May 17

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.

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.

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 into the English nobility in 1718, Robert Darcy became the 4th Earl of Holderness and embarked on a distinguished political career. As Secretary of State for the Southern Department, he managed relations with Southern European powers and the American colonies. Darcy was known for his diplomatic skill, negotiating treaties and maintaining the complexities of 18th-century international affairs. He held various court offices and was a trusted advisor under King George III. His tenure saw critical developments in colonial policy that foreshadowed the American Revolution. Darcy died in 1778, remembered for his role in shaping Britain’s diplomatic landscape during a turbulent era.

Born in Cornwall in 1758, Sir John St Aubyn inherited the baronetcy and a seat in the British Parliament. He represented St Ives and later Cornwall, advocating for agricultural improvements and local infrastructure projects. St Aubyn was known for his commitment to rural interests and his moderate political views. He balanced his duties as a landowner with public service, supporting charities and educational initiatives in his community. Throughout his career, he maintained a reputation for integrity and diligence. Sir John died in 1839, remembered for his steady leadership and contributions to county affairs.

Born in Brunswick in 1768, Caroline Amelia Elizabeth married the future King George IV in 1795 under a cloud of scandal and mutual mistrust. Their marriage was marked by frequent separations and sensational allegations of misconduct on both sides. Despite her official exile from court, Caroline remained popular with the British public, who saw her as a victim of royal hypocrisy. In 1820, Parliament debated deposing her in the 'Pains and Penalties Bill,' but public outcry forced its withdrawal. Caroline made a triumphant return to England shortly before her death, receiving a hero’s welcome from London crowds. She died in 1821, her legacy immortalized as a figure of popular resistance against monarchical excess.

Born in London in 1768, Henry Paget distinguished himself as a cavalry officer during the Napoleonic Wars. As commander of the British cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo, he led a decisive charge that helped secure victory, even as he lost a leg to enemy fire. Elevated to Marquess of Anglesey, he transitioned to politics and was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1828. In that role, he oversaw civil administration during a period of social and religious reform. Paget was noted for his leadership, personal courage, and commitment to public service. He died in 1854, remembered both as a war hero and a dedicated statesman.

Thomas McIlwraith was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1835 and emigrated to Australia as a young man. He became a successful pastoralist before entering politics in Queensland in 1872. McIlwraith served as the 8th Premier of Queensland three times between 1879 and 1891. He championed railway expansion, immigration initiatives, and the annexation of New Guinea. His government faced controversies over public debt and land policies. McIlwraith retired from politics in 1895 and died in 1900, remembered as a formative figure in Queensland’s development.