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Benedict Biscop

(Encyclopedia)Benedict Biscop bĭsˈkəp [key], c.628–690, English monk. He founded the monasteries of Wearmouth (at Sunderland) and Jarrow, and he was abbot of St. Peter's, Canterbury. Bede was his pupil. ...

Sittingbourne

(Encyclopedia)Sittingbourne sĭtˈĭngbôrn [key], town (1991 pop. 35,893), Kent, SE England, on the ancient Watling Street and on the old route of pilgrimage to Canterbury. It is an agricultural market with paper,...

Excalibur

(Encyclopedia)Excalibur ĕkskălˈĭbər [key], in Arthurian legend, sword given to King Arthur by the Lady of the Lake. At Arthur's death Sir Bedivere threw Excalibur into the lake; a hand rose from the water, cau...

Hertford

(Encyclopedia)Hertford, town, E central England, on the Lea River. Hertford is an agricultural market with light industries, including brewing, flour milling, and the...

Whitstable

(Encyclopedia)Whitstable hwĭtˈstəbəl [key], town (1991 pop. 26,227), Kent, SE England. Formerly the port for Canterbury pilgrims, Whitstable is largely a resort and residential area. Whitstable oysters have lon...

Murray, John, 2d marquess and 1st duke of Atholl

(Encyclopedia)Murray, John, 2d marquess and 1st duke of Atholl ăthˈəl [key], 1660–1724, Scottish nobleman; son of the 2d earl and 1st marquess. A supporter of William III, he held high government posts in Scot...

Cecilia, Saint

(Encyclopedia)Cecilia, Saint səsĭlˈyə, –sēl– [key], 2d or 3d cent., Roman virgin martyr. An ancient and famous account of her life is factually valueless. As patron of music, she is represented at the orga...

Tabard Inn

(Encyclopedia)Tabard Inn tăbˈərd [key], in Southwark borough, Greater London, England. The inn, demolished in the 19th cent., was mentioned by Geoffrey Chaucer in the Prologue of the Canterbury Tales as the star...

Charles, king of Great Britian and Northern Ireland

(Encyclopedia)Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George), 1948–, king of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2022–), eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Bri...

Laud, William

(Encyclopedia)Laud, William, 1573–1645, archbishop of Canterbury (1633–45). He studied at St. John's College, Oxford, and was ordained a priest in 1601. From the beginning Laud showed his hostility to Puritanis...