Funny historical facts

Sometimes the historical facts are so ridiculous that they sound like a joke. Here are some of them.

Husband and wife are one Satan

Domestic violence is a fairly common problem today. However, it was not forbidden in the Middle Ages, moreover, it was legalised. If there was a conflict between husband and wife, they could resolve it by court battles. The man would arm himself with a truncheon and the wife would be given a bag of stones. All kinds of painful techniques could be used. The winner was decided by a judge.

Nobles drowning in faeces

In 1184 more than a hundred people gathered in St Peter’s Cathedral in Erfurt to negotiate matters of state. The rotten floor could not withstand the great weight and collapsed. As a result, the monsignors found themselves in a huge cesspool beneath the monastery. More than 60 noblemen drowned or died from their injuries. King Louis III, who was also trapped in the faeces, was saved.

The Indian who fought with no hands

The Spanish faced fierce opposition from the Indians when they invaded South America. Their right hand was cut off by order of the governor of Chile. And a warrior named Galvarino, who proved to be the most ferocious, had both his hands cut off. But that didn’t stop him from fighting the Spanish invaders. He tied knives to his stumps and continued the battle.

Urine for washing

The Romans were inventive, because they used urine as a bleach, as it contains a lot of ammonia. It was also used for curing sheep, as fertilizer for pomegranates, for tanning leather, for whitening teeth, etc. The demand for urine meant that latrines that sold it were taxed.

War over a pig

In 1846 the US and Britain could not reach a consensus on San Juan Island when defining the boundaries. Both countries regarded it as their own. The British had set up a pig farm on part of the island and the Americans were growing potatoes on the other part. Nothing would have happened if one day the American farmer had not noticed a pig eating his potatoes in his vegetable garden. The man became angry and shot the animal.
He was an honest man and went to the owner of the pig farm. After telling him what had happened, he offered to pay $10 for the damage as compensation. But the pig owner demanded to pay 10 times as much. As a result, the conflict escalated and gained momentum. American and British soldiers became involved. The confrontation continued for 12 years.

The war over Hans Island

Today there is a so-called “intelligent war” between Canada and Denmark over the island of Hans. Every few months the Canadian navy arrives on the island to plant its flag. They are replaced by the Danes, who change the flag and declare the island to be Danish property. The conflict lasts for almost 40 years. In the meantime, the military leave each other alcohol, which is drunk after landing on the island.