CRISS-CROSS

(1475), originated from the Middle English 8 and earlier, 1390, from 8 was the mark + or X written before the alphabet. (The Greek symbol ×, abbreviation of Christos, is of the same origin as ×8 for “Christmas.”)68 Learning the “Criss-Cross Row,” therefore, was the expression used for learning the alphabet. The mark stood for … Continue reading “CRISS-CROSS”

LAS CASAS, BARTOLOMé DE

(August 1474–July 17, 1566), was called “the Apostle of the Indies,” as he was one of the first Christian missionaries to minister to the Indians of Latin America. The first priest ordained in the New World, Las Casas became known for his devotion to the oppressed and enslaved natives. He wrote Apologetic History of the … Continue reading “LAS
CASAS, BARTOLOMé DE”

ISABELLA I

(April 22, 1451–November 26, 1504), was the Queen of Castile, who in 1481 married Ferdinand II, King of Aragon, thereby unifying Christian Spain. They successfully drove the Moors from Granada and financed Christopher Columbus’ expedition to the Indies, which resulted in the discovery of America. In her commission to Columbus, Queen Isabella recited that the … Continue reading “ISABELLA
I”

COLUMBUS, CHRISTOPHER

(1451–May 20, 1506), was the Genoese explorer credited with the discovery America. After seven years of trying to convince the monarchs of Europe to finance his expedition, he finally won the support of Queen Isabella of Castille and King Ferdinand of Aragon. Columbus set sail on August 3, 1492, and after the longest voyage ever … Continue reading “COLUMBUS,
CHRISTOPHER”

HORNBOOK

(1442–1800), was the schoolbook used to teach children to read in early English, and later American, schools. Invented in response to the expense and scarcity of paper, the hornbook consisted of one sheet of vellum or paper pasted to a flat board with a handle, shaped like a table-tennis paddle, and covered over with a … Continue reading “HORNBOOK”

GUTENBERG, JOHANNES

(c.1400–February 3, 1468), was the German inventor of the moveable-type printing press, which helped revolutionize the western world. This invention prepared Europe for the rapid spread of ideas, making the Reformation possible. The first book of significance ever printed was the 42–line Gutenberg Bible, known as the Mazarin Bible, 1455. Johannes Gutenberg wrote: God suffers … Continue reading “GUTENBERG,
JOHANNES”

KEMPIS, THOMAS à

(c.1379–August 8, 1471), was an Augustinian friar at Zwolle in the Netherlands, who wrote the devotional, On the Imitation of Christ, 1420. This work has greatly influenced western writers, including: Martin Luther, Samuel Johnson, George Eliot and Lamartine. In Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis wrote: Be not angry that you cannot make others as … Continue reading “KEMPIS,
THOMAS à”

HUS, JOHN

(c.1372–July 6, 1415), was a professor of philosophy and the rector of the University of Prague, Bohemia. Influenced by John Wycliffe, he insisted on teaching and expounding the Holy Scriptures in the language of the people and inspired a great following, similar to John Wycliffe in England. Amidst great controversy, he was betrayed and martyred. … Continue reading “HUS,
JOHN”

CHAUCER, GEOFFREY

(c.1342–October 25, 1400), was known as the “Father of English Poetry.” He was honored as an English poet-laureate. The son of a vintner, he was born in London; rose to being a page to the Countess of Ulster, 1357; captured while fighting in France; and ransomed by Edward III, 1360. In 1385, Chaucer became a … Continue reading “CHAUCER,
GEOFFREY”

WYCLIFFE, JOHN

(c.1330–December 31, 1384), was a professor at Oxford University, England. He became one of the greatest English religious reformers, writing under the protection of John of Gaunt (1340–1399). His most outstanding achievement was being the first to translate, along with his followers, the Holy Scriptures from the Latin Vulgate into the English language. Known as … Continue reading “WYCLIFFE,
JOHN”