A treaty between the British and Raghoba, signed in 1775, by which it
was agreed to support Raghoba for the office of Peshwa, in return for
the cession of Salsette and Bassein.
Suspects, Loi des.
A law passed by the French Convention in 1793, declaring suspect: (1)
all persons who had shown themselves enemies of liberty; (2) all who
could not show that they had regular means of livelihood; (3) those who
refused to take out certificates of civism; (4) all suspended public
functionaries; (5) ci-devant nobles and their families; and (6) emigrés.
All such persons were to be arrested, and kept in confinement at their
own expense.
Suttee.
The ancient Hindu custom of burning the widow on the pyre with her
deceased husband’s body. It was put down during the Viceroyalty of Lord
Dalhousie, circ. 1856.
Swainmote.
In early Norman times the court of the forest freemen was so called. It
was arranged on the lines of the Shiremote, or County Court.
Swaziland Convention, 1890.
A convention between Great Britain and the Transvaal, agreeing to
preserve the independence of Swaziland, and to appoint a committee of
three persons, one each to be named by the contracting parties and one
by the Swazis, to rule the white residents. It was further stipulated
that the Transvaal might acquire a railway belt through Swaziland, and
thence through Amatongaland to the sea.
Swaziland Convention, 1893.
A convention between Great Britain and the Transvaal, by which it was
agreed that, subject to the consent of the Queen Regent of the Swazis,
Swaziland should be under the protection of the Transvaal. All British
subjects in Swaziland were to be at once admitted to full burgher rights
in the South African Republic. No railway was to be built beyond the
eastern frontier, without the consent of Great Britain.
Swaziland Convention, 1895.
The Queen of Swaziland having refused her consent to the Convention of
1893, a further convention was made similar to that of 1893, but
omitting the clause requiring the Queen’s consent.
Swing, Captain.
_See_ Barn-burners.
Sword in Hand Address.
An address presented to Queen Anne, in 1713, by the Highland Chiefs who
had been the recipients of her gift of money, which they seem to have
looked upon as payment for services rendered to the Stuart cause. In the
address they refer to the sacred house of Stuart, and express the hope
that in the Queen’s successor they may find one who shall obtain “both
the hereditary and the parliamentary sanction.”
Szatmar, Peace of.
The peace concluded in 1711, after Rákóczy’s Rebellion. Austria granted
the Magyars a complete amnesty, restoration of all forfeited property,
and the free exercise of the Protestant religion.
Szegedin, Peace of.
The peace which ended in 1444 the invasion of the Turkish dominions by
Hunyadi Janos of Hungary, and George, Despot of Servia, who penetrated
as far as the Balkans. The Sultan Amurath restored Servia to George,
against payment of a tribute of half the revenue of the State, and
placed Wallachia under the protection of Hungary.
Szell Formula.
_See_ Ausgleich.
T
Taal.
The corrupt form of Dutch spoken in the Dutch portions of South Africa.
Its corruption is due principally to the large proportion of foreigners
among the early immigrants, and to their intercourse with the native
races.
Tables, The.
A board or committee established in Scotland in 1637, chosen by the
Supplicants with the object of bringing about an agreement between
Archbishop Laud and the Presbyterians. It consisted of four members of
each of the four classes: nobles, lesser barons, burgesses and clergy.
Taborites.
The Hussites under John Zisca were so called, from the name he gave
their stronghold--Tabor, a camp or tent.
Tackers.
A section of the extreme Tories in 1704, who were anxious to secure the
passage of the Occasional Conformity Bill through the Lords by tacking
it on to the Land Tax Bill, which the Lords could not reject without
stopping supplies. They were unsuccessful, however, in carrying their
point.
Taeping Rebellion.
A rebellion under Hung Hsiu Chwan, which broke out in the province of
Canton in 1851. The rebels marched northward, and after capturing
Nanking, established their headquarters there in 1853. They then invaded
Honan, Shansi and Chihli, but were driven back. They held out, however,
against the Imperial troops until 1864, when Nanking was captured by
General Gordon, and the rebellion was finally suppressed in the
following year.
Tafna, Treaty of.
A treaty between the French and Abd-el-Kader, the Algerian chief, signed
in 1847, and assuring the French domination in Algeria.
Tahiti Question.
A serious difficulty which arose between Great Britain and France in
1844, owing to the action of the French in arresting Mr. Pritchard, a
missionary, who was the British Consul in Tahiti, and was very obnoxious
to the Roman Catholics. He was only released on his undertaking to leave
the Pacific. Great indignation was felt in England at this outrage, but
after lengthy negotiations the matter was smoothed over, and
compensation given to Mr. Pritchard.
Taille.
A tax levied in France on the produce of the soil, paid exclusively by
the cultivator, the landowner being exempt. It was abolished in 1791.
Taille.
A method of warfare introduced by the Archbishop of Bordeaux in 1228, in
his attempt to bring to terms Count Raymond of Toulouse. It consisted in
the systematic cutting down of vines and fruit trees, and the
destruction of houses and enclosures.
Tallage.
That portion of the feudal dues levied by the Norman Kings which was
paid by the towns. Its arbitrary exaction was held to be illegal in the
reign of Edward I.
Tallagio non Concedendo, Statute de.
A Statute passed in 1297, declaring the exaction of tallages illegal.
Talukdar.
An hereditary contractor for land revenue in Oude. The Talukdar
collected rents over a certain district, and paid the taxes for the
district to the Government. He often had no proprietary right whatever
in the land. By the new land system introduced into Oude by Lord
Dalhousie in 1856, under which the British Government entered into
direct relations with the villages, most of the Talukdars were
dispossessed, and much discontent was occasioned thereby.
Tammany Ring.
The Democratic party in New York City, who have for years kept the
absolute control of public affairs in the city. As a party organization
it grew out of the Tammany Society, an organization founded in 1805,
ostensibly as a charitable institution, and for the promotion of an
extended franchise. In 1871 the connexion of its leaders with the
notorious Erie Ring led to a crusade against the party, headed by the
_New York Times_, and an inquiry disclosed wholesale jobbery and
corruption in the administration. As a consequence Tammany was totally
defeated at the polls in 1872, but returned to office at the following
election, and remained in power until 1902, when they were again driven
from office.
Tamworth Manifesto.
A statement of policy issued by Sir Robert Peel in 1835, after the
dismissal of the Melbourne Ministry. It promised considerable
concessions to the Dissenters, and was in many respects a departure from
the old Toryism, and a recognition of the necessity for reform along
cautious lines. Those who followed Sir Robert Peel in his new departure
were known as Peelites.
Tanistry.
The ancient law of succession in Ireland, by which the chieftainship of
a sept descended to the eldest and most worthy of the same blood.
Targowitz, Confederation of.
A confederation of Polish nobles formed in 1792, under the auspices of
Catherine of Russia, to oppose the new constitution established in 1791,
and to promote a return to the old order of things. They compelled
Stanislas Augustus to give way and abrogate the 1791 constitution.
Tartar Invasion.
The invasion of Russia by the Tartars under Genghis Khan in 1237. They
overran Russia up to the Carpathians, burning the chief towns, and
carrying off the inhabitants as slaves. After subjugating the country,
the Tartars contented themselves with demanding an oath of allegiance
and a tribute from the Russian Princes, allowing the free exercise of
the Christian religion, and interfering in no way with the institutions
and customs of the country.
Tattooed Man.
A nickname of James G. Blaine, derived from a political caricature, in
which he was represented as Phryne before her judges, tattooed with the
names of the various scandals with which his name had been connected.
Tchinovniks.
The holders of Russian official appointments. They are mainly drawn from
the ranks of the nobles and the clergy, and in particular from certain
noble families, who may be said to be the real rulers of Russia. There
are fourteen classes of officials, which classes are called “Tchins.”
Every official, whatever his birth, has to enter in the lowest Tchin,
and promotion is nominally by merit only.
Tea-Party.
The Boston tea riots are so called.
Tea-room Party.
A party of advanced Radicals who opposed Mr. Gladstone’s amendment to
Lord Derby’s Reform Bill of 1867. This amendment would have restricted
the borough franchise to those occupiers whose names were on the rate
book, but would have drawn a line of value below which no house should
be rated. This small party not only defeated Mr. Gladstone, but
succeeded in forcing upon the Government household franchise pure and
simple.
Temperance, Apostle of.
The name given to Father Mathew, the Irish Temperance advocate, circ.
1838.
Templars, Knights.
An order of knighthood established in Palestine in 1118, and confirmed
by Honorius II in 1128. Its functions were the protection of pilgrims to
the Holy Sepulchre, and its headquarters were on the site of Solomon’s
Temple. During the thirteenth century, the order, which had become very
powerful, and spread widely over Europe, was accused of heresy and other
crimes, and was proscribed by Clement V in 1312, and its property
confiscated.
Ten Articles.
A profession of the Protestant Doctrine as then held in England drawn up
by a Convocation held in 1536, and based upon the Confession of
Augsburg.
Ten, Council of.
The Supreme Council of Venice, established in 1310. It really consisted
of seventeen members, as to the ten were added the Doge and his six
councillors. It controlled the magistracy and the senate, and had charge
of the foreign relations of the Republic. It is, however, best known as
an arbitrary secret tribunal, trying and condemning for all classes of
offences against the laws and the State, without appeal.
Ten Jurisdictions, League of the.
A league formed in the eastern part of Rhætia in 1436, in the
territories of the Counts of Toggenburg. It afterwards amalgamated with
the Graubund and the Gotteshausbund.
Ten Minutes Bill.
The Reform Bill of 1867, as first introduced, is so called. At a Cabinet
Council held on the day that Mr. Disraeli was to introduce the Bill, it
was found that Ministers were not in agreement, and there were only ten
minutes left to decide what was to be done. It happened that a Bill had
been prepared, proposing a milder measure of reform, and this it was
decided to introduce. It met with little approval from any section, and
was ultimately withdrawn in favour of the original Bill. The story was
some time afterwards told by Sir John Pakington to his constituents, and
the makeshift Bill was promptly christened the Ten Minutes Bill.
Tenmannetale.
The name by which the system of Frankpledge was known in the northern
parts of England.
Tenth of August, Massacre of the.
The massacre of the Swiss Guards at the Tuileries, on August 10, 1792,
is known by this name. It is estimated that 5,000 persons perished at
the hands of the Paris mob.
Tenure of Office Act.
An Act passed by the United States Congress in 1867, to prevent the
removal from office by the President, without the consent of the Senate,
of any person holding a Government position. It was enacted in
consequence of the action of President Johnson in removing Mr. Stanton
in what was held to be an unconstitutional manner.
Teplitz, Treaty of.
A treaty of alliance between Russia, Austria and Prussia, signed in
1813, and directed against Napoleon.
Terreur Blanche.
The name of the White Terror was given to the excesses of the
counter-revolutionists in the French provinces, especially in the South,
in 1795, after the fall of Robespierre.
Terror, Reign of.
The culmination of the French Revolution, lasting from the fall of the
Girondins, in October 1793 to that of Robespierre, in July 1794. During
this period the only limit to the number of executions was the time at
the disposal of Fouquier-Tinville and the Revolutionary Tribunal for the
trial of prisoners.
Terrorists.
The extreme revolutionary party in Paris in 1848. They demanded, not
work, but the spoliation of the rich, and were prepared to adopt the
methods of 1793 to secure their object. They attempted to coerce and
dissolve the National Assembly, and set up a Revolutionary Government at
the Hôtel de Ville, but were overpowered by the Garde Mobile.
Terry Alts.
An Irish rebel society which was guilty of numerous outrages in Clare
during the years immediately following the Union.
Teschen, Peace of.
A treaty signed at the conclusion of the Bavarian War of Succession in
1779, by which Austria withdrew her opposition to the reunion of Anspach
and Bayreuth with Prussia. Certain territorial changes were made in
Bavaria, and the Treaty of Westphalia was renewed.
Teshu Lama.
The second spiritual ruler of Thibet, who exercises the functions of the
Dalai Lama between the death of one occupant of that position and the
enthronement of his successor.
Test Act.
An Act passed in 1673, ordaining that all holders of temporal offices
under the Crown must receive the Sacrament according to the rites of the
Church of England, and renounce the doctrine of Transubstantiation.
James II endeavoured to bring about its repeal, but without success, and
it remained on the Statute Book till 1828.
Tetrapolitan Confession.
The profession of faith of the Reformed Non-Lutheran German Church,
drawn up by Bucer, and issued in 1530.
Teutonic Knights.
An order of knighthood founded by Henry, King of Jerusalem, during the
third Crusade, its original members being followers of Frederick
Barbarossa. In 1230, under their Grand Master, Hermann von Salza, the
Teutonic knights marched against the Pagans of the Baltic shore of what
is now known as Prussia. This country, which was a fief of Poland, they
held until 1526, when Albert of Brandenburg, then Grand Master, made a
treaty with Sigismund of Poland, by which Prussia was erected into a
Grand Duchy, with Albert as Grand Duke. The order was dissolved by
Napoleon in 1809.
Thaba Bosigo, Treaty of.
A treaty between the Orange Free State and Moshesh, signed in 1866,
after the Basuto war of 1865-6. Moshesh surrendered the greater portion
of his country to the Free State, and undertook to withdraw all his
subjects from the ceded territory. He not only failed to carry out the
terms, but in the following years sent large bodies of warriors into
these districts, and prevented their settlement by Europeans.
Theatins.
A monastic order, founded by John Caraffa, Bishop of Theate (afterwards
Paul IV), and authorised by Clement V in 1524. The Theatins were strong
supporters of the movement for the reform of the Papacy which arose
within the Church about the middle of the sixteenth century.
Thegns.
In Saxon times the thegns were originally the King’s servants. Later,
enriched by grants of land, they superseded the old nobility, and became
eventually the Barons.
Thelusson’s Act.
An Act passed in 1800, by which it was made illegal to devise property
to accumulate for a longer period than twenty-one years. It arose from
the will of Peter Thelusson, a wealthy merchant, who left £800,000 to
accumulate until his grandson’s grandson reached the age of twenty-one.
The will led to protracted litigation, and the resulting accumulation
was consequently much less than had been anticipated.
Theological Controversy.
An assembly of Catholic and Protestant divines, held at Westminster in
1559, to discuss certain points of dogma and ritual. The questions set
for discussion were: the use of prayer in a tongue not understood by the
people, the right of individual congregations to alter their ritual to
suit their needs, and the propitiatory sacrifice for the quick and the
dead in the celebration of the Mass. No decision was arrived at on any
point.
Theows.
In Saxon times the slaves of the feudal lords, reduced to the servile
condition either as prisoners of war, or through debt.
Thermidoriens.
The party who voted the decree of accusation against Robespierre and
his followers in July (Thermidor) 1794. During the Directoire they still
showed themselves advanced Republicans, being in favour of maintaining
the decrees against the clergy, the noblesse and the emigrés.
Thing.
Amongst the Norsemen, the assembly of freemen. The Things were of
varying importance, and bore different names, according to the purpose
for which they were convoked. Thus, the Althing was the general assembly
of the nation, held annually; the Konungs-thing, a meeting specially
summoned by the King; and so on down to the Husthing, a meeting of his
own men summoned by any petty chief.
Thingamen.
Another name for the Housekarls of King Knut.
Third Section.
A section of the Russian secret police, specially established to watch
all political movements. It was formed by Nicholas I in 1865.
Thirteen Cantons, Confederation of.
The Confederation formed by the admission, between 1481 and 1513, of the
Cantons of Fribourg, Soleure, Basle, Schaffhausen and Appenzell, into
the Perpetual League.
Thirteen States.
The thirteen American colonies forming the original thirteen States of
the Union were Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts.
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina and Virginia.
Thirty, Battle of the.
A combat between the followers of Simon de Montfort and those of Charles
of Blois, fought at Ploermel in Brittany in 1350. The combatants were
limited to thirty on each side, and the English were defeated.
Thirty Years War.
A war between Ferdinand II and the Protestant Princes of Germany, which
broke out on the accession of Ferdinand to the Austrian throne in 1619.
The Protestant Princes had elected to the Imperial Throne Frederic V,
the Elector Palatine, and took up arms in his support. Sweden under
Gustavus Adolphus, and later France, were drawn into the conflict, and
the war did not terminate till 1648, when Ferdinand III signed the
Treaty of Westphalia.
Thirty-nine Articles.
The articles of faith of the Church of England, consisting of
thirty-nine of the original forty-two articles issued in 1552. By an Act
of Elizabeth passed in 1571, the acceptance of these was made incumbent
on all the clergy of the Established Church.
Thirty-six, Council of.
A council appointed in 1357 to carry on the Government of France during
the captivity of John. They had power to levy taxes, to appoint the
chief officers of State, and generally to exercise all executive
functions.
Thirty-three Articles.
A code of laws drawn up by the Volksraad of Potchefstroom in 1844, and
adopted in 1849 by all the communities established to the north of the
Vaal river.
Thistle, Order of the.
An order of knighthood instituted, according to tradition, by Archaicus,
King of the Scots in 809. Though thus older than the Garter in its
origin, it has been several times in abeyance, having been revived by
James V of Scotland, by James II of England, and finally by Queen Anne,
who placed it on its present footing.
Thorn, Conference of.
A conference summoned by Ladislaus IV of Poland in 1645, in an endeavour
to unite the Protestants to the Catholic Church. It lasted about four
months, and was entirely without result.
Thorough.
The Policy of Thorough is the phrase used by Strafford and Laud to
express their determination to carry through their schemes for the
public advantage, regardless of the obstacles thrown in their way by
interested parties.
Thralls.
Among the Norse nations slaves were so called. They were generally
captives taken in war.
“Three Acres and a Cow.”
A phrase used by Mr. Jesse Collings, in the election campaign of 1885,
expressive of the plank in his programme of free allotments of land for
all agricultural labourers.
Three Emperors, Battle of the.
The battle of Austerlitz, December 2, 1805, is so called, because
Napoleon and the Emperors of Austria and Russia were all present.
Three F’s.
The ostensible programme of the Irish Land League in 1880: Fixity of
Tenure, Fair Rent, Free Sale.
Three Kings, Alliance of the.
An alliance formed in 1849 between the Kings of Prussia, Hanover, and
Saxony, to take joint measures for the suppression of the disorders rife
in their States at that time.
Thresher, Captain.
The pseudonym of the leader of a band of lawless Irishmen, who in 1806
attacked the collectors of tithes.
Throgmorton’s Conspiracy.
A conspiracy of certain Jesuits and English Catholics in 1583, to rise
against Queen Elizabeth, in conjunction with an invasion of French and
Spanish troops. Suspicion was aroused by Throgmorton’s constant visits
to the Spanish Ambassador. He was arrested, and under torture revealed
the details of the plot, and the names of the principal conspirators.
Thugs.
A quasi-religious sect of robbers and murderers in India, who despatched
their victims by strangling. They were put down by Lord Dalhousie about
1856.
Thunderbolt of Italy.
The sobriquet of Gaston de Foix, Duc de Nemours (1489-1512), given him
on account of his brilliant campaign in Italy.
Thurn and Taxis.
A princely house of Germany, with large estates in Austria, Bavaria,
Würtemberg, and elsewhere, who established the earliest postal system in
Germany in 1460. In 1595 a member of the house was appointed hereditary
grand master of the posts of the Empire, and though the privileges of
the office were gradually infringed by the larger German States, the
monopoly was not finally abolished till 1867.
Tiberine Republic.
A republic with Rome as its capital, established by Napoleon in Central
Italy in 1797.
Tichborne Case.
_See_ Claimant.
Tientsin, Treaty of, 1858.
A treaty between Great Britain, France and China, at the close of the
war of 1857, providing for the establishment of Chinese Legations in
London and Paris, and French and English Legations in Pekin, the
toleration of Christianity in China, and access to the interior of China
and to the navigable rivers for British and French subjects. In 1860 the
envoys proceeding to Pekin to exchange ratifications were not permitted
to proceed. Further hostilities ensued, and certain European prisoners
were barbarously tortured by the Chinese, in revenge for which the
Allies destroyed the Summer Palace of Pekin.
Tientsin, Treaty of, 1885.
A treaty between France and China, by which China withdrew her claim to
exercise a protectorate over Annam.
Tiepoli, Conspiracy of.
A conspiracy of Venetian nobles, headed by Tiepoli and the family of the
Querini, against Gradenigo, the Doge of Venice, in 1310. The
conspirators enlisted the aid of the Paduans, and formed a plan to seize
the Doge in the Ducal Palace by means of their own armed retainers,
holding the Square of St. Mark till the arrival of the Paduans. The plan
miscarried, owing to the vigilance of the Doge, who was prepared for the
attack, and the conspiracy failed. Many of the leaders were killed in
the fighting, and others were executed, but Tiepoli escaped.
Tiers Etat.
The third estate of the Realm, or Commoners, in France. It is held that
they were first consulted by Louis IX, who summoned twelve citizens from
the principal towns of France, to advise him on the national coinage.
Tiers Parti.
A moderate party formed in the French Assembly in 1832, in the reign of
Louis Philippe. In 1834 they formed a ministry under the Duc de Bassano,
but the Chamber refused to support it, and it resigned in three days. In
1836, however, it formed a more durable administration under Thiers.
Tilsit, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1807 between France, Prussia and France all her
provinces on the left bank of the Elbe, to form the kingdom of
Westphalia for the benefit of Jerome Buonaparte. In addition,
recognition was accorded to Louis Buonaparte as King of Holland, to
Joseph as King of Spain, and to the Confederation of the Rhine. The
Grand Duchy of Warsaw was created out of the Duchies of Warsaw and
Posen, and given to the King of Saxony. There were certain secret
clauses in the treaty between France and Russia, by which Russia agreed
to aid France against England and to coerce Portugal, Sweden and Denmark
to take the same course, while France undertook to aid Russia against
the Turks if the Porte declined to accept his mediation.
Tio Porsupuesto, El.
The nickname of Bolivar, the Liberator of South America, from his habit
of beginning an argument with the words “Por supuesto,” “Let us
suppose.”
Tithe Commutation Act.
An Act passed in 1836, commuting the tithe into a permanent rent charge
upon the land, annually adjusted upon the price of corn, and redeemable
at twenty-five years’ purchase of the average amount.
Tithe Commutation Act (Ireland).
An Act passed in 1838, commuting the tithe into an annual rent charge,
with a reduction of 25 per cent. At the same time the loan of one
million sterling made in 1833 in aid of the destitute Irish Clergy, was
converted into a gift.
Tithe Riots.
A series of disturbances in Montgomeryshire and elsewhere in North Wales
in protest against the payment of tithes in 1887. Riots were caused by
sales under distraint in various parts of Wales, and for some time such
sales could only be carried out under military protection.
Togakuto.
The Society of Oriental Learning, a party in Korea violently opposed to
Western ideas, and anxious to exclude all foreigners. In 1893 some
200,000 members gathered in Seoul, with the object of coercing the King,
who had refused their preposterous demands.
Toisée.
An order issued by Emery, finance minister of Louis XIV, in 1644, to the
effect that houses built in the Paris suburbs in contravention of an
edict issued a hundred years before, but never enforced, should be
redeemed by payment of a heavy fine. This order caused great discontent,
and was eventually withdrawn.
Tököli’s Rebellion.
A rising of the Magyars against Austrian domination in 1678, headed by
Tököli, who, aided by the Turks, succeeded in driving the Austrian
troops out of Hungary. He maintained his position until 1683, when he
was defeated, and the Turks being at the same time repulsed from Vienna,
the rising came to an end, and Tököli was forced to flee the country.
Toledo, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1538 after Russia. Prussia abandoned to Francis’
invasion of Piedmont, by Charles V and Francis I, by which Francis
obtained possession of Bresse, Savoy, and half of Piedmont, Charles
taking the remainder of Piedmont and the Milanese. The Pays de Vaud was
left to Berne, and the independence of Geneva guaranteed.
Tolentino, Treaty of.
A treaty between France and the Papal See, signed in 1797. By this
treaty the Pope surrendered the Legations and Ancona, and agreed to the
final inclusion of Avignon in France. He also consented to pay a heavy
sum in coin and jewels and to permit the removal to France of certain
specified works of art. In return France recognized the Pope’s power to
control the religious communities in Rome.
Toleration Acts.
An Act passed on the accession of William and Mary in 1689, giving
Protestant Dissenters the right to hold services in their own chapels,
provided such chapels were registered. A further Act applying to
Scotland was passed in 1712 for the toleration of all episcopal
clergymen who were willing to take the Oath of Abjuration established by
the Act of 1702.
Tonkinois, Le.
A nickname of Jules Ferry, referring to his responsibility for the
unpopular Tongking expedition of 1883.
Tonnage and Poundage.
A tax levied on all merchandise other than the staple commodities,
whether exported or imported. It varied from 1s. 6d. to 3s. on every tun
of wine or beer, and from 6d. to 1s. on every pound of merchandise. It
was first levied in the reign of Edward III.
Toom Tabard.
Empty Jacket, the nickname of John Baliol, King of Scotland (1292-1314),
because he had the semblance but not the reality of royal power.
Tordesillas, Treaty of.
A treaty between Spain and Portugal, signed in 1494. Portugal being
dissatisfied with the terms of the Papal Bull of Demarcation, Spain
agreed to the dividing line between the two spheres of colonisation
being drawn 370 leagues west of Cape Verde. Under the terms of this
treaty Portugal subsequently claimed Brazil.
Torgau, League of.
A league formed at Torgau in 1526 by the Protestant Princes of Germany,
headed by the Landgrave of Hesse and the Elector of Saxony, as a counter
move to the reported combination of Duke George of Saxony, the Elector
of Brandenburg, the Archbishop of Mentz and other Catholic Princes to
oppose the Reformation.
Torres Vedras, Lines of.
The strongly intrenched position in front of Lisbon, occupied by
Wellington during the winter of 1810-11, after the fall of Ciudad
Rodrigo.
Tory.
The name given to the Loyalist Party in the reign of Charles II. It is
taken from the name applied to the Irish outlaws. The word now implies
extreme Conservatism.
Tory Democracy.
The political creed of Lord Randolph Churchill and his followers. He
maintained that Toryism was not necessarily the creed of an exclusive
class, but was as democratic in its aims as Radicalism.
Toshachs.
In the earliest days of Scottish history, an inferior grade of chieftain
in the Highlands.
Tourkmantchai, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and Persia, signed in 1828, by which Persia
ceded Erivan and Nakitchevan, and accorded exceptional commercial
facilities to Russian subjects.
Tours, Edict of.
An edict issued by Henri IV in 1591, repealing the edicts of his
predecessor with respect to the Huguenots, and re-establishing the
Concordat between the two religions contained in the Edict of January.
Tractarian Movement.
_See_ Oxford Movement.
Trade Unions.
Combinations of workmen in a particular trade, formed for mutual
protection against rapacious employers, and also as benefit societies.
They are mostly the growth of the nineteenth century, but have their
origin in the trade guilds of the earlier times.
Trafalgar Square Riots.
A series of disturbances in London in 1887. Meetings, nominally of
unemployed, were held in Trafalgar Square, and addressed by well-known
Socialist leaders, among others John Burns and Cunningham-Grahame. As
these meetings led to disorder and obstruction of the traffic, they were
prohibited by Sir Charles Warren, the Chief Commissioner of Police. The
Socialists insisted on their right to hold the meetings, and the
disturbances culminated on Sunday, November 13th, when a number of
processions on their way to the Square were broken up by the police, and
their leaders arrested, severe fighting taking place at several points.
This, however, ended the rioting, as no further attempts were made to
hold the prohibited meetings.
Trails-bâtons.
Outlaws who in 1305 infested the country districts of England, hiring
themselves out for the execution of private vengeance. Stringent
measures were taken against them under the Statute of Winchester.
Train-bands.
Properly the Trained Bands, a force in the nature of a militia,
established by James I in 1604, to replace the Fyrd. They numbered
160,000.
Transplantation, Irish.
By an Act of Parliament passed in 1653, the whole of Ireland, excepting
Connaught and the county of Clare, was opened for settlement by
adventurers and the soldiers of the Commonwealth. The whole of the Irish
population was transplanted to the province and county named above.
Transvaal National Union.
An association of the Uitlanders in the South African Republic, formed
in Johannesburg in 1892, with the object of securing the franchise and
reforms in general for foreigners settled in the country. In December
1895 it took the name of the Reform Committee, and was largely
instrumental in bringing about the Jameson Raid, which took place at the
end of that month, though it seems evident that the actual moment chosen
for the Raid did not accord with its plans. After Jameson’s defeat the
leaders of the Committee were arrested and tried for treason, four of
them being sentenced to death, though they were afterwards reprieved.
Treason, Statute of.
A Statute of Edward III, in 1352, which defines high treason as plotting
the death of the King or Queen, or their eldest son, levying war against
the King, or comforting or adhering to his enemies. This Statute is
still in force.
Treaties, Conventions, Alliances, etc.
_See_ Abbeville, Abo, Adam Kok, Adis Ababa, Adrianople, Aigun,
Aix-la-Chapelle, Akerman, Alaska, Aliwal North, Amboise,
American-Japanese, American-Spanish, Amiens, Anglo-Chinese, Anglo-Dutch,
Anglo-French, Anglo-German, Anglo-Italian, Anglo-Japanese,
Anglo-Portuguese, Anglo-Russian, Arras, Ashburton, Association,
Barcelona, Bardo, Barrier, Barwalde, Basle, Bassein, Bekcagsog, Belgian,
Berlin, Berwick, Black Sea, Bloemfontein, Bond-Blaine, Breda, Breslau,
Brétigny, Brigham, Brömsebro, Brunnen, Brussels, Bucharest, Budchaz,
Cadan, Caen, Campo-Formio, Cappel, Carlowitz, Cassini, Câteau Cambrésis,
Chartres, Chaumont, Christian, Cintra, Clair-on-Epte, Clayton-Bulwer,
Closter Seven, Commercial, Confederation, Conflans, Constance, Cretan,
Crown, Cyprus, Dardanelles, Deogam, Dover, Dreikaiserbund, Dual,
Edinburgh, Evora, Falczi, Falaise, Family, Ferdinand, Field, Fisheries,
Folenbray, Fommanah, Fontainebleau, Franco-American, Franco-Annamese,
Franco-Siamese, Frankfort, Frederickshamm, Gandamak, Gastein, Geneva,
Ghent, Gisors, Grand Alliance, Great Intercourse, Guadeloupe-Hidalgo,
Gulistan, Hanover, Hay-Pauncefote, Holy Alliance, Hubertsberg, Hué,
Iglau, Imparani, Jassy, Joinville, Jay, July, Kenilworth, Kiel, Kuldja,
Kutchuk Kainardji, Lahore, Lambeth, Lodi, London, Longjumeau, Lübeck,
Loo, Lunéville, Luxemburg, Madras, Madrid, Malus Intercursus,
Mandeshwar, Mangalore, Mantua, Meersen, Methuen, Moldavian, Monçon,
Montpelier, Nanking, Nertchinsk, Newport, Nimeguen, Northampton,
Nottingham, Nystad, Olmütz, Oregon, Paix, Panama, Paris, Passau,
Passarowitz, Peace, Pecquigny, Péronne, Perpetual, Pilnitz, Poland,
Prague, Presburg, Pretoria, Pruth, Purandhar, Pyrenees, Quadrilateral,
Quadruple, Reichenbach, Reinsurance, Roeskild, Russo-Japanese, Ryswick,
St. Germains, St. Petersburg, Salbai, Samoan, San Ildefonso, San
Stefano, Sand River, Santiago, Schönbrunn, Secret, September,
Seringapatam, Servian, Seville, Shimonoseki, Sikkim, Sitvatorok,
Smithfield, Southampton, Stockenström, Stockholm, Stolbova, Suez, Surat,
Swaziland, Szatmár, Szegedin, Teplitz, Teschen, Thaba Bosigo, Three
Kings, Tientsin, Tilsit, Toledo, Tolentino, Tordesillas, Tourkmantchai,
Tripartite, Triple, Tri-regal, Troyes, Turin, Unkiar Skelessi, Utrecht,
Uxbridge, Vaal, Verdun, Vereeniging, Versailles, Vervins, Vienna,
Villefranche, Wallachia, Wallingford, Washington, Waterboer, Wedmore,
Werelä, Westphalia, Worms, Yandabo, Zanzibar, Zurich.
Treaty Ports.
Ports specially set aside for trade purposes and the residence of
foreigners in countries where unrestricted foreign trade is not
permitted, as in China.
Treinta y Tres.
The thirty-three Uruguayan patriots who raised the standard of revolt
against Brazil in 1825. Aided by Argentina, Uruguay shook off the
Brazilian yoke and was proclaimed an independent republic in 1828.
Trek, Great.
The great emigration of Dutch settlers from Cape Colony in 1836 and
1837. A variety of causes, among others the emancipation of the Kaffir
slaves, for which the farmers received very inadequate compensation, led
to this trek, which brought about the first colonisation of the country
beyond the Orange river. Other parties crossed the Drakensberg into
Natal, where they established a republic in 1838.
Trek, Second.
An emigration of Boer farmers from the country between the Orange river
and the Vaal, in 1844 and 1845. Their object was to escape British rule,
which was about to be established in the country they were leaving, and
which took shape in the Orange River Sovereignty in 1848. These trekkers
founded the South African Republic.
Trent, Council of.
A council summoned by Paul III in 1545, to settle, if possible, the
religious questions arising out of the Reformation. The council lasted
till 1563, and in the end merely emphasised the differences between the
Catholic Church and the Reformers, reasserting as essentially Catholic
the doctrines of purgatory, transubstantiation, the intercession of
saints, and others.
Trent Incident.
The forcible removal from an English steamer, the _Trent_, by Captain
Wilkes, of the U.S. sloop _Jacinto_, of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, who
were on their way to Europe as envoys of the Southern States in 1861.
They were subsequently released, but not until considerable public
feeling had been aroused on both sides, and the British Government had
gone the length of reinforcing the Canadian garrison.
Treuga Dei.
The Truce of God, imposed upon all the vassals of the Empire who were at
war amongst themselves by an edict of the Emperor Henry III, issued at
the Diet of Constance in 1403. It was to be observed from Wednesday
evening till Monday morning in each week.
Tribunal Révolutionnaire.
A tribunal, at first called the Tribunal Extraordinaire, established by
the French Convention in March 1793, to deal with Royalist and other
suspects and political prisoners. It was composed of five judges, with a
standing jury, each member of which had to give his verdict audibly.
There was no appeal from the decisions of this court, which sent some
two thousand persons to the guillotine.
Tribune of the People.
A sobriquet of John Bright.
Tricoteuses de Robespierre.
Robespierre’s knitters were a knot of women who, during the Terror, used
to sit, knitting, at the meetings of the Convention and of the Tribunal
Révolutionnaire, or round the guillotine. They were also called “Les
Furies de la Guillotine.”
Triennial Act.
An Act passed in 1694, limiting the duration of a Parliament to three
years. It was practically repealed by the Septennial Act of 1716.
Triers.
An examining body appointed by Cromwell in 1554, to inquire into the
qualifications of persons appointed to benefices. Any one, other than a
Catholic, whose creed was fundamentally orthodox, and whose life was
free from reproach, was permitted to retain his cure.
Trim, Remonstrance of.
A document submitted to Charles I by Ormonde in 1643, in which the Irish
Catholics complained of the disabilities under which they laboured owing
to the legislation of Elizabeth’s reign. At the same time they offered
to place ten thousand men at the King’s disposal.
Trinoda Necessitas.
In Saxon times the obligation thrown on every inhabitant of bearing his
share in (1) war service; (2) the repair of roads and bridges; and (3)
the maintenance of fortifications. This obligation was continued after
the Conquest.
Tripartite Treaty, 1800.
A treaty between the British, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and a
representative of the ancient royal family of Mysore, dividing between
the three signatories, the dominions of Tippu Sahib.
Tripartite Treaty, 1856.
A treaty signed by Great Britain, France and Austria, immediately after
signature of the Treaty of Paris of 1856, guaranteeing the independence
and territorial integrity of Turkey, and declaring that they would
consider any infraction of the Treaty of Paris to be a casus belli.
Triple Alliance, 1668.
An alliance concluded in 1668 between England, Holland and Sweden, by
which the contracting parties bound themselves to oppose the advance of
France. Within two years, however, Charles II signed a treaty with the
French king, binding himself not to interfere with the French designs on
the Netherlands.
Triple Alliance, 1717.
An alliance of England, France and Holland, guaranteeing the clauses of
the Treaty of Utrecht with reference to the English Protestant
succession, the French succession, and the renunciation by Spain of her
claim to the throne of France. It was intended as a counterpoise to the
alliance of Russia, Sweden and Spain. It became the Quadruple Alliance
by the adhesion of Austria in 1718.
Triple Alliance, 1883.
In 1879 Germany and Austria entered into a defensive alliance, which
provided for mutual assistance against Russia, and at least a benevolent
neutrality against any other Power. In 1883 it was announced that Italy
was a party to this alliance, which then became known as the Triple
Alliance. It has been several times renewed, the last occasion being in
1902.
Triple Alliance (India).
An alliance between the English, the Peshwa and the Nizam, concluded in
1790, by which it was agreed that the contracting parties should combine
to invade the dominions of Tippoo Sahib, and that all conquests should
be equally divided between them.
Triple Alliance, War of the.
The war waged by Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay against Paraguay from
1865 to 1869.
Tri-regal Alliance.
An alliance between the kings of Prussia, Saxony and Hanover in 1849,
with the object of bringing about a union of the German States, to the
exclusion of Austria. It was broken up by the Humiliation of Olmütz in
1850.
Trismegistus, The German.
Rudolph II of Germany was so called.
Triumvirate, The.
Grenville’s Ministry in 1763 was so called, because the Secretaries of
State, Lords Egremont and Halifax, were regarded as holding the
direction of affairs jointly with Grenville.
Triumvirate, The Catholic.
The league between the Duc de Guise, the Maréchal de St. André, and the
Constable of France in the reign of Charles IX was so called.
Triumvirate, The (Russia).
This title was given to Adam Czartoryski, Novossiltsof and Strogonof,
the three principal advisers of Alexander I of Russia on his accession.
Troppau, Congress of.
A meeting of the Russian, Austrian and Prussian sovereigns in 1820, to
consider the questions raised by the Neapolitan revolution, and to
confirm the Holy Alliance.
Trott of Turriff.
An attack by the Gordons under Robert Johnston on the Covenanters at
Turriff in 1639, the Covenanters being driven out.
Troubles, Council of.
_See_ Blood Council.
Trough, Race of the.
_See_ Farquharsons.
Troyes, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1420 by Henry V of England and Philip, Count of
Charolais, on behalf of the Burgundian Party, by which it was provided
that Henry should marry Catherine of France, and succeed to the French
Crown on the death of Charles VI. It only resulted in a fresh effort on
the part of the patriotic party, the Armagnacs, and the defeat of the
English at Beaugé, while Henry, hastening back to France to re-establish
his position, died there in 1422.
Truck Act.
An Act passed in 1831, and extended in 1887, forbidding the payment of
wages, either wholly or in part, in goods. It applies to all persons
engaged in manual labour, except domestic servants.
Tsung-li-Yamen.
The old Board of Foreign Affairs in China. It was abolished by Imperial
edict in 1901, and replaced by a new Board known as the Wai-Wupu.
Tübingen, Treaty of.
The name given to an agreement between Ulrich of Würtemberg and his
subjects in 1514, by which the latter agreed to pay the Duke’s debts in
return for certain concessions.
Tuchins.
Bands of revolted peasants in the Cevennes in 1381, who waged war
against all who did not belong to the labouring classes.
Tugendbund.
A secret society established in Germany in 1808, to arouse the national
spirit against the domination of Napoleon.
Tulchan Bishops.
The contemptuous sobriquet given to the titular bishops in Scotland,
1572, referring to their surrender to the lay patrons of practically the
whole of their benefices. “Tulchan” is a calf-skin, stuffed with straw,
used to induce a cow to give her milk more easily.
Turin, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1860 by France and Sardinia, providing for the
cession to France of Savoy and Nice, in return for Lombardy, in
accordance with the secret agreement of Napoleon III and Victor
Emmanuel.
Turkey Company.
A trading company incorporated in 1581, for the consolidation of the
various interests trading in the Levant.
Turnip-Hoer.
A nickname of George I, who is said to have suggested planting St.
James’s Park with turnips.
Turpentine State.
A popular name for the State of North Carolina, referring to its large
production of turpentine.
Tuscany, League of.
A league of the Tuscan cities, formed under the auspices of Innocent
III, “for the honour and aggrandizement of the Apostolic See.” Pisa
alone refused to join the league.
Tweed Ring.
A ring headed by W. M. Tweed, the Tammany Boss, which robbed the city of
New York of large sums. Tweed was convicted of fraud in 1873. See
Tammany.
Twelve Peers of France.
A body of peers, holding direct from the Crown, who were limited to
twelve during the reign of Philip Augustus (1180-1223). They were six
lay peers, namely, the Dukes of Normandy, Aquitaine and Burgundy, and
the Counts of Toulouse, Flanders and Champagne; and six spiritual, the
Archbishop of Rheims, and the Bishops of Beauvais, Châlons, Langres,
Laon, and Noyon.
Twenge’s Riots.
In 1230 a secret society formed, under the leadership of Sir Robert
Twenge, to oppose the granting of benefices to foreign priests, had
recourse to violent measures to advance their cause. Many foreigners
were robbed and outraged, and Twenge had the audacity to justify himself
before Henry III, and was allowed to go unpunished.
Two Nations, Committee of the.
A joint committee appointed by the English and Scots Parliaments in
1643, after the acceptance of the Solemn League and Covenant, to carry
on the war against the King.
Tycoon.
_See_ Shôgun.
Tynwald, Court of.
The legislature of the Isle of Man. It is composed of two houses, the
Council and the House of Keys.
Tything.
The ten persons united under the system of Frankpledge were called a
tything.
U
Udallers.
The name given to the proprietors of allodial lands in the Orkneys.
Ukase.
A decree of the Czar of Russia is so called. The Czar being an absolute
monarch, it has all the force of a legal enactment.
Ulema.
The body of professional theologians and lawyers in Turkey. They are the
interpreters of the law of the Koran, and from their body are selected
the pleaders and magistrates as well as the priests. The head of the
Ulema is the Sheyk-ul-Islam.
Ulm, Capitulation of.
The surrender of the Austrian General Mack, with 30,000 men, to Napoleon
in October 1805.
Ulster Custom.
A system of land tenure prevailing in the greater part of Ulster, by
which the tenant’s property in all improvements affected by him is
recognised by the landlord. This custom had practically the force of
law, and was made a part of the Irish Land Laws by Mr. Gladstone’s Act
of 1870.
Ulster Massacre.
The Irish rebellion of 1641 began with an attack upon the English
settlers in Ulster, many of whom, living outside the towns, were
murdered in cold blood. The number of victims has been put as high as
300,000, but this is doubtless a gross exaggeration. Still, some
thousands unquestionably perished.
Ulster, Plantation of.
The colonisation, between 1606 and 1612, of lands forfeited from Tyrone,
Tyrconel, and other rebels, by retired servants of the Crown. It was a
condition of the colonisation that the Irish were to be confined to
their own districts, and not allowed to settle on the forfeited lands.
The City of London undertook the colonisation of Derry.
Ultimus Romanorum.
A sobriquet of Horace Walpole (1717-97).
Ultramontanes.
The name given to any party strongly supporting the Papal claim to
temporal power. It was used especially in Germany, of the Catholic
party, led by Dr. Windthorst during the Kulturkampf.
Umritsar, Treaty of.
A treaty between the East India Company and Ranjit Singh, concluded in
1809. It provided that the British should not seek to exercise any
control in the territories north of the Sutlej, while Ranjit Singh
agreed to respect the rights of the cis-Sutlej chiefs living under
British protection.
Unam Sanctam, Bull of.
A Bull issued by Boniface VIII at the Council of Rome in 1302, declaring
that the temporal power is inferior to the spiritual, and that the Pope
has the power of appointing and deposing sovereigns. This Bull was
specially directed against Philip the Fair of France.
Uncle Sam.
The popular name for the Government of the United States.
Uncrowned King.
Charles Stewart Parnell was called the Uncrowned King of Ireland.
Underground Railroad.
An organization formed in the Northern States of America, after the
passing of the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850, to aid fugitive slaves to
escape to British territory.
Undertakers.
A number of English gentlemen who undertook the settlement of Ulster in
1569. The forfeited lands were to be peopled by settling a family on
each 240 acres, and no Irish were to be admitted as tenants. Neither of
these obligations was adhered to, and little was accomplished till the
Plantation of Ulster in 1606.
Undertakers.
The name given to certain members of the Addled Parliament in 1615, who
undertook to control it in the interests of the King. Their plans became
known, and they consequently failed to carry out their scheme.
Undertakers, Parliamentary.
Twenty-five Irish landowners who, in the unreformed Parliament, were
able to control the return of 116 members out of a house of 300. They
were thus enabled to make their own terms with the Government, and were
consequently known by the above title.
Uniformity, Act of.
An Act passed in 1549 (Edward VI), forbidding the use in churches of any
book of prayers except the Book of Common Prayer approved by the
Parliament then sitting, and known as Edward VI’s First Prayer Book.
Certain alterations having been made in the book, a further Act was
passed in 1552, substituting the new version for the First Prayer Book.
The use of this book having been abolished during Mary’s reign, it was
again made obligatory by an Act of Queen Elizabeth in 1559, and made to
apply to Ireland, while the same course was pursued after the
Restoration in 1662, with the additional proviso that no clergyman might
hold a living who was not ordained by a bishop and prepared to accept
the Prayer Book.
Unigenitus, Bull.
A Bull issued by Innocent X in 1653, in condemnation of the Jansenist
heresy.
Union Catholique.
A union of the League with the less bigoted Catholics of France, formed
in 1588 on the virtual acceptance by Henri III of the League formulas.
Union Cellar.
An underground cellar in the High Street, Edinburgh, where the principal
supporters of the union with England held secret meetings, the feeling
against the union being so strong that they dared not meet openly.
Union de la France Chrétienne.
A union formed in 1891 to hinder the movement for adhesion to the
Republic on the part of the Catholic party. Its leaders were M. de
Chesnelong, the Comte de Mun, and the Baron de Mackau.
Union of Calmar.
By this instrument, promulgated in 1397 by Margaret of Denmark, the
three northern kingdoms of Norway, Sweden and Denmark were united into
one monarchy. It was renounced by Sweden in 1523.
Union Jack.
The union flag, when hoisted at the jackstaff of a man-of-war, is so
called. The union flag is composed of the red cross of St. George on a
white ground (England), the white saltire of St. Andrew on a blue ground
(Scotland), and the red saltire of St. Patrick on a white ground
(Ireland).
Union with Ireland.
The Act of Union with Ireland was finally passed in 1800. Resolutions in
favour of it had been submitted to the Irish Parliament in 1799, and
though supported in the main by the Irish Catholics, they were opposed
by Grattan, Curran and other Irish leaders, and rejected. Pitt was
determined that in the interests of both countries the union must take
place, and, the Irish Parliament having been dissolved, he succeeded by
unlimited bribery in securing a Parliament containing a majority pledged
to vote for the union. This Parliament met in 1800, and the necessary
resolution was passed by a majority of forty-six.
Union with Scotland.
The Parliamentary Union between the two kingdoms was agreed to in 1706,
the terms being settled by commissioners, thirty-one on each side,
appointed for the purpose. The basis of the agreement was that there
should be one kingdom, one Parliament and one Successor. The national
flags were to be combined, and the two countries known as the United
Kingdom. The confirming Act was passed by the Scots Parliament in 1706,
by the English in 1707.
United Brotherhood.
_See_ Clan-na-Gael.
United Colonies of New England.
_See_ Confederation, Treaty of.
United Diet.
A combination of the eight Provincial Assemblies of the Prussian
monarchy, convened by Frederick William IV in 1847. It sat for eleven
weeks only, and was replaced by the Constituent Assembly summoned to
prepare a constitution in 1848.
United Irish League.
A league founded by William O’Brien in the congested districts of the
west of Ireland in 1897. Its ostensible object is to secure an increase
in the size of tenants’ holdings by breaking up grass farms. Its methods
are not free from intimidation.
United Irishmen.
A society founded in 1789 by Wolfe Tone, in the attempt to unite, in
opposition to the Government, the Irish Catholics and the Republican
Protestants of Ulster.
United Provinces.
The name given to the seven provinces of the Netherlands, namely,
Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Friesland, Groningen, Gelderland and
Oberyssel, which formed the Union of Utrecht in 1579.
University Tests Act.
An Act passed in 1871, abolishing all religious tests for admission to
the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and making all graduates of
the Universities eligible for fellowships, whether in Holy Orders or
not.
Unkiar Skelessi, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and Turkey, signed in 1833, by which, regardless
of the protests of France and England, Turkey agreed to open the
Bosphorus to the warships of Russia, while the Dardanelles remained
closed to those of every other Power.
Unlearned Parliament.
The Parliament of Henry IV, which met at Coventry in 1404, was so called
because it contained no lawyers.
Unser Fritz.
Frederick, Emperor of Germany, was called Our Fritz by his subjects.
Unspeakable Turk.
A phrase applied to the Ottoman Empire. It was first used by Thomas
Carlyle.
Useless Parliament.
The name given to the first Parliament of Charles I. It met in June
1625, was removed to Oxford in August, and dissolved on the 12th of that
month without having transacted any business.
Uses, Statute of.
By common law, landed property could only be left to the eldest son, and
it had become the custom to saddle property so left with “uses,” or
charges, in favour of the younger children. This had caused inextricable
confusion as to title, and a statute of Henry VIII, passed in 1535,
forbade the practice. It was very soon repealed.
Uti Possidetis.
A term signifying the retention by the parties to a treaty of all such
territories as they may have conquered or become possessed of up to the
signature of the document.
Utraquists.
The name given to a section of the Hussites who stood firm in their
demand that the Communion should be administered in both kinds.
Utrecht, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1713 between Louis XIV and the allies, England and
Holland, the Emperor not being a party to the instrument, at the close
of the War of the Spanish Succession. By its terms the allies recognized
the Bourbon succession to the Spanish throne, with the proviso that the
two crowns should never be united in one person. Louis acknowledged Anne
and the Protestant Succession. England retained Gibraltar, Minorca and
Newfoundland, the latter subject to the fishery rights of France. Spain
again granted England the Asiento, and certain fortified towns were
given to the Dutch as a barrier in the Netherlands. The Emperor signed a
separate treaty at Rastadt in the following year.
Utrecht, Union of.
A union of the various provinces of the Netherlands in 1597, when they
undertook to support each other in opposing the claims of the Spanish
King. The free exercise of the Protestant religion was guaranteed to
Holland and Zeeland. This union may be looked upon as the foundation
stone of the Dutch Republic.
Uxbridge, Treaty of.
An attempt on the part of the Presbyterians in Parliament to come to
terms with Charles I in 1645. Negotiations were opened at Uxbridge, the
Parliamentary demands being the abolition of Episcopacy, the
continuation of the war in Ireland, and the control by Parliament of the
Army and Navy and of appointments to the great offices of State. The
King withdrew from the negotiations, owing to the dissensions in
Parliament between the Independents and Presbyterians, which he
anticipated would eventually enable him to obtain better terms.
V
Vaal, Treaty of the.
A treaty between the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, signed in
1857, after President Pretorius’ abortive invasion of the Free State.
The two countries mutually acknowledged each other’s independence, with
the Vaal as the boundary between them. The Transvaal repudiated the acts
of Pretorius in his attempt to interfere with the internal Government of
the Free State, while the Free State undertook to use every endeavour to
compel Schoeman and Joubert to cease hostilities, and further agreed to
accord to burghers of the Transvaal the same privileges as were granted
to those of Cape Colony and Natal.
Vaccination Act.
An Act passed in 1898, substituting the use of calf-lymph for the old
arm-to-arm system in public vaccination, and permitting parents who had
a conscientious objection, to withhold their children from vaccination,
on satisfying a magistrate of the same.
Vagabonds Act.
An Act passed in 1704, empowering Justices of the Peace to hand over to
the military authorities, as recruits, all able-bodied men who were
without visible means of subsistence.
Valtelline, Massacre of the.
A massacre of the Grisons Protestants in the Valtelline Valley in 1620,
by Robustelli, acting with the connivance of the Austrians and the
Spaniards.
Vassalage.
In the Middle Ages, the condition of feudal dependence, either upon the
Lord Paramount, as in the case of the great territorial nobles, or upon
a vassal of the Lord Paramount.
Vassy, Massacre of.
The massacre, in 1562, of a body of Huguenots who, in accordance with
their strict legal rights, were holding a service outside the town of
Vassy in Champagne. The murderers were the retinue of the Duc de Guise,
and the victims numbered sixty, while over two hundred were wounded.
This atrocity led to the outbreak of the first Huguenot War.
Vatican Council.
The Œcumenical Council held in Rome in 1870, at which the dogma of the
Infallibility of the Pope was promulgated.
Vavassors.
The name given on the Continent to the vassals of the great feudal
lords.
Vehmgerichte.
Secret tribunals established in Germany during the Middle Ages, to try
persons arraigned on capital charges, and to carry out the sentence in
case of conviction. The most famous was that of Westphalia. Any free
born German was eligible as a member, or Freischöffe, and many German
Princes were initiated. The powers of the Vehmgerichte were greatly
curtailed by Maximilian, the original purpose of these tribunals having
been overshadowed by their employment as vehicles of private vengeance,
and they gradually lost all influence, till they were finally dissolved
by Jerome Buonaparte in 1811.
Veishya.
The third, or agricultural, caste among the Hindus.
Vellore, Mutiny of.
A rising of native troops in the Madras Presidency in 1806, caused by a
change in the headdress of the Sepoy, to whom it was suggested by
agitators that he was to be forcibly Christianized. The rising was soon
suppressed.
Venezuela Boundary.
In January 1895 Venezuelan troops crossed the Cuyuni river, part of the
Schomburgk line, into British Guiana, and hoisted the Venezuelan flag
in territory which had been occupied by the British colonists for many
years. Obtaining no redress, Lord Salisbury issued an ultimatum,
whereupon Venezuela appealed to the United States to intervene, in
support of the Monroe doctrine. President Cleveland and Mr. Olney took a
high hand, and went the length of appointing an American Commission to
examine into the boundary question. After long negotiation arbitration
was agreed upon, and a treaty settling the details was signed in
February 1897. The award of the arbitrators was issued in 1899, and
practically confirmed the British claim to the Schomburgk line, but gave
Venezuela Barima Point, at the mouth of the Orinoco, and a tract of
country west of the Wenama river.
Venice, League of.
A league formed in 1495 between Spain, Austria, Milan, Venice and Rome,
the signatories binding themselves to unite for the protection of any
one of the contracting parties that was attacked, and especially for the
preservation of the States of the Church. It is the first example in
history of a coalition for mutual defence.
Venner’s Plot.
A plot of the Fifth Monarchy men in 1660, under Thomas Venner, to
dethrone Charles II. The plan was to seize Whitehall during the King’s
absence, when Venner, a wild fanatic, trusted to Divine help to carry
out the rest of his scheme. The plot failed, and Venner and other
leaders were arrested, but only after a desperate resistance.
Verdun, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 843, after a short conflict, by the three sons of
Charlemagne, Charles the Bald, Louis and Lothair. The eldest son,
Lothair, renounced his right to the paramountcy, and the younger sons
entered into full enjoyment of their territories, the Empire being thus
divided. This treaty marks the division of the Frankish nation into
French and Germans.
Vereeniging Conference.
The conference of Boer leaders held at Vereeniging in May 1902, at which
the terms of surrender were discussed and finally accepted. The terms
provided for the immediate laying down of arms by the Boer commandos,
the acknowledgment of the King as their lawful sovereign, the return of
the Boer prisoners as soon as practicable, freedom of surrendered
burghers from all judicial proceedings except for acts contrary to the
usages of war, the use of the Dutch language in the schools, if
demanded, and in the law courts when necessary, and the establishment in
due course of representative government. The British Government further
agreed to provide £3,000,000 as a free gift, towards the re-settlement
of the country, and a loan of unstated amount, on easy terms, for the
same purpose.
Vernacular Press Act.
An Act passed in India in 1878 to control native newspapers publishing
seditious libels. It gave the Government power to make the editor of a
native newspaper enter into a bond not to print seditious matter, and
also authorized the seizure of plant in the event of non-compliance with
the terms of the bond. The Act was repealed in 1882.
Verona, Congress of.
A Congress of the Powers held in 1822, to consider the situation in
Spain. It resulted in the armed intervention of France in the following
year.
Veronese Vespers.
A rising at Verona in 1797, during the French occupation. It was
promptly put down, but not before the Veronese had murdered four hundred
French sick and wounded, lying in the hospitals of the town.
Versailles, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1783 between Great Britain on the one hand, and
Spain, France and the United States on the other, at the conclusion of
the American War of Independence. France retained Tobago, and Spain,
Florida and Minorca, but all other conquests were restored on both
sides. As between Great Britain and the United States, this treaty
simply confirmed the provisions of the Treaty of Peace of 1782.
Vervins, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1598 between Henri IV of France and Philip II of
Spain, after the recovery by Henri of Amiens, which had fallen into the
hands of the Spaniards. By its terms France recovered all the territory
occupied by Spain during the previous ten years, her frontier being
restored to that settled by the Treaty of Câteau Cambrésis.
Veto.
Under the Swiss Constitution, the right of the people to reject a law
passed by the Assembly, by means of the Referendum.
Veto Act.
An Act passed by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1834,
at the instigation of Dr. Chalmers, declaring it to be a fundamental law
of the Church that no pastor could be imposed on a congregation against
their will.
Victorian Deadlocks.
These were three in number, caused by attempts to tack on to the
Appropriation Bill resolutions of a controversial character. The first
occurred in 1865, when the Legislative Council refused to pass the
Appropriation Bill with certain tariff resolutions of a protective
character appended. The Governor thereupon declined to sign warrants for
payments out of the Treasury, and the business of the country was at a
standstill. The Government, however, got out of the difficulty by having
recourse to the banks. The second or great deadlock arose from the
inclusion in the Appropriation Bill of a grant of £20,000 to Sir Charles
Darling, the retiring Governor, in 1867. This was ended by the refusal
of Sir Charles, in July 1868, to accept the grant. The third arose in
1877 over the question of payment of members, the council again
refusing to pass the Appropriation Bill with this provision tacked on.
The Government thereupon dismissed a large number of civil servants. A
compromise was, however, arrived at, and the officials reinstated. The
day on which the dismissals took place is known as Black Wednesday.
Vienna Congress.
A congress of the Great Powers, held in 1814-15, at which Great Britain,
France, Austria, Prussia and Russia were represented. It confirmed in
its main features the Treaty of Paris of 1815, with the following
additional provisions: one-third of the kingdom of Saxony was
surrendered to Prussia; the Duchy of Posen was retained by Prussia, and
part of Galicia by Austria, while Russia secured the rest of Poland; the
Bourbons were restored in Naples, the Tyrol was given back to Austria,
and certain arrangements made as to the minor German and Italian States.
The Congress further pronounced in favour of the free navigation of
rivers, and of the suppression of the slave trade.
Vienna Conference.
A conference of the four Great Powers, held in 1853, with the object of
mediating between Russia and Turkey. A note was drawn up which was
accepted by Russia, but refused by Turkey, the Sultan declining to admit
that Russia’s championship alone maintained the Greek Church in his
dominions. During the sitting of the conference Turkey declared war. It
being found impossible to bring the antagonists to terms, the conference
was dissolved.
Vienna, Definitive Peace of.
A treaty signed in 1738 by Austria, France, Spain and Sardinia, after
the War of the Polish Succession. By its provisions Lorraine was ceded
to France, the Duke of Lorraine receiving in exchange the Duchy of
Tuscany. Spain retained Naples and Sicily, and Sardinia obtained Novara
and Tortona, and some other frontier towns.
Vienna, Peace of.
A treaty between France and Austria, signed in 1809 after the defeat of
the Austrians at Wagram, by which Austria was despoiled of further
territory for the benefit of France, Russia and Bavaria. Austria also
agreed to recognize Joseph Buonaparte as King of Spain, and to support
the Continental Blockade.
Vienna, Treaty of, 1725.
A treaty between Spain and Austria, by which Spain accepted the
Pragmatic Sanction, and agreed to open her ports to German commerce;
while Austria recognized Don Carlos as the successor to the Duchies of
Parma and Tuscany, and undertook to use her influence with England to
obtain the restoration to Spain of Gibraltar and Minorca. There was,
however, a further secret treaty, binding both countries to assist in
the restoration of the Stuarts, while Austria promised aid in compelling
the return of Gibraltar and Minorca, by force if necessary.
Vienna, Treaty of, 1731.
A treaty between Austria, Spain, Holland and England. The three latter
powers united in guaranteeing the Pragmatic Sanction, while Austria
agreed to the occupation of Parma and Tuscany by Spanish garrisons.
Vienne, Council of.
A council summoned by Pope Clement V in 1312, at which he pronounced the
dissolution of the Order of Knights Templars.
Vieux Renard.
Marshal Soult (1769-1851) was so called by his soldiers.
View of Frankpledge.
The periodical revision by the Hundred Court of the Tythings, or
divisions of ten men, under the system of Frankpledge.
Vigo Galleons.
The name given to an expedition under Sir George Rooke in 1702, when the
English fleet forced an entrance into Vigo Bay, and destroyed the French
fleet, together with the Spanish galleons, which had just arrived with
treasure from America.
Világos, Surrender of.
The surrender of the Magyars at the end of the Hungarian War of
Independence in 1849. It was negotiated between General Görgey and the
Russian General Paskievitch, and it is said on good authority, though
there is no documentary evidence to prove it, that Görgey was induced to
consent to the surrender by the promise that no Hungarian officer should
be given up to the Austrians, and that Russia would undertake to secure
independence for the Magyars under a Russian Prince. The promise, if
ever made, was certainly not kept, and the Austrians tried and executed
many of the Magyar leaders.
Villafranca Treaty.
A treaty between France, Sardinia and Austria, signed in 1859, after the
defeats of the latter Power at Magenta and Solferino. Austria withdrew
entirely from Lombardy, which was made over to Sardinia, in accordance
with the arrangement secretly arrived at between Napoleon III and Victor
Emmanuel.
Villeins.
Under the feudal system in England the serfs or dependents of the feudal
lords were so called. They were bound to the soil and forced to render
various menial services. On the Continent the villeins appear to have
been in a better position than the serfs proper, being bound only to pay
certain tribute, or render certain definite services.
Villers-Cotterets, Ordonnance de.
An edict of Francis I of France, issued in 1539, to reform the
administration of justice, and abbreviate trials. It also provided for
the official registration of baptisms and burials.
Vinland.
The name given to the Viking Colony on the American Continent, probably
a portion of Rhode Island, founded by Leif, son of Eric the Red, about
1000 A.D.
Virgin Queen.
Queen Elizabeth of England was so called.
Virginia, Charter of.
The first Colonial Charter, issued by James I in 1606. A certain
territory was thereby set aside to be colonised by two companies of
adventurers, one from London, the other from the west of England. The
first company only was successful. The land was to be held on a tenure
of homage, and a small royalty payable on all precious metals extracted
from the soil. An English council was formed, to exercise a general
superintendence over the affairs of the colony. All colonists and their
descendants were to retain their rights as British subjects.
Virginia, Declaration of.
A declaration drafted by George Mason, and voted by the Convention of
Virginia, in May 1776. It declared that all power sprang from and was
vested in the people; that all men were free by nature; that government
should be for the common welfare; that no office should be hereditary,
and that there should be no restraint of the free exercise of religion.
Virginian Liberties, Ordinance for the Security of.
An ordinance issued in 1621, giving Virginia a written constitution. It
provided for a Governor and a permanent Council, appointed by the
Virginia Company, and for an elected assembly, with legislative powers,
to meet annually. The acts of this assembly were subject to the
Governor’s veto, and must further be ratified by the Company in London,
while all ordinances issued by the Company equally required the
ratification of the assembly. It was also provided that the procedure of
the colonial courts should be assimilated to the English practice.
Voivodes.
The Princes of Moldavia and Wallachia were so called until 1789, when
these principalities came under the protection of Russia.
Volksraad.
The popular assembly in the Orange Free State and the South African
Republic was so called.
Voortrekkers.
The name given to the Boers who took part in the Great Trek of 1836-7.
Vote of Non-Addresses.
A resolution of the Long Parliament, passed on January 15, 1648,
refusing, in view of the duplicity shown by Charles in the negotiations
at Carisbrook, to receive any message from, or make any application to,
the King.
Vowel’s Plot.
A Royalist conspiracy to assassinate the Protector on his way to Hampton
Court in 1654.
Vox in Excelso, Bull.
A bull of Clement V, issued in 1312, suppressing the Order of the
Knights Templars.
W
Wager of Battle.
A method of trial based on the Norse trial by duel, introduced into
England by William the Conqueror. Any person charged with an offence by
a private individual could challenge him to mortal combat, and if he
were successful, or could escape defeat for a whole day, was acquitted
of the charge. Wager of battle was not legally abolished until 1819.
Wahabis.
A sect of fanatical Mohammedans, whose centre is at Nejd, in Arabia,
though they are spread over the whole Moslem world. As a military power
they were at one time to be feared, but their organization was broken up
by Mehemet Ali and Ibrahim Pasha at the beginning of the nineteenth
century.
Waitangi, Treaty of.
A treaty between the British Government and the Maories in 1840, whereby
the latter acknowledged the English sovereignty over New Zealand, while
they were guaranteed in the undisturbed possession of their lands.
Wai-Wupu.
The new board appointed by the Emperor of China in 1902, to succeed the
Tsung-li-Yamen in the control of Foreign Affairs. It has precedence over
all the other departments of State.
Walcheren Expedition.
An abortive expedition despatched by England to the Island of Walcheren
in 1809, with the object of capturing Antwerp and destroying the French
fleet in the Scheldt. The expedition captured Flushing, but had no
further success, and was withdrawn within the year, the major portion of
the force employed having been incapacitated by fever.
Waldemariana, Constitutio.
The constitution established in Denmark by Waldemar III, surnamed the
Restorer (1340-75).
Waldenses.
A religious sect who seceded from the Church under Peter Waldo, a Lyons
merchant, about 1160. They spread rapidly over France and Germany, but
their chief seat was in the valleys of Savoy and the Pays de Vaud. They
suffered persecution under Philip Augustus (1180-1223), and again under
Francis I in 1540, and finally were almost exterminated by Louvois
between 1687 and 1690.
Wales, Court of.
A court established in the reign of James I, to supersede the ordinary
courts in the counties of Hereford, Shropshire, Worcestershire and
Gloucestershire, which were withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the
common law, on the plea that they were the Welsh Marches.
Wales, Ordinances of.
A series of severely repressive laws against the Welsh, issued by Henry
IV in 1401.
Wales, Statute of.
A statute of Edward I, issued in 1284, on the annexation of Wales. It
applied to the conquered country the laws and institutions of England,
with such exceptions as were deemed advisable to meet the prejudices of
the Welsh. _See_ Rhudlann.
Wallace’s Larder.
The dungeon of Ardrossan into which Wallace threw the bodies of the
slaughtered garrison, when he captured the fortress in the reign of
Edward I.
Wallachia, Capitulation of.
A treaty between Murad I of Turkey, and the Voivode of Wallachia, signed
in 1391, by which the Voivode recognized the suzerainty of Turkey, and
agreed to pay an annual tribute.
Waller’s Plot.
A conspiracy headed by Waller, the poet, who had been won over by the
Royalists in 1643, to collect troops and seize upon London. The plot
miscarried, however, and Waller was forced to make his submission to the
Parliament.
Wallingford, Treaty of.
A treaty signed in 1153, which ended the civil war of Stephen. Stephen
was accepted as King, while Henry of Anjou was recognized by Stephen as
heir to the throne. It was also agreed that the castles were to be
razed, and all foreign mercenaries dismissed.
Wanderers.
The Covenanters who left their homes to follow their dispossessed
ministers in 1669 were so called.
Wapenshaw.
A gathering of the people in ancient Scottish times, for the purpose of
ascertaining that every man was properly armed, and fit to take the
field if called upon.
Wapentakes.
In the counties settled by the Danes, these correspond to the Saxon
Hundreds.
Wards, Court of.
A court established by Henry VIII in 1540, to enforce the rights of the
Crown over its wards, and secure to the King the full benefit arising
from the exercise of wardship. The court was abolished in 1660.
Wardship.
In early feudal times, in the event of a minor succeeding to a fief, the
overlord claimed to act as guardian, both of the land and of the infant.
This right was restricted by Magna Charta.
Wars.
_See_ Arkansas, Armagnac, Augsburg, Austrian Succession, Barons,
Bavarian Succession, Bien Public, Bread and Cheese, Casenbrotspel,
Douglas, Farthings, Hundred Years, Hungarian, Jenkin’s Ear, King Philip,
Nobles, Opium, Pacific, Polish Succession, Rappenkrieg, Reforma, Seven
Weeks, Seven Years, Spanish Succession, Thirty Years.
Wartburg, Festival of.
An assembly of German students held in 1817, to commemorate the
tercentenary of the Reformation. The occasion was utilised for the
formation of a league of students to promote liberal ideas in politics
and national unity.
Washington, Treaty of.
_See_ Ashburton Treaty.
Washington, Treaty of, 1871.
A treaty between England and the United States, signed in 1871,
providing for the submission to arbitration of the Alabama and the San
Juan questions, and arranging a modus vivendi on the Canadian Fishery
Question. Both the arbitrations went against Great Britain.
Watch and Ward, Statute of.
A statute passed in 1285 (13th Edward I), providing for the policing of
the streets of London.
Waterboer, Treaty with.
The first treaty signed in South Africa with a native chief. Waterboer
was a Griqualand chief, and by this treaty, signed in 1834, he undertook
to maintain order within his territories and protect the colonial border
from marauders passing through his country, in return for which he was
to receive £100 per annum, and two hundred muskets and ammunition.
Wedmore, Treaty of.
A treaty between Alfred and the Danes, concluded after the defeat of the
latter at Edington in 878. By this treaty East Anglia was surrendered to
the Danes, while a line was drawn separating their kingdom from Wessex,
by which a large portion of Mercia was restored to Wessex. It was
further provided that the Danes were to hold their lands as vassals of
the King of Wessex, and to embrace Christianity.
Weregild.
In Anglo-Saxon times, a money compensation paid by a murderer to the
relatives of the murdered man. It varied in amount according to the rank
of the victim.
Werelä, Treaty of.
A treaty between Russia and Sweden, signed in 1790, at the conclusion of
the war entered into by Gustavus of Sweden to support the Turks. No
territorial changes took place.
Westminster Assembly.
An assembly of divines, held between 1643 and 1649, at which
Presbyterianism was made the established religion of England, in
accordance with the Solemn League and Covenant. The assembly also issued
the Directory, as a substitute for the Book of Common Prayer.
Westminster Confession.
The confession of faith issued by the Westminster Assembly in 1643. It
contains thirty-three articles, and is an exposition of the Calvinistic
doctrine.
Westminster, Provisions of.
A series of provisions based on those of Oxford, issued in 1259, and
afterwards embodied in the Statute of Marlborough.
Westminster, Statutes of.
The first Statute of Westminster was passed by the first Parliament of
Edward I in 1275. It was practically a codification of previously
existing laws and statutes which had not been fully enforced. It secured
the Church in its rights, re-enacted the various charters, and reformed
many abuses in the administration of the law. The second Statute of
Westminster is the Statute also known as De Donis Conditionalibus.
Westminster, Synod of.
A synod held in 1102, at which decrees were issued against simony,
marriage of the clergy and other ecclesiastical abuses, and also
against the selling of men into slavery.
Westphalia, Treaty of.
This treaty, signed in 1648 by France, Sweden and the Empire, put an end
to the Thirty Years’ War. It established and recognized Protestantism in
Germany, and made provision for the equal representation of the two
religions in the German Diet. France obtained Alsace, Sweden secured
Bremen, North Pomerania and Stettin, and there were certain changes
among the smaller German States.
Whigamores’ Raid.
A rising of the peasantry of the west of Scotland in 1648, in opposition
to the supporters of the Engagement.
Whigs.
A name first applied to the Covenanters in the west of Scotland, and
afterwards to the anti-Stuart party in England. They later represented
the party of progress and reform, in which sense they were the
predecessors of the Liberals.
Whimsicals.
The name given to the English Tories who supported the House of Hanover
on the accession of George I.
Whip with Six Lashes.
The name given to the Six Articles of Henry VIII, issued in 1539.
Whisky Insurrection.
A serious rising in Western Pennsylvania in 1794, caused by an attempt
of the authorities to suppress illicit distillation, which was rife in
that region. Some six or seven thousand insurgents were in arms, and the
outbreak was only suppressed after the militia of four of the
neighbouring States had been called out.
Whitby, Synod of.
A synod held in 664, at which the Saxon Churches definitely decided to
adhere to the Church of Rome, rather than to the Celtic Church founded
in Ireland by St. Columba.
White Bands, The Parliament of.
The name given to the Parliament of 1321, which banished the Despencers,
owing to the followers of the Barons wearing white favours.
White Capes.
_See_ Chaperons Blancs.
White Clergy.
The parish priests in Russia are so called, as distinguished from the
Black Clergy, or monastic priesthood. They take no part in
ecclesiastical administration, and are permitted to marry.
White Company.
A famous band of mercenaries which served in the French wars, and, after
the Peace of Brétigny, in Italy. Its leader was Sir John Hawkwood.
White Cross Knights.
The Knights Hospitallers were so called.
White Devil of Wallachia.
The nickname given by the Turks to George Castriot (Iskander Beg), the
Albanian hero (1404-67).
White League.
An organization formed in the Southern States, after the American Civil
War, to prevent the exercise of the franchise by the coloured
population.
White Sheep.
The Turcomans who overran Persia in 1468 were so called.
White Ship.
_See_ Blanche Nef.
Whiteboys.
_See_ Levellers.
Whitecaps.
A secret association in Indiana, U.S.A., formed originally as a
vigilance society, which later was guilty of many outrages.
Who Who Ministry.
The ministry formed by Lord Derby in 1852. Many of its members were new
to office, and the story goes that the Duke of Wellington, who was very
deaf, was being told by Lord Derby the names of his colleagues. At each
unfamiliar name, the Duke kept ejaculating, Who? Who?
Wild Geese.
The name given to the Irishmen recruited by France for service in the
Irish Brigade during the eighteenth century.
Wills, Statute of.
A statute passed in 1540, providing that land held in fee simple might
be devised by will. This right had been greatly restricted by the
Plantagenet legislation.
William the Silent.
The sobriquet of William, Prince of Orange (1533-84).
Wilmot Proviso.
An amendment, carried by Mr. David Wilmot, in the United States House of
Representatives, to the Bill for the purchase of Mexican territory in
1846. It provided that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude should
ever exist in the territory to be acquired. The amendment was thrown out
by the Senate.
Winchester, Statute of.
A re-enactment in 1285 of the Assize of Arms of Henry II. It laid upon
the counties the duty of keeping order within their boundaries, and of
suppressing brigandage and highway robbery, and defined their
obligations towards the national defence.
Winter King.
The nickname of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, who was King of Bohemia
during the winter of 1619-20.
Wisbuy, Ordinances of.
A code of maritime laws issued during the fourteenth century, governing
the operations of the Baltic traders. It takes its name from Wisbuy, a
town in Gothland.
Wisliza, Code of.
A code of laws framed by Casimir the Great, in 1347, which remained the
basis of Polish legislation till the end of the eighteenth century.
Witanagemot.
In Saxon times, the central assembly of the nation, presided over by the
King or his representative. In early days it was open to all freemen,
but later came to be composed of the nobles and thegns about the King’s
person. The word signifies the Assembly of the Wise.
Wizard.
John Sobieski, King of Poland (1674-96), was so called by the Turks.
Wolverine State.
The State of Michigan, U.S.A., is so called, because in early days it
was infested with wolverines.
Wonderful Parliament.
A Parliament of Richard II, assembled in 1388. It consisted almost
entirely of partisans of the Duke of Gloucester, and during a session of
122 days was mainly occupied in the removal of his enemies. It is also
known as the Merciless Parliament.
Wood’s Halfpence.
A controversy between the English and Irish Parliaments in 1722, over a
patent granted to an Englishman named Wood, to coin copper money for
issue in Ireland. Dean Swift’s famous “Drapier’s Letters” appeared on
the Irish side of the controversy, and eventually the patent was
withdrawn.
World’s Wonder.
The sobriquet of Frederick II, Emperor of Germany (1215-50).
Worms, Concordat of.
A concordat negotiated at the Synod of Mayence, and proclaimed at Worms
in 1122, by which the Pope agreed to the election of bishops and abbots
by their chapters, throughout the German Empire. The Emperor renounced
the right of investiture with the ring and staff, but it was agreed that
this investiture should not take place till the newly elected prelate
had sworn fealty to the Emperor. This concordat was confirmed by the
first Lateran Council in 1123.
Worms, Diet of.
A Diet held in 1521, to which Luther was summoned, under a safe conduct,
in order that he might have the opportunity of retracting his heresies.
This he declined to do, and but for the assistance of the Elector of
Saxony, he would very probably have met with the fate of John Huss under
similar circumstances.
Worms, Edict of.
An edict issued by the Diet of Worms in 1521, outlawing Luther, and all
those who sheltered or aided him, or who printed, sold or read his
works.
Worms, Treaty of.
An alliance between England, Holland, Austria, Saxony and Sardinia,
signed in 1743, to uphold the Pragmatic Sanction.
Würtzburg, League of.
A league of the Catholic princes of Germany, formed in 1610, under
Maximilian of Bavaria, to oppose the Protestant Union.
Wyandotte Constitution.
The Constitution of Kansas, adopted in 1859, under which Kansas was
admitted to the Union. It abolished slavery throughout the State.
Wyoming Massacre.
During the American War of Independence in 1778, the settlement in the
Valley of Wyoming, Pennsylvania, was attacked by the British, together
with a band of Seneca Indians. Most of the able-bodied men were in the
field under Washington, and only 300 opposed the British force, which
overpowered them, and accepted their surrender. It was, however,
impossible to control the Indians, who later again attacked the
settlement, and massacred a large number of the inhabitants.
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