September 21

Flavius Aetius was born c. 396 and rose to become one of the most powerful men in the Western Roman Empire. He served as magister militum and skillfully managed alliances with barbarian federates. In 451, he led Roman and Visigothic forces to victory against Attila the Hun at the Catalaunian Plains, earning the title 'Last of the Romans.' He wielded immense political influence but fell victim to court intrigue and was assassinated by Emperor Valentinian III in 454. Aetius's career exemplifies the challenges of sustaining Roman power in the face of external threats and internal decay.

Otto-William, born c. 958, was a grandson of King Conrad I of Burgundy and became the first Count of Burgundy in 982. He consolidated his rule over Burgundy and expanded his influence to Nevers and Mâcon through strategic marriages and alliances. Known for founding the Burgundian dynasty, he maintained relative stability in the region during a time of feudal fragmentation. Otto-William managed relations with both the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France, balancing competing interests. He died on September 21, 1026, leaving a legacy as a key architect of medieval Burgundian authority.

Lembitu of Lehola was a chieftain of the Sakala county in medieval Estonia and the first to unite Estonian tribes against German crusaders. He led his forces in several battles during the Northern Crusades, most notably at the Battle of St. Matthew's Day in 1217. Lembitu sought alliances with neighboring Finnic peoples to strengthen his position against the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. His leadership and defiance made him a symbol of Estonian independence. He fell in battle on September 21, 1217, but his legacy endures in Estonian cultural memory.

Caupo of Turaida was a tribal leader of the Livonian Rigonians and emerged as a key figure in the early 13th century Baltic region. After meeting Bishop Albert of Riga, he became the first Livonian to accept baptism, traveling to Rome and receiving the title 'Champion of Christ' from Pope Innocent III. Caupo allied with German crusaders in the Livonian Crusade, hoping to bring stability to his people. He participated in campaigns against Estonian tribes and was killed in battle on September 21, 1217. His conversion marked a significant moment in the Christianization of the eastern Baltic.

Andrew II was born in 1175 as a member of the Árpád dynasty and ascended to the Hungarian throne in 1205. He led the Fifth Crusade to the Holy Land in 1217 before returning to settle domestic affairs. His issuance of the Golden Bull in 1222 limited royal authority and affirmed noble rights, often compared to England's Magna Carta. Andrew's economic policies, including generous land grants, sparked tensions with the Hungarian nobility. He died on September 21, 1235, leaving a reign marked by both crusading ambition and constitutional development.

William of Kilkenny was a royal clerk and churchman who rose to become Lord Chancellor of England from 1254 until his death in 1256. He managed the royal chancery, overseeing the issuance of charters and writs on behalf of King Henry III. Before his chancellorship, he held various ecclesiastical positions, including archdeacon, which gave him insight into both secular and church governance. His tenure coincided with political disputes between the king and his barons over royal prerogatives. William died on September 21, 1256, and was remembered for his administrative acumen and service to the crown.

Edward II, born in 1284, succeeded his father Edward I and reigned from 1307 until his forced abdication in 1327. His favoritism toward courtiers like Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despenser caused friction with the English barons. Edward suffered a significant defeat by Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Tensions culminated in a rebellion led by Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer, resulting in his deposition. He died under mysterious circumstances in September 1327, with many historians believing he was murdered at Berkeley Castle.

Richard FitzAlan, born in 1346, inherited the Earldom of Arundel and served as Admiral of the North and West under King Edward III. He fought in the Hundred Years' War and played a leading role in the 1370 expedition to France. As one of the Lords Appellant, he opposed the influence of King Richard II's favorites and helped curb royal excesses. His political stance led to his arrest and execution for treason on September 21, 1397. FitzAlan was known for his military leadership, loyalty to the Plantagenet dynasty, and his patronage of religious institutions.

Born in 1500, Charles V inherited multiple crowns including the Holy Roman Empire and the Spanish kingdoms. His reign saw the expansion of Spanish influence in the New World, the rise of the Ottoman threat in Europe, and the religious upheaval of the Reformation. He famously presided over the Diet of Worms in 1521, confronting Martin Luther's reforms. Charles battled France and the Ottomans, straining the resources of his empire. He abdicated in 1556, dividing his realms between his brother Ferdinand and his son Philip II. His policies reshaped the political landscape of 16th-century Europe and laid the foundations for the modern state system.

Born in 1517 in Besançon, Granvelle rose through ecclesiastical ranks thanks to his diplomatic skill and family connections. In 1543 he became bishop of Arras and later cardinal, guiding Charles V on religious and political matters. He played a key role in negotiating treaties and enforcing reforms from the Council of Trent. As Spanish ambassador in the Netherlands, he sought to suppress Protestant movements, an effort that contributed to the Dutch Revolt. Granvelle authored theological and political works, blending doctrinal rigor with practical governance. He retired in 1573 and died in 1586, leaving a complex legacy as both a peacemaker and an enforcer of Catholic orthodoxy.

Born in 1587 in Hoorn, Coen joined the Dutch East India Company as a young man and quickly rose through its ranks. Appointed Governor-General in 1618, he led campaigns to secure Dutch control over the spice islands and local polities. In 1619 he established Batavia as the VOC's administrative hub in Asia. Coen's policies often involved harsh military actions and strict trade monopolies, earning him a controversial reputation. He returned to the Netherlands in 1623 but was reappointed in 1627 to continue his expansionist agenda. Coen died in 1629 while planning further campaigns. His leadership laid the foundations for Dutch colonial dominance in Indonesia for centuries.

Born in 1602, William V inherited the rulership of Hesse-Kassel under a regency following his father's death. He assumed full power amidst the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War and sided with Protestant forces against the Holy Roman Empire. William provided shelter to displaced Protestants and financed military efforts, though his resources were strained by ongoing conflicts. He married Amalie Elisabeth of Hanau-Münzenberg, whose administrative acumen later guided the landgraviate. William's policies reflected the challenges faced by smaller principalities caught between great powers. He died in 1637, leaving a legacy marked by both resilience and hardship during one of Europe's most destructive wars.