August 17

Carloman (c. 706–754) was a member of the Carolingian dynasty and served as Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia after the death of Charles Martel in 741. Alongside his brother Pepin the Short, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the administration of the Frankish kingdoms and securing military victories. In 747, he renounced his position and entered the monastery at Lérins, clearing the path for Pepin to become King of the Franks. He spent his remaining years in religious contemplation and died in 754. Carloman's decision to retire contributed significantly to the rise of the Carolingian monarchy.

Li Shouzhen (died 949) served as military governor of Huguo and Bingzhou circuits during the Five Dynasties era. After the fall of Later Jin in 947, he refused to submit to the new Later Han regime and declared himself Prince of Qi. His rebellion initially secured territory but was ultimately crushed by forces led by Guo Wei. Facing defeat, Li Shouzhen committed suicide in 949. His uprising exemplified the political fragmentation and turmoil of northern China in the mid-10th century.

Eustace IV (c. 1130–1153) was the eldest son of King Stephen of England and Queen Matilda of Boulogne. Crowned as his father's heir, he led military campaigns to defend his family's claim during the conflict against Empress Matilda. His control of Boulogne and Mortain solidified Stephen’s position but also fueled ongoing hostilities. Eustace died suddenly in 1153, shortly before the Treaty of Wallingford ended The Anarchy and paved the way for Henry Plantagenet’s accession. His unexpected death removed a key figure from the royal succession and shaped the future of the English crown.

Born in 1243 as the first son of Emperor Go-Saga, Go-Fukakusa ascended the throne at age three with the political backing of the retired emperors. His reign occurred under the shadow of the Kamakura shogunate’s military government, which held real power. In 1260, he abdicated in favor of his younger brother but continued to influence court politics through the cloistered government system. The rivalry between his Jimyoin line and his brother's Daikakuji line led to the split of the imperial family for decades. Go-Fukakusa died in 1304, leaving a legacy of succession disputes that shaped the imperial institution.

Born in 1301 into the Nitta clan, Nitta Yoshisada became a loyal supporter of Emperor Go-Daigo during the Genkō War. In 1333, he famously led his troops in a sea-borne assault on Kamakura, toppling the Hōjō regents and ending the Kamakura shogunate. During the Kenmu Restoration, he continued to fight against rival Ashikaga forces amid internal power struggles. He was ultimately killed in battle in 1338, and his death marked the decline of his clan’s influence. Nitta is remembered for his bold military leadership and unwavering dedication to the imperial cause.

Born into the Scottish royal family, John Stewart became Earl of Buchan and served as Constable of Scotland. In 1421, he led a force of Scottish soldiers to France and secured a decisive victory at the Battle of Baugé. This success marked a significant blow to English forces and strengthened the Auld Alliance. In 1424, he faced the English again at the Battle of Verneuil, where he was killed in a crushing defeat. Stewart’s courage and tactical skill were celebrated by both Scots and French, making him a symbol of medieval chivalry and international cooperation.

Born around 1462, Edmund Dudley rose to prominence as a lawyer and financier in the Tudor court. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons in 1504 and became one of King Henry VII’s chief advisors on revenue. Dudley, together with Richard Empson, enforced strict fiscal measures that filled the royal coffers but earned widespread resentment. After Henry VII’s death in 1509, he was arrested by the new king, Henry VIII, on charges of treason. He was convicted and executed in 1510, marking one of the first high-profile reversals of a Tudor minister’s fortunes. Dudley’s career exemplifies the dangers faced by those who enforced unpopular policies in a changing political landscape.

Richard Empson first gained royal favor as a skilled lawyer before joining the council of King Henry VII. He became notorious for his work with Edmund Dudley in the Council Learned in the Law, using legal writs to extract revenue from landowners. The duo’s aggressive approach to tax collection generated significant public animosity. Upon Henry VII’s death, Empson was arrested by Henry VIII and charged with corruption and treason. He was tried, convicted, and executed in 1510, serving as an early example of how new monarchs distanced themselves from their predecessors’ policies. Empson’s downfall highlighted the precarious position of royal advisors and the volatile nature of Tudor politics.

Born in 1478 to the noble von Zimmern family, Katharina became Abbess of Fraumünster in 1500 and held significant spiritual and secular authority over Zürich. She witnessed the rise of Protestant ideas and chose to embrace the Reformation, transferring the abbey's wealth and properties to the city government. In 1524, she formally resigned her position and joined the Reformed Church, helping to ensure a smooth religious and political transition. Katharina remained a respected figure in Zürich, supporting education, charitable initiatives, and the arts. She retired from public life in 1541 and died in 1547, leaving a legacy as a pioneering female leader who navigated one of Europe's most transformative periods.

Regnier de Graaf (1641–1673) was a Dutch physician and anatomist renowned for his detailed studies of reproductive anatomy. He identified and described the ovarian follicles, later known as 'Graafian follicles,' and clarified the process of ovulation. De Graaf's investigations into male reproductive glands advanced understanding of spermatozoa and fertilization. He introduced innovative microscopic and injection techniques to explore internal structures. His work laid the foundation for modern reproductive physiology and gynecology. As court physician to the Prince of Orange, he influenced medical practice across Europe.

Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen (1621–1676) was a German author whose writing vividly depicted the turbulence of the Thirty Years' War. His most celebrated work, 'Der abenteuerliche Simplicissimus Teutsch,' is considered one of the first and greatest German novels, combining satire, adventure, and social commentary. Drawing on his own experiences as a soldier and prisoner, he created a vivid portrayal of wartime Europe. Grimmelshausen's tales of low-born heroes and satirical treatment of authority influenced the development of the modern novel. His works offer valuable insights into 17th-century German society and literature.