What is an interesting fact of history that most people don't know about?

An interesting fact about the Spanish Succession War (1701-1714) that many people might not know is the involvement of Queen Anne's Bounty, a fund established in England during that time.

Queen Anne's Bounty was originally established in 1704 as a financial aid program to support poor clergymen and struggling parishes within the Church of England. The funds for this program were initially raised through a tax on coal exports from Newcastle, England.

What's fascinating about Queen Anne's Bounty in the context of the Spanish Succession War is that a portion of the revenue generated from this tax was diverted to support Britain's military efforts in the war. In essence, a tax intended to alleviate poverty within the Church was repurposed to fund a major European conflict.

This historical titbit underscores the interconnectedness of economic, social, and military policies during this period, and it sheds light on the complex ways in which financial resources were mobilized for wartime purposes.