May 27

Procopius was a member of the Constantinian dynasty and cousin to Emperor Julian. After Julian's death in 363, he emerged from obscurity to challenge Valens's rule. He garnered support to seize control of Constantinople and declared himself emperor. His forces were defeated at the Battle of Thyatira, leading to his capture. Executed in 366, his revolt marked one of the last major civil wars in the early Roman Empire.

Murong Bao succeeded his father Murong Chui as emperor of Later Yan in 386. His reign was plagued by rebellions and military defeats against rival states. He failed to secure the loyalty of key generals and lost significant territories. Despite attempts to stabilize his rule, the dynasty weakened under his leadership. He died in 398 amid political turmoil, marking a decline in Later Yan power.

Ordoño I ruled the Kingdom of Asturias from 850 to 866, succeeding his father Ramiro I. He strengthened defensive fortifications against Viking incursions along the northern coast. He fought internal rebellions and secured the loyalty of key nobles. Under his leadership, the Asturian realm expanded its influence over neighboring territories. He died in 866, remembered for consolidating the foundations of the Christian Reconquista.

Simeon I ascended the Bulgarian throne in 893 and adopted the title 'Tsar of the Bulgarians and Romans'. His reign marked the Golden Age of Bulgaria, with flourishing literature and the Cyrillic script. He led successful military campaigns that expanded the empire's borders deep into Byzantine territory. Under his rule, Preslav became a major cultural and economic center in Eastern Europe. He died in 927, leaving a legacy as one of Bulgaria's greatest medieval rulers.

Dirk III ruled as Count of Holland from the late 10th century until his death in 1039. He fortified his territories and built strategic strongholds to secure his realm. He founded the Abbey of Egmond, promoting religious and economic development. Dirk established the first minted coins in the region, enhancing local trade. His leadership laid the foundations for the future County of Holland.

Bruno of Würzburg served as imperial chancellor under Emperor Henry III, overseeing Italian affairs. Appointed bishop of Würzburg in 1045, he combined political influence with ecclesiastical duties. He played a key role in negotiations between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy. His scholarly background informed his efforts to reform church administration. He died in 1045, remembered for bridging imperial authority and church leadership.

William de Warenne inherited the title of 5th Earl of Surrey in the late 12th century. As a powerful feudal lord, he managed vast estates across England and Normandy. He participated in royal councils and contributed to the administration of the realm. His family's influence extended through strategic marriages and military support to the king. He died in 1240, remembered as a prominent figure in the Anglo-Norman aristocracy.

John Beaufort was the eldest son of John of Gaunt and a key figure in Lancastrian politics. Created Duke of Somerset in 1444, he commanded English forces in France during the Hundred Years' War. He led troops at major battles but faced setbacks against French forces under the Dauphin Charles. Despite valiant efforts, his campaigns struggled amid shifting alliances and rising tides in France. He died in 1444, leaving a legacy of dedication to the Lancastrian cause and military service.

Ludovico Sforza (1452–1508), known as Il Moro, was regent and later Duke of Milan during the apex of the Italian Renaissance. A passionate patron of the arts, he commissioned Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper and supported numerous artists and scholars. Under his leadership, Milan became a hub of artistic and intellectual innovation. His political maneuvers and alliances shaped Italian power dynamics but also provoked French invasions. After being captured in 1500, he spent eight years in French custody until his death. His legacy lives on through the cultural masterpieces he nurtured and his influence on Renaissance history.

Margaret Pole (1473–1541), 8th Countess of Salisbury, was a prominent member of the Plantagenet dynasty and cousin to King Henry VIII. Renowned for her learning and piety, she managed vast estates and became a patron of humanist scholars. Despite her loyalty to the crown, her Yorkist lineage aroused King Henry VIII's suspicion during the turbulent Tudor era. Arrested in 1538 on dubious charges of treason, she endured years of imprisonment in the Tower of London. In 1541, at age 67, she was executed in a shocking and brutal display. Her dignified conduct and tragic fate underscore the perilous nature of Tudor politics.

John Boteler, 1st Baron Boteler of Brantfield (d.1637), was an English landowner and politician who served as Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire. Elevated to the peerage by King Charles I in 1628, he became a trusted royal supporter during a period of escalating tensions between crown and Parliament. As Baron of Brantfield, he managed extensive estates and took on local administrative duties, including raising funds and militias for the king. His loyalty to royal authority reflected the broader struggles of the English gentry in the years leading to the Civil War. Boteler's career illustrates the complex loyalties and power dynamics of early Stuart England.

Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll (1607–1661), was a central figure in 17th-century Scottish politics and military affairs. As chief of Clan Campbell, he championed the Covenanter cause, defending Presbyterian church governance against royal interference. He commanded forces in the Bishops' Wars and allied with Oliver Cromwell's armies during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Created Marquess of Argyll in 1641, he wielded significant influence in both civic and ecclesiastical spheres. Following the Restoration of Charles II, he was arrested, tried for treason, and executed. His life epitomizes the tumultuous conflicts between monarchy and religious factions in the British Isles.