722 years ago today Frederick Barbarossa (the red-bearded) was swept away in a swollen river on his way to the Third Crusade. It was destined, really. There were already so many egos in that war - Richard the Lionheart, Philip of France, Leopold of Austria, Saladin - and don't get me started on Nicholas of Montferrat! It's difficult to see how Frederick would have fitted in.
In other news ...
The first University Boat Race took place today in 1829. Because one team came from Cambridge and the other from Oxford, they naturally decided to hold the contest in London. Why there was no outcry from London University, I can't imagine, unless of course, University College and King's College were slugging it out on the Cam.
