March 21

Ælla became king of Northumbria around 862. His reign was marked by internal unrest and the growing threat of Viking raids. He is historically noted for his conflict with the Viking Great Heathen Army. According to Norse sagas, Ælla executed the Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok by the snake pit. He died in 867 during a battle with Viking forces near York. His death led to the Viking occupation of Northumbria.

Osberht ruled Northumbria from 849 after deposing his predecessor. His rule faced dynastic struggles and frequent Viking incursions. He was displaced by Ælla but later joined forces to resist the Great Heathen Army. Osberht died in the battle for York in 867 against the Vikings. His death is recorded as part of the Norse sagas detailing the conquest of York. Osberht's legacy remains tied to the end of independent Northumbrian rule.

Ezzo was born around 955 into the noble Ezzonid family. He served as Count Palatine of Lotharingia, a senior court official in the Holy Roman Empire. Ezzo built strategic alliances through marriage, including his union with Matilda of Germany. His descendants held significant power in the Rhineland region. He founded the Ezzonid dynasty, which influenced imperial politics for generations. Ezzo died in 1034, leaving a legacy as a key figure in medieval Lotharingian history.

Richeza of Lotharingia was born in 995 into the Ezzonid dynasty. She married Mieszko II Lambert and became Queen of Poland in 1025. As queen, she supported the Polish Church and founded religious institutions. After Mieszko's death, Richeza acted as regent for her son Casimir I. She later returned to Germany, where she became a patron of monasteries in Cologne. Richeza died in 1063, remembered for her political influence and pious works.

Robert I was born in 1011 to King Robert II of France. He became Duke of Burgundy in 1032, ruling until his death in 1076. Robert expanded Burgundian lands and negotiated autonomy from the crown. He married Helie de Semur, securing alliances with influential Burgundian families. Known for his piety, he founded several monasteries, including Saint-Philibert de Tournus. His rule laid the foundation for the future prosperity of Burgundy.

Robert II was born in 1248 as the son of Hugh IV, Duke of Burgundy. He succeeded his father in 1272 and ruled until his death in 1306. Robert strengthened trade connections with Flanders and Champagne. He sponsored the rebuilding of churches and the founding of hospitals. His marriage to Agnes of France linked Burgundy to the French royal family. Under his leadership, Burgundy enjoyed economic growth and cultural development.

Rudolf VI was a member of the House of Zähringen, rulers of Baden. He inherited the margraviate in the 1350s and ruled until 1372. Rudolf oversaw the reconstruction of towns affected by warfare and plague. He negotiated alliances with neighboring principalities to secure Baden’s borders. A patron of monastic communities, he supported local religious foundations. Rudolf VI’s reign helped stabilize Baden during a turbulent period in the Holy Roman Empire.

Ahmed Pasha rose through the Ottoman bureaucracy to become Grand Vizier in 1651. He was known for his administrative reforms and efforts to stabilize imperial finances. His career was marked by complex court intrigues and power struggles at the Sublime Porte. He sought to curb corruption and strengthen central authority across the empire. His tenure reflects the challenges of Ottoman governance during a period of significant transition.

Law promoted the use of paper money and founded the Banque Générale in 1716. Appointed Controller-General of Finances, he implemented sweeping economic reforms under Louis XV. His Mississippi Company scheme triggered a speculative frenzy and eventual market collapse. Following the crash, he was forced into exile, living in Venice and later Brussels. His innovations and failures highlight the volatile birth of modern financial systems.

As one of the wealthiest magnates of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, she held vast estates and political sway. She funded architects, poets, and artists, fostering a vibrant Baroque culture in Poland. Her diplomatic connections extended across European courts, enhancing her influence. She established schools and charitable institutions, leaving a lasting social legacy. Her life exemplifies the role of noble patronage in shaping early modern Eastern Europe.

Born José Miguel Ramón Adaucto Fernández y Félix in 1786, Victoria adopted his honorary name during the War of Independence. He fought alongside Miguel Hidalgo and José María Morelos in key battles for independence from Spain. As President from 1824 to 1829, he established Mexico’s first national bank and military academy. Victoria defended federalism and religious freedoms in a fledgling republic. He retired to Veracruz, remembered as a unifying founding father after his death in 1843.

Born in 1795 in Huichapan, Anaya became known for his fierce defense at the Battle of Molino del Rey. He famously declared, "If there were more ammunition, we would not surrender," emblematic of his courage. Anaya served as interim President of Mexico in 1847 and again in 1848 amidst political turmoil. He negotiated armistices and sought to stabilize Mexico after devastating war losses. Retiring as a respected statesman, he left a legacy of honor before passing away in 1854.