March 31

Philippa of Lancaster was born in 1360 as the daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. In 1387 she married King John I of Portugal, becoming Queen consort and later served as regent during his absences. Her diplomatic skills strengthened the alliance between England and Portugal, a bond that endures to this day. Renowned for her piety and patronage of education, she established a court that became a center of culture and learning. As the mother of several Portuguese monarchs, her lineage shaped the future of Iberian politics. She passed away in 1415, leaving a legacy of goodwill and scholarship that earned her the moniker Philippa the Good.

Giovanni Angelo Medici, elected Pope Pius IV in 1559, guided the Catholic Church during a pivotal era of the Counter-Reformation. He convened the final sessions of the Council of Trent, implementing its reforms to strengthen Church doctrine and discipline. Known for his diplomatic acumen, he fostered peace among Italian states and patronized the arts and architecture in Rome. His apostolic letters reformed religious orders and promoted education of the clergy. Pius IV’s papacy laid the groundwork for modernizing the Church and responding to Protestant challenges until his death in 1565.

Born in 1504, Guru Angad succeeded Guru Nanak Dev as the second Guru of Sikhism. He systematized the Gurmukhi script, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of Sikh teachings. Guru Angad introduced community kitchens (langar) to promote equality and service. He meticulously compiled the hymns of his predecessor, laying foundations for the Sikh scripture. Under his guidance, the Sikh community grew in discipline and organization. Guru Angad’s legacy endures in the linguistic and institutional traditions of Sikhism until his passing in 1552.

Henry II, born in 1519, was the son of King Francis I and ascended the French throne in 1547. He pursued the Italian Wars against the Habsburgs and strengthened France’s military position in Europe. A patron of Renaissance art and architecture, he commissioned major building projects in the Loire Valley. His marriage to Catherine de’ Medici produced heirs who would rule France amid religious turmoil. Henry’s reign saw the beginnings of the French Wars of Religion, although he died in 1559 from injuries sustained in a jousting accident. His policies and cultural investments left a lasting mark on the French monarchy.

Ashikaga Yoshiteru was born in 1536 and became the 13th shōgun of the Muromachi shogunate at a young age. His tenure was marked by internal conflict among regional daimyōs during the Sengoku period. Despite political challenges, he was a notable patron of the arts, including Noh theatre and ink painting. Yoshiteru maintained ties with the imperial court in Kyoto and sought to balance power between rival factions. His rule ended when he was assassinated in 1565, a casualty of the era’s violent rivalries. His support for cultural endeavors contributed to the flourishing of Japanese art and theatre.

René Descartes, born in 1596, laid the foundations of modern Western philosophy with his method of systematic doubt and cogito ergo sum. He bridged algebra and geometry through his development of the Cartesian coordinate system, revolutionizing mathematics. Descartes authored seminal works such as 'Meditations on First Philosophy' and 'Discourse on the Method'. His dualistic view separated mind and body, influencing subsequent debates in metaphysics and science. Working in the Dutch Republic, he corresponded with leading scholars across Europe. Descartes’ legacy endures in philosophy, mathematics, and scientific methodology until his death in 1650.

Jakov Mikalja was born in 1601 on the island of Rab and became a prominent linguist and lexicographer in the 17th century. He authored several Latin–Venetian and Greek–Italian dictionaries, aiding scholars and translators of his time. Mikalja’s works contributed to the standardization of vernacular Italian and enriched the study of classical languages. His grammar treatises offered insights into the structure and usage of multiple languages. As a teacher and consultant, he influenced contemporaries involved in printing and education in Venice. His dictionaries remained reference works for decades after his death in 1654.

Andrew Marvell, born in 1621, emerged as one of the foremost metaphysical poets of the English Civil War era. His poetry blends wit, philosophical reflection, and sensuous imagery, with 'To His Coy Mistress' being his most celebrated piece. Beyond literature, Marvell served as a Member of Parliament for Hull and was closely associated with Oliver Cromwell’s administration. He navigated the Restoration with a reputation for moderation and wrote political pamphlets defending parliamentary rights. His translations and political writings show his versatility as both poet and statesman. Marvell’s work influenced later poets and remains studied for its linguistic ingenuity and depth.

Charles II, born in 1651, ruled as Elector Palatine of the Rhine during the turbulent years following the Thirty Years’ War. He married Princess Wilhelmine Ernestine of Denmark, forging alliances with the Danish royal family. His court in Heidelberg became a refuge for artists and scholars displaced by religious conflicts. Charles II sought to rebuild his territories’ economy and cultural institutions after decades of devastation. He navigated complex relations with France and the Holy Roman Empire to maintain his domain’s autonomy. His death in 1685 marked the end of the senior line of the Wittelsbach Electors of the Palatinate.

Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, elected Pope Benedict XIV in 1740, was renowned for his erudition and fair-minded governance. He reformed canon law, encouraged education of the clergy, and supported scientific inquiry, including studies in astronomy and volcanology. Benedict XIV patronized the arts, commissioning architectural works in Rome and preserving antiquities. He addressed issues of moral theology with compassion, issuing decrees on marriage and missionary activities. His diplomatic skills maintained peace between European Catholic powers during the War of Austrian Succession. Benedict XIV’s papacy is remembered as a bridge between Enlightenment thought and church tradition until his death in 1758.

Johann Sebastian Bach is celebrated as one of the greatest composers in Western music history. Born into a musical family in Eisenach, he held positions in Weimar, Cothen, and Leipzig. His prolific output includes the Brandenburg Concertos, the Mass in B minor, and The Well-Tempered Clavier. Bach's mastery of counterpoint and harmonic innovation influenced generations of composers, from Mozart to Brahms. Despite personal hardships and the loss of several children, he produced works that remain central to concert repertoires worldwide. His music continues to inspire with its emotional depth and technical brilliance.

Born in 1718 as the daughter of King Philip V of Spain, Mariana Victoria married Joseph I of Portugal at age ten and became queen consort. She influenced the Portuguese court through her cultural patronage and support of religious institutions. After Joseph's death, she served as regent for her daughter Maria I, guiding the kingdom through dynastic and political changes. Renowned for her diplomatic skill, she maintained alliances between Spain and Portugal. Her life reflected the intertwining of royal families and the complexities of 18th-century European politics.