In June 1469, Princess Margaret of Denmark married James III, King of the Scots, at Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh. What unusual possessions were included as part of her dowry?
Answer: The Shetland and Orkney Islands. While the Danish King Christian I had originally pledged a cash dowry, he could not afford it, so the islands were used instead.
Source: Scotland by Richenda Miers
627 – King Edwin of Northumbria is converted to Christianity by Paulinus, Bishop of York.
1012 – Duke Oldřich of Bohemia overthrows and blinds his brother Jaromír, who flees to Poland.
1820 – Greek nationalist politician Alexander Ypsilantis is declared leader of Filiki Eteria, a secret organization to overthrow Ottoman rule over Greece.
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A short, sharp hit of history in video format. Acclaimed Irish playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde was the toast of London society in the 1890s until things came decidedly unstuck through an association with a young British aristocrat, Lord Alfred Douglas, known as ‘Bosie’.
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Last week’s answer:
Francisco Goya (1746-1828)
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“If a cat gets hold of a German irregular verb – goodbye cat”.
American humorist and author Mark Twain. Twain became rich from his writing and lecturing but lost a fortune on business ventures. To pay off his considerable debts he went on a world lecturing tour which was enormously successful. His visit to Germany elicited many humorous observations.
French intellectual and man of letters, famed for his witty conversations, which made him welcome at the French Court and the Jacobin Club alike. During the Reign of Terror he committed suicide. The gems of his wit are recorded in his uncompleted Maximes et Pensees.
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