Hugh de Neville (died 1234) was the Chief Forester under the kings
Richard I, John, and Henry III of England, and a sheriff of several
counties over his lifetime. Neville was related to royal officials and a
bishop, and was a member of Prince Richard's household. After Richard
became king in 1189, Neville continued in his service, accompanying him
on the Third Crusade. Neville remained in the royal service following
Richard's death in 1199 and the accession of King John to the throne,
becoming one of the new king's favourites and often gambling with him.
He was named in Magna Carta as one of John's principal advisors,
considered by a medieval chronicler to be one of King John's "evil
councillors". He deserted John after the French invasion of England in
1216, but returned to pledge his loyalty to John's son Henry III after
the latter's accession to the throne that year. Neville's royal service
continued until his death in 1234, though by then he was a less
significant figure than he had been at the height of his powers.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_de_Neville>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1757:
British Royal Navy Admiral John Byng was court-martialled and
executed by firing squad when he failed to "do his utmost" during the
Battle of Minorca at the start of the Seven Years' War.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Byng>
1910:
Oil prospectors in Kern County, California, drilled into a
pressurized oil deposit, resulting in the largest accidental oil spill
in history.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakeview_Gusher>
1972:
Italian publisher Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, known for his
translation of Boris Pasternak's novel Doctor Zhivago after it had been
smuggled out of the Soviet Union, was killed in a mysterious explosion.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giangiacomo_Feltrinelli>
1984:
Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Féin, was seriously wounded in an
assassination attempt by Ulster Freedom Fighters in central Belfast,
Northern Ireland.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Adams>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
timescape:
1. A perspective over a period (particularly a long period) of time.
2. (science fiction) A multi-dimensional view of time, especially one in
which time travel occurs.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/timescape>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
If we want to improve the world we cannot do it with scientific
knowledge but with ideals. Confucius, Buddha, Jesus and Gandhi have done
more for humanity than science has done. We must begin with the heart of
man — with his conscience — and the values of conscience can only be
manifested by selfless service to mankind.
--Albert Einstein
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein>