May 29

Born as the heir to King John II of Aragon and Blanche I of Navarre, Charles became Prince of Viana at birth. His claim to Navarre's throne led to a bitter dispute with his uncle Alfonso V of Aragon and triggered years of civil unrest. A passionate patron of Catalan culture, he supported the publication of legal codes and fostered humanist scholarship at his court. Charles enjoyed widespread popular support in Catalonia but faced imprisonment and exile during his lifetime. His untimely and mysterious death in 1461 deepened the political turbulence of the region.

Born into the royal family of Bohemia, Victor was the eldest son of King George of Poděbrady. He was appointed Duke of Münsterberg and Opava as well as Count of Glatz, overseeing these territories with a firm hand. Serving as regent of Bohemia during his father's absences, he navigated complex relationships between the Hussite estates and the Roman Catholic Church. Victor was instrumental in diplomatic missions aimed at preserving peace within the fragmented Holy Roman Empire. His leadership and administrative skills helped maintain stability in his domains until his death in 1500.

A native of Šibenik, Antun Vrančić was educated in Italy and became a leading humanist scholar. He entered the service of the Habsburg monarchy and conducted key diplomatic missions to European courts on behalf of Emperor Ferdinand I. Appointed Bishop of Pécs and later Archbishop of Esztergom, he advocated for moderate reforms within the Catholic Church. Vrančić played a vital role in negotiating peace treaties following the Ottoman wars in Hungary. His writings, including memoirs and collections of letters, provide valuable insights into the political and cultural life of his era. He was elevated to cardinal in 1573 but died shortly thereafter.

George Carew emerged as a skilled military commander during campaigns in the Netherlands and France under Elizabeth I. In 1600 he was appointed President of Munster, where he implemented strategic fortifications and reformed local governance to suppress uprisings. Created Earl of Totnes in 1626, he also served as Lord President of the Council in the Marches of Wales. Carew documented his military experiences and administrative reforms in written reports that influenced future colonial policies. His balanced approach to martial and civil matters earned him respect among English and Irish contemporaries. He remained active in public service until his death in 1629.

Born to Cosimo I de' Medici and Eleonora of Toledo, Virginia grew up amidst the grandeur of the Florentine court. Married to Cesare d'Este, Duke of Modena, she brought Medici influence to the small duchy. Virginia was known for her patronage of the arts, supporting composers and architects in Modena. Despite her high birth, she suffered episodes of mental distress that impacted her public role. She navigated complex political alliances between the Medici and Este families with diplomacy. Virginia's life reflects the challenges faced by Renaissance noblewomen in balancing personal struggles and political expectations.

Gottfried Heinrich Graf zu Pappenheim entered imperial service during the early phases of the Thirty Years' War and quickly gained a reputation for bold offensive tactics. As a commander under Wallenstein, he led the famous cuirassier regiments with great effectiveness. His actions at the Battle of Breitenfeld and other key engagements demonstrated his skill in coordinating fast-moving cavalry assaults. Pappenheim was wounded multiple times but continued to press the Imperial cause with determination. He fell fatally wounded at the Battle of Lützen in 1632, his death a significant loss to the Emperor's forces. Pappenheim's leadership style influenced cavalry tactics in Europe for decades after his death.

Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, the eldest daughter of Gaston, Duke of Orléans, was one of the wealthiest heiresses in Europe. Nicknamed La Grande Mademoiselle, she fiercely defended her rights and estates during the Fronde, even leading troops to protect Paris against royal forces. In recognition of her loyalty, she was granted the duchy of Montpensier by King Louis XIV. A patron of literature and the arts, she maintained a vibrant salon that attracted leading intellectuals of her time. Anne's memoirs provide a firsthand account of court intrigues and the civil wars that shook France. Her independence and resilience made her an enduring symbol of aristocratic defiance.

The eldest surviving son of Charles I, Charles II spent his early life in exile following his father's execution. Upon the collapse of the Commonwealth, he was invited back to London and crowned King of the three kingdoms in 1661. His reign, known as the Restoration, was marked by a revival of arts, theatre, and scientific inquiry, including the founding of the Royal Society. He navigated political tensions between Parliament and the crown, striving for religious moderation after the turmoil of civil war. Charles II maintained lavish royal courts and was famed for his charisma and patronage of literature and architecture. His foreign policy and secret treaties reflected the complex alliances of 17th-century Europe.

Humphry Ditton studied at Oxford, where he developed an early interest in mathematics and natural philosophy. He published 'An Institution of Fluxions' in 1706, an influential work on Newton's calculus methods. Ditton also wrote on probability, geometry, and the physical properties of light. A devout Anglican, he engaged in theological debates and authored treatises defending the divinity of Christ. He held membership in the Royal Society but maintained a modest personal profile compared to some contemporaries. Ditton's clear expositions helped disseminate complex mathematical ideas to a broader audience in early 18th-century England.

Louis-Jean-Marie Daubenton was appointed to the Jardin du Roi in Paris, where he conducted pioneering anatomical studies on various animal species. Collaborating with Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, he provided the anatomical descriptions for the multi-volume 'Histoire Naturelle.' Daubenton's systematic dissections and precise observations advanced the emerging field of comparative anatomy. He also contributed to early mineralogical classifications and helped catalog the royal museum's natural history specimens. A respected educator, he lectured on zoology and natural philosophy to medical students. His work influenced generations of naturalists and helped establish Paris as a center of scientific research.

Born into the influential FitzGerald family in Ireland. He succeeded his father as the 1st Duke of Leinster in 1766. FitzGerald pursued a career as an officer in the British Army. He took his seat in the Irish House of Lords and engaged in politics. As a leading Anglo-Irish aristocrat, he managed extensive estates. He played a role in local governance and social affairs. He died in 1773 at the age of 51.

Born in Exeter, England. He established himself as an accomplished church organist. Jackson composed numerous organ voluntaries and anthems. His works were performed widely in Anglican worship services. He contributed to the musical life of Exeter Cathedral. Although details of his personal life remain scarce, his compositions endured. He died in 1803, leaving a modest but respected musical legacy.