St Scholastica’s Day
Scholastica (c.480-542) was the sister of St Benedict of Nursia, the founder of western monasticism, and was the first Benedictine nun. The story most frequently told about her concerns the yearly meeting that she would have with her brother. As her death drew near, she begged him to stay longer to discuss the joys of heaven. Not wishing to break his vows, Benedict refused but Scholastica prayed and a fierce storm erupted requiring Benedict to stay and talk longer. A few days later Scholastica died with her shroud, Benedict testified, ascending to heaven in the form of a dove. Scholastica is the patron saint of nuns and children suffering from seizures and is the go-to saint for prayers against storms.
“Havac! Havoc! Smyt fast, give gode knocks!” On St Scholatica’s Day in 1355 a riot broke out between the students of Oxford and townsmen after an incident in a pub over the quality of wine being served. The disorders claimed the lives of 63 students and 30 locals. On the 600th anniversary of the massacres a ceremony of reconciliation was held between the University and the town.
1846
The Mormon exodus west from Nauvoo begins.
The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints founded by their prophet Joseph Smith (1805-44), found it hard to establish themselves peaceably in the United States. Their heterodox ideas of revelation, the nature of God and polygamy were branded as heretical by American Christian leaders and violence was often visited upon them, violence which they often returned in kind. The Mormons, as they came to be called, were driven out of Missouri to Illinois where they established the city of Nauvoo as their headquarters. Again violence broke out and Smith was arrested in 1844 along with his brother and subsequently murdered by a lynch mob in jail.
Plans were then made for a mass migration of Mormons outside the USA, either to California (then occupied by Mexico) or a settlement on unclaimed land across the Rockies. In February 1846, groups of settlers began to move out of Nauvoo. Eventually thousands would trek to the Great Salt Lake Valley in what is now Utah and establish themselves in the security they sought.