September 15

Born to the royal Árpád dynasty in the early 12th century. Daughter of King Béla II, she strengthened ties with Bohemia through her marriage to Duke Soběslav I. As Duchess, she sponsored ecclesiastical reforms and monastery foundations. Navigated complex court intrigues amid regional power struggles. Although details of her later life are scarce, she was remembered for her piety and diplomacy. Her legacy endures in medieval chronicles praising her influence at the Bohemian court.

Born in 1173 into the Wittelsbach dynasty of Bavaria. Succeeded his father Otto I as Duke in 1183. He expanded his territories and established Landshut as a ducal residence. Participated in imperial politics, opposing Emperor Otto IV. His reign solidified Wittelsbach authority in southern Germany. Died in 1231, leaving a legacy of territorial consolidation.

Born in 1299 to Prince Mikhail of Tver. He became Prince of Tver in 1322 and sought to preserve its independence. Formed alliances with the Golden Horde to counter Moscow's influence. His ties to the Mongols drew suspicion and political rivalries. In 1326 he was summoned to Sarai and executed on orders influenced by Ivan I of Moscow. His death marked the decline of Tver and the ascendancy of Moscow.

Born in 1384 to Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent. Succeeded to the earldom in 1400 upon his brother's death. Participated in parliamentary sessions and advised the Lancastrian court. Fought alongside Henry IV against Welsh uprisings and other rivals. Known for his loyalty to the new Tudor regime and administrative duties. Died without heirs in 1408, leading the title to pass to his uncle.

Born around 1440 into a mercantile family in London. He rose through the Merchant Taylors' Company to become an influential alderman. Elected Lord Mayor of London in 1492, overseeing trade and city governance. Financed public works, including bridges and hospitals in Stratford-upon-Avon. Left generous endowments for education and charitable institutions. Died in 1496, his name enduring in records of late medieval civic benefactors.

Born in 1478 to the Wittelsbach family, Elisabeth married Philip I, Elector Palatine, forging alliances that shaped regional politics. As Electress, she championed the arts and was a patron to scholars, strengthening Heidelberg as a cultural center. Her correspondence with prominent humanists reflected her own learning and engagement with Renaissance ideas. Elisabeth navigated court intrigues with tact and helped stabilize the Palatinate during turbulent times. She died unexpectedly in 1504, leaving a legacy of enlightened leadership and artistic flourishing.

Born in 1519 as a member of the powerful Jagiellonian dynasty, Isabella married King John Zápolya of Hungary, becoming queen consort in 1539. After her husband’s death in 1540, she acted as regent for their infant son, John Sigismund, during a tumultuous period of Ottoman encroachment. She skillfully negotiated treaties and sought Habsburg support to protect the eastern Hungarian territories. Isabella maintained a court in Transylvania, where she fostered cultural ties between East and West. She died in 1559, remembered for her resilience and diplomatic acumen in an era of religious and military upheaval.

Serving as Baillie of Edinburgh, MacMorran was responsible for administering justice and maintaining order in the city. In 1595, he was called to quell a disturbance at the Grammar School when pupils refused to end their leisure time. During the confrontation, a shot rang out, fatally striking MacMorran and shocking the community. The incident highlighted tensions between civic authority and youth culture in Renaissance Scotland. His death became a cautionary tale and is remembered as a strange footnote in the city’s history.

Born in 1566 in Worcestershire, Boyle emigrated to Ireland at age 16 and quickly acquired extensive lands through shrewd investments. He was created Earl of Cork in 1620 and became one of the richest and most powerful figures in Ireland. As Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, he managed royal finances and played a key role in the plantation policies. Boyle patronized the construction of castles, churches, and urban developments across Munster. He died in 1643, leaving a dynastic legacy that shaped Anglo-Irish politics for generations.

Born in 1663, George Stepney was educated at Eton and Cambridge before entering the diplomatic service under King Charles II. He served as English envoy to the courts of Brandenburg, Hamburg, and The Hague, negotiating key treaties and alliances. An accomplished Latin and English poet, his occasional verse and translations earned praise among contemporaries. His collected poems and epigrams were published posthumously, securing his reputation as a skilled writer and statesman. Stepney's blend of literary talent and political acumen made him a notable figure of the late Stuart period.

Born in 1645 to an aristocratic family, Sidney Godolphin distinguished himself in politics and finance. He was appointed Lord High Treasurer in 1702 and managed the kingdom's funds during the War of the Spanish Succession. A trusted advisor to Queen Anne, he played a key role in sustaining England's wartime economy and diplomatic efforts. Godolphin also served as First Lord of the Treasury and was elevated to the peerage as the 1st Earl of Godolphin. His legacy endures in the financial reforms and stability he brought to early 18th-century Britain.

Born in 1725 in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, Abraham Clark pursued careers as a surveyor and educator before entering politics. He represented New Jersey in the Continental Congress during the American Revolution and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Clark was a vocal advocate for religious freedom and civil liberties, reflecting his commitment to the new nation's ideals. After the war, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives, working on legislation to stabilize the young republic. His dedication to public service helped shape the foundations of American governance.