On this day in history–October 7, 1571–the Holy League defeated the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto. Michael Novak calls Lepanto the first of “Two Battles that Saved the West.” G. K. Chesterton wrote a poem about the battle in 1915, which includes an allusion to Don Quixote at the end. Here it is: —– Lepanto White founts falling in the Courts of the sun, And the Soldan of Byzantium is smiling as they run; There is laughter like the fountains in that face of all men feared, It stirs the forest darkness, the darkness of his … Continue reading The Battle of Lepanto