1492: Spain recaptures Granada from the Moors
The Moorish kingdom of Granada
(home of the fabulous Alhambra)
was founded in the thirteenth century by Abu 'Abd Alla ibn Yusuf ibn
Nasr al-Ahmar, who became King Muhammad I in 1232 and ruled for more
than 50 years. Muhammad agreed to a vassalage to King Ferdinand III
of Castile in return for the recognition of Granada as a soveriegn
state. Granada was reabsorbed into Catholic Spain under the reign of
Ferdinand
and Isabella.
Spain still celebrates January 2 as Granada Day.
1611: First trial of Countess Elizabeth Bathory
A reliable collection of documentary evidence supports the tale
that the notorious blood
countess was guilty of a series of hideous murders. Although
there is no proof that she ever actually bathed in virgins' blood to
preserve her youth and beauty, her gruesome experiments on young
women were evidently designed to prolong her life and increase her
personal power. Countess Elizabeth was convicted of her crimes and
walled up in a room of her own castle.
WHO DIED
1557: Jacopo Pontormo
Born as Jacopo Carruci in Pontormo, Italy, Pontormo was orphaned
at the age of 13 and went to live in Florence, where his work caught
the attention and approval of Raphael and Michelangelo.
He was best known for his portraits and historical, religious
scenes.
You can see some of Pantormo's work at Carol Gerten's Fine Art Virtual Museum.
