April 14

Gerard succeeded to the ducal throne of Lorraine around the mid-11th century as a member of the Matfriding dynasty. He governed the region as a semi-autonomous vassal under the Holy Roman Emperor. His reign involved balancing relations with neighboring nobles and managing internal disputes among his barons. Gerard supported monastic communities and ecclesiastical reforms within his territories. He died on 14 April 1070, leaving the duchy to his heirs. His leadership helped shape the feudal structure of Lorraine during a period of expanding imperial influence.

Born in 1076 to Vladimir Monomakh, Mstislav co-ruled Novgorod before ascending to the grand princely throne of Kiev. He led military campaigns against the Cumans and defended Rus' borders. Mstislav strengthened ties with the Byzantine Empire through diplomatic missions. He patronized the construction of churches and promoted the spread of Orthodox Christianity. His reign is noted for efforts to maintain unity among the various Rus' principalities. Mstislav died on 14 April 1132, leaving a legacy of cultural and political stability in Kievan Rus'.

Born in 1224 as a member of the Piast dynasty, Bolesław ruled Greater Poland during a time of regional fragmentation. He was known for his deep religious convictions, earning him the epithet 'the Pious.' In 1264, he issued the Statute of Kalisz, granting unprecedented protections to Jewish communities. Bolesław founded monasteries and actively supported the Franciscan Order. He fostered urban development by granting privileges to emerging towns. His death on 14 April 1279 marked the end of an influential rule that blended piety with progressive governance.

Born in 1275 into an established baronial family, Badlesmere gained military recognition during the Scottish Wars of Independence. He was appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1312, overseeing vital coastal defenses. Badlesmere also held significant political influence at the English court. In 1321, he joined the Marcher Lords in rebellion against King Edward II. Captured and executed for treason, he died on 14 April 1322. His life exemplifies the turbulent intersection of military service and noble ambition in medieval England.

Born in 1287 to a noble family, de Bury rose rapidly in both ecclesiastical and royal circles. He served as Lord Chancellor to King Edward III, exerting considerable influence on state affairs. As Bishop of Durham from 1333, he managed one of the wealthiest sees in England. A passionate collector, he authored the Philobiblon, celebrating the importance of books and libraries. De Bury's Philobiblon remains one of the earliest treatises on bibliophilia and library organization. He died on 14 April 1345, remembered as a pioneering patron of learning and literature.

Born in 1372 in Milan, Lucia was the daughter of Bernabò Visconti, ruler of the duchy. Her marriage to Edmund Holland, 4th Earl of Kent, in 1398 forged an alliance between Italian and English nobility. After her husband's death, she remained at the English court and was known for her cultural patronage. Lucia navigated the complexities of medieval court life with grace and diplomacy. She lived through political upheavals, including the deposition of King Richard II. Lucia died on 14 April 1424, leaving a legacy as a bridge between two prominent European dynasties.

Born in 1428, Neville inherited the earldom of Warwick and vast estates as a teenager. He played a pivotal role in the Wars of the Roses, initially supporting the Yorkist cause. Warwick orchestrated the deposition of King Henry VI and the crowning of Edward IV. Disillusioned with Edward, he later defected to the Lancastrians and restored Henry to the throne. His shifting loyalties earned him the nickname 'the Kingmaker.' Neville was killed on 14 April 1471 at the Battle of Barnet, marking a turning point in the conflict.

Thomas de Spens (c.1415–1480) was a Scottish cleric, diplomat, and statesman. He served as an envoy for King James III, negotiating alliances with Burgundy and England. A graduate of the University of Paris, he gained favor as a papal chaplain under Pope Pius II. In 1468, he was appointed Bishop of Galloway and later translated to the bishopric of Aberdeen. His diplomatic efforts strengthened Scotland's position in European politics and church affairs. He died in 1480, remembered as one of the realm's most skilled negotiators.

Girolamo Riario (1443–1488) was an Italian condottiero and nobleman who ruled Imola and Forlì. As nephew to Pope Sixtus IV, he secured his territories through papal support and built formidable fortifications. He played a central role in the Pazzi conspiracy against the Medici family in Florence. Riario's rule combined artistic patronage with ruthless suppression of local revolts. In 1488, he was assassinated by a faction opposed to his authority, marking the violent politics of Renaissance Italy.

James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell (1534–1578) was a powerful Scottish noble and naval commander. He gained influence at the court of Mary, Queen of Scots, before becoming her third husband. Bothwell's marriage to the queen followed the mysterious death of her second husband, Lord Darnley, sparking scandal. Elevated to Duke of Orkney, he exercised significant political control, but faced accusations of regicide. After Mary's forced abdication, Bothwell fled Scotland and was later imprisoned in Denmark, where he died. His life remains central to the controversies surrounding Mary's reign and the fate of the Scottish crown.

Edward Manners, 3rd Earl of Rutland (1548–1587) was an English peer and prominent courtier. He succeeded his father as Earl in 1563 and became known for his patronage of the arts. Manners served as Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire and participated in royal ceremonies. He led diplomatic missions to France and maintained close ties with Queen Elizabeth I's court. Despite his high status, he struggled with financial debts and political pressures. He died at the age of 39, leaving behind a legacy of cultural patronage in Tudor England.

Henry Wallop (1540–1599) was an English statesman and key administrator in Ireland. Appointed Vice-Treasurer in 1585, he managed the Crown's finances and supported military campaigns. Wallop negotiated with Irish lords and advocated moderate policies to curb rebellion. A trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, he implemented reforms in land distribution and taxation. His efforts to stabilize Ireland were hindered by limited resources and ongoing conflict. He returned to England in 1598 and died the following year, remembered for his financial acumen.