Following the deposition of King James II in 1689 and the accession of William III, some Scottish clans fought—and failed—to restore James to the throne. In 1691, William offered to pardon all Highland clans that took an oath of allegiance to him before January 1, 1692. The MacDonald clan of Glencoe missed the deadline by six days, and for this they paid with their lives. The unsuspecting MacDonalds were massacred in their homes by soldiers that had arrived seeking shelter how many days earlier? Discuss
Month: February 2022
Mary "the Rich" of Burgundy (1457)
The only surviving child of Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, Mary inherited the vast Burgundian domains in France and the Low Countries upon her father’s death in 1477. Louis XI of France immediately annexed some of these and, hoping to gain possession of the rest, proposed that she wed his son Charles. She instead married Maximilian of Austria, establishing the Hapsburgs in the Low Countries and initiating the long rivalry between France and Austria. What Great Privilege did she grant? Discuss
pull a face (at someone)
To make a grimacing or humorously distorted facial expression (at someone). Watch the video
The Goseck Circle
Hailed as “the German Stonehenge,” the Goseck circle is a Neolithic structure in Goseck, Germany. It is the oldest such structure known today, built about 7,000 years ago—and pre-dating Stonehenge by almost 2,000 years. Rediscovered during an aerial survey in 1991, the site consists of a circular ditch 246 feet (75 m) across surrounding two concentric palisade rings with gates in spots aligned with the sunrise and sunset on the winter solstice. When was the Goseck Circle re-opened to the public? Discuss
occlude
stairway
half-pace – A broad step or small landing between two half flights in a staircase. More…
companionway – A stairway or ladder from a deck to the cabin below. More…
staircase – A stairway does not necessarily have a handrail or balustrade—but a staircase does. More…
newel – The main post at the bottom of a banister or stairway. More…
Lady Jane Grey, "The Nine Days' Queen," Beheaded (1554)
A tragic figure in English history, Lady Jane Grey was a pretty, intelligent young girl whose life was cut short due to the political machinations of those closest to her. When she was just 15, she was wed to the son of a duke. Her father-in-law then persuaded the dying King Edward VI, still a boy himself, to name Lady Jane his successor. She reigned for just nine days before stepping down. Though she was convicted of high treason, she might never have been executed had her father not done what? Discuss
Georgia Day
Also known as Oglethorpe Day, February 12 commemorates the day in 1733 when James Edward Oglethorpe and 120 other Englishmen landed in Savannah, Georgia, to establish a new colony. In 1965, the anniversary of the state’s founding was officially proclaimed Georgia Day. On February 12, there is a procession through the historic town of Savannah and a luncheon. Since 1966, there has been a reenactment of Oglethorpe’s landing, with costumed residents playing the roles of Georgia’s first European settlers and of the American Indians who greeted them upon their arrival. Discuss
Jan Swammerdam (1637)
Dutch naturalist Jan Swammerdam was a pioneer in the use of the microscope and made valuable contributions to the understanding of human anatomy and the future of anatomical study. He was the first person to observe and describe red blood cells, and he improved techniques for examining, preserving, and dissecting cadavers. However, his primary focus was the study of insects, many of which he described and drew in great detail. What led him to eventually abandon his scientific pursuits? Discuss
publicity hound
Someone who seeks to have the attention of the public constantly focused on him- or herself, typically by means of attracting media coverage. Watch the video