November 10

Philip I was born in 1278 into the Capetian House of Anjou and became Prince of Taranto. He administered feudal lands in southern Italy and forged alliances to reinforce Angevin power. Philip maintained political stability by mediating disputes among rival nobles and neighboring states. His diplomatic efforts extended Angevin influence into the Mediterranean region. He died in 1332, remembered for his strategic leadership and dynastic reach.

Henry Percy was born in 1341 into the powerful Percy family and was elevated to the first Earl of Northumberland in 1377. He served as a key military leader on the Anglo-Scottish border, fortifying castles and leading campaigns to secure England’s frontier. Percy also played a prominent role in national politics, advising King Richard II and later King Henry IV. His tenure saw the consolidation of Percy influence in northern England and involvement in royal councils. He died in 1408, leaving his title and lands to his descendants, who continued the family’s prominence. Henry Percy’s leadership shaped the political and military landscape of medieval England.

Charles the Bold was born in 1433 as heir to Philip the Good and became Duke of Burgundy in 1467. He pursued an assertive foreign policy, seeking to unite his territories from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. His military campaigns against Switzerland and in the Rhineland showcased his tactical boldness but ultimately ended in defeat. Charles invested in court culture and patronized the arts, making Burgundy a center of Flemish tradition. He died at the Battle of Nancy in 1477, marking the end of the Valois line. His ambitions and courtly splendor left a lasting impact on late medieval politics and culture.

Henry V was born in 1489 into the House of Guelph and became Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, later governing the Wolfenbüttel principality. He focused on legal and administrative reforms, improving governance in his territories. Henry supported the Protestant Reformation, introducing Lutheran practices in his lands. Under his rule, Wolfenbüttel flourished as a center of culture and scholarship, with patronage of printing and education. He died in 1568, remembered for consolidating ducal authority and fostering religious change. His leadership helped shape early modern northern Germany.

John III was born in 1490 and succeeded his father as Duke of Cleves. He maintained neutrality in early Reformation conflicts, balancing relations with both Catholic and Protestant neighbors. His court became a cultural hub, attracting artists and humanist scholars. His daughter Anne of Cleves later became Queen of England as the fourth wife of Henry VIII. John died in 1539, leaving a duchy noted for its relative peace and cultural patronage. His diplomatic skill and family connections had a lasting impact on European politics.

Dorothea was born in 1520 as a princess of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. In 1535, she married Frederick II of the Palatinate, becoming Electress Palatine. Dorothea used her position to support Protestant scholars and charitable institutions. She established schools and funded religious initiatives, strengthening ties among Protestant states. She was also known for her correspondence with reformers and European royalty. Dorothea died in 1580, remembered for her piety, cultural patronage, and influential role in Reformation politics.

Born in 1565, Robert Devereux succeeded as the 2nd Earl of Essex and became a close confidant of Queen Elizabeth I. He led military campaigns in Ireland but struggled with political rivals at court. In 1601, his frustration culminated in the Essex Rebellion, an attempted coup against the Queen's advisors. The uprising failed, and he was arrested and executed for treason at age 35. His dramatic rise and fall exemplify the volatile nature of Elizabethan court politics.

Jacob Cats was born in 1577 and emerged as a leading literary figure of the Dutch Golden Age. He authored emblem books and moral poetry, earning widespread popularity and the moniker 'Father Cats'. Trained in law, he held positions as a jurist and pensionary of Middelburg, later serving as treasurer of Zeeland. Cats skillfully blended legal expertise with moral instruction in his works, reflecting contemporary societal values. His writings influenced Dutch literature and civic life, and he is remembered for shaping ethical discourse in the 17th century.

Adam Gottlob Moltke was born in 1710 and became the foremost courtier and confidant of King Frederick V of Denmark. As Lord Chamberlain, he presided over the royal household and influenced both domestic and foreign policy. Moltke founded the countship of Bregentved, becoming one of Denmark's largest landowners and a major patron of the arts. He commissioned architectural projects and supported cultural initiatives, shaping the Danish Enlightenment. Although his influence waned after the king's death, his impact on the monarchy endured. He died in 1792, remembered as a central figure in 18th-century Danish politics.

José Hernández was one of the leading voices of Argentine literature in the 19th century. He wrote the epic poem Martín Fierro, which became a symbol of gaucho identity and resistance. As a journalist, he used his newspaper to advocate for rural workers and social justice. In politics, he served as a deputy and promoted federalism against centralist policies. His work fused literary talent with political activism. Hernández's legacy endures in Argentina's national literature and cultural heritage.

Andrés Avelino Cáceres was a distinguished Peruvian military leader and politician of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He earned the nickname 'Brujo de los Andes' for his guerrilla tactics against Chilean forces in the War of the Pacific. As President of Peru, he implemented infrastructure projects and sought to stabilize the economy. He served three non-consecutive terms from 1886 to 1904, navigating political turmoil and foreign debt. Cáceres remains celebrated as a national hero for his defense of Peruvian sovereignty and his contributions to state-building.

John Sparrow David Thompson was the first Roman Catholic Prime Minister of Canada, holding office from 1892 until his death in 1894. Prior to his premiership, he served as a lawyer, judge on the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, and federal Minister of Justice. He played a key role in establishing the Supreme Court of Canada and reforming the Criminal Code. Thompson advanced national policies on immigration and economic development during his tenure. His sudden passing in England cut short a promising political career, but his legal and institutional contributions endure in Canadian governance.