Viète, François. 1540-1603. French mathematician, algebraic notation. Equation theory.

Vigeland, Gustav. 1869-1943. Norwegian sculptor depicting man’s struggle for life. Frogner Parken.

Villehardouin, Geoffroi de. c1150-1213. French crusader/historian. Conquête de Constantinopole 1209.

Villon, François. 1431-63+. French bohemian poet in “jargon”, secret language of Conquillades. Banished. Le Testament 1461.

Vinland. ~1000. Region of northeast North America discovered by Leif Eriksson. L’Anse aux Meadows.

Virginia. Algonkian, Sioux, Iroquoia. 1587 British settle Roanoke Colony. 1607 First successful colony. 1619 Slaves brought. 1776 Independent. USA.

Vitalism. Bergson’s theory of evolution. Life force differentiates living things from others. Aristotle.

Vivaldi, Antonio. 1678-1741. Venetian violinist, Baroque composer. Standard concerto pattern; more than 500 concertos. Four Seasons 1725.

Volsci. -338BC. Italian peoples conquered by Rome.

Voltaire, François. 1694-1778. French philosopher vs tyranny, bigotry, cruelty. Challenged accepted beliefs. Quotations became revolutionary slogans. Lettres Philosophique 1734. Candide 1758.

Vosges, Place de. 1605-12. Paris’ oldest square.

Voting Rights Act. 1965. US eliminates tests that disqualified black voters.

Wager of Battle. Trial by Combat. 8C-1817. Norse custom in England. Accused challenges accuser to combat-acquitted if he refuses.

Walter, Hubert. -1205. English Archbishop of Canterbury. Ransomed Richard I, 1193. First Income Tax. Governed during king’s absences.

Walter the Penniless. -1097. French knight. Led Peasants’ Crusade with Peter the Hermit.

Warhol, Andy. 1925-87. US Pop artist. Campbell’s Soup Cans 200 1962. Marilyn 1967.

Warlords. 1916-49. China generals seized local power on Yüan Shih-K’ai’s death. Last eliminated by communists.

Warren, Earl. 1891-1974. US Chief Justice 1953-69. Decisions on segregation, accused rights. Led inquiry into John F. Kennedy assassination. Concluded Oswald acted alone.

Warren, Robert. 1905-89. US Fugitive novelist. All the King’s Men 1946.

Warwick, Earl of. 1428-71. “The Kingmaker”-. Helped York Edward IV, then restored Lancaster Henry VI.

Watergate. 1972-4. US political scandal over burglary of Democratic headquarters. Cover up led to Nixon’s resignation.

Weber, Anton. 1883-1945. “Pointilist” composer. Early user of 12-note method.

Wei. 220-80. Southern China dynasty. Conquered Shu Han 264, Wu 280.

Wellesley, Richard. 1760-1842. British Governor General to India 1798-1805. Expanded British power. Wellington’s brother.

Wendover, Roger of. English historian. Flores Historiarum 1235 recorded Godiva’s ride.

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