16 February

116          Emperor Trajan sends laureatae to the Roman Senate at Rome on account of his victories and being conqueror of Parthia. 1497       Philipp Melanchthon (born), German theologian and reformer (died 1560) 1531       Johannes Stöffler (died), German mathematician and astronomer (born 1452) 1646       Battle of Torrington, Devon – the last major battle of the first English… Continue reading

15 February

1113        Pope Paschal II issues a bill sanctioning the establishment of the Order of Hospitallers. 1471       Piero the Unfortunate (born), Italian ruler (died 1503) 1493       While on board the Niña, Christopher Columbus writes an open letter (widely distributed upon his return toPortugal) describing his discoveries and the unexpected items he came across in the New… Continue reading

14 February

269        Saint Valentine (died), Roman bishop and martyr 1317       Margaret of France (died), Queen of England (born 1282) 1400      Richard II dies, most likely from starvation, in Pontefract Castle, on the orders of Henry Bolingbroke. (born 1367) 1468       Johannes Werner (born), German priest and mathematician (died 1522) 1545       Lucrezia de’ Medici (born), Duchess of Ferrara… Continue reading

13 February

711  BC  Emperor Jimmu of Japan (born), (died 585 BC) 1457       Mary of Burgundy (born), (died 1482) 1462       The Treaty of Westminster is finalised between Edward IV of England and the Scottish Lord of the Isles. 1480      Girolamo Aleandro (born), Italian cardinal (died 1542) 1503       Disfida di Barletta (Challenge of Barletta) – tournament between 13… Continue reading

12 February

1218      Kujō Yoritsune  (born), Japanese shogun (died 1256) 1502      Vasco da Gama sets sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on his second voyage to India. 1554      A year after claiming the throne of England for nine days, Lady Jane Grey is beheaded for treason. 1554      Lady Jane Grey  (died), English daughter of Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk… Continue reading