A method of trial based on the Norse trial by duel, introduced into England by William the Conqueror. Any person charged with an offence by a private individual could challenge him to mortal combat, and if he were successful, or could escape defeat for a whole day, was acquitted of the charge. Wager of battle was not legally abolished until 1819.

Wahabis.

A sect of fanatical Mohammedans, whose centre is at Nejd, in Arabia, though they are spread over the whole Moslem world. As a military power they were at one time to be feared, but their organization was broken up by Mehemet Ali and Ibrahim Pasha at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Waitangi, Treaty of.

A treaty between the British Government and the Maories in 1840, whereby the latter acknowledged the English sovereignty over New Zealand, while they were guaranteed in the undisturbed possession of their lands.

Wai-Wupu.

The new board appointed by the Emperor of China in 1902, to succeed the Tsung-li-Yamen in the control of Foreign Affairs. It has precedence over all the other departments of State.

Walcheren Expedition.

An abortive expedition despatched by England to the Island of Walcheren in 1809, with the object of capturing Antwerp and destroying the French fleet in the Scheldt. The expedition captured Flushing, but had no further success, and was withdrawn within the year, the major portion of the force employed having been incapacitated by fever.

Waldemariana, Constitutio.

The constitution established in Denmark by Waldemar III, surnamed the Restorer (1340-75).

Waldenses.

A religious sect who seceded from the Church under Peter Waldo, a Lyons merchant, about 1160. They spread rapidly over France and Germany, but their chief seat was in the valleys of Savoy and the Pays de Vaud. They suffered persecution under Philip Augustus (1180-1223), and again under Francis I in 1540, and finally were almost exterminated by Louvois between 1687 and 1690.

Wales, Court of.

A court established in the reign of James I, to supersede the ordinary courts in the counties of Hereford, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, which were withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the common law, on the plea that they were the Welsh Marches.

Wales, Ordinances of.

A series of severely repressive laws against the Welsh, issued by Henry IV in 1401.

Wales, Statute of.

A statute of Edward I, issued in 1284, on the annexation of Wales. It applied to the conquered country the laws and institutions of England, with such exceptions as were deemed advisable to meet the prejudices of the Welsh. See Rhudlann.

Wallace’s Larder.

The dungeon of Ardrossan into which Wallace threw the bodies of the slaughtered garrison, when he captured the fortress in the reign of Edward I.

Wallachia, Capitulation of.

A treaty between Murad I of Turkey, and the Voivode of Wallachia, signed in 1391, by which the Voivode recognized the suzerainty of Turkey, and agreed to pay an annual tribute.

Waller’s Plot.

A conspiracy headed by Waller, the poet, who had been won over by the Royalists in 1643, to collect troops and seize upon London. The plot miscarried, however, and Waller was forced to make his submission to the Parliament.

Wallingford, Treaty of.

A treaty signed in 1153, which ended the civil war of Stephen. Stephen was accepted as King, while Henry of Anjou was recognized by Stephen as heir to the throne. It was also agreed that the castles were to be razed, and all foreign mercenaries dismissed.

Wanderers.

The Covenanters who left their homes to follow their dispossessed ministers in 1669 were so called.

Wapenshaw.

A gathering of the people in ancient Scottish times, for the purpose of ascertaining that every man was properly armed, and fit to take the field if called upon.

Wapentakes.

In the counties settled by the Danes, these correspond to the Saxon Hundreds.

Wards, Court of.

A court established by Henry VIII in 1540, to enforce the rights of the Crown over its wards, and secure to the King the full benefit arising from the exercise of wardship. The court was abolished in 1660.

Wardship.

In early feudal times, in the event of a minor succeeding to a fief, the overlord claimed to act as guardian, both of the land and of the infant. This right was restricted by Magna Charta.

Wars.

See Arkansas, Armagnac, Augsburg, Austrian Succession, Barons, Bavarian Succession, Bien Public, Bread and Cheese, Casenbrotspel, Douglas, Farthings, Hundred Years, Hungarian, Jenkin’s Ear, King Philip, Nobles, Opium, Pacific, Polish Succession, Rappenkrieg, Reforma, Seven Weeks, Seven Years, Spanish Succession, Thirty Years.

Wartburg, Festival of.

An assembly of German students held in 1817, to commemorate the tercentenary of the Reformation. The occasion was utilised for the formation of a league of students to promote liberal ideas in politics and national unity.

Washington, Treaty of.

See Ashburton Treaty.

Washington, Treaty of, 1871.

A treaty between England and the United States, signed in 1871, providing for the submission to arbitration of the Alabama and the San Juan questions, and arranging a modus vivendi on the Canadian Fishery Question. Both the arbitrations went against Great Britain.

Watch and Ward, Statute of.

A statute passed in 1285 (13th Edward I), providing for the policing of the streets of London.

Waterboer, Treaty with.

The first treaty signed in South Africa with a native chief. Waterboer was a Griqualand chief, and by this treaty, signed in 1834, he undertook to maintain order within his territories and protect the colonial border from marauders passing through his country, in return for which he was to receive £100 per annum, and two hundred muskets and ammunition.

Wedmore, Treaty of.

A treaty between Alfred and the Danes, concluded after the defeat of the latter at Edington in 878. By this treaty East Anglia was surrendered to the Danes, while a line was drawn separating their kingdom from Wessex, by which a large portion of Mercia was restored to Wessex. It was further provided that the Danes were to hold their lands as vassals of the King of Wessex, and to embrace Christianity.

Weregild.

In Anglo-Saxon times, a money compensation paid by a murderer to the relatives of the murdered man. It varied in amount according to the rank of the victim.

WerelÄ, Treaty of.

A treaty between Russia and Sweden, signed in 1790, at the conclusion of the war entered into by Gustavus of Sweden to support the Turks. No territorial changes took place.

Westminster Assembly.

An assembly of divines, held between 1643 and 1649, at which Presbyterianism was made the established religion of England, in accordance with the Solemn League and Covenant. The assembly also issued the Directory, as a substitute for the Book of Common Prayer.

Westminster Confession.

The confession of faith issued by the Westminster Assembly in 1643. It contains thirty-three articles, and is an exposition of the Calvinistic doctrine.

Westminster, Provisions of.

A series of provisions based on those of Oxford, issued in 1259, and afterwards embodied in the Statute of Marlborough.

Westminster, Statutes of.

The first Statute of Westminster was passed by the first Parliament of Edward I in 1275. It was practically a codification of previously existing laws and statutes which had not been fully enforced. It secured the Church in its rights, re-enacted the various charters, and reformed many abuses in the administration of the law. The second Statute of Westminster is the Statute also known as De Donis Conditionalibus.

Westminster, Synod of.

A synod held in 1102, at which decrees were issued against simony, marriage of the clergy and other ecclesiastical abuses, and also against the selling of men into slavery.

Westphalia, Treaty of.

This treaty, signed in 1648 by France, Sweden and the Empire, put an end to the Thirty Years’ War. It established and recognized Protestantism in Germany, and made provision for the equal representation of the two religions in the German Diet. France obtained Alsace, Sweden secured Bremen, North Pomerania and Stettin, and there were certain changes among the smaller German States.

Whigamores’ Raid.

A rising of the peasantry of the west of Scotland in 1648, in opposition to the supporters of the Engagement.

Whigs.

A name first applied to the Covenanters in the west of Scotland, and afterwards to the anti-Stuart party in England. They later represented the party of progress and reform, in which sense they were the predecessors of the Liberals.

Whimsicals.

The name given to the English Tories who supported the House of Hanover on the accession of George I.

Whip with Six Lashes.

The name given to the Six Articles of Henry VIII, issued in 1539.

Whisky Insurrection.

A serious rising in Western Pennsylvania in 1794, caused by an attempt of the authorities to suppress illicit distillation, which was rife in that region. Some six or seven thousand insurgents were in arms, and the outbreak was only suppressed after the militia of four of the neighbouring States had been called out.

Whitby, Synod of.

A synod held in 664, at which the Saxon Churches definitely decided to adhere to the Church of Rome, rather than to the Celtic Church founded in Ireland by St. Columba.

White Bands, The Parliament of.

The name given to the Parliament of 1321, which banished the Despencers, owing to the followers of the Barons wearing white favours.

White Capes.

See Chaperons Blancs.

White Clergy.

The parish priests in Russia are so called, as distinguished from the Black Clergy, or monastic priesthood. They take no part in ecclesiastical administration, and are permitted to marry.

White Company.

A famous band of mercenaries which served in the French wars, and, after the Peace of BrÉtigny, in Italy. Its leader was Sir John Hawkwood.

White Cross Knights.

The Knights Hospitallers were so called.

White Devil of Wallachia.

The nickname given by the Turks to George Castriot (Iskander Beg), the Albanian hero (1404-67).

White League.

An organization formed in the Southern States, after the American Civil War, to prevent the exercise of the franchise by the coloured population.

White Sheep.

The Turcomans who overran Persia in 1468 were so called.

White Ship.

See Blanche Nef.

Whiteboys.

See Levellers.

Whitecaps.

A secret association in Indiana, U.S.A., formed originally as a vigilance society, which later was guilty of many outrages.

Who Who Ministry.

The ministry formed by Lord Derby in 1852. Many of its members were new to office, and the story goes that the Duke of Wellington, who was very deaf, was being told by Lord Derby the names of his colleagues. At each unfamiliar name, the Duke kept ejaculating, Who? Who?

Wild Geese.

The name given to the Irishmen recruited by France for service in the Irish Brigade during the eighteenth century.

Wills, Statute of.

A statute passed in 1540, providing that land held in fee simple might be devised by will. This right had been greatly restricted by the Plantagenet legislation.

William the Silent.

The sobriquet of William, Prince of Orange (1533-84).

Wilmot Proviso.

An amendment, carried by Mr. David Wilmot, in the United States House of Representatives, to the Bill for the purchase of Mexican territory in 1846. It provided that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude should ever exist in the territory to be acquired. The amendment was thrown out by the Senate.

Winchester, Statute of.

A re-enactment in 1285 of the Assize of Arms of Henry II. It laid upon the counties the duty of keeping order within their boundaries, and of suppressing brigandage and highway robbery, and defined their obligations towards the national defence.

Winter King.

The nickname of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, who was King of Bohemia during the winter of 1619-20.

Wisbuy, Ordinances of.

A code of maritime laws issued during the fourteenth century, governing the operations of the Baltic traders. It takes its name from Wisbuy, a town in Gothland.

Wisliza, Code of.

A code of laws framed by Casimir the Great, in 1347, which remained the basis of Polish legislation till the end of the eighteenth century.

Witanagemot.

In Saxon times, the central assembly of the nation, presided over by the King or his representative. In early days it was open to all freemen, but later came to be composed of the nobles and thegns about the King’s person. The word signifies the Assembly of the Wise.

Wizard.

John Sobieski, King of Poland (1674-96), was so called by the Turks.

Wolverine State.

The State of Michigan, U.S.A., is so called, because in early days it was infested with wolverines.

Wonderful Parliament.

A Parliament of Richard II, assembled in 1388. It consisted almost entirely of partisans of the Duke of Gloucester, and during a session of 122 days was mainly occupied in the removal of his enemies. It is also known as the Merciless Parliament.

Wood’s Halfpence.

A controversy between the English and Irish Parliaments in 1722, over a patent granted to an Englishman named Wood, to coin copper money for issue in Ireland. Dean Swift’s famous “Drapier’s Letters” appeared on the Irish side of the controversy, and eventually the patent was withdrawn.

World’s Wonder.

The sobriquet of Frederick II, Emperor of Germany (1215-50).

Worms, Concordat of.

A concordat negotiated at the Synod of Mayence, and proclaimed at Worms in 1122, by which the Pope agreed to the election of bishops and abbots by their chapters, throughout the German Empire. The Emperor renounced the right of investiture with the ring and staff, but it was agreed that this investiture should not take place till the newly elected prelate had sworn fealty to the Emperor. This concordat was confirmed by the first Lateran Council in 1123.

Worms, Diet of.

A Diet held in 1521, to which Luther was summoned, under a safe conduct, in order that he might have the opportunity of retracting his heresies. This he declined to do, and but for the assistance of the Elector of Saxony, he would very probably have met with the fate of John Huss under similar circumstances.

Worms, Edict of.

An edict issued by the Diet of Worms in 1521, outlawing Luther, and all those who sheltered or aided him, or who printed, sold or read his works.

Worms, Treaty of.

An alliance between England, Holland, Austria, Saxony and Sardinia, signed in 1743, to uphold the Pragmatic Sanction.

WÜrtzburg, League of.

A league of the Catholic princes of Germany, formed in 1610, under Maximilian of Bavaria, to oppose the Protestant Union.

Wyandotte Constitution.

The Constitution of Kansas, adopted in 1859, under which Kansas was admitted to the Union. It abolished slavery throughout the State.

Wyoming Massacre.

During the American War of Independence in 1778, the settlement in the Valley of Wyoming, Pennsylvania, was attacked by the British, together with a band of Seneca Indians. Most of the able-bodied men were in the field under Washington, and only 300 opposed the British force, which overpowered them, and accepted their surrender. It was, however, impossible to control the Indians, who later again attacked the settlement, and massacred a large number of the inhabitants.