Historical Writings

Death of Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, notable for lectures and writings that influenced the development of Lent and Passion Week observances throughout the entire church.

In Saxon England, youthful Edward “the Martyr” is assassinated at the instigation of Queen Elfrida who wants to place his half-brother Ethelred on the throne. Although this is a political assassination, Edward’s piety and defense of the church has been such that the priests and common people consider him a martyr. Rome will include him in its roll of those who died for the faith.

The First Lateran Council opened in Rome. It was the Ninth Ecumenical Council, and the first one to be held in the West. Lateran I settled the right of investiture (i.e., the right to choose replacement clergy) by a treaty between Pope Calixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V.

39 French Knights Templars were burned at the stake. Most church history experts agree that these and other hostilities shown against the Knights Templars were caused by the greed and cunning of Philip the Fair, who sought the great wealth this medieval military religious order had amassed in the enturies following the Crusades.

In Antwerp, Juan de Jáuregui attempts to assassinate William of Orange, the Protestant leader of the Netherlands.

Bartholomew Legate becomes the last person burned to death in England for heterodox religious opinions.

Lord Berkeley of England sold his half of the American colony of New Jersey to the Quakers.

Death at Lewisham of George Stanhope, a moderate leader in church politics and one of the commissioners that oversaw the building of fifty churches in London after the great fire.

Anglican clergyman and hymn writer John Newton wrote in a letter: 'The more you know him, the better you will trust him; the more you trust him, the better you will love him; the more you love him, the better you will serve him.'

Death at Goruckpore of Seeta-Ram, who, despite ill health, and all that it cost him in social ostracism, had shared the gospel publicly and privately for about twelve years with his Hindu compatriots.

The Metropolitan Tabernacle first opened in London. It was the church at which famed English Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon pastored.

Death in Pasadena, California, of Charles Edward Fuller, founder of Fuller Theological Seminary and well-known as the voice of the radio program The Old Fashioned Revival Hour.

Muslim students at the University of Alexandria threaten Mr. Edmonds, a Christian student, demanding he denounce his faith or die. When he refuses, they beat him unconscious and leave him with a broken arm.

Death of Catherine Marshall in Boynton Beach, Florida. She was a Christian writer of talent and influence, author of A Man Called Peter, the biography of her first husband, Peter Marshall.