(Encyclopedia) Zacharias or Zachary, SaintZacharias or Zachary, Saintzăkərīˈəs, zăkˈərē [key], pope (741–52), a Calabrian Greek; successor of St. Gregory III. He was the first pope after Gregory the…
The Curious History of the Gregorian Calendar Eleven days that never were by Ben Snowden RELATED LINKS Leap Year ExplainedIdes of MarchOrigins of April Fools' DayHistory…
(Encyclopedia) Benno, Saint, d. 1106, German prelate. He was bishop of Meissen and an ardent supporter of Pope Gregory VII against Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, and the emperor had him deposed. He was…
(Encyclopedia) Scanderbeg or SkanderbegScanderbegboth: skănˈdərbĕg [key], c.1404–1468, Albanian national hero. His original name was George Castriota or Kastriotes, but the Ottomans called him…
(Encyclopedia) Worms, Concordat of, 1122, agreement reached by Pope Calixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V to put an end to the struggle over investiture. By its terms the emperor guaranteed free…
(Encyclopedia) Ferdinand I or FerranteFerdinand Ifār-ränˈtā [key], 1423–94, king of Naples (1458–94), illegitimate son and successor (in Naples) of Alfonso V of Aragón. His succession was challenged…
(Encyclopedia) Paul III, 1468–1549, pope (1534–49), a Roman named Alessandro Farnese; successor of Clement VII. He was created cardinal by Alexander VI, and his influence increased steadily. A very…
(Encyclopedia) MaroziaMaroziamərōˈzhēə, Ital. märôˈtsyä [key], c.892–c.937, Italian noblewoman. Daughter of the Roman consul Theophylact and his wife Theodora, Marozia was strongly influenced by her…
