A large beer or wine cask, also formerly used to describe the capacity of ships.
Tun
Fact of the Day
King Edward II faced invasion in 1326, when an army from France landed in Suffolk. The army was commanded by his wife.
Quote of the Day
"A man must needs close his eyes and clench his teeth, wry-mouthed and shuddering, and filtering the stuff rather than drinking.
"
~ Peter of Blois, 12th century, on English wine
On This Day
1586 American colonists arrived in Plymouth with large quantities of tobacco. Smoking caught on quickly, though it was also used in tea.
1694 The Bank of England was founded by an act of parliament as a way to finance government debt by private subscription.
1943 The concentrated Allied bombing of Hamburg led to a three hour firestorm that killed approx 30,000 civilians.