Steppe

A large area of unforested grassland.

Fact of the Day

Elizabeth I could cost her hosts so much on her visits that some tried to shut up their houses and stay away to prevent it. This did no good for the earl of Lincoln: Elizabeth broke into his Chelsea residence, had a feast, and then charged the bill to Lincoln.

Quote of the Day

"They have done for me at last, Hardy. "

~ Nelson, at the Battle of Trafalgar

On This Day

1189 Henry II died, having just signed a peace treaty with his son Richard and finding out his other son, John, had betrayed him. The servants responsible for tending to him looted his body and left him to be found by his small retinue.

1483 Richard III was crowned king of England, having declared his nephews illegitimate.

1535 Thomas More was executed for treason on the orders of Henry VIII after refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy.

1553 Edward VI died, passing the crown to Lady Jane Grey instead of his half sisters, Mary and Elizabeth.

1685 The final battle of the Monmouth Rebellion, the Battle of Sedgemoor, was fought near Bridgwater, Somerset.

1892 Britain's first non-white MP, Dadabhai Naoraji, was elected for the Liberal Party as member for Finsbury Central.