The first Statute of Westminster was passed by the first Parliament of Edward I in 1275. It was practically a codification of previously existing laws and statutes which had not been fully enforced. It secured the Church in its rights, re-enacted the various charters, and reformed many abuses in the administration of the law. The second Statute of Westminster is the Statute also known as De Donis Conditionalibus. Westminster, Synod of. A synod held in 1102, at which decrees were issued against simony, marriage of the clergy and other ecclesiastical abuses, and also against the selling of men into slavery. Westphalia, Treaty of. This treaty, signed in 1648 by France, Sweden and the Empire, put an end to the Thirty Years’ War. It established and recognized Protestantism in Germany, and made provision for the equal representation of the two religions in the German Diet. France obtained Alsace, Sweden secured Bremen, North Pomerania and Stettin, and there were certain changes among the smaller German States. Whigamores’ Raid. A rising of the peasantry of the west of Scotland in 1648, in opposition to the supporters of the Engagement. Whigs. A name first applied to the Covenanters in the west of Scotland, and afterwards to the anti-Stuart party in England. They later represented the party of progress and reform, in which sense they were the predecessors of the Liberals. Whimsicals. The name given to the English Tories who supported the House of Hanover on the accession of George I. Whip with Six Lashes. The name given to the Six Articles of Henry VIII, issued in 1539. Whisky Insurrection. A serious rising in Western Pennsylvania in 1794, caused by an attempt of the authorities to suppress illicit distillation, which was rife in that region. Some six or seven thousand insurgents were in arms, and the outbreak was only suppressed after the militia of four of the neighbouring States had been called out. Whitby, Synod of. A synod held in 664, at which the Saxon Churches definitely decided to adhere to the Church of Rome, rather than to the Celtic Church founded in Ireland by St. Columba. White Bands, The Parliament of. The name given to the Parliament of 1321, which banished the Despencers, owing to the followers of the Barons wearing white favours. White Capes. _See_ Chaperons Blancs. White Clergy. The parish priests in Russia are so called, as distinguished from the Black Clergy, or monastic priesthood. They take no part in ecclesiastical administration, and are permitted to marry. White Company. A famous band of mercenaries which served in the French wars, and, after the Peace of Brétigny, in Italy. Its leader was Sir John Hawkwood. White Cross Knights. The Knights Hospitallers were so called. White Devil of Wallachia. The nickname given by the Turks to George Castriot (Iskander Beg), the Albanian hero (1404-67). White League.