The buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges, such as pardons or benefices.
Simony
Fact of the Day
Bishop Meinward of Paderborn was apparently in the habit of having women dragged on their bottoms across his garden to clear it of weeds.
Quote of the Day
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
"
~ Socrates
On This Day
1016 Cnut defeated Edmund Ironside at the Battle of Assandun, forcing Edmund to make a peace with the invading Danes: he got to keep Wessex, but the rest of England came under Danish rule. A month later, he had died of 'natural causes' so Wessex, too, went to Cnut.
1216 King John died of dysentery. He was succeeded by his nine year old son, Henry III.
1867 The US officially took possession of Alaska. It wasn't a popular decision at the time.
1922 The BBC was founded.
