The Constitutions of Clarendon were a code of laws made by a general council of nobles and prelates, held at Clarendon in Wiltshire, in 1164 during the reign of Henry II, to check the power of the Church and restrain the prerogatives of ecclesiastics. There were sixteen ordinances defining the limits of the patronage and jurisdiction of the Pope. The power of the ecclesiastical courts was restricted, the crown secured the right of interference in elections to ecclesiastical offices, appeals to Rome were made dependent on the king's leave, ecclesiastical dignitaries were deprived of their freedom to leave the country without the royal permission, etc. Becket signed them, but retracted his signature on the refusal of the PopeAlexander III to countenance them. Becket's murder followed, and to effect a reconciliation with the popeHenry II promised the amendment of the Constitutions of Clarendon. They were accordingly modified in 1176 at Northampton in favour of the church, but they are not the less to be regarded as containing the germ of the ecclesiastical policy of Henry VIII. Research Constitutions of Clarendon
The Federalist was a collection of papers first published in the Independent Journal of New York City, by Hamilton, Madison and Jay, from October, 1787, until March, 1788. They were eighty-five in number and appeared under a joint signature, A Citizen of New York at first, and afterwards Publius. The first of these essays appeared immediately after the adoption of the American Constitution. They were in explanation and defence of the new system of government. Gouverneur Morris was also invited to take part, but was prevented by private business. Jay wrote five, Hamilton fifty-one, Madison twenty-six and their joint effort contributed three, by the most probable conclusions. These papers did much toward securing the ratification of the American Constitution, and form one of the most important commentaries on the American Constitution. Research Federalist
The Holy Alliance was a league concluded at Paris, on September the 26th, 1815, between Alexander I, emperor of Russia, Francis of Austria, and Frederick William III of Prussia, and signed with their own hands, and without the countersign of a minister. It consisted of a declaration, that, in accordance with the precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the principles of justice, charity, and peace should be the basis of their internal administration, and of their international relations, and that the happiness and religious welfare of their subjects should be their great object. Its real aim, however, was to maintain the power and influence of the existing dynasties. It was offered for signature to all the European Powers except the pope and the sultan of Turkey, and accepted by all except Britain. The events of 1848 broke up the Holy Alliance. Research Holy Alliance
In the USA, the American Constitution provides that, if the President does not either sign or veto a bill within ten days, it shall become law without his signature, 'unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law'. This gives the President opportunity to prevent a bill from becoming law, if it is passed in the last days of a session, by simply taking no action upon it. This is called the 'pocket veto'. It was first used by President Madison in 1812 in the case of a naturalization act. But the first conspicuous instances were those by General Jackson, seven of whose twelve vetoes were of this sort. Research Pocket Veto
Thomas Wentworth (Earl of Strafford) was an English statesman. He was born in 1593 at London and died in 1641. Educated at St John's College, Cambridge he sat in successive parliaments under James I and was a powerful leader of the parliamentary opposition to Charles I and to Buckingham. In 1628 he was active in promoting the Petition of the Right, and shortly after it was passed Thomas Wentworth switched allegiances to the king and was created Viscount Wentworth and made president of the Council of the North until in 1633 he was made a governor of Ireland. By the intrigues of the queen and a clique of courtiers, Thomas Wentworth's plans were constantly subverted and in 1639 he was made an earl, and thought he had the trust of the king. However in 1640 the Long Parliament ordered Thomas Wentworth's arrest and impeachment for high treason. The trial began in 1641 and when it was clear that there was no chance of securing a verdict against Thomas Wentworth, the Commons passed a bill of attainder condemning Thomas Wentworth to death. The bill required the king's signature, and despite giving his word to Thomas Wentworth the king signed the execution order and Thomas Wentworth was executed by beheading on Tower Hill. Research Thomas Wentworth
The Bofors 57 Mk3 gun is a naval all-target gun based on the well-proven 57 Mk2, but uses a new generation of computers which provide many new features, the most significant of which is the introduction of programmable all-target 3P ammunition. The gun is designed with a stealthcupola which provides an extremely low signature. The gun has a fully automatic loading system containing 120 rounds of ammunition ready-to-fire. In the twin compartment magazine the shift between types of ammunition, which takes only a split second, is fully automatic. In the air defence role the highly effective ammunition, super-accuracy combined with the 220 rounds/minute rate of fire, results in high kill and short firing sequences. Against surface and shore targets the accuracy (range 17000 meters) and effect of each surface target shell, combined with the high rate of fire, gives a gun system that outmatches the enemy in any surface combat situation. Mechanically, the Bofors 57 mm gun is almost identical to the 57 Mk2 gun. The weight of the
gun system including 1000 rounds is approximately 13000 kg. The 57 Mk3 can be installed on ships from 150 tonnes and upwards. Research Bofors 57 MK3
The Giat FR-F2 is a French precision bolt action sniping rifle produced in 7. 62 mm NATOcalibre from 1984. It is an improved version of the Giat FR-F1 with a thermal insulating sleeve over the barrel to prevent warping due to heat and reduce the infra-red signature, and the fire-end is of plastic- covered metal instead of wood. The bipod has also been strengthened. Research Giat FR-F2
The Harris Signature Classic is an American bolt-action target-shooting and huntingrifle made of blued steel to custom calibres with various magazine capacities depending upon calibre. The Harris Signature Classic has a 26-inch long barrel and doesn't have fitted sights, but rather takes a telescopic sight. Research Harris Signature Classic
The Harris Signature Super Varminter is an American bolt-action target-shooting and huntingrifle made of matt black phosphate covered steel to custom calibres with various magazine capacities depending upon calibre. The Harris Signature Super Varminter has a 25-inch long barrel and doesn't have fitted sights, but rather takes a telescopic sight. Research Harris Signature Super Varminter
Javelin is an American fire-and-forget anti-armour weapon system developed during the 1980s, employing an infra-red seeking missile head which is programmed to recognise the typical shape and signature of a tank and to ignore other heat sources. Javelin has a maximum range of 2000 metres and can penetrate more than 400 mm of armour. Research Javelin
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Constitutions of Clarendon
