Historical Writings

King Oswy of Northumbria gives his daughter into the charge of the influential abbess Hild (aka Hilda) of Whitby.

In his bull Aeterni Patris Gregory XV prescribes that in the future only three modes of papal election are to be allowed: scrutiny, compromise, and quasi-inspiration. A later bull "Decet Romanum Pontificem" contains a ceremonial which regulates these three modes of election in every detail.

The original Mayflower "pilgrims" (Separatists), having lived in their American colony for six years, bought out their London investors for 1,800 pounds.

Death of Johann Kepler, the Lutheran astronomer who had discovered the laws of planetary motion. His arguments for the unity of religion and science were often printed as if by Galileo.

Death of Jan Amos Comenius, influential author, educator, and leader of the persecuted and exiled Moravians.

Anglican hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: 'Our love to Him is the proof and measure of what we know of His love to us.'

Death of Orthodox leader Paissy Velichkovsky, notable for having translated large numbers of Greek spiritual texts into Slavonic. He revived monasticism in Moldavia.

Anglican missionary to Persia, Henry Martyn wrote in his journal: 'Corruption always begins the day, but morning prayer never fails to set my mind in a right frame.'

Death of the Russian Orthodox monk Herman, one of ten original monks sent to open a mission at Kodiak, Alaska. He had become the mission's steward, and had been notable for his gentle disposition and his attempts to protect the native population.

Scottish clergyman Robert Murray McCheyne wrote in a letter: 'I know well that when Christ is nearest, Satan also is busiest.'

An assassin stabs Pope Pius IX’s premier, Count Pellegrino Rossi, in the neck, killing him. Rossi was detested because of how slowly he introduced democratic reforms into the papal states.

Death of Jane Montgomery Campbell, who translated a number of hymns from German into English, including "Silent Night," "We Plow the Fields," and others.

Mwanga, ruler of Buganda (now part of Uganda), beheads the recent Anglican convert and member of the royal family Joseph Mukasa. Mukasa opposed killing the Anglican missionary bishop James Hannington and his colleagues. Mwanga's bloodbath continued through January 1887. Collectively, the martyrs of Uganda will be canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

Death of Oswald Chambers, while serving as chaplain to British troops in Egypt during World War I. His widow, Gertrude (Biddy), will compile the bestselling devotional My Utmost for His Highest from his lessons and sermons.

Patriarch Ignatius Yacoub III officially established the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the U.S. and Canada. At the same time, Archbishop Mar Athanasius Yeshue Samuel, former Syrian Orthodox metropolitan of Jerusalem, was appointed primate of the new archdiocese, and soon after took up residence in Hackensack, New Jersey.