Historical Fun

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 9TH JULY   9th July 1540, King Henry-of-the-many-numbers(8) had enough of wife number four , Anne of Cleves and has their marriage annulled. Off with her head.   Nope. Not this time. The annulment was given on grounds they didn't boink, which is hard to believe, but there you go.   Anne actually outlived all of Henry's other wives and is treated quite well. Henry referred to her from then on as the King's Beloved Sister. No wonder they didn't boink. That'd be sick.   9th July 1609, Bohemia is granted the freedom of religion by the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolph II , who had a very shiny nose. It was red, according to accurate reports.   Less accurate reports suggest he also had antlers, was best friends with Santa, and pulled a sleigh.   9th July 1815, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Perigold became France's first Prime Minister . He served under various kings, as well as Napoleon, and then re-establish...

On This Day In History - 8th July   8th July 975, Edgar the Peaceful, King of England, died. Ironically, despite his name, his rule of England was anything but peaceful.   In fact, it was full of conflict and murder, death, kills.   But, there was also pancakes.   8th July 1099, during the First Crusade, 15,000 starving Christian soldiers marched around Jerusalem in a religious procession whilst the Muslim defenders look on.   "What the heck are they doing?" "Protesting, I guess?" "At what?" "Something to do with the corruption in the professional game of soccer, I think." "We should join them. That's a pretty serious and just cause."   8th July 1859, King Charles XV & IV becomes king of Sweden and Norway.   Yep, you're wondering the same thing as I am. Is he Charles XV or IV? Or are there two of them?   He is Charles XV of Sweden, and Charles IV of Norway. However, then it gets comp...

On This Day In History - 7th July   7th July 1456, Joan of Arc has a retrial and the verdict is announced - Joan of Arc is acquitted of heresy.   Everyone rejoice.   Oh, wait, she had been dead for twenty five years after the first trial found her guilty and she was executed by burning on a stake.   7th July 1575, the Raid of the Redeswire is fought between England and Scotland.   It's the last major battle between England and Scotland. However, there were, and still are, minor battles between the two countries.   Mostly they involve headbutting and name calling nowadays. But, back in the day, there was poking with swords and nudging with spears, and I'll RIP YOUR HEART OUT WITH A HAGGIS, YOU ENGLISH DOGS.   In the Raid of the Redeswire, Scotland were victorious. The English made up for it by inventing football and beating the Scots at every opportunity.   7th July 1865, during the American Civil War, four conspira...