(Encyclopedia) Matilda, 1046–1115, countess of Tuscany, called the Great Countess; supporter of Pope Gregory VII in the papal conflict with the Holy Roman emperors. Ruling over Tuscany and parts of…
(Encyclopedia) Constance, Council of, 1414–18, council of the Roman Catholic Church, some of its sessions being reckoned as the 16th ecumenical council. It was summoned to end the Great Schism (see…
journalist, novelistBorn: 12/5/1934Birthplace: Sacramento, California Journalist and novelist who worked as a features editor at Vogue (1956–63) before becoming a freelance writer. She's best known…
(Encyclopedia) Berengar of ToursBerengar of Toursbĕˈrĭng–gər [key], c.1000–1088?, French theologian, also called Bérenger and Berengarius, b. Tours. He was archdeacon of Angers (c.1040–1060). After…
The seven deadly sins are considered "deadly" because it is believed they can do terrible damage to the soul. The now-famous list does not appear in the Bible and may have been made by St. Gregory…
(Encyclopedia) Robert GuiscardRobert Guiscardgēskärˈ [key], c.1015–1085, Norman conqueror of S Italy, a son of Tancred de Hauteville (see Normans). Robert joined (c.1046) his brothers in S Italy and…
(Encyclopedia) Cossa, BaldassareCossa, Baldassarebäldäs-säˈrā kôsˈsä [key], c.1370–1419, Neapolitan churchman, antipope (1410–15; see Schism, Great) with the name John XXIII. He had a military career…
(Encyclopedia) NyssaNyssanĭsˈə [key], name of several ancient cities devoted to the worship of Dionysus. The best known of them is a town of Cappadocia, Asia Minor, near the Halys (now the Kizil…
