May 17

Jien was born in 1155 into a noble Tendai Buddhist family. He became head of the Enryaku-ji monastery and a respected religious leader. He authored the Gukanshō, a seminal historical and political commentary on Japan. His works combined poetic elegance with scholarly analysis and influenced medieval historiography. Jien died in 1225 after decades of service, leaving a lasting legacy in both religious and literary circles.

Edmund was born in 1443 as the second son of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. He inherited the title Earl of Rutland and held estates in Yorkshire. He was a youthful figure in the Wars of the Roses between the houses of York and Lancaster. Edmund was killed in 1460 at the Battle of Wakefield at the age of 17. His untimely death became a poignant moment in the dynastic conflict of 15th-century England.

Engelbert II was born in 1451 into the House of Nassau. He served as Count of Nassau-Vianden and acquired the Lordship of Breda, expanding his influence. He was an important noble in the Burgundian Netherlands, navigating alliances with the Burgundian dukes. Engelbert managed his estates through legal reforms and strategic marriages. He died in 1504, leaving a consolidated Nassau territory in the Low Countries.

Albert of Brandenburg-Ansbach was born in 1490 into the Hohenzollern family. He became Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights in 1511 and led the Order in Prussia. Influenced by the Reformation, he secularized the Teutonic State in 1525, creating the Duchy of Prussia under Polish suzerainty. He ruled as Duke of Prussia, introducing Protestantism and modern administrative reforms. Albert died in 1568, and his actions laid the foundations for the rise of the Prussian state.

Federico II Gonzaga was born in 1500 as heir to the Gonzaga dynasty in Mantua. He became Duke of Mantua in 1519 and fostered a flourishing court renowned for artistic patronage. He commissioned works from celebrated artists such as Giulio Romano and began construction of the Palazzo Te. Federico navigated Italian politics through alliances with France and the Holy Roman Empire. He died in 1540, leaving a cultural legacy that defined Mantua as a center of the Italian Renaissance.

Martin Delrio was born in 1551 in Antwerp and joined the Society of Jesus. He studied theology and became a professor at universities in Spain. Delrio wrote the Disquisitiones Magicae, a comprehensive examination of magic, witchcraft, and demonology. His work influenced the intellectual debate on occult practices during the Counter-Reformation. He died in 1601, and his scholarship left a lasting impact on early modern European thought.

Anna Vasa was born in 1568 as the daughter of King John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagiellon. She spent much of her life at the Polish court, advocating for Calvinist religious freedoms. Anna became known for her extensive correspondence and support of scholars and artists. She managed her own estates with a reputation for fairness and cultural patronage. Anna died in 1625, remembered as a bridge between Scandinavian and Polish noble courts.

Stefano della Bella was born in 1610 in Florence and trained under Matteo Rosselli. He gained fame for his intricate etchings depicting scenes of Italian city life, nature, and historical events. In 1633 he moved to Rome and later to Paris, where he worked for the French court of Louis XIII. Bella's prints were prized across Europe for their technical mastery and expressive detail. He died in 1664, leaving a prolific body of work that influenced future generations of printmakers.

Ferdinand Charles was born in 1628 in Innsbruck as a member of the Habsburg dynasty. He ruled Further Austria and Tyrol from 1646, promoting fortifications and local industries. His lavish spending on art and court festivities strained the region's finances. During the aftermath of the Thirty Years' War, he negotiated with neighboring powers to secure his territories. He died in 1662, leaving his lands to his brother after a short and eventful reign.

Edward Colman was born in 1636 in England and converted to Catholicism early in life. He served as a secretary to James, Duke of York, and became a trusted courtier under Charles II. Colman was accused of involvement in the fabricated Popish Plot to assassinate the king. He was arrested, tried, and executed in 1678 amid anti-Catholic sentiment. His case exemplified the religious and political tensions of Restoration England.

Born in Wales in 1682, Bartholomew Roberts rose to infamy as one of history's most notorious pirates. He captured over four hundred ships during his career, earning a fearsome reputation across the Atlantic. Roberts was known for his flamboyant attire and for enforcing a strict code of conduct among his crew. Sailing under a distinctive black flag adorned with a skull and crossbones, he launched daring raids in the Caribbean and along the West African coast. His bold tactics and charismatic leadership made him a legendary figure in pirate lore. Roberts met his end in battle off the coast of Africa in 1722, but his exploits have inspired countless tales and legends.

Born in Żebbuġ, Malta in 1698, Gio Nicola Buhagiar emerged as a leading figure of the Maltese Baroque art movement. He produced numerous altarpieces and decorative works for churches and chapels across the island, blending rich color palettes with dramatic chiaroscuro. His paintings often depict scenes from the Bible and classical mythology, marked by dynamic figures and emotive expressions. Buhagiar’s attention to architectural detail and his skillful use of perspective contributed to the grandeur of his sacred scenes. Despite limited archival records, his surviving works testify to his prominent role in 18th-century Maltese art. He passed away in 1752, leaving a legacy that influenced generations of local artists.