Alchemist

Someone who practices alchemy (the attempt to turn base metals into gold and to gain spiritual awareness and immortality).

Fact of the Day

A jester at the court of Henry II, known as Roland the Farter, was famous for being able to jump in the air, whistle and fart at the same time.

Quote of the Day

"Who has appointed the Germans the judges of nations? "

~ John of Salisbury

On This Day

1381 The rebels of the Great Revolt attacked London, burning John of Gaunt's Savoy Palace to the ground, with the total loss of goods of this house alone costing more than £10,000. The gaols at Newgate, Westminster, Fleet and Marshalsea were broken into and their inmates released, the Temple was sacked, and the provincial headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller were destroyed.

1483 William Hastings, a wealthy and important noble at the court of Edward IV, became 'Richard III's first victim', when he was summarily executed for treason at the Tower of London.

1628 Astrologer, reputed master of the dark arts and favourite of the 1st Duke of Buckingham, John Lambe was stoned to death by an angry London mob.

1842 Queen Victoria became the first ever reigning monarch to ride on a train, when she journeyed with Prince Albert from Slough to Paddington.

1917 The first and deadliest daylight German air raid on London of the First World War killed 162 people, including 18 children who were attending primary school.

1920 The US Post Office Department ruled that children could not be sent by parcel post.

1983 Unmanned US space probe Pioneer 10 crossed Neptune's orbit and became the first human-made object to leave the proximity of the major planets of the Solar System. The last weak signal was received from it in 2003, when it was 80 AU from Earth.