March 22

Born in 841, Bernard Plantapilosa was the son of Bernard of Septimania, the influential Count of Toulouse. He inherited his father's lands, serving as Count of Auvergne and Margrave of Septimania. As a leading Frankish noble, he played a pivotal role in the power struggles of the Carolingian Empire under Louis the Pious and Charles the Bald. He secured the southern borders of the realm and managed strategic territories during a time of dynastic conflict. Bernard's political acumen ensured the survival and prosperity of his domains. He died in 885, leaving a legacy as one of the prominent magnates of his era.

Born in 875, William I ascended to the dukedom of Aquitaine in his youth. He fortified the duchy's autonomy amid Carolingian decline and forged key regional alliances. William supported the foundation of monasteries, fostering religious and cultural development. He defended Aquitaine against Viking incursions and laid the groundwork for its future prosperity. His reign was characterized by diplomatic skill and ecclesiastical patronage. He died in 918, leaving Aquitaine as a strong and semi-independent principality within Western Europe.

Born in 1212, he ascended the throne as Emperor Go-Horikawa at age nine following the Jōkyū War. During his reign, real political power was held by the Kamakura shogunate under the Hōjō regents. He oversaw the restructuring of court rituals and imperial succession protocols. His era names included Jōō, Gennin, and Karoku, reflecting the turbulent early 13th century. Despite limited political power, he maintained imperial dignity and cultural patronage. He abdicated in 1232 and died in 1235, remembered for grace under shogunal dominance.

Born in 1367, Thomas de Mowbray was elevated to Duke of Norfolk in 1397. He served as Earl Marshal of England and led forces in Gascony during the Hundred Years' War. Mowbray became a central figure in court politics, notably clashing with Henry Bolingbroke, later King Henry IV. Accused of treason, he was banished for life by King Richard II. He died in exile in Venice in 1399, amidst rumors of poisoning. His dramatic conflict and tragic end inspired later literary portrayals in Shakespeare's works.

Born in 1394, Ulugh Beg was a grandson of Timur and a patron of science in Central Asia. He founded the Samarkand observatory in 1420, one of the most advanced in the medieval world. His star catalogue, the Zij-i-Sultani, recorded over a thousand stars with unprecedented precision. Ulugh Beg made significant contributions to trigonometry, including improved sine tables. As governor of Transoxiana, he promoted education, inviting scholars and translating key works. Despite his scientific achievements, he was overthrown and killed by his son in 1449. His work influenced future generations of astronomers in both East and West.

Born in 1459, Maximilian I became Archduke of Austria and later Holy Roman Emperor in 1508. He strengthened the Habsburg dynasty through strategic marriages, notably his own to Mary of Burgundy. Maximilian reformed imperial administration, creating the Imperial Chamber Court and the Imperial Circle system. He was a patron of the arts and humanist scholars, commissioning works that blended chivalric romance with Renaissance ideals. His military campaigns against France and the Ottomans secured Habsburg influence in Europe. Maximilian's reign laid the foundation for Habsburg supremacy in the 16th century. He died in 1519 and was succeeded by his grandson Charles V.

Born in 1499, Johann Carion was a German scholar associated with the humanist circle in Saxony. He is best known for his 'Chronica Carionis', a universal history combining astronomy, astrology, and annalistic records. Carion served at the court of Elector Frederick the Wise and contributed astronomical tables. His works reflect the transitional scholarship of the early Reformation period. He provided one of the earliest printed world chronologies, influencing later historians. He died in 1537, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of chronological and astrological historiography.

Born in 1503, Antonio Francesco Grazzini, known by his pseudonym Il Lasca, was a key figure in Florentine literary circles. He co-founded the Accademia degli Umidi and later the Accademia della Crusca, instrumental in standardizing the Italian language. Grazzini's works include witty dialogues, poems, and comedies that captured contemporary Florentine life. His 'Dialogo de' carvedimatti' and 'Cenni' reflect his skill in vernacular expression and satire. He ran a school for young noblemen, emphasizing classical studies and Italian letters. Grazzini died in 1583, remembered as a driving force in the development of Italian literary culture.

Born in 1517 in Chioggia, Gioseffo Zarlino was one of the foremost music theorists of the Renaissance. He served as maestro di cappella at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, composing sacred music for the choir. In 1558, he published 'Le istitutioni harmoniche', which codified musical tuning systems and counterpoint rules. Zarlino advanced the use of just intonation and refined the understanding of intervals and modes. His theoretical works influenced composers across Europe and remained a standard reference for centuries. He died in 1590, leaving a lasting legacy on Western music theory and practice.

Born in 1519, Catherine Brandon was the daughter of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and Mary Tudor, Queen of France. She married Richard Grey, 3rd Earl of Kent, and later Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, earning her duchess title. Catherine was a prominent court figure under Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I, navigating Tudor politics. She was known for her charitable works, including support for scholars and religious institutions. Despite the tumult of her husband's execution in 1554, she retained royal favor and lands. Catherine died in 1580, remembered as a resilient and influential noblewoman of the Tudor court.

John Williams was born in 1582 and rose through the ranks of the Church of England. He was appointed Archbishop of York in the early 17th century and oversaw one of England's most important dioceses. Known for his administrative skill, he played a key role in ecclesiastical governance during a period of religious tension. He navigated the complexities of church and state relations amid debates over liturgy and authority. He remained dedicated to his duties until his death in 1650.

Anthony van Dyck was born in 1599 in Antwerp and trained under Peter Paul Rubens. He established himself as a leading portraitist renowned for his elegant depictions of aristocrats and royals. Invited to England in 1632, he became the principal court painter to King Charles I. His sophisticated technique and sense of composition deeply influenced British portraiture for generations. He continued to produce masterpieces in London and Antwerp until his death in 1641.