Blavatsky, Helena. 1831-91. Founded Theosophical Society, 1875.

Blest Gana. 1830-1920. Chilean novelist. Arithmetic of Love 1862.

Bliss, Arthur. 1891-1975. English subjective composer. Colour Symphony 1922.

Blitzkrieg. 1938-45. German battle tactic. Rapid, deep assault with tanks supported from air.

Bloch, Ernest. 1880-1959. Swiss/US neoclassical composer. Jewish themes. America 1926.

Blood, Thomas. 1628-80. Attempted to steal British crown jewels 1671.

Bloody Assizes. 1685. Trial of Monmouth’s rebels. 320 hung. 800 deported.

Blue Laws. US laws that control Sunday activities. 1781 originals on blue paper.

Boccaccio, Giovanni. 1313-75. Italian “father” of vernacular novel. Decameron 1348-53.

Boccioni, Umberto. 1882-1916. Italian artist. Founded Futurism. Riot in the Gallery 1909.

Bocskay, István. 1557-1606. Hungarian rebel vs HRE Catholicism. Gained Transylvania from Rudolf II. Vienna Peace, 1606.

Bodhisattva. One who delays Buddhahood to save others. Mahayana.

Boeotian League. 550-335BC. Federal government formed by Thebes. Opposed Sparta in Corinthian War. Defeated by Philip of Macedonia, 338. Destroyed by Alexander the Great, 335.

Boer War. 1899-1902. British defeat Boer Republic in South Africa. Vereeniging.

Boers. 17-19C Dutch settlers in South Africa. Great Trek.

Boethius. 475-524. Roman translator of Aristotle. Neoplatonic. Stoic. Consolation of Philosophy 523 (while imprisoned).

Bogart, Humphrey. 1899-1957. US film star. Maltese Falcon 1941. Casablanca 1942.

Bogomils. 9-15C. Slavic ascetic Christian cult. All matter created by the devil.

Boito, Arrigo. 1842-1918. Italian poet, librettist: Verdi’s Othello, Falstaff.

Bokassa. 1921-96. Central African Republic dictator 1966-79. Overthrew Dacko, who was restored by France.

Boleslav the Cruel. -967. Brother, murdered St. Wenceslaus to become Prince of Bohemia, 929.

Boleyn, Anne. 1507-36. 2nd Queen of Henry VIII, mother of Elizabeth I. Beheaded.

Bolivar, Simon. 1783-1830. “Liberator of South America”. 1812- Led rebels in Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru.

Bollandists. 1629-. Belgian Jesuits. Update Acta Santorium, (Lives of Roman Catholic saints).

Bonaparte, Jerôme. 1784-1860. King of Westphalia 1807-13. Marshal of France. Napoleon’s brother.

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