Peter of Apono
Born in 1250, at Apono, near Padua, a philosopher, mathematician, and astrologer of no mean skill. He practised physic in Paris with so great success that he soon became very rich, but his wealth and attainments were annulled by the accusation of sorcery which was brought against him. He was said to receive instruction in the seven liberal arts from seven spirits which he kept in crystal vessels. To him was ascribed also the curious and useful faculty of causing the money he spent to return to his own purse. His downfall was brought about by an act of revenge for which he was called to account by the Inquisition. A neighbour of his had been possessed of a spring of excellent water in his garden, from which he allowed Peter of Apono to drink at will. For some reason or another the permission was withdrawn, and Peter, with the assistance of the Devil , caused the water to leave the garden and flow uselessly in some distant street. Ere the trial was finished the unfortunate physician died, but so bitter were the inquisitors against him that they ordered his bones to be dug up and burned. This public indignity to his memory was averted by some of his friends, who, hearing of the vindictive sentence, secretly removed his remains from the burying-ground where they lay. The inquisitors thereupon satisfied their animosity by burning him in effigy.
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Peter the Cruel
King of Castile and Leon; born in 1334; succeeded his father, Alfonso XI., in 1350. His reign was one long series of cruelties and despotic acts. The year following his coronation he put to death Eleanora de Guzman, his father's mistress. In 1353 he married, though contrary to his will, Blanche of Bourbon, one of the most accomplished princesses of the time, whom, however, he abandoned two days after his marriage to rejoin his mistress Maria Padilla. The queen was impris oned and divorced. He then married beautiful Juana de Castro, but only abandon her after a few months. revolts against him were unsuccessful. In 1366, Peter fled, and was dethroned, but he was reinstated the following year by an army lent by Edward the Black Prince. Executions and confiscations helped to swell the ranks of his opponents, of whom the chief was his it is a sheath. half-brother Henry of Trastamare. In 1369 Henry gained a signal victory over Peter at Montiel, and the latter was slain in a sword combat with his brother in 1369.
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Peter's Pence
a tax of a penny on each house throughout England, which commenced in Saxon times as an occasional voluntary contribution, but was finally established as a legal tax under Canute, Edward the Confessor, and William the Conqueror. From being sent to Rome it was called by the Saxons rome-feoh, rome-scot and rome-pennying. The name Peter's pence arose from its being collected on St. Peter's Day. From being levied on every private and every religious house, the Abbey of St. Albans only excepted, it was called also hearth money. At first it was used chiefly for the support of an English college at Rome, then the Pope shared the gift with the college, and finally appropriated the whole. Edward III. forbade its being paid; but it was soon repassed stored. An act of Henry VIII., in 1534, swept it away. A voluntary contribution was raised among Catholics, and sent to the Pope for his private use.
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Peterhof
a palace of the emperor of Russia, on the S. shore of the Gulf of Finland, 18 miles W. of St. Petersburg, built by Peter the Great in 1711, contains a fine collection of paintings, and is surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens laid out on the model of those at Versailles, with cascades, terraces, and summer houses. Pop. (1918) about 15,000.
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Peters
CARL, a German traveler and administrator. He was born at Newhaus, Hanover, in 1856, and studied at several German universities, and in London. He then traveled through parts of Africa, suitable for German colonization, becoming head of several German colonizing organizations, passing between Germany and Africa. In 1888 he led an expedition to Victoria Nyanza, and went to the aid of Stanley and Emir Pacha. In 1891 he acted as Reichscommissär in East Africa, and later formed companies for gold prospecting in Rhodesia, returning to Berlin in 1914. His works include: "Die Deutsche Emir Pascha Expedition"; "Das Goldene Ophir Salomos"; "Im Goldlande des Alter tums"; "England und die Engländer"; "Die Gründung von Deutsch-Ostafrika"; "Zur Weltpolitik."
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Petersburg
a city and port of entry of Dinwiddie co., Va.; on the S. bank of the Appomattox river, the Upper Appomattox canal, on the Atlantic Coast Line, the Norfolk and Western, and the Seaboard Air Line railroads; 22 miles S. of Richmond. Here are the Central State Hospital for the Insane, Home for the Sick, and Industrial Institute, libraries, parks, National and State banks, street railroads, electric lights, and daily and weekly newspapers. The handling of cotton and tobacco, with wheat, corn, and general country produce, is the chief business. The city has tobacco factories, cotton factories, flour and grist mills, and silk mills. The socalled siege of Petersburg lasted from June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865; and during its continuance 13 pitched battles were fought in the neighborhood. The intrenchments of Lee and Grant still form conspicuous features in the landscape; Grant's lines extended from the Appomattox to Fort Fisher, and thence E. to Fort Bross, a distance of 23 miles. One of the best-known engagements was that of the old crater, to crater, to the E. of the city, on Griffith's farm, where a small museum of war relics is exhibited. Pop. (1910) 24,127; (1920) 31,002.
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Peterwardein
one of the strongest fortresses in Austria; situated in a marshy, unhealthy locality on the right bank of the Danube; 44 miles N. W. of Belgrade; and connected with Neusatz opposite by a bridge of boats. The fortress was held by the Turks from 1526 to 1687. In 1688 the fortifications were blown up by the imperialists, and the town was soon after burned to the ground by the Turks; but at the peace of Passarowitz (1718) it remained in the posses- , sion of the emperor. Here, on Aug. 10, - 1716 1716,, Prince Eugene obtained a great . The the victory ry over the Grand Vizier Ali to Hungarians were compelled to surrender Two the fortress to the Austrians in September, 1849.
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