Genghis Khan

Also known as Chinggis Khan, he was the founder and first khagan of the Mongol Empire, which lasted until 1368.

The largest contiguous land empire, Genghis Khan’s territory stretched all the way from the Sea of Japan, through Eastern Europe, and into parts of the Arctic and India. It’s rapid growth came about by Khan and his descendants sending their armies out in every possible direction.

But, as with all things, it didn’t last. Genghis’ grandchildren ended up fighting over the territory, and, after several battles, the territory was split between the survivors.

Pentecost

The seventh Sunday after Easter, today commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. This event is typically represented in art with fire hovering over the disciples.

‘Pentecost’ comes from the Greek word for ‘fiftieth’, which referred to the Jewish festival of Shavuot, celebrated fifty days after Passover. In rabbinic tradition, this period is also known as the ‘Feast of 50 days’.This is a major Jewish holiday, one of the three pilgrimage festivals.

Habeas Corpus

This is a legal term, which dates back to the Anglo-Saxon laws, which joined the English Law Books in 1679. Translating to ‘that you have the body’, this works to prevent unlawful detention or imprisonment.

The earliest discovered origins of the writ are found in the Assize of Clarendon, 1166, which sets out the afford rights of the Freeman. This is later backed up by the Magna Carter, opening the clause from Freemen to Anyone.

Malcolm IV of Scotland

Noted for his religious zeal and interest in knighthood and warfare by later chroniclers, Malcolm was nicknamed ‘Virgo’ - the Maiden. Although it isn’t clear how he obtained such a nickname, his health was rather poor, and he died early (24 years old) in 1165.

The important thing is not what they think of me, but what I think of them - Queen Victoria.

The Order of St Alexander Nevsky

Abolished after the 1917 Russian Revolution, this was first awarded in June, 1725 by the Empress Catherine I. The Soviet Union later revived the order in 1942, as a purely military decoration, losing the ‘Saint’ from the Order’s title.

Did you know, that in a 2012 survey more than 17 billion devices were connected to the Internet?

Battle of Lewes - 1264

One of the two main battles during the Second Barons’ War, the Battle of Lewes made Simon de Montfort the ‘uncrowned King of England’.

What lead to war, was King Henry III - and his awful attitude. Ruling in an autocratic style, he gave vast displays of favouritism and out-right refused to negotiate with the barons. Eventually, the barons had enough, and imposed a constitutional reform - the Provisions of Oxford - which called upon the King to attend a thrice-yearly meeting with the barons (led by Simon of Montfort) to discuss matters of government.

But of course, King Henry didn’t want to attend the meetings (and the various restrictions that came along with it), and applied to King Louis IX of France to arbitrate the dispute. Louis sided with Henry (possibly because he didn’t want his own nobles getting similar ideas?), and annulled the provisions, leading to the War.

Magna Carta Libertatum

More commonly known as simply the Magna Carta, this is a royal charter of rights, agreed upon by King John and the English barons in 1215, and forms the base of English constitutional practice. Currently, there are four copies on display - two are held at the British Library, one at Lincoln Castle, and the final one in Salisbury Cathedral.

English Jews arrested for ‘Coining’

Around 680 Jews were detained at the Tower of London, with over 300 executed for ‘Coining’ in 1278. This is thought to be part of the reason Jews were expelled from Britain later on in 1290.

Coining is the process where-by metal is melted down, and stamped into the coin’s shape by a press. Or, in this case, the act of chipping metal off pre-existing coins, to create new ones…

Space Day

Did you know the sunset on Mars is blue?

This is due to Mie Scattering, caused by the large dust particles in the atmosphere. The particles filter out the red light from the sun, leaving a blue-ish white.

Did you know…Tuna (a saltwater fish) belongs to the Thunnini tribe, which compromises 15 species of fish?