveldt, James van, 39.
Artois, 105, 158, 205.
Ashanti, 96.
Ashbourne, Lord, 128.
Ashley, Earl of Shaftesbury, 42.
Assi, 60.
Assumptionists, 18.
Atalanta, 232.
Athens, 78.
Athole, Earl of, 206.
Atterbury, Bishop, 19.
Auckland, Lord, 234.
Auerstadt, Battle of, 31.
Augsburg Confession, 203, 227. 249.
Augsburg, Diet of, 235.
Augsburg, League of, 220.
Augsburg, Religious Peace of, 212.
Augustinus, 124, 131.
Augustus II of Poland, 197, 224.
Austeilitz, Battle of, 253.
Australia, 20, 91, 100, 124.
Austrian Succession, War of the,
201.
Auxerre, 15.
Avalos, Ferdinand de, 225.
Avignon, 256.
Azores, 75.
Azov, 140, 204.
Babek, 136.
Bacon, Nathaniel, 21, 109.
Baden, 105, 202, 215.
Bagimont of Vicci, 21.
Baillie of Jerviswood, 132.
Baji Rao II, 23.
Bakunin, Michael, 127.
Balaclava, Battle of, 73.
Balasore, 75.
Baldwin I of Flanders, 37.
Balfour, A. J., 98.
Balfour, Sir James, 69.
Ballard, Father, 21.
Balliol, Edward, 67, 156.
Balliol, John, 256.
Baltic, 239, 251, 278.
Baltimore, Lord, 161.
Baner, Johan Gustafsson, 148.
Bantry Bay, 175.
Baramahal, 230.
Barbaroux, 92.
Barbes, 222.
Barbiano, Count, 221.
Barcelona, 64.
Barclay, Sir George, 16.
Barebone, Praise -God, 23, 176.
Barlaymont, 65.
Barlow, Sir George, 155.
Bameveldt, Jan van Olden, 15.
Baro (River), 2.
Baroda, 23.
Barre, Isaac, 238.
Barrot, Odilon, 61.
Barton, Elizabeth, 177.
Basle, 225, 252.
Bassano, Due de, 164, 254.
Bassein, 193, 245.
Basutos, 7, 124, 175. 237, 251.
Batapins, 242.
Bates' Case, 35.
Bath, William, Earl of, 233.
Batman, John, 199.
INDEX
285
Batoum, 28.
Bautzen, Battle of, 236.
Bavaria, 19, 25, 103, 105, 150, 215 »
221, 235» 271.
Bayard, Seigneur de, 52.
Bayonne, 1.
Beaconsfield, Lord, 28.
Beauge, Battle of, 262.
Bechuanaland, 136, 168, 242-
Becket, Thomas a, 65.
Bedford, John, Duke of, 94-
Bedford, J ohn. Fourth Duke of, 26.
Belesme, 106.
Belfort, 100.
Belgium, 7> 27, 45. 57, 151, i54,
187, 215, 228.
Benedict IX, Pope, 37.
Benedict XII, Pope, 213.
Benedict XIII, Pope, 196.
Bengal, 281.
Benigsen, Baron, 171.
Berar, 75, 198.
Berenger, Loi, 150.
Berg, 215.
Berghem, 158.
Berlichingen, Gotz von, 130, 191.
Berlin, 4, 63, 134.
Berlin Congress, 120, 224.
Bermudez, 88.
Bernadotte, 37.
Bernard, 222.
Berne, 46, 84, 146, 200, 208, 231,
256.
Berri, Due de, 63.
Berry, Sir Graham, 86-
Bessarabia, 27, 28.
Bessborough, Earl of, 29.
Beza, 58.
Bezuidenhout, Jan, 236.
Billioray, 60.
Birmingham, 210.
Biron, Baron de, 30.
Biscav, 46.
Bismarck, Otto von, 33, 46, 48,
99, 112, 120, 129, 134. 164, 212,
214.
Black Sea, 5, 27, 32, 47, 136, 188,
220.
Blackburn, 32.
Blackheath, 96.
Blaine, J. G., 35, 185, 248.
Blair, F. P., 139.
Blanche of Castile, 24.
Bland, Mr., 32.
Blanqui, Louis Auguste, 60, 222.
Blennerhassett, Harman, 42.
Bligh, Admiral, 36.
Bloemfontein, 33.
Blount, Sir James, 239.
Blucher, Marshal, 98.
Blue Nile, 2.
Boccold, John, 9.
Boer War, 4, 61, 114, 157. i7i> 269.
Bogdan of Moldavia, 166.
Bohemia, 157, 168, 179, 180, 201,
202, 280.
BoUngbroke, Henry, Viscount, 178,
190.
BoUvar, Simon, 109, 147, 255.
Bolivia, 9, 184, 225.
Bologna, 10, 145.
Bombay, 35, 189.
Bond, Sir Robert, 35.
Boniface VIII, Pope, 56, 146, 191,
264.
Bonnivard, Francois de, 203.
Booth, John Wilkes, 35.
Bordeaux, i, 182, 196.
Boris of Russia, 75.
Bosnia, 28, 2i7'
Bosphorus, 188, 266.
Bossuet, 56, 211.
Boston, 36, 69, 211, 249.
Bothwell, 48, 69.
Bouillon, Godefroi de, 56, 146.
Boulanger, General, 36.
Boulogne, 36, 48.
Boulonnais, 15.
Bourbon, Adalbert de, 172.
Bourbon, Cardinal de, 133.
Bourbon, Due de, 29, 201.
Boiurbon, General de, 32.
Bourbons, 46, 276.
Bourges, 190.
Bover, 126.
Boycott, Captain, 37.
Boyens, Adrian, 225.
Brabant, 76, 105, 133, 163.
Bradlaugh, Charles, 203.
Braemar, Hunting of, 122.
Brahminism, 16, 37, 104, 139,
234» 2.44» 245» 268.
Brazil, 43, 74, 87, 256, 259, 261.
Breda, 38.
Brederode, Count Henry of, 112.
Bregeiiz, 144.
Bremen, 100, 114, ^42, :;77«
Brescia, 117.
Bresse, 256.
Bretigny, Peace of, 100, 277.
Bretwalda, ii7-
Bridgwater, 138.
Briel, 49.
Bright, John, 3, 39, loi, 120, 260.
286
INDEX
Brissot, J. P., 39.
Bristol, 39.
British Columbia, 11, 45.
British Guiana, 180, 227, 269.
British South Africa Company,
131-
Brittany, 18, 38, 106.
Brittany, Duke of, 29, 63.
Brooke, George, 42.
Brown, John, 115.
Brown, Major-General, i.
Brownists, 125.
Bruce, Robert, 176, 209.
Bruges, 107, 158.
Brunswick, Duke of, 31.
Brussels, 40, 193.
Buccleugh, Lord of, 138.
Bucer, Martin, 251.
Buchanan, Mr., 183.
Buckingham, George Villiers, Duke
of, 42.
Bulgaria, 6, 24, 28, 41, 55, 224, 237-
Bundelcund, 207.
Burdett, Sir Francis, 207.
Burgos, 41.
Burgundians, 261.
Burgundy, 15, no, i55» 163.
Bmrgundy, Duke of, 29.
Burke, Edward, 2.
Bxurke, T. H., 127, 195.
Burleigh, Cecil Lord, 50.
Burmah, 71, 119, 280.
Bums, John, 257.
Burr, Aaron, 42.
Burrard, Sir Harry, 54.
Caboche, 43.
Cade, Jack, 60, 198.
Cadiz, 64.
Cadiz. Duke of, 239.
Cadoudal, Georges, 53, 195.
Cahors, 9.
Cairns, Earl, 98, 230.
Calais, 38.
Calcutta, 31.
CaHfornia, 13, 61, 107, in, 143,
169.
Cahxtus II, Pope, 143.
Callao, 147.
Calvin, John, 44, 63, 116, 199, 281.
Calvinists, 44, 63, 108, 116, 122,
141, 147.
Cambacer6s, Jean Jacques de, 58.
Cambray, Peace of, 184.
Cambridge, 266.
Camerata, Count, 218.
Cameron, Richard, 44, 224.
Camisards, 87.
Campbells, 107.
Canada, 16, 45, 56, 81, 92, 95, 96,
113, 114, 121, 191, 206, 209,
216, 261.
Canning, George, 135.
Canning, Lord, 56, 183.
Canning, Sir Stratford, 85, 115.
Canossa, 46.
Canton, 180, 247.
Cape Cod, 162.
Cape Colony, 3, 31, 33, 41, 59»''76»
82, 94, 106, 116, 118, 123, 135,
138, 171, 186, 187, 197, 204,
236, 259, 276.
Cape Verde, 256.
Cappel, 46.
Caraffa, John, 251.
Carbonari, 224.
Card well. Lord, 15.
Careha, 177, 243.
Caribbean Sea, 40, 239.
Carisbrooke, 273.
Carlisle, 138.
CarHsts, 28.
Carlos, Don, 46.
Carlo witz, Treaty of, 190.
Carlsbad, 47.
Carlyle, Thomas, 266.
Carmarthen, Lord, 175.
Carmel Mount, 47.
Carnarvon, Lord, 232.
Carnot, Lazare Nicolas, 182.
Carolina, 47, 166.
Caroline Islands, 47.
Carrier, 177.
Carpathians, 248.
Cartwright, Thomas, 3.
Casimir the Great of Poland, 278.
Caspian Sea, 112.
Cassano, Battle of, 150.
Cassilis, Earl of, 18.
Cassini, Count, 48.
Castriot, George, 6, 130, 277.
Castro, Thomas, 55.
Catalonia, 4.
Cateau Cambresis, Treaty of, 270.
Catesby, Robert, 112.
Catherine of Aragon, 177, 244.
Catherine of France, 261.
Catherine II of Russia, 49, 67, 132,
140, 166, 197, 229, 243, 248, 281.
Cavagnari, Sir Louis, 104.
Cavaignac, General, 18.
Cavendish, Lord Frederick, 127 195.
Cavour, Count, 130.
Cawnpore, 50.
INDEX
287
Cayenne, 38.
Cayugas, 96.
Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, 42.
Cerdagne, 23.
Cellier, Mrs., 162.
Celts, 29, 38, 88.
Central America, 53. 62, 72, 185.
Cevennes, 262.
Ceylon, 9.
Chagga, 281.
Chalmers, Dr., 100, 270.
Chamberlain, Joseph, 58, 120, 219.
Chambord, Comte de, 146.
Chambul (River), 207.
Chang How, 140.
Chantaboon, 99.
Charleroi, 24.
Charlemagne, 78, 119. 185, 269.
Charles of Anjou, 233.
Charles, Archduke of Austria, 239.
Charles of Blois, 252.
Charles, Dauphin of France, 38.
Charles I of England, 15, 25, 28,
33, 50, 84, 87, 95, 106, 124, 152,
155, 161, i74» 176, i94» 211, 213,
219, 224, 233, 238, 244. 260,
266, 267, 273-
Charles II of England, i, 30, 31. 35.
38, 42, 47. 55. 58, 66, 69, 74. 79.
89, III, 121, 132, 148, 163, 179.
194, 199, 203, 211, 213, 220, 238,
241, 256, 260, 269.
Charles I of France (the Bold), 40,
163, 178, 269.
Charles III of France (the Simple),
Charles V of France, 25, 60.
Charles VI of France, 14, 181, 262.
Charles VII of France, 15. 99. 200,
201.
Charles VIII of France, 23.
Charles IX of France, 131, 221, 261.
Charles X of France, 134, i8i, 215.
Charles IV of Germany, 107, 194.
Charles V of Germany, 23, 44. 47.
48, 93, 105, 107, 119, 125. 127,
135. 153. 155. 184, 190, 210, 212,
218, 225, 228, 256.
Charles VI of Germany, 20, 200.
Charles VII of Germany, 99.
Charles III of Savoy, 12, 239.
Charles II of Spain, 239.
Charles III of Spain, 201.
Charles IV of Spain, 97, i99. 203.
Charles X of Sweden, 217.
Charles XII of Sweden, 6, 39, 155,
204, 207, 224-
Charles the Bold of Burgimdy/^igs.
Charles the Good of Flanders,^i44.
Charleston, 211.
Charolais, Comte de, 63.
Charterhouse, 48.
Chartres, 51, 152.
Chartreuse, Grande, 48.
Chattanooga, Battle of, 50.
Chef 00, 52.
Cherboiurg, 43.
Chesnelong, M. de, 265.
Chester, 52, 68.
Chiavenna, 167-.
Chicago, 91.
Chihli, 247.
Chile, 9, 168, 184, 192, 225.
Chillon, Castle of, 203.
China, 4, 10, 19, 37, 48, 52, 97. no,
140, 148, 152, 159. 164, 170,
172, 180, 186, 192, 233, 234, 247,
254. 259. 262, 274-
Chinandega, 53.
Choshiu, 71.
Chotusitz, Battle of, 38.
Chouiski, 27.
Christian (Mate of the Bounty), 36*
Christian of Anhalt, 204.
Christian II of Denmark, 33.
Christian III of Denmark, 91, 208.
Christian IV of Denmark, 153.
Christian V of Denmark, 72, 85,
135-
Christian IX of Denmark, 226.
Christian of Schleswig Holstein,
15, 226.
Christian of Spain, 53, 88, 140.
Christina of Sweden, 165, 237-
Churchill, Lord Randolph, 98, 257-
Cinq Mars, 53.
Cis-Alpine Repubhc, 45.
Ciudad Rodrigo, 256.
Clare, County, 250, 257.
Clare, Richard de, 192, 243.
Clarendon, Lord, 47. 55-
Clay, Henry, 147, 228.
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, 55, 116.
Clement V, Pope, 21, 249, 251, 272
273-
Clement VII, Pope, 23, 119, 226.
Clement XIV, Pope, 78, 124.
Cleveland, President, 170, 180,
269.
CHfford, Lord High Treasurer, 42.
ChfEord, Mr. (O.P. Riots), i77-
Clovis, 222.
Cluseret, 60.
Cobbett, W., 207.
INDEX
Cobden, Richard, 12, loi, 159.
Cobham, Lord, 42.
Cochin China, 99.
Cochrane, Earl of Mar, 27.
Cockerton, T. B., 57.
Cognac, 221.
Colbert, J. B., 141.
Coligay, Admiral, 221.
CoUey, General, 157.
CoUings, Jesse, 253'
Cologne, 114, 228.
Colombia, United States of, 186.
Colorado, 50.
Columbia, District of, 61.
Columbus, Ohio, 141.
Columbus, Christopher, 222.
Combes, M., 18, 33-
Comyn, Alexander, 209.
Conde, Louis, Prince de, 7, 82, 228.
Conde, Henri, Prince de, 184.
Condorcanqui, 213-
Conflans, Treaty of, 29.
Congo Free State, 63, 40, 127-
Conkling, Roscoe, 240.
Connaught, 34, 60, 257.
Connecticut, 34, 62, loi, 113, i53»
173. ^77, 252.
Connemara, 121.
Conrad II, Emperor, 190.
Conrad III, Emperor, 112.
Constance, 144.
Constance, Council of, 123, 226.
Constance, Diet of, 259-
Constance, Peace of, 150.
Constantine, Grand Duke of Russia,
Constantinople, 14, 226, 233.
Conway (American Cabal), 43.
Corbie, 280.
Cornwall, 96, 241.
Cornwallis, Lord, 28, i75> 198.
281.
Corsica, 130.
Corsini, Count, 218.
Cortes, Hernando, 175.
Corti, Count, 67
Cossacks, 281.
Courtrai, Battle of, 240.
Courtray, 4.
Couthon, G., 172.
Covenanters, 144. 207, 224, 245,
261, 275. 277-
Coventry, 266.
Coventry, Sir James, 69.
Cowper -Temple, 69.
Cranborne, Lord, 145.
Craven, Lord, 47.
Crete, 70.
Crichtons of Frendraught, 41.
Crim Tartary, 67, 140.
Crimea, 140, 188, 197, 225.
Croatia, 235.
Croker, John Wilson, 63.
Cromwell, Oliver, 74, 94* 121, 125,
126, 130, 146, 152, 157. 179. 184,
194, 211, 213, 214, 219, 228, 230,
231, 260, 273.
Cromwell, Richard, 38, 206.
Crusades, 7, 222.
Cuba, 8, 206, 209.
Culloden, Battle of, 42, 98, 143.
Cumberland, Duke of, 42, 56, 98.
Cunningham Graham, 257*
Curran, J. P., 265.
Custer, General, 71.
Cuyuni (River), 268.
Cyprus, 71.
Czartoryski, Adam, 261.
Czechs, 201, 280.
D'Alembert, J. le R., 87.
D'Artois, Comte, 195.
D'Avila, Sancho, 239.
D'Enghien, Due, 195.
D'Este, Marquis, 150.
D'Estrees, Marechal, 56.
Dalai Lama, 250.
Dalhousie, Lord, 245, 247, 253.
Dalmatia, 45, 130, 181.
Dalrymple, Sir Hew, 54.
Damascus, 145.
Danes, 72, 82, 95, 142, 221, 275.
276.
Dangerfield, 162.
Danton, G. J., 143, 165, i6g.
Dantzig, 114, 197.
Danube, 3, 32, 72, 122, 188.
Dardanelles, 188, 266.
Dardanelles, Treaty of, 134.
Darling, Sir Charles, 270.
Darnley, Lord, 48, 220.
Dashkoff, Princess, 49.
Daulat Rao Sindhia, 235.
David I of Scotland, 211.
Davis, Jefferson, 62.
Davitt, Michael, 142.
De I'Hopital, Chancellor, 169, 182,
2T8.
De la Marck, William, 26.
De Lesseps, Comte 186.
De Montfort, Count Simon, 6.
De Montford, Simon, Earl of
Leicester, 24, 77, 136, 146.
DeThou, 54.
INDEX
289
De Witte, Admiral, 38.
Deccan, 195.
Defoe, D., 145.
Delagoa Bay Railway, 81.
Delaware, 35, 76, 161, 176, 252.
Delaware (River), 95.
Demarcation, Bull of, 256.
Demetrius Ivanovitch of Russia,
75.
Denkera, 96.
Denmark, 33, 35, 38, 40, 72, 82, 85,
91, 114, 135, 137, 139, 151, 153,
20S, 216, 217, 226, 239, 255, 265,
274.
Derby, 95.
Derby, Edward, Earl of, 75, 145,
220, 249, 278.
Dermot, King of Leinster, 243.
Derry, 264.
Derwentwater, Lord, 94*
Deshima, 8.
Desmond, Earl of, 162.
Desraoulins, Camille, 143.
Despard, Colonel, 76.
Despencers, The, 277.
Devonshire, WUliam, ist Duke of,
175.
Devonshire, Spencer, 8 th Duke of,
39» 120.
Dhiileep Singh, 141, 205.
Diaz de Vivar, Rodrigo, 53.
Diderot, Denis, 87.
Dindigul, 230.
Dingaan, 76.
Dinizulu, 173.
Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beacons-
field, 145, 249.
Dnieper (River), 67, 197, 281.
Dniester (River), 132.
Doab, 141.
Doctrinaires, 180.
Dollinger, Dr., 179.
Dominicans, 126.
Don (River), 67.
Donauworth, Troubles of, 204.
Donegal, Marquis of, 242.
Dongan, Thomas, 79.
Donis, Statute de, 276.
Donnelly, Ignatius, 199.
Doria, Andrea, 91, 93.
Dorr, Thomas W., 79.
Dorset, Earl of, 175.
Dort, Synod of, 15, 108.
Dost Mahomed, 234.
Dozsa, George, 80, 140.
Douglas, Archibald, Earl of Angus,
27.
Douglas, Sir James, 79.
Douglasses, The, 56.
Dover, 54.
Dow Win Sheou, 186.
Down, County, 242.
Drake, Sir Francis, 127.
Drakensberg, 171.
Drapier's Letters, 279.
Dreyfus, Captain, 80.
Druses, 145.
Drutsch (River), 197.
Du Breuil, Peter, 153.
Du Tremblay, Frangois, 37, 86.
Dublin, 48, 195.
Duclair, 81.
Duguesclin, Bertrand, 82.
Dunbar, 30, 67.
Dimbar, Earl of, 132.
Dimes, Battle of, 205.
Dunois, Jean, 25.
Dunraven, Earl of, 129.
Durham, 68.
Dwina (River), 197.
Eadgar, 82.
East Africa, 118.
East Anglia, 276.
Eastern Question, 5, 10, 21, 22,
24, 28, 32, 41, 48, 67, 70, 7i» 72,
81, 115, 118, 132, 140, 145, 151,
188, 194, 205, 217, 220, 224, 225,
234» 235, 266, 271, 280.
Eddystone, no.
Edinburgh, 199, 265.
Edmund Ironside, 130.
Edward I of England, 16, 38, 39,
5i» 54, 56, 59, 62, 67, 79, "4»
149, 152, 156, 163, 172, 188, 192,
207, 215, 247, 274, 275, 276.
Edward II of England, 181, 232,
240.
Edward III of England, 38, 42, 67,
104, 108, 137, 141, 150, 158, 176,
192, 204, 223, 241, 256, 258.
Edward IV of England, 28, 149,
152, 191.
Edward VI of England, 5, 138, 214,
235, 236, 245, 264.
Edward the Black Prince, 32, 90,
98.
Egremont, Lord, 261.
Egypt, 9, II, 13, 67, 72, 81, 92,
113, 134, 148, 159, 244.
El Dorado, 159.
Elba, 97, 122.
Elbe (River), 255.
Electors (Germany), 107.
u
290
INDEX
Elizabeth of England, 3, 13, 17.
21, 49, 72, 75. 85, 118, 129, 137.
138, 157, 163, 198, 209, 215, 228,
245. 252, 253, 260, 265, 272.
EUenborough, Lord, 183, 247.
Elmira, 96.
Emery, 255'
Emma of Normandy, 104.
Emmet, Robert, 86.
Engadine, 108.
English Acts and Statutes, 6, 13, 17.
20, 22, 29, 36, 39» 45» 49» 54. 55.
58, 65, 66, 69, 70, 77, 83, 84, 85,
86, 89, 94, 95, 97, 98, 106, 108,
109, III, 113, 115, 117, 118, 120,
121, 124, 125, 128, 129, 131, 133,
137, 141, 146, 147, 149, 160, 163,
164, 168, 178, 194, 196, 197, 198,
200, 203, 204, 207, 209, 210, 211,
212, 215, 216, 218, 219, 226, 229,
230, 231, 235. 240, 241, 244, 245,
247. 249, 250, 251, 255, 256, 258,
260, 262, 264, 265, 266, 274, 276,
278.
English Church, 27, 45. 60, 63, 74,
85, 98, 114, 181, 121, 141. 144.
161, 164, 170, 172, 184, 201, 205,
206, 225. 226, 231, 235. 249. 251.
252, 276, 277.
EngUsh Civil War, i, 23, 33, 50,
70, 87, 94, 95, 106, 123, 124, 125,
137, 146, 152, 155. 158, 173. 174.
209, 211, 213, 214, 219, 221, 238,
241, 263, 267, 273. 275-
English Political Parties, i, 3, 8,
12, 37, 50, 60, 63, 68, 98, 120,
133. 147, 190. 207, 219, 247, 249.
256, 277-
Eperies, 34.
Erastus, 87.
Eric of Norway, 156.
Eric the Red, 8, 272.
Erie Ring, 248.
Eritrea, 2.
Erivan, 257-
Erpingham, Battle of, 152.
Erskine, Thomas, Lord, 102.
Esk (River), 73.
Essex, Lord, 220, 229.
Esthonia, 177.
Eugenius IV, Pope, 24.
Evesham, Battle of, 77.
Eyre, Governor, 168.
Ezzelino of Verona, 150.
Falk, Dr., 90.
Falk Laws, 140.
Falkland, Lord, 109.
Faneuil Hall, 69.
Farel, G., 281.
Faroe Islands, 137.
Fastolfe, Sir John, 118.
Faveau, 161.
Fawkes, Guido, 112.
Fawkner, J. P. ,,199.
Fecamp, 43.
Ferdinand I, Emperor, 43.
Ferdinand II, Emperor, 153, 214,
252.
Ferdinand III, Emperor, 16, 252.
Ferdinand II of Naples, 35.
Ferdinand I of Spain, 53.
Ferdinand V of Spain, 23, 53. 125,
222.
Ferdinand VII of Spain, 44, 46, 64.
141, 201.
Ferrara, 145,
Ferry, Jules, 180, 256.
Feudalism, 3, 15, 22, 59. 92, 93, 98.
loi, 139, 152, 157. 190. 194. 198.
202, 212, 218, 238, 244. 268, 272,
275.
Fifth Monarchy Men, 269*
Fingoes, 242.
Finland, i, 100, 177.
Fisheries, 99, loi, 113, 187, 192, 267.
Fitzgerald, Lord Edward, 174.
Fitzgeralds, 105.
Flammock, Thomas, 96.
Flanders, 38, 39, 105, 144, 152,
155. 239, 241.
Flesselles, Prevdt des Marches, 171-
Flood, Henry, 234.
Florence, 12, 15, 29, 91, 191, 195*
218.
Florida, 112, 149, 187, 192, 270.
Foix, Gaston de, 254.
Fontenay, Battle of, 40, 178.
Foochow, 180.
Forest Cantons, 84.
Forest, Edwin, 18.
Formosa, 97, 233.
Forster, W. E., 84.
Fotheringay, 21.
Fouche, Joseph, 195.
Fouquier-Tinville, 250.
Fourier, Charles, 98.
Fox, Charles James, 164, 280.
Fox, George, 205.
Fraga, 93.
Franche Comte, 4, i74-
Francis I of France, 44, 62,''92.
93, 106, 119, 155, 184, 193, 256,
272, 274-
INDEX
291
Francis II of France, 7.
Francis II of Naples, 44, 130.
Francis Joseph of Austria, 62.
Francis, Sir Philip, 134.
Franconia, 19, 116, 191, 236.
Frankfort, 49, 100, 215.
Franks, 7, 51, 170, 171.
Frederick II of Brandenburg, 130.
Frederick VII of Denmark, 226.
Frederick V, Elector Palatine, 252,
278.
Frederick I, Emperor, 64, 150, 190,
218.
Frederick II, Emperor, 22, 154,
279-
Frederick III, Emperor, 14.
Frederick, Emperor of Germany,
266.
Frederick I of Prussia, 31, 70.
Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia,
5, 7, 38, 103, 142, 197, 203, 224,
232.
Frederick Charles, Prince of
Prussia, 209.
Frederick William IV of Prussia, 56,
139, 266.
French Acts and Edicts, 18, 25, 28,
51, 97, 100, 131, 150, 162, 164,
169, 172, 174, 181, 182, 202, 206,
210, 236, 245, 272.
French Pohtical Parties, 36, 124,
143, 169, 180, 196, 198, 208, 250,
251, 254-
French Revolution, 8, 17, 22, 25,
38, 39, 42, 43, 53» 54. 66, 75. 76,
77, 86, 87, 93. 95. 100, 103, 115,
117, 119, 124, 126, 132, 133, 139.
143, 165, 167, 169, 172, 177. 182,
195, 216, 224, 229, 243, 245, 250,
252, 260.
Frendaught, 41.
Fribourg, 252.
Friesland, 37, 266.
Frisia, 145.
Friuli, 45.
Frobisher, Martin, 127.
Frost (Chartist), 51-
Fiirstof Uri, in.
Fusen, 220.
Fyrd, 257.
Gaboon, 65.
Gadesden, James, 103.
Gaekwar, The, 198.
Gage, Thomas, 159.
Gaikas, 242.
Galetti, Count, 218.
Galicia, 197, 271.
GaUifet, Marquis de, 60.
Galway, 245.
Gambetta, Leon, 180.
Ganges (River), 235.
Garfield, President, 113, 168, 240.
Garibaldi, Giuseppe, 44, 104, 130.
Garrison, Wm, Lloyd, 12.
Gascony, 1, 38, 98.
Gastein, Treaty of, 227.
Gauden, Bishop of Exeter, 85.
Gaimt, John of, 141.
Gaveston, Piers, 181.
Gilderland, 266.
Geneva, 63, 147, 159, 209, 256.
Genghis Khan, 107, 248.
Genoa, 70, 91, 93, 148, 187, 218.
Gensan, 220.
George, Despot of Servia, 246.
George, Duke, of Saxony, 119, 256.
George I of England, 19, 217, 224,
242, 244, 262, 277-
George II of England, 192.
George III of England, 76, 90, 91,
138, 222.
George IV of England, 3, 95, 102,
193, 202.
Georgia, 86, 104, 252.
Geraldines, 162.
Gerard V, Count of Ravensberg,
221.
German Acts, i, 46, 47, 90, 134-
German Pohtical Parties, 48, 50,
134, 139, 166.
Gerry, Elbridge, 132.
Ghazi, 28.
Ghent, 51, 135.
Ghent, Convention of, iii.
Ghent, Pacification of, 158, 193.
Ghent, Treaty of, 223.
Ghoorkas, 172.
Gibraltar, 78, 90, 267, 271-
Gironde, 39, 59.
Girondins, 196, 250.
Gladstone, W. E., 12, 21, 57,'"i03,
106, 109, 120, 128, 138, 147,^248,
263.
Glamorgan, Earl of, 18.
Glarus, 84.
Glencaim, Earl of, 18.
Glenelg, Lord, 204.
Gloucester, Duke of, 279-
Gloucestershire, 274.
Godaveri (River), 235-
Godfrey, Sir Edmundbury, 199.
Godoy, Manuel, 97, 203.
Gohad, 235.
292
INDEX
Gold Coast, 10.
Gomarus, 65, 108.
Gonsalvo de Cordova, 109.
Gordon, General Charles, 53, 89,
247-
Gordon, Lord George, 108.
Gordons of Huntly, The, 41.
Gorgey, General, 272.
Gorlitz, 236.
Gorst, Sir John, 98.
Gorz, 130.
Goths, 102.
Gotteshausbund, 249.
Govind Rai, 234.
Gowrie, Lord, 220.
Graaf-Reinet, 236.
Gradenigo, Doge of Venice, 254*
Grafton Ministry, 134.
Grahams, The, 73.
Granada, i, 160, 168.
Grant, General Ulysses, 147-
Granville, Bishop of Arras, 161.
Grattan, Henry, no, 234, 265.
Graubund, 249.
Gray, Wilson, 142.
Great Salt Lake, 168.
Greece, 14, 78, 128, 150, 151, 160,
194. ^
Greeley, Horace, 147.
Greenland, 137-
Gregory VII, Pope, 46, 154.
Gregory X, Pope, 61, 154. i99«
Gregory XI, Pope, 21, 266.
Gregory XII, Pope, 196.
Gregorv XIII, Pope, 127.
Gregory XV, Pope, 203.
Grenville, George, 261.
Grenville, William, Lord, 164.
Grey, Earl, 102.
Grey, Sir George, 7«
Griffith, Sir Richard, in.
Griqualand, 2, i75. 276.
Grisons, 24, in, 167, 268.
Groningen, 266.
Groote Privilegie, 105.
Grousset, Paschal, 60.
Guadeloupe, 187, 243.
Guatemala, 43, 50.
Guelfs, 29, 194'
Gueux, 38.
Guienne, 38, 51.
Guinegate, Battle of, 240.
Guipuscoa, 189, 190.
Guise, Francis, Due de, 261, 268.
Guise, Henri, Due de, 22, 24.
Guises, The, 7. I33> i44» 218, 221
Guiteau, 240.
Guithelin, 161.
Guizot, F. P. G., 239.
Gussinje, 67.
Gustavus III of Sweden, 11.
Gustavus IV of Sweden, 100.
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, 24»
116, 148, 214. 237, 241. 243.
Gustavus Vasa, 33.
Guyon, Mme., 207.
Gwader, Ralph of, 39.
Gwalior, 235.
Gwyn, Sir Rowland, 191.
Gwynne, NeU, 69.
Hague, The, i.
Haidar Ali, 155, 222.
Hainau, General, 122.
Hainault, 105, 158.
Hakodate, 8.
Hakon the Good of Denmark, 102,
112.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, 45.
Halifax, Charles, First Earl of, 134,
171.
HaUfax, George, Second Earl of, 261
Halland, 40.
Hamburg, 100, 114.
Hamburger Nachrichten, 212.
Hamilton, Duke of, 124.
Hampden, John, 95, 233.
Hankow, 140.
Hanover, 112, 114, 201, 222, 261.
Hanse League, 48.
Harcourt, Sir W. Vernon, 219.
Hardwicke, Lord, 96.
Haroun-al-Raschid, 23.
Harrowby, Lord, 49.
Haselrig, Sir John, 95.
Hassan-ben-Sabah, 16.
Hastings, Warren, 27» 244.
Hatton, Sir Christopher, 72.
Havana, 187.
Haverfordw^est, 192.
Hawkwood, Sir John, 277-
Hay, Secretary, 116.
Hegealand, 40.
Held, Chancellor, 119.
Helsingfors, i.
Henry III, Emperor, 259*
Henry IV, Emperor, 46.
Henry I of England, 26, 68, 71. 89,
95, 106, 205.
Henry II of England, 3, 17. 38,
65, 71, 72, 90, 105, 227. 275. 278.
Henry III of England, 8, 17, 24
52, 97» 128, 141, 146, 155. 188,
215, 222, 263.
INDEX
293
Henry IV of England, 25, 82, 113,
141, 270, 274-
Henry V of England, 6, 261.
Henry VI of England, 76.
Henry VII of England, 73, 94, no,
158, 163, 169, 193, 241.
Henry VIII of England, 11, 13, 16,
18, 19, 31, 34, 66, 74. 75. 93.
119, 138, 150, 176, 177, 195, 206,
209, 218, 236, 240, 244» 245, 266,
^275,277.
Henry II of France, 48, 50, 144.
Henry III of France, 9, 24. 51
84. 133. 164, 172, 217. 221, 265.
Henry IV of France (Henry of
Navarre), 9, 30, 90, 96, 163, 175,
184, 208, 257, 261, 266.
Henry, King of Jerusalem, 250.
Henry, King of Poland, 184.
Herat, 188, 234.
Herbert, W., 160.
Hereford, Earl of, 39.
Herefordshire, 274.
Herschel, Sir John, 118.
Herzegovina, 28, 218.
Hesse, 105.
Hesse-Cassel, 201.
Hesse Darmstadt, 215.
Hexhamshire, 68.
Highlands, The, 77, 241, 246, 257*
Hill, Isaac, 139.
Hill, Sir Rowland, 192.
Hindus, 37.
Hoche, General, 175.
Hofmeyr, J. H., 4.
HohenUnden, Battle of, 154.
Hohenlohe, Count of, 145.
Holkar, 198, 207.
Holland, 4, 9, 10, 17, 24, 29, 38, 49,
95, 105, 109, 114, 116, 121, 151,
152, 154, 174, 187, 189, 220, 222,
232, 239, 245, 260, 261, 266, 267,
272, 279.
Holstein, 137.
Holy Alliance, 167.
Holyrood, 215.
Honan, 247.
Honduras, 50.
Hong Kong, 170, 180.
Honorius II, Pope, 249.
Honorius III, Pope, 47, 78.
Hopeful, The, 136.
Horn, Count, 11.
Hottentots, 186.
Howard of Effingham, Lord, 127.
Howard, Sir John, 133.
Howe, Lord, 107, 176.
Hudson ( River), 69, 95, 236.
Hudson's Bay, 45, 209.
Huguenots, 5, 8, 9, 30, 51, 52, 59»
80, 84, 103, 122, 123, 131, I44»
152, 167, 172, 174. 175» 184, 198,
203, 215. 221, 228, 257. 268.
Hullin, General, 158.
Humbert, General, 175.
Hung Hsiu Chwan, 247.
Hungary, 19, 34, 47, 54, 75. 80,
96, 107, 121, 122, 139, 140, 141.
156, 191, 202, 207, 246, 255, 272.
Hungary, Master of, 190.
Hunt, Orator, 159, 207.
Himtly, Marquis of, 69.
Hunyadi Janos, 246.
Huss, John, 64, 122, 279.
Hussites, 16, 44, 60, i22,t68,i95.246.
Hyderabad, 260.
Hythe, 54.
Ibrahim Pasha, 274-
Iglau, 60.
Ilbert, C. P., 123.
Illinois, T69, 201, 244.
Incas, 213.
India, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 34. 35.
37, 50, 53. 56, 71. 75. 83. no,
123, 125. 133, 137, 139, 14^' 155.
159, 165, 180, 183, 189, 193, 195.
198, 204, 205, 207, 211, 220, 222,
230, 231, 234> 235, 237, 238, 244.
245, 247. 253. 260, 261, 264, 268,
269, 281.
Indiana, 121, 169, 278.
Indore, 118, 159.
Ingermanland, 243.
Ingolstadt, 123.
Ingria, 177.
Inkerman, Battle of, 238.
Innocent II, Pope, 98, 143-
Innocent III, Pope, 126, 127. I43»
262.
Innocent IV, Pope, 154-
Innocent X, Pope, 265.
Innocent XI, Pope, 211.
Innspruck, 190.
Ionian Islands, 45, 128, 181.
Iowa, 116.
Ireland, Duke of, 152.
Irene, Empress of the East, i74-
Irish Acts, 66, 96, 126, 127, 138.
192, 215, 216, 245. 265.
Irish Land, 37, 58, 7o, 74. i-^' ^2",
128, 138, 142, 146, 154. 162, 166,
168, 173, 177.189, 196, 242, 2C3.
266.
294
INDEX
Irish Political Parties, 12, 120, 146.
Irish Religious Question, 37, 49,
62, loi, 118, 127, 128, 148, 181,
213, 245.
Iron Gate, 72.
Isabella of France, 223, 232.
Isabella of Spain, 46, 239.
Iskander Beg, 6.
Istria, 45, 130.
Italy, 2, 10, 29, 54» 58, 64, 104, 112,
129, 130, 144, 150, I54»i55. 186,
201, 215, 222, 225, 229.
Jaafar, 23.
Jackson, Andrew, 139, 179.
Jackson, Thomas J., 243.
Jacobins, 93, 196.
Jacobites, 16, 19, 34* 42, 57. 60, 94,
97, 122, 131, i49» 184, 206.
Jaffa, 131.
Jamaica, 40, 131, 160, 168.
James I of Aragon, 183.
James I of England, 2, 24. 25, 35,
38, 42, 50, 59. 73. 91. 95. 108,
109, no, 124. 1*9. 132. 145. 150,
164, 178, 194. 200, 220, 227. 240,
257. 273. 274
James II of England, 18, 19, 74,
118, 206, 220, 229, 231, 250, 253,
280.
James III of Scotland, 27.
James IV of Scotland, 193.
James V of Scotland, 58. 138, 253-
James, Duke of York, 89.
James Edward (the Old Pretender)
19, 179.
James (River), 231.
James, Sir Henry, 120.
Jameson, Dr., 131, 258.
Jamtland, 40.
Jansen, Cornelius, 124, i3t.
Jansenists, 124, 199, 265.
Japan, 8, it, 14, 53, 71. 88, 97, 102,
108, 114, 115, 133, 164, 183, 218,
220,223,225. 233.
Jean Sans Peur, Duke of Bur-
gundy, 185.
Jeannin, 23.
Jeffreys, Judge, 34. 118, 139-
JeUachich, General, 122.
Jena, 42.
Jerome Buonaparte, 197. 255, 268.
Jerome of Prague, 44. 123.
Jersey, 68.
Jerusalem, 146.
Jesuits, 78, 253.
Jeypur, 135.
Joan of Arc, 156, 204.
Jodhpur, 235.
Johannesburg, 81, 258.
John of England, 127, 141, 156.
John of France, 38, 252.
John XII, Pope, 37.
John XXIII, Pope, 64, 226.
John IV of Portugal, 200.
John VI of Portugal, 74.
John of Leyden, 9.
John Frederick of Saxony, 227.
John Frederick of Wiirtemberg,
204.
Johnson, President, 250.
Johnston, Robert, 261.
Jones, Sir WilUam, 104.
Joseph II, Emperor, 103, 133.
Joseph Buonaparte, 52, 134, 255,
271.
Joubert, 267.
Joyce, Myles, 155.
Juarez, B. P., 210.
Juhus II, Pope, 119, 144.
Jumna (River), 235.
Junot, General, 54.
Kabul, 217'
Kaffirs, 106, 242, 259.
Kaga, 71.
Kali (River), 172.
Kamenz, 236.
Kanakas, 32, 124, 135.
Kandahar, 217.
Kansas, 104, 136, 165, i75. 240.
Karmath, 136.
Kars, 28, 71, 188.
Kashgar, 19, 140.
Katak, 75.
Keate, R. W., 136.
Keble, John, 184.
Kemble, J. P., 177.
Kendall, Amos, 139.
Kenmure, Lord, 94.
Kent, 68, 104.
Kentucky, 7. 34. 35. 42, 136. 169.
Khartoum, gi, 156.
Khatmandu, 172.
Khyber Pass, 103.
Kilimanjaro, 281.
KiUala, 175.
Kimberley, 76, 123, 138.
Kitchener, Lord, 91.
Kiiimer (River), 2.
Knights Templars, 167, 272, 273.
Knox, John, 77.
Knut, 82, 104, 121, 252.
Kobe, 8.
INDEX
295
Kohinoor, 205.
Kok, Adam, 175.
Koran, 233, 245, 263.
Korea, 4, 11, 220, 255.
Kosciusko, T., 197.
Kossuth, Louis, 89, 122.
Kruger, Paul, 2.
Ku Klux Klan, 97.
Kulturkampf, 46, 50, go, 134, 140,
264.
Kumasi, 96.
Kuram Valley, 103.
Kurds, 24.
Kutb-ud-Din, 237.
Kutschi-Kraina, 67.
Kutusoff, General, 41.
La Bourdonnaye, 49.
La Charite, 221.
La RocheUe, 5, 103, 167, 174, 221.
Ladislaus IV of Poland, 253.
Lafayette, Marquis de, 52.
Lafone, Abbe, 158.
Lalor, Peter, 89.
Lambert, General, 125, 184.
Lamothe, Mme., 76.
Lamourette, Bishop of Lyons, 22.
Lancashire, 33, 67.
Lancaster, 68.
L an franc. Archbishop of Canter-
bury, 39.
Larochejaquelin, 53.
Las Casas, Bartolomeo de, 125, i77«
Laski, 5.
Lateran Council, First, 279.
Lateran Coimcil, Fourth, 108, 181.
Latimer, Lord, 108.
Lauban, 236.
Laud, AjTchbishop, 245, 246, 253.
Lauderdale, Lord, 42.
Lauenbinrg, 104, 151.
Lavigerie, Cardinal, 208.
Law, John, 165, 186.
Lazar, Despot of Sers'ia, 230.
League, The, 265.
Ledrin-Rollin, A. A., 89.
Lee, Ann, 169, 232.
Lee, C, 43.
Lee, General, 232.
Lee, J.D., 169.
Leeds, 210.
Lefebvre, Marechale, 224.
Legations, 21, 256.
Legnago, 205.
Legnano, Battle of, 150.
Leicester, 95.
Leif, 272.
Leinster, 34.
Leinster, Duke of, 219.
Leipsic, Battle of, 171.
Lennox, Earl of, 220.
I