for the reform of the Catholic Church throughout the Empire. It
contained regulations 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 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.
Régale.
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 1681, and led to the publication 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 approval to the
rules of the Society of Jesus, as drawn up by Loyola.
Registration Act.
An Act passed in 1836, and amended by subsequent enactments, 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 Presbyterian 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
withdrew all rights and privileges hitherto granted, and placed the
whole executive and judicial power in the hands of the Governor.
Regulating Act (India).
An Act passed in 1773, altering 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 seldom held elsewhere
than at Charlestown, formed associations for the purpose of regulating
their own affairs of police. In 1770 and 1771 they came into conflict
with the State authorities, and being defeated, emigrated west in large
numbers and colonized Tennessee.
Reichenbach, Treaty of.
A treaty between Great Britain, 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 disposal of Russia. This treaty may be said to have laid the
foundation of the Grand Alliance, which finally freed Europe from the
domination of Napoleon.
Reichskammergericht.
The Supreme Tribunal of the German Empire, reorganized from the Imperial
Council by Maximilian I in 1495. Unlike the Aulic Council, which
accompanied the Emperor wherever he went, this tribunal sat permanently
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 inheritance.
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 complete toleration to
all religions throughout the United Netherlands. 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 “Malcontent” rising.
Religious Peace of Augsburg.
The grant by Charles V, in 1555, 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 accepted the new
doctrine should lose his office and his revenues.
Religious Peace of Nuremburg.
An agreement, in 1632, between the League of Schmalkald and the
Catholics, by which the latter agreed not to molest the Lutherans, who
in their turn undertook not to give any support to the Zwinglists and
Anabaptists.
Remonstrance, Great.
A recapitulation of the tyrannical and unconstitutional acts of Charles
the First’s reign, issued by the Long Parliament in 1641.
Remonstrance, Petition of.
A petition drawn up by Peter Walsh, on behalf of the Irish Catholics,
and presented to Charles II in 1666. It protested against the prevailing
opinion that the toleration of Catholicism was a danger to the State.
Remonstrants (Netherlands).
The followers of Arminius, who in 1610 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 Arminianism.”
Remonstrants (Scotland).
The Scotch Presbyterians who remonstrated against the union of Argyle
and others with the Royalist party to oppose Cromwell 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 Constantinople on its capture by the Turks in 1453, and introduced
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 pretensions of Benedict XII, and
to maintain the independence of Germany.
Repartimiento.
A system prevailing in Spanish South America, whereby the natives were
divided into districts, for the purpose of forced labour, and Government
depôts 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
misconduct 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, and massacred all
the inhabitants. 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 indemnity had been impounded by
Prussia on the ground that the ex-King continued his attacks on her.
This fund was employed by Bismarck to subsidise the semi-official 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 political creed are Protection, the maintenance of the
Gold Standard, and Equal Rights for the Black and White races. They are
strongest in the manufacturing 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 Democrats are also
supporters of States Rights against Federalism, 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 Scottish Parliament of 1661 (the Drunken
Parliament) cutting off or repealing all the legislation 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 Emperor Ferdinand II, immediately after the Peace
of Lübeck, in 1629, restoring ecclesiastical matters to the condition in
which they were at the time of the Treaty of Passau in 1552, and
declaring that Catholics only were entitled to benefit by the provisions
of that instrument. The execution of this edict met with strong
opposition from the Protestants, and it was largely instrumental in
bringing about the intervention of Gustavus Adolphus.
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 owners, and others granted as
rewards 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 abdicate 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
established in 1651. The league was supported financially by Louis XIV,
and its affairs were managed by a Directory, sitting at Frankfort, under
the presidency of the Elector of Mentz.
Rhine, Confederation of the.
A confederation of German States formed under the auspices of Napoleon
in 1806. It was composed of Bavaria, Baden, Würtemberg, the Duchy of
Berg, Hesse-Darmstadt, and some other States of minor importance, and
was in alliance with France.
Rhodes, Knights of.
_See_ Malta, Knights of.
Rhudlann, Statute of.
A statute of Edward I, enacted in 1204, by which Wales was annexed to
the English Crown. It takes its name from Rhudlann Castle, where the
King was staying at the time of its promulgation. (See Wales, Statute
of.)
Ribbonism.
An agrarian movement in the South and West of Ireland, about 1869, its
object being to agitate for security of tenure. Its methods, possibly
harmless at first, soon degenerated into terrorism.
Riding of Parliament.
An old feudal custom connected with the opening of the Scots Parliament,
celebrated with special pomp at the meeting 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 1571, against Elizabeth and in the
interests of Mary Queen of Scots. Ridolfi was employed to sound the Duke
of Norfolk, who consented to enter into the scheme. A Catholic rising
was to be engineered, which was to be aided by a Spanish invasion,
Elizabeth was to be dethroned, and the Catholic religion restored. The
existence of the plot was discovered 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. Norfolk was
executed in the following year.
Riel’s Rebellion.
A rising of Indian half-breeds in Saskatchewan, North-West Canada, in
1885, under Louis Riel, who had been the ringleader of the Red River
Rebellion 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, except 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
practically universal suffrage.
Riot Act (England).
An Act passed in 1715, providing that any twelve or more persons
assembled to the disturbance 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 suppression of
agrarian crime. The Bill, as originally drafted, contained 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 opposition, and was expunged from the Bill.
Riots.
_See_ Anarchist, Astor Place, Austin, Birmingham, Blackburn, Boston,
Bread, Bristol, Chartism, Donauwörth, 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 against his brother, and, finding 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 _en route_. The distance of 318 miles was
accomplished in twenty-three days, inclusive of halts.
Robin Redbreasts.
_See_ Bow Street Runners.
Robot.
A form of the _corvée_, in existence in Bosnia and Herzegovina 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. Denmark thereby surrendered
all her remaining Swedish possessions.
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 revolutionary 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
_émeute_ 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 Fainéans.
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 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 Constituent Assembly, 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, Saffi 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 members were Charles V, Henry VIII, 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 l’Hôpital, 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 Barbarossa in 1158, after the surrender of
Milan. Edicts were issued increasing the power of the Emperor over the
Italian cities, regulating the appointment of podestàs to act jointly
with the consuls, and forbidding private war between the various cities.
Rônin.
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 into 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 introduced into Parliament in 1641, 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 recruited from their
descendants, 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 remained 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
Parliament, in opposition to the Ministry, offering the sovereignty of
Ireland unconditionally to the Prince of Wales.
Round Table Conference.
A series of meetings held in 1887 between Sir George Trevelyan, 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 Gladstonians. No result was arrived at.
Roundheads.
The name given to the Puritan 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 blacksmith 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, forbidding 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.
Rüchversicherung.
_See_ Reinsurance Treaty.
Rump.
The name given to the remnant of the Long Parliament, which continued to
sit after Pride’s Purge, until ejected by Cromwell in 1653. In 1659,
after Cromwell’s death, the Rump was recalled, and returned, 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.
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-German War, Russia declared that she no longer considered
herself bound by the Black Sea Neutrality 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 intense irritation in London,
but no steps could be taken till the close of the war, when a conference
met in London to consider 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 Gensan.
Russia was allowed to maintain an equivalent 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, similar to
scutage.
Rye House Plot.
A Whig conspiracy to assassinate Charles II in 1683. It was revealed by
one of the conspirators, and its ringleaders, Russell and Sidney, were
convicted 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 Government. 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 between France, England, Holland and Spain,
ending the War of the League of Augsburg, whereby 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 instrument, by which he
recovered all Louis’ conquests except Strasburg, including all the
French fortifications on the right bank of the Rhine. Lorraine was
restored to the Duke Leopold, with the proviso that passage should be
granted when required to the troops of France.
S
Sac and Soc.
Freedom from the jurisdiction of the Hundred which, in Saxon times,
generally accompanied grants of land. From this arose the jurisdiction
of the feudal lords over their own estates, including such townships as
might be built upon them.
Safety, Committee of.
A committee composed of ten commoners and five peers appointed by the
Long Parliament in 1642, to conduct the war against the King.
Sagas.
The Norse chronicles, recording the exploits of the most famous Viking
chiefs. The earliest Sagas to which even an approximate date can be
assigned are of the sixth century: the latest, of the thirteenth.
St. Andrew, Order of.
The oldest Russian order of knighthood, founded by Peter the Great in
1698.
St. Bartholomew.
The massacre of the Huguenots in Paris on St. Bartholomew’s day, 1572,
when 15,000 persons are said to have perished. The Duc 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
murdered was Admiral Coligny.
St. Brice, Massacre of.
The Massacre of the Danes settled in Wessex, by Æthelred the Unready, on
St. Brice’s day, 1002.
St. Esprit, Order of the.
A French order of knighthood, 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 Huguenots the right of worshipping according to their own
rites in private houses, with certain restrictions as to the numbers
present. The Reformed Religion 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 Charité, 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 Ravensberg. It is conferred only on members of the Bavarian
Royal Family, foreign sovereigns, princes and barons.
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 instituted by George III in 1783. The Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland is an ex-officio member.
St. Petersburg, Treaty of.
A treaty between England and Russia, signed in 1805, by which the
signatories pledged themselves to support a European league to demand
from France the evacuation of Hanover and Italy and the independence of
Holland and Switzerland. They further undertook 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 production, the worker, however, being rewarded according
to his capacity, and not by equal division regardless of merit.
Saisons, Société des.
A revolutionary secret society in Paris, headed by Bernard, Blanqui and
Barbès. Some 600 members of the Society rose in 1837, and raised
barricades in the streets of Paris, but the outbreak was immediately
suppressed, and its leaders were all seized and imprisoned.
Saladin Tax.
A tax of a tenth on all property, imposed by Henry III for the
prosecution of the Crusades.
Salamanca, Council of.
A council summoned by Ferdinand of Spain in 1486, 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 Portuguese 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 candidate 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 mediæval 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 Monarchy, circ. 500. By the Salic Law women were forbidden to
inherit land, a prohibition which was afterwards interpreted as
including the right of succession to the throne. The English Kings
refused to accept this interpretation, and the various attempts they
made to enforce their claim to the French throne led to the prolonged
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 recognized 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 control, and for the
regulation of the trade in arms and intoxicating liquors. It was
superseded 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
Malietoa. 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 officered by members of the
Samurai families.
San Ildefonso, Treaty of.
A treaty between Spain and the French Directoire, signed in 1794,
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 ownership of the island of San Juan, lying
between Vancouver and the American coast, arose out of the wording of
the Treaty of Ghent in 1818, by which instrument 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 doubtful one, but the arbitrators, 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 practically independent, while Bulgaria was erected
into an important state with a port on the Ægean Sea. England refused 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 enabled 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 provided for free trade, except in arms, arbitration in
any dispute that might arise in respect of the boundary over the
Drakensberg, extradition, and free passage of the Vaal for all except
criminals and fugitive debtors. The British Government 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 Carbonari 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 Gêne, Madame.
The sobriquet of the Maréchale 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 vivandière.
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 instead of the knee-breeches affected by the upper
classes. The word means literally “without 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 recognize 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 1521, 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 religious 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 existence 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 15,000 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 Neuchâtel to oppose Federal revision and
support the Federal Pact of 1815. It was also called the Sonderbund.
Satisfaction.
An agreement arrived at in 1578 between the Protestant party and the
Catholic magistrates 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 1661, with the
object of so amending the liturgy as to permit of the Puritan party
remaining in the Church. It was, however, 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 Westminster 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 assemblies 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 succeeded by Cossa, as John XXIII, and finally
the schism was ended by the Council of Constance in 1415, where all
three Popes were deposed, and Martin V, a Colonna, was elected.
Schism Act.
An Act passed in 1714, 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
anathema 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
incorporated in the kingdom of Denmark. The Danes, however, did not
observe the compact, 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 struggle,
overwhelmed the Danish army. By the Treaty of Gastein, signed in 1865,
Schleswig 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 Augsburg 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 between British Guiana and Venezuela fixed by
Sir Robert Schomburgk in his official survey of the colony in 1840. The
Schomburgk Line was, with unimportant exceptions, upheld by the
arbitrators in the Venezuelan arbitration award of 1899.
Schönbrunn, Proclamation of.
A proclamation of Napoleon in 1805, declaring the deposition of the
Bourbons from the throne of Naples.
Schönbrunn, Treaty of.
A treaty between France and Prussia, signed in December 1805, by which
Napoleon succeeded in detaching Prussia from the coalition. Prussia
entered into an offensive and defensive alliance with France, and
surrendered Anspach and Neuchâtel, 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 1848 and again in
1871, while an unsuccessful attempt to reintroduce it was made in 1881.
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.
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
Condé and the Huguenots. When the differences between the Huguenots and
Catholics were adjusted and the letters of marque withdrawn, 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 Cromwell, who was thereby enabled to counteract their numerous
plots for his destruction.
Secession, Ordinance of.
The declaration issued by South Carolina in 1860 dissolving its union
with the United States. The other Southern States followed with similar
declarations.
Second Charlemagne.
A sobriquet of Charles V, Emperor of Germany (1519-58).
Second Washington.
Henry Clay, the American statesman (1777-1852), was so called.
Secret Treaty.
A document published in the _Times_ of July 25, 1870, purporting to be
the text of a treaty between France and Prussia, containing the
following provisions: 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
undertaking by France not to oppose Prussia’s designs for the
unification 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, Journée des.
October 5, 1794, on which day the troops of the Convention, under
Buonaparte, routed the National Guard of the “Sections” of Paris and
established the rule of the Directoire, thus marking the end of the
Revolution.
Sects.
_See_ Albigenses, Alumbrados, Anabaptists, Arminians, Arya Somaj,
Assassins, Bianchi, Brahmo Somaj, Brownists, Calixtines, Cameronians,
Doppers, Dukhobors, Erastians, Fifth Monarchy Men, Flagellants,
Hussites, Iconoclasts, Illuminati, Independents, Jansenists,
Karmathians, Latitudinarians, Levellers, Lollards, Molokani, Moravians,
Mormons, 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 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 Catholic. 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 intercourse were secured between the two
countries.
Sédan, Man of.
A name bestowed on Napoleon III after his surrender, with the army of
Macmahon, at Sédan in September, 1870.
Self-denying Ordinance.
A resolution of the Parliament, passed at the instance of Cromwell, by
which the members of both Houses were made ineligible 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 promulgated in 1393 by the eight federated cantons
of Switzerland, together with Soleure, making provision for the
repression of private war, brigandage 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 powerful
factor in uniting African Mohammedanism.
September Convention.
A convention between France and Italy, signed in 1864, by which Louis
Napoleon agreed gradually to withdraw 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 engaged in the massacre were afterwards called the Septembriseurs.
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
1826 and a return to the democratic form of government 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 1716, prolonging 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 1861, 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 commune. 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 surrendered 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 established on purely
aristocratic lines.
Servian Capitulation.
A treaty signed in 1375 between Mourad I, Sultan of Turkey, and Lazar,
Despot of Servia, by which Servia acknowledged the suzerainty of Turkey
and agreed to pay an annual tribute.
Settled Lands Act.
An Act passed in 1882, introduced 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
officers of the Catholic army in Ireland, who, with their followers,
withdrew to the Continent, 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.
Settlement, Act of, 1661.
An Act passed after the Restoration, by which, and a supplementary 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 adventurers. 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
limitations of the royal prerogative; among its provisions being that
the sovereign should be a member of the Church of England; that Great
Britain should not be called upon to defend any territories not being
British territory, 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 enjoying a pension should sit in the House of Commons.
Settlement, Law of.
A law passed in 1662, providing that a labourer not born in the parish
or resident therein for forty days, might be removed to the parish of
his birth or former 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, transferring to the Government of the Queen all
the territories hitherto governed by the East India Company.
Seven Bishops, Petition of the.
A petition signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and six bishops
against the Declaration 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 protecting 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 1, 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 importance to the king in mediæval Scotland. In
the time of Alexander I they formed the Council of the Kingdom, and they
claimed the right of appointing the king.
Seven Pillars.
The seven men chosen in 1639 by the Puritan colonists of New Haven to
organize the Government of the colony. The most prominent among them
were Eaton and Davenport.
Seven Points.
A document published in 1871, purporting to be an agreement between
certain prominent Conservatives and the delegates of the Council of
Skilled Workmen, on the subject of social reform. As the “points”
included 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, Lorne and Carnarvon.
Seven Weeks War.
The war between Prussia and Austria in 1866 is so called.
Seven Years War.
The war maintained by Frederick the Great, with some aid, chiefly naval
and financial, from England, against the combined 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 detaching Spain from the Austrian alliance concluded by
the Treaty of Vienna of 1725. Spain revoked all the concessions made to
Austria under that instrument, again confirmed the Asiento, and in
return received the support of the other signatories 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 opposition 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 occupied 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.
Sheyk-ul-Islam.
The chief of the Ulema of Constantinople.
Shiah.
One of the two great Mohammedan 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 Buddhistic 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
Parliament. It was in resisting the payment of this tax that Hampden
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.
Shôgun.
The _de facto_ ruler of Japan prior to the Revolution of 1868. 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 Merovingian Rois Fainéants. The title of
Tycoon or Great Prince was assumed by the Shôgun to impress the Western
nations with his dignity when diplomatic relations were first opened
with Japan. The title of Shôgun was first borne by Minamoto-no-Yoritomo
in 1192.
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 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
(1689-1755) 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 compiled 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 Spitalfields 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 371¼ grains of silver per dollar.
Sikhs.
A religious sect in Northern India, founded in the sixteenth century by
Babu Nának. They profess a reformed form of Hinduism, rejecting caste
and various Brahminical superstitions. Under Govind Rai, towards the end
of the seventeenth century, they formed a strong military organization,
which reached its zenith under Ranjit Singh early in the nineteenth
century. Their power was finally crushed by the British in 1851.
Sikkim Treaty.
A treaty between Great Britain and China, signed in 1890, 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 declared that Dost Mahomed and his
brother had shown themselves unfriendly to England by supporting the
Persian designs on Herat and by attacking Ranjit Singh. That in
consequence 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 establishment of Grattan’s Parliament. A party headed by Flood
held that the abnegation by England of her former legislative control
was not sufficient, as she might at any time re-enact the obnoxious
controlling laws. He held that England should expressly renounce all
controlling rights. Grattan held that the repeal of these enactments was
sufficient, and carried Parliament 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 Ghât and the
Godaveri, together with the town and district of Ahmednaggar.
Sistova, Treaty of.
A treaty between Austria, Prussia, and Turkey, signed in 1791, by which
Leopold of Austria surrendered all his conquests, in consequence of the
mediation of Prussia and England. By a separate convention 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, recognized the Austrian
Sovereign as Emperor, instead of only King of Vienna, as the Turks had
hitherto styled him, and agreed that the future diplomatic intercourse
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 1819 to
strengthen the law against sedition, in view of the numerous risings of
the past few years. They were as follows: (1) An Act to prevent delay in
the administration 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 libel; (4) an Act authorizing Justices of the Peace to
seize and retain arms; (5) an Act subjecting certain publications to the
newspaper stamp duty; and (6) an Act to prevent seditious assemblies.
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 articles of the
Catholic faith was made obligatory 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, Franconia, The Rhine, Saxony, Suabia and
Westphalia.
Six Cities, League of the.
A league formed in 1346 by the German towns of Bautzen, Görlitz, Kamenz,
Lauban, Löbau and Zittau for mutual protection against the marauding
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 suppression of (1) the
Caisse de Poissy; (2) duties on grain in the markets; (3) harbour dues;
(4) statutes of apprenticeship and incorporation; (5) the corvée, 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
eventually led to Turgot’s downfall.
Six Nations.
The five tribes of North American Indians known as the Five Nations
admitted into their confederacy, in 1715, the Tuscaroras, 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 directed 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 procuring the commission of dynamite outrages in England.
Skoptsi.
A Russian sect of schismatics, who practise self-mutilation. They
interpret the Scriptures literally, and act on the injunction: “If thine
eye offend thee, pluck it out.”
Skuptschina.
The Servian National Assembly.
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 spectators, 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
Mohammed’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 Dominions, known as the Emancipation
Act, was not passed till 1833.
Slavery.
_See_ Abolitionists, Anti-Slavery, Compromise Act, Dred Scott,
Emancipation, Freesoilers. Fugitive, Harper’s Ferry, Kansas, Missouri
Compromise, Squatter Sovereignty, Underground Railroad, Wilmot Proviso.
Slavophils.
A band of educated Muscovites who led the reaction against the
indiscriminate adoption of Western ideas, and the abandonment of ancient
Russian customs. They were especially active about the period of the
emancipation of the serfs in 1861, when the village communal 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, paramount chief of
the Basutos, signed in 1855. It was designed to prevent friction between
the Basutos and the farmers living along their borders, 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
(1611-32).
Snow Queen.
A sobriquet of Christina, Queen of Sweden (1633-54).
Sobranje.
The Bulgarian National Assembly.
Societies, Secret.
_See_ Alumbrados, Barn-burners, Boxers, Burschenschaft, Camorra,
Carbonari, Clan-na-Gael, Consistoriali, Danites, Fenians, Gran Reunion,
Great Triad, Hintchak, Human Leopards, Illuminati, Invincibles, Ku Klux,
Lautaro, Levellers, Mafia, Molly Maguires, Moonlighters, Mutualists.
Nihilists, Oakboys, Omladina, Orangemen, Patrons of Husbandry, Philike
Hetairia, Ribbonism, Right, Rock, Saisons, Sanfedisti.
Socinians.
A sect founded by Lælius Socinus in 1560, which numbered 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.
An agreement between Scotland 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 support 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.
Solidité.
A system of taxation in France in the seventeenth century, 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 Parliamentarians 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, pledged 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 Barré, 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 Continental Congress in 1774.
Sonthal Revolt.
A rising of the Sonthal hillmen in India in 1855, due to dislike of the
procedure of the courts of justice in enforcing the claims of Bengali
moneylenders. They raided the European stations, and were not subdued
without considerable 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
1711. In 1720 Sir John Blount, one of the directors, negotiated an
arrangement with 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 paying 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 Palatinate. England, however,
reserved to herself the right to claim compensation from Holland for the
massacre of Amboyna.
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 between 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 Duc de Montpensier, with 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 place 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 Philip, 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
campaign in Flanders, and the overrunning of Spain by the Archduke
Charles followed, but in 1713 Philip was recognized by the Allies as
King of Spain, and the war ended.
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 bankruptcy of many well-known American
business houses.
Speenhamland Act.
The name given to a proclamation issued in 1795 by the magistrates of
Buckinghamshire 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 Empire, held in 1529, which repealed the Act of
Toleration passed at the previous Diet. The Lutheran Party, headed by
the Elector of Saxony, the Margrave of Brandenburg and the Landgrave 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: (1) 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 attempted to hold the balance between the
supporters and the opponents of union with England.
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 Compromise, to Kansas and Nebraska 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 constant 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 the abuses of
constables and others exercising the royal authority, 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 1138. The standard displayed on this occasion was that of St.
Cuthbert of Durham, which was always thought to secure victory.
Stannaries.
The tin mines of Cornwall are so called. Their administration is in the
hands of the Warden of the Stannaries, an official of the Duchy of
Cornwall. The Stannaries are technically the property of the Crown, and
are worked under Royal License.
Staple.
A term applied 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 instrument in the hands of the Sovereign for the
suppression of free speech, and its arbitrary and corrupt decisions
became notorious. 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 number of stars
equal to the number of States in the Union for the time being, an
additional star being added for each 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 doubtful, and also of raising a force in the Highlands to
support 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 1302 by Philip the Fair.
States-General (Netherlands).
The general congress of the estates of the various provinces 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
unconstitutional. Thus South Carolina, in 1832, “nullified” an Act of
Congress relating to import duties, and the doctrine was held in 1860 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, Carlisle, Donis, Drogheda, Fines, Hæretico,
Kilkenny, Labourers, Liveries, Mercatoribus, Præmunire, Provisors, Quia
Emptores, Rhudlann, Stabbing, Stamford, Staples, Submission, Tallagio,
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 outrages 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 incorporated in
British Bechuanaland.
Stockenström Treaties.
A series of treaties made by Sir Andries Stockenström 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, 1719.
A treaty between Great Britain and Sweden, by which Sweden surrendered
the Duchies of Bremen and Verden to George I, in return for a payment of
one million rix-dollars.
Stockholm, Treaty of, 1812.
A treaty between Great Britain, Sweden and Russia, whereby Sweden
undertook to provide 30,000 men to act with the Russian troops against
Napoleon. Great Britain engaged to pay Sweden a subsidy of one million
sterling annually, to cede to her Guadeloupe, receiving in return
certain commercial 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 undertook not to cede or make any grants of pasturage, fishery or
any other rights to Russia, Great Britain and France agreeing to
guarantee Sweden from Russian aggression.
Stolbova, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and Sweden, signed in 1617, after the successful
campaign of Gustavus 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 Débonnaire, and their followers, at Strasburg, 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 1170, 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 Revolution had
rendered many thinking men discontented with existing institutions, was
known in 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 Würtemberg.
Subinfeudation.
The practice of making grants of land by the holders of hereditary 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
commissioners to revise the Canon Law.
Subsidiary System.
A system introduced by Warren Hastings in his dealings with Oude, and
extended by the Marquis of Wellesley. Under this system native states
acknowledged the paramountcy of the British Government, which in return
guaranteed their integrity 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
settling the succession upon the Electress Sophia of Hanover. One of its
clauses forbade the sovereign to leave the kingdom, but it was repealed
in 1716, at the instance of George I, to enable him to visit his kingdom
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
stipulations. Practically all the Powers concerned have given their
adhesion to this instrument.
Sunni.
One of the two great Mohammedan sects. They accept the Sunna, a
collection of laws and precepts, as well as the Koran.
Supplicants.
Those who signed the Supplication against the use of Archbishop Laud’s
Service Book in 1637. In 1638, the Supplicants having signed the
Covenant, became known as the Covenanters.
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 Catholics 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, conferring 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.