March 18

Edward the Martyr ascended the English throne at a young age following the death of his father, King Edgar. His reign was marked by struggles between rival noble factions and his supporters, notably those loyal to his stepmother, Queen Dowager Elfrida. In 978, Edward was murdered under mysterious circumstances at Corfe Castle, an event that sparked controversy and intrigue. He was venerated as a saint and martyr shortly after his death, with his cult centered at Shaftesbury Abbey. Pilgrims flocked to his shrine, and miracles were reported at his tomb. His legacy influenced the sanctification of royal blood and the concept of divine kingship in medieval England.

Ermengarde of Anjou was born into the powerful House of Anjou around 1018. Through her marriage to the Duke of Burgundy, she strengthened alliances between France's northern and southern territories. As Duchess of Burgundy, she wielded significant influence at court and managed feudal affairs in her husband's absence. Following his death, she acted as regent, overseeing the duchy's government and justice system. Renowned for her patronage of religious institutions, she founded monasteries and supported ecclesiastical reform. Ermengarde's diplomatic acumen helped secure peace among rival nobles, leaving a lasting impact on Burgundian stability. She died on March 18, 1076, remembered as a shrewd and capable leader.

Born in 1036 in Lucca, Anselm became bishop of his native city and championed church reform. A skilled canon lawyer, he codified ecclesiastical decrees and defended papal authority against secular interference. Anselm was a close ally of Pope Gregory VII, assisting in the fight against simony and lay investiture. His leadership helped strengthen clerical discipline and moral standards within the clergy. He mediated disputes between secular rulers and the church, emphasizing the autonomy of ecclesiastical courts. Anselm died in 1086, leaving behind influential writings that shaped medieval canon law.

Born Cencio Savelli in 1148, he was elected pope in 1216, taking the name Honorius III. He inherited the ongoing Fifth Crusade and worked tirelessly to raise funds and support for the campaign. Honorius also resolved internal conflicts within the church, reforming religious orders and approving new monastic rules. He fostered the growth of the Dominican and Franciscan orders, endorsing their role in preaching and education. His diplomatic efforts included mediating disputes between European monarchs to maintain peace. Honorius III died on March 18, 1227, leaving a legacy of ecclesiastical reform and crusading zeal.

John FitzAlan inherited the earldom of Arundel in 1267, at a young age, after the death of his father. He managed extensive estates in Sussex and was a key supporter of King Edward I during his early reign. FitzAlan served in military campaigns against Wales and Scotland, earning a reputation as a capable commander. He attended the king's councils and was involved in the governance of the realm. His marriage allied him with other prominent noble families, strengthening his political network. John FitzAlan died in 1272, and his lineage continued to play a significant role in English politics.

Yuri I, also known as George, ascended as prince of Galicia–Volhynia in the early 14th century. He sought alliances with Poland and Hungary to defend his realm against Mongol and Lithuanian incursions. Under his leadership, the principality experienced relative stability and economic growth. Yuri I issued legal codes and promoted Christianity, building churches and supporting clerical institutions. He maintained diplomatic ties with neighboring states, balancing power in Eastern Europe. He died in 1308, remembered for consolidating and defending his western Rus' domain.

Jacques de Molay was born into a noble French family around 1244 and joined the Knights Templar as a young man. He rose through the ranks to become Grand Master in 1292, leading the order during the waning years of the Crusader states. Under his command, the Templars defended Christian holdings in the Holy Land and managed extensive banking operations across Europe. In 1307, King Philip IV of France orchestrated a campaign against the order; de Molay was arrested, tortured, and forced to confess under duress. He was condemned for heresy and burned at the stake on March 18, 1314, declaring the order's innocence until his death. His execution marked the end of one of medieval Europe's most powerful military orders. De Molay became a martyr figure, inspiring legends and literary works for centuries.

Geoffroy de Charney served as the Preceptor of Normandy for the Knights Templar in the early 14th century. He oversaw the order's properties and military operations in northern France. During the suppression of the Templars in 1307, de Charney was imprisoned and subjected to torture to extract false confessions. Alongside Grand Master Jacques de Molay, he was tried and convicted of heresy by a French royal court. On March 18, 1314, de Charney was burned at the stake on an island in the Seine River in Paris. His death symbolized the brutal end of the Templar order and left a lasting legacy of injustice. De Charney is remembered as a loyal knight who suffered persecution for his faith.

Matthew III Csák emerged as a leading oligarch in the Kingdom of Hungary, controlling vast estates across present-day Slovakia. He maintained private armies and built fortresses to assert his autonomy from the royal crown. Csák's conflicts with King Charles I led to decades of warfare as he sought to expand his territory. Despite several attempts by the monarchy to subdue him, he governed his domains with de facto independence. Matthew III minted his own coins and administered justice within his lands, challenging the central authority. He died in 1321, leaving behind a legacy of feudal power struggles and architectural remains in his former territories.

Juan Jauregui was a Spanish courtier in the service of the Habsburgs and covertly sent to the Netherlands in the 1580s. Motivated by religious and political loyalty to the Spanish crown, he plotted to assassinate William I of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt. In 1582, Jauregui's plan was uncovered before he could carry out the attack, and he was arrested by rebel authorities. Though he never faced trial in a traditional sense, his capture highlighted the intensity of the Eighty Years' War. Details of his fate remain obscure, but he is thought to have died the same year of his mission's failure. Jauregui's story illustrates the perilous intrigue of 16th-century European politics.

Born into the influential Anglo-Irish Chichester family in 1606, he inherited the earldom of Donegall and vast estates in Ulster. A career soldier, he commanded regiments in Ireland, remaining loyal to the monarchy during the English Civil War period. Created Earl of Donegall in 1647, he played a central role in maintaining Protestant ascendancy in the region. He managed complex relations between the Crown and local nobility, navigating political upheaval with skill. His leadership strengthened the Chichester family's prominence in Irish affairs. He died in 1675, remembered for his service to the Crown and his contributions to Irish peerage.

Born into a Puritan family, Dixwell served in the parliamentary army during the English Civil War. He was elected to the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell. In January 1649, he was a signatory of the death warrant of King Charles I, marking him as a regicide. After the Restoration, he fled England to avoid prosecution, adopting aliases in Switzerland and New England. Settling in New Haven, Connecticut, he lived under the name of James Davids and continued quiet public service. He died in 1689, his dramatic life illustrating the perils of revolutionary politics.