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The Arms of Columbus. There is no wholly satisfactory statement regarding the origin of these arms or the Admiral's right to bear them. It is the quartering of the royal lion and castle, for Arragon and Castile, with gold islands in azure waves. Five anchors and the motto, "A [or Por] Castilla y a [or Por] Leon Nuevo Munido Dio [or Hallo] Colon," were later given or assumed. The crest varies in the Oviedo of 1535.

Arms

The Arms of Columbus. There is no wholly satisfactory statement regarding the origin of these arms or…

Martin Behaim (1459-1507), also known as Martin von Behaim and by various forms of Martin of Bohemia was a German mariner, artist, cosmographer, astronomer, philosopher, geographer, and explorer in service to King John II. His maps are sometimes held to have been influential on the Age of Discovery but he is now best known for his Erdapfel, the world's oldest surviving globe, which he produced for the Imperial City of Nuremberg.

Martin Behaim

Martin Behaim (1459-1507), also known as Martin von Behaim and by various forms of Martin of Bohemia…

(1500-1558) Charles V was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain.

Charles V

(1500-1558) Charles V was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain.

(1500-1558) Charles V was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain.

Charles V

(1500-1558) Charles V was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain.

King's College, Aberdeen, with its tower and crown.

King's College

King's College, Aberdeen, with its tower and crown.

An Inca Manco Capac, the first king of the Kingdom of Cuzco, according to Inca mythology.

Manco Capac

An Inca Manco Capac, the first king of the Kingdom of Cuzco, according to Inca mythology.

Scene from the nursery rhyme, "King Cole."

King Cole

Scene from the nursery rhyme, "King Cole."

Scene from the nursery rhyme, "King Cole."

King Cole

Scene from the nursery rhyme, "King Cole."

Scene from the nursery rhyme, "King Cole."

King Cole

Scene from the nursery rhyme, "King Cole."

He was born on April 2, 742, and was the eldest son of Pepin, the first king of the Franks, of the Carlovingian dynasty.

Charlemagne

He was born on April 2, 742, and was the eldest son of Pepin, the first king of the Franks, of the Carlovingian…

"The most illustrious of Babylonian kings, was the son of Nabopolassar, the general of the Babylonian garrison at the time the Assyrian empire fell to pieces after the death of Assur-bani-pal. The Babylonians then thre off the hated yoke of Assyria, and Nebopolassar was proclaimed king of Babylonia, in 625 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar succeeded him in 604, reigning 43 years, and was one of the greatest sovereigns who ever rules the ancient empire." — Beach, 1900

Nebuchadnezzar

"The most illustrious of Babylonian kings, was the son of Nabopolassar, the general of the Babylonian…

A painting titled Lion-hunt from the North-west Palace at Nimrud.

Lion Hunt

A painting titled Lion-hunt from the North-west Palace at Nimrud.

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Rampant Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Gardant Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Rampant Regardant Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Passant Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century, the king of beasts was assumed as an appropriate emblem by the sovereigns of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the native princes of Wales, the counts of Flanders and Holland, and various other European potentates." — Chambers, 1881

Lion

"The lion holds an important place among the animals born in coat-armor. As early as the 12th century,…

"A representation of a very early double stater of Miletus, in Ionia, of which the type is the lion's head, derived from Persia and Assyria, and associated with the worship of Cybele, a symbol which is continued in the later coinage of Miletus." — Chambers, 1881

Miletus Coin

"A representation of a very early double stater of Miletus, in Ionia, of which the type is the lion's…

A sovereign crown of Egypt, composed of the tall pointed miter, or white crown, of southern Egypt, combined with te red crown, square in front and rising to a point behind, of northern Egypt.

Pschent

A sovereign crown of Egypt, composed of the tall pointed miter, or white crown, of southern Egypt, combined…

The costume of an Egyptian King.

Egyptian King

The costume of an Egyptian King.

The costume of an Assyrian King.

Assyrian King

The costume of an Assyrian King.

"The cross of the Danisn order of the Dannebrog, a white cross surmounting a red one, with the royal crown, the cipher of reigning soverign, and the motto "For God and the King," is a characteristic example of the use of the great Christian symbol in the insignia of the knighthood of the present day." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Dannebrog

"The cross of the Danisn order of the Dannebrog, a white cross surmounting a red one, with the royal…

"The crown of William I and his successors was a plain circlet heightened with four spikes having trefoil heads." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Crown

"The crown of William I and his successors was a plain circlet heightened with four spikes having trefoil…

"Drawn from the royal achievement of Henry VII, sculptured with great spirit above the south entrance to King's College Chapel, Cambridge, the royal motto is inscribed upon the circlet." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Crown

"Drawn from the royal achievement of Henry VII, sculptured with great spirit above the south entrance…

"Ant-lion larva." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Antlion

"Ant-lion larva." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

"Ant-lion perfect insect." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Antlion

"Ant-lion perfect insect." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

"An order of knighthood in Portugal, instituted by Sancho, the first king of Portugal, in imitation of the order of Calatrava, and having, like it, for its object the subjection of the Moors." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Aviz

"An order of knighthood in Portugal, instituted by Sancho, the first king of Portugal, in imitation…

A type of roof with many support beams.

King Post Roof

A type of roof with many support beams.

"Sign of the king of Lower Egypt; from the coffin of Mykerinos, 1633 B.C." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Bee Heiroglyph

"Sign of the king of Lower Egypt; from the coffin of Mykerinos, 1633 B.C." — The Encyclopedia…

"The sacred name of the founder of Buddhism, an Indian sage who appears to have lived in the 5th century B.C. His personal name was Siddhartha, and his family name Gautama; and he is often called also Sakya-muni. His father was the king of Kapilavastu, a few days' journey north of Benares. Siddhartha, filled with a deep compassion for the human race, left his father's court, and lived for years in solitude and contemplation till he had penetrated the mysteries of life and become the Buddha. He then began to teach his new faith, in opposition to the prevailing Brahmanism, commencing at Benares. Among his earliest converts where the monarchs of Magadha and Kosala, in whose kingdoms he chiefly passed the latter portion of his life, respected, honored, and protected." — Winston's Encyclopedia, 1919

Buddha

"The sacred name of the founder of Buddhism, an Indian sage who appears to have lived in the 5th century…

"Murillo, Bartolomeo Esteban, the greatest of Spanish painters, was born at Seville in 1618. He received his first instruction in art from his relation, Juan del Castillo. In 1642 he visited Madrid, and was aided by Velasquez, then painter to the king, who procured him permission to copy in the Royal Galleries. Murillo returned to Seville in 1645, where he commenced that great series of works which have now made his name so glorious. He married a lady of fortune in 1648, which much aided his personal influence, and he succeeded in establishing an academy of the arts at Seville in 1660, and acted as president the first year." — Winston's Encyclopedia, 1919

Murillo

"Murillo, Bartolomeo Esteban, the greatest of Spanish painters, was born at Seville in 1618. He received…

"A griffin having the uppet part of the body of an eagle and the lower parts of a lion, with wings decorated with spirals, are among the more remarkable examples of perforated ornaments for attachment to the clothing." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Griffin Pendent

"A griffin having the uppet part of the body of an eagle and the lower parts of a lion, with wings decorated…

"Bronze Lamp in British Museum." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Bronze Lamp

"Bronze Lamp in British Museum." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

"The internal structure of the lion, except in slight details, resembles that of the other Felidae, the whole organization being that of an animal modified to fulfil, in the most perfect degree yet attained, an active, predaceous mode of existence." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Lion Skull

"The internal structure of the lion, except in slight details, resembles that of the other Felidae,…

The front of a Rose Royal coin. It is a very rare English gold coin in the righ of King James 1. Worth thirty shillings.

Rose Ryal

The front of a Rose Royal coin. It is a very rare English gold coin in the righ of King James 1. Worth…

The rear of a Rose Royal coin. It is a very rare English gold coin in the righ of King James 1. Worth thirty shillings.

Rose Ryal

The rear of a Rose Royal coin. It is a very rare English gold coin in the righ of King James 1. Worth…

A symmetrical plant with many dark green leaves on a hair trunk.

Sago Palm

A symmetrical plant with many dark green leaves on a hair trunk.

A male lion, mammal of the family Felidae.

Lion

A male lion, mammal of the family Felidae.

Lion crest

Lion Crest

Lion crest

A king with the earliest bow of the Cremaillere type from the 11th century

Bow

A king with the earliest bow of the Cremaillere type from the 11th century

Canute the Great, Danish king of England, Denmark and Norway

Canute by the Sea-Shore

Canute the Great, Danish king of England, Denmark and Norway

The death of William Rufus, the third son of William the Conqueror and King of England from 1087 until 1100. William Rufus died while hunting in New Forest when he was shot with an arrow through his heart.

Death of William Rufus

The death of William Rufus, the third son of William the Conqueror and King of England from 1087 until…

He is sometimes called the Red King, but more commonly William Rufus. Things went worse than ever with the poor English in his time; for at least William the Conqueror had made everybody mind the law, but now William Rufus let his cruel soldiers do just as they pleased, and spoil what they did not want.

William Rufus II

He is sometimes called the Red King, but more commonly William Rufus. Things went worse than ever with…

Stephen, who was a kind-hearted man himself, tried to stop these cruelties; but then the barons turned round on him, told him he was not their proper king, and invited Maude to come and be crowned in his stead.

Stephen

Stephen, who was a kind-hearted man himself, tried to stop these cruelties; but then the barons turned…

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas A. Becket, did not think it was right to consent to a law that said if a priest or monk was thought to have committed any crime, he should be tried by a king's judge, instead of the bishop, and though he and the king had once been great friends, King Henry II was so angry with him that he was forced to leave England, and take shelter with the King of France.

Thomas A-Becket

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas A. Becket, did not think it was right to consent to a law that…

During one of King Richard the Lion-Heart's crusades the city of Acre was taken over and a prince, Leopold, Duke of Austria, set up his banner on the walls. Richard did not think it ought to be there: he pulled it up and threw it down into the ditch, asking the duke how he durst take the honors of a king.

Richard Removing the Archduke's Banner

During one of King Richard the Lion-Heart's crusades the city of Acre was taken over and a prince, Leopold,…

As a kind of joke, John, King Henry's youngest son, had been called Lackland, because he had nothing when his brothers each had some great dukedom. The name suited him only too well before the end of his life. The English made him king at once. Richard had never had any children, but his brother Geoffery, who was older than John had left a son named Arthur, who was about twelve years old, and who rightly the Duke of Normandy and Count of Anjou. King Philip, who was always glad to vex whoever was king of England, took Arthur under his protection, and promised to get Normandy out of John's hands. However, John had a meeting with him and persuaded him to desert Arthur, and marry his son Louis to John's own niece, Blanche, who had a chance of being queen of part of Spain. Still Arthur lived at the French King's court, and when he was sixteen years old, Philip helped him to raise an army and go to try his fortune against his uncle. He laid siege to Mirabeau, a town where his grandmother, Queen Eleanor, was living. John, who was then in Normandy, hurried to her rescue, beat Arthur's army, made him prisoner and carried him off, first to Romen, and then to the strong castle of Falaise. Nobody quite knows what was done to him there. The governor, Hubert de Burgh, once found him fighting hard, though with no weapon but a stool, to defend himself from some ruffians who had been sent to put out his eyes. Hubert saved him from these men, but shortly after this good man was sent elsewhere by the king, and John came himself to Falaise. Arthur was never seen alive again, and it is believed that John took him out in a boat in the river at night, stabbed him with his own hand, and threw his body in the river.

Murder of Prince Arthur

As a kind of joke, John, King Henry's youngest son, had been called Lackland, because he had nothing…

All this time John Lacklands cruelty and savageness were making the whole kingdom miserable; and at last the great barons bear it no longer. They met together and agreed that they would make John swear to govern by the good old English laws that had prevailed before the Normans came. The difficulty was to be sure of what these laws were, for most of the copies of them had been lost. However, Archbishop Langton and some of the wisest of the barons put together a set of laws-some copied, some recollected, some old, some new-but all such as to give the barons some control of the king, and hinder him from getting savage soldiers together to frighten people into doing whatever he chose to make them. These laws they called Magna Charta, or the great charter; and they all came in armor, and took John by surprise at Windsor. He came to meet them in a meadow named Runnymede, on the bank of the Thames, and there they force him to sign the charter, for which all Englishmen are grateful to them.

John's Anger after Signing Magna Charta

All this time John Lacklands cruelty and savageness were making the whole kingdom miserable; and at…

King Henry was a builder of beautiful churches. Westminster Abbey, as it is now, was one. And he was charitable to the poor that, when he had his children weighed, he gave their weight in gold and silver in alms. But he gave to everyone who asked, and so always wanted money; and sometimes his men could get nothing for the king and queen to eat, but by going and taking sheep and poultry from the poor farmers around; so that things were nearly as bad as under William Rufus-because the king was so foolishly good-natured. The Pope was always sending for money, too; and the king tried to raise it in ways that, according to Magna Carta, he had sworn not to do. His foreign friends told him that if he minded Magna Carta he would be a poor creature-not like a king who might do all he pleased; and whenever he listened to them he broke the laws of Magna Carta. Then, when his barons complained and frightened him, he swore again to keep them; so that nobody could trust him, and his weakness was almost as bad for the kingdom as John's wickedness. When they could bear it no longer, the barons all met him at the council, which was called the Parliament, from a French word meaning talk. This time they came in armor, binging all their fighting men, and declared that he had broken his word so often that they should appoint some of their own number to watch him, and hinder his doing anything against the laws he had sworn to observe, or from getting money from the people without their consent.

King Henry and His Barons

King Henry was a builder of beautiful churches. Westminster Abbey, as it is now, was one. And he was…

King Edward II was sent to prison for neglecting his Queen and fooling around with other men.

Edward II. And His Jailers

King Edward II was sent to prison for neglecting his Queen and fooling around with other men.

Wat Tyler, while talking to the King, grew violent, forgot to whom he was speaking, and laid his hand on the king's bridle, as if to threaten or take him prisoner. Upon this, the Lord Mayor, with his mace-dealt the man such a blow that he fell from his horse, and an attendant thrust him through with a sword.

Death of Wat Tyler

Wat Tyler, while talking to the King, grew violent, forgot to whom he was speaking, and laid his hand…

Known greatly as the king of hearts, or the man of ruthless wonder, Henry was born in Pembroke Castle, Wales, in 1457, Henry VII was the only son of Edmund Tudor and Margaret Beaufort.

Henry VII

Known greatly as the king of hearts, or the man of ruthless wonder, Henry was born in Pembroke Castle,…

The place where King Henry VII was laid to rest.

Chapel and Throne of Henry VII

The place where King Henry VII was laid to rest.

Henry VIII and all of his men coming into the city

Henry VIII

Henry VIII and all of his men coming into the city

When Henry VIII became king in 1509, Wolsey's affairs prospered. He became Canon of Windsor, Berkshire in 1511, the same year in which he became a member of the Privy Council. His political star was in the ascendant, and he soon became the controlling figure in all matters of state. 1514, he was made Bishop of Lincoln, and then Archbishop of York.

Cardinal Wolsey Served by Noblemen

When Henry VIII became king in 1509, Wolsey's affairs prospered. He became Canon of Windsor, Berkshire…

Henry VIII was married six times during his life. First, to Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymor, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.

Henry the VIII and His Wives

Henry VIII was married six times during his life. First, to Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymor,…

Edward VI became King of England and Ireland on January 28, 1547, at just nine years of age. Edward, the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, was the third monarch of the Tudor dynasty and England's first ruler who was Protestant at the time of his ascension to the throne. Edward's entire rule was mediated through a council of regency as he never reached majority. The council was first led by his uncle, Edward Seymour, and then by John Dudley.

Edward VI. Writing His Journal

Edward VI became King of England and Ireland on January 28, 1547, at just nine years of age. Edward,…

Philip sought an alliance with the Kingdom of England, marrying the Catholic Queen Mary I of England in 1554. On occasion of the marriage, he was created King of Chile by his father and received the Kingdom of Naples and the title of a King of Jerusalem, which came with it, from him. Under the terms of the marriage, Philip became King Consort, during the lifetime of his spouse. The marriage was unpopular with her subjects and was a purely political alliance as far as Philip was concerned. On January 16, 1556, Philip succeeded to the throne of Spain, as a result of his father's abdication, but he did not choose to reside i the country until his father's death two years later. After Mary died childless in 1558, Philip showed an interest in marrying her Protestant younger half-sister, Queen Elizabeth I of England, but this plan fell through for a number of reasons.

Philip II

Philip sought an alliance with the Kingdom of England, marrying the Catholic Queen Mary I of England…

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 – 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I, reigned over Scotland from 14 December 1542 to 24 July 1567. As wife of King Francis II of France, she was queen consort of France during her husband's brief reign.

Mary Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 – 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I, reigned over Scotland from…