(Encyclopedia) FormosusFormosusfôrmōˈsəs [key], c.816–896, pope (891–96), probably a Roman; successor of Stephen VI. Under Pope Nicholas I he had been bishop in Bulgaria, where he pursued a rigorous…
(Encyclopedia) Martin IV, d. 1285, pope (1281–85), a Frenchman named Simon de Brie; successor of Nicholas III. He was chancellor under Louis IX of France and was created cardinal by Urban IV. He was…
(Encyclopedia) Lothair, sometimes called Lothair II, d. 869, king of Lotharingia (855–69), second son of Emperor of the West Lothair I. He inherited the region bounded by the Rhine, Scheldt, Alps,…
(Encyclopedia) OrsiniOrsiniōrsēˈnē [key], powerful Roman family that included three popes and numerous other churchmen, soldiers and statesmen. The eponymous ancestor was one Ursus. Giacinto Orsini,…
March 8th commemorates women's rights and peace by Borgna Brunner The United Nations' theme for International Women's Day in 2016 is "Pledging for Parity." Related Links Biographies of…
(Encyclopedia) Ignatius of Constantinople, Saint, c.800–877, Greek churchman, patriarch of Constantinople. A son of Byzantine Emperor Michael I, he was castrated and shut up in a monastery (813) by…
(Encyclopedia) Adrian IV, d. 1159, pope (1154–59), an Englishman (the only English pope), b. Nicholas Breakspear at Langley, near St. Albans. He was successor of Anastasius IV. At an early age he…
(Encyclopedia) StralsundStralsundshträlˈz&oobreve;ntˌ [key], city (1994 pop. 69,230), Mecklenburg–West Pomerania, NE Germany, on the Strelasund (an inlet of the Baltic Sea), opposite Rügen Island…
