The St Scholastica Day riot took place in Oxford, England, on 10 February 1355. The disturbance began when two students from the University of Oxford complained about the quality of wine served to them in a tavern; the argument quickly escalated to a fight and the resulting mêlée turned into a riot. The violence continued over three days, with armed gangs entering the town from the countryside to assist the townspeople. University halls and students' accommodation were raided and the inhabitants murdered. Around 20 townsfolk were killed, as were up to 63 members of the university. King Edward III sent judges to the town to determine culpability. He came down on the side of the university, who were given additional powers to the disadvantage of the town's authorities. In an act of conciliation in 1955—the riot's 600th anniversary—the mayor of Oxford was given an honorary degree, while the university's vice-chancellor was made an honorary freeman of the city. ( Full article... )
February 10 : Feast day of Saint Scholastica (Christianity); Little New Year in northern China (2026); National Memorial Day of the Exiles and Foibe in Italy
| | Sabellastarte spectabilis , commonly known as the feather duster worm or the fan worm, is a species of benthic marine polychaete worm in the family Sabellidae. It is native to tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea but has spread to other parts of the world. It is a filter feeder and inhabits holes and cracks in reefs, rocky shores, coral and lava, under boulders in still water, and in tidal pools and channels exposed to heavy surf. S. spectabilis is buff in colour with purple specks, around 8 centimetres (3 inches) in length and up to 1.2 centimetres (0.5 inches) in width. It lives in a tough, leathery tube covered with fine mud, from which projects a branchial crown of branched tentacles. The worm is popular in aquariums because of its distinctive appearance and its ability to remove organic particles and improve water quality. This S. spectabilis worm was photographed in the diving resort of Anilao in Mabini, Batangas, in the Philippines. Photograph credit: Diego Delso Recently featured: |