Monthly Archives: July 2013

July 22nd

31 Wednesday Jul 2013

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Events:
1298 – Edward I of England scored a victory in the Scottish War of Independence at the Battle of Falkirk. William Wallace’s army was ill-equipped against Edward’s longbowmen. The loss would cause Wallace to resign as Guardian of Scotland.

1706 – The Acts of Union were agreed upon by commissioners sent by both England and Scotland. The acts were then sent to each Parliament for passage. These acts would lead to the union of England and Scotland into Great Britian.

Birthdays:
1210 – Joan of England is born to King John of England and Isabella of Angouleme. She married Alexander II of Scotland in 1221 when she was eleven, and he 23. They had no children, but she died suddenly at age 27.

1478 – Phillip I of Castile is born in Belgium to Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I and Mary, Duchess of Burgundy. He married Joanna of Castile, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. They had six children, two of which would become Holy Roman Emperors, and daughters who were Queen consorts of various European countries. After Isabella died, he and Joanna became King and Queen of Castile until Phillip’s early death in 1506.

1535 – Catherine Stenbock is born in Sweden to humble beginnings. But she was the niece of Margareta Leijonhufvud, who was previously married to King Gustav I of Sweden. After her aunt’s death, Catherine caught his eye, and they married in 1552. They were only married for 8 years before Gustav’s death. She stayed in Sweden and attempted to remarry, but was prevented by politics. She lived out her days and worked with children until her death at age 86.

2013 – A prince is born to Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. He is named George Louis Alexander, and is currently third in line for the British throne.

Deaths:
1461 – A 58 year old Charles VII of France died. He had become King after the military successes of troops led by Joan of Arc. The French were able to finally push the English out in 1453, and Charles had a relatively quiet reign remaining. However, the last part of his time was marred by conflicts with his son, Louis, to the point Charles banished him in 1446, never to see him again. That same son succeeded him as Louis XI.

1832 – Napoleon II, son of Napoleon Bonaparte, died at age 21 of Tuberculosis. He never actually ruled France, and spent most of his life in Austria, known as Franz, Duke of Reichstadt. Its been joked that because he never actually ruled France, he was France’s best leader, since he brought no wars, taxation, or tyranny.

Have a great day!

July 21st

29 Monday Jul 2013

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Events:
1242 – The Battle of Taillebourg takes place in France between the forces of Louis IX of France, and his vassals, Henry III of England, and Hugh X of Lusignan. The battle was a decisive victory for Louis’ forces, and would end the revolts of that time.

1403 – The Battle of Shrewsbury took place in England. Henry IV led his forces and it was the first known battle where English archers fought each other. Henry had usurped the crown himself just 4 years prior, so his situation was precarious. He was victorious when the leader of the rebels, Henry Percy, was killed in battle.

1831 – Today is National Day in Belgium, which marks the inauguration of the first Belgian King, Leopold I. He was born in Germany as part of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Saalfeld, and was the husband of Princess Charlotte of Wales, the only child of George IV of the United Kingdom. Leopold was also the maternal uncle of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, and was instrumental in matchmaking the young Queen with his nephew, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Birthdays:
1858 – Maria Christina of Austria is born to an Austrian Archduke and Archduchess, and was a descendant of the once mighty house of Habsburg. In 1879, she married Alfonso XII of Spain, who left her a pregnant widow in 1885. Maria ruled as regent during the time between her husband’s death, and the birth of her son, Alfonso XIII. She was said to be a prudent and well-balanced ruler, and she gave up power in 1902, at her son’s majority.

No major deaths.

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July 20th

28 Sunday Jul 2013

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Events:
1304 – Edward I of England finally takes Stirling Castle as part of the Scottish War of Independence.

Birthdays:
1890 – George II of Greece is born in Athens. He lived in exile from 1917, until his father’s re-installation as king in 1920. He succeeded to the throne in 1922. However in 1924, he was asked to leave Greece while the people voted either for or against the monarchy. While he was in Romania, he was formally deposed. He 1934, he was brought back as king and ruled until his death in 1947.

1973 – In not so dead royalty, the Norwegian Crown Prince, Haakon is born in Oslo. He is the heir apparent to his father, King Harald V.

Deaths:
1454 – John III of Castile died at age 49. He had been king since 1406, when he was just a year old. He was the son of Henry III of Castile and the English Catherine of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt. He was unfortunately a weak and ineffective ruler and was almost completely under the influence of court favourites. He was succeeded first by his son as Henry IV, then later his daughter, Isabella I.

1524 – Claude, Queen consort of France and Duchess of Brittany died at age 24 of an unverified cause. She was the eldest daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne, Duchess of Brittany. Due to Salic Law, she was unable to inherit the French throne, but she was able to inherit Brittany. Her father then married her to the next male in line, the future Francis I. They were married in 1514, and in 1515 became King and Queen of France. In the next ten years, she would birth seven children, including the future Henry II.

1927 – Ferdinand I Romania died at age 61. German by birth, he had succeeded his uncle, Carol I. He married Princess Marie of Edinburgh, also known as the fierce Marie of Romania. He sided his nation with the Allies in World War I, and its said the German Kaiser Wilhelm II felt Ferdinand betrayed his German roots. He was rewarded after the war, as Romania’s territory was expanded. His grandson, Michael I would succeed him.

1951 – Wilhelm, the last Crown Prince of Germany, died at age 69. He became Crown Prince of the German Empire in 1882. when his father ascended after the death of his grandfather and great-grandfather in the same year. He lived in exile for a short time with his father, but returned to Germany, and was a supporter of the Nazi party. hoping that Hitler would restore the Monarchy. After the death of some of his friend and when it became apparent that Hitler would not share power, the younger Wilhelm left the public eye for his country estates. His descendants live today.

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July 19th

26 Friday Jul 2013

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Events:
1553 – Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon was declared Queen of England in London. Her half-brother, Edward VI had died on July 6th, and on July 9th, Lady Jane Grey, a cousin of theirs, was declared Queen by Edward’s council. Edward was a fierce Protestant, and he and his council were afraid the Catholic Mary would undo their religious reforms. However, popular support was on Mary’s side. She would ride into London triumphantly in early August, with her sister Elizabeth in tow. Jane had been staying in the Tower of London after her accession and would never leave it.

Birthdays:
1822 – Princess Augusta of Cambridge is born in Hanover to Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge and Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel. Her father was one of the younger children of King George III of the United Kingdom. She was the first cousin to Queen Victoria and aunt to Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary. She married Frederick William and later they became Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She lived most of her life in Germany, but as an elderly woman, she live in Britain, and had a good relationship with other royals. She did return to Germany where she died at age 94.

Deaths:
1415 – Phillippa of Lancaster died in Portugal at age 55. She was the daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and a sister to King Henry IV of England. She had married John I of Portugal in 1387. She would give birth to the future Edward of Portugal and the famous Henry the Navigator. She was said to be a model queen and was influential at both the English and Portuguese courts.

1543 – Mary Boleyn, the older sister of Anne would pass away. She had been exiled from court for marrying beneath her station and without royal permission for almost a decade, for marrying her second husband. The sisters had never been close, but Mary did write to Thomas Cromwell and ask him to intervene on her behalf with her father and brother. When he wrote back, after they refused, Mary wrote him back a scathing letter, and said in defense of her solider husband, “I would rather beg my bread with him, than be the greatest Queen in all Christendom.” Anne finally relented, sending her money and things to sell for money. There is no evidence that Mary had contact with her family again. Her children from her first marriage would rise to prominence and peerage under their maternal first cousin, Elizabeth I.

1810 – Louise of Mecklenburg Strelitz, Queen of Prussia, died suddenly of an illness. She was just 34 years old. She had married the future Frederick William III of Prussia. She was a widely loved Queen and was said to be everything a Queen and woman should be; beautiful, modest, pious, and a fierce supporter of her husband. In 1806, she met with Napoleon to negotiate with him on behalf of Prussia after its defeat in the Napoleonic Wars. Upon hearing of her death, the French Emperor said that the Prussian king “had lost his best minister.” Two of her sons would later be kings as Frederick William IV, and Wilhelm I, who was also the first Emperor of Germany. Her daughter Charlotte, also married into the Russian Imperial family, becoming Empress Alexandra, wife of Nicholas I.

Have an awesome day!

July 18th

25 Thursday Jul 2013

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Events:
1290 – Edward I of England issued the Edict of Expulsion, which banished all Jews from English lands. Over the next few hundred years, Jewish people were only allowed in the country with special permission, and suspected Jews were arrested. It wasn’t until after the Civil War, under Oliver Cromwell, that Jews were formally invited back into the country, with hopes they would help rebuild the country and the economy.

1389 – England and France signed the Truce of Leulinghem which was supposed to be a truce in the Hundred Years War. The treaty would be broken by Henry IV within a year of the deposition of his cousin Richard II and his own coronation. The 13 year truce would be the longest peace in the war, which would continue for about another 50 years.

1555 – Queen Mary I and Phillip of Spain signed the charter which reincorporated the College of Arms in England. It was originally incorporated in 1484 by King Richard III. The College is one of only a few official heraldic organizations in Europe. Still in existence today, they act on behalf of the Queen on matters of national symbols, including flags, and granting new coats of arms, and the like.

Birthdays:
1501 – Isabella of Austria is born in Brussels. She was the daughter of Phillip and Joanna of Castile, and sister to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. In 1514, she married Christian II of Denmark, becoming Queen consort of Denmark and Norway, and later Queen of Sweden until her husbands deposition in 1523 and 1521 from both crowns. In 1520, she served as regent of Denmark for her husband.

1552 – The future Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor is born in Vienna. He was the son of Emperor Maximilian II and Empress Maria of Spain. He has a mixed legacy, as both a influential patron of the arts and sciences, and as an ineffective ruler who laid the groundwork for the Thirty Years War.

Deaths:
1918 – Russian Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna Romanova was killed by Bolshevik forces. She was born as Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine and was the sister to Russian Empress Alexandra. In 1884, she had married Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, son of Alexander II of Russia, and uncle of Emperor Nicholas II. He was murdered in 1905, and after Elisabeth devoted herself to charity, and became a nun. Later in 1981, she was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.

1938 – Queen Marie of Romania died at age 62 in her adopted homeland. British by birth, she was a daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and son of Queen Victoria. In 1893, she married Romanian Crown Prince Ferdinand, and in 1914, he became King. It was not a happy marriage, and Ferdinand may not have been the father of all their children, as it is known that Marie had affairs. During World War I, she was charitable with the Red Cross, and on the diplomatic side. She would be called the “Soldier Queen” after the war for her efforts, and even traveled to France for summits to ensure the Allies, who promised support to Romania, kept those promises. Her eldest son would become King Carol II, and her two eldest daughters would become Queen consorts of Greece and Yugoslavia.

Have a great day!

July 17th

24 Wednesday Jul 2013

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Events:
1429 – The coronation of Charles VII of France takes place at the cathedral in Reims. Charles’ coronation was delayed because of the Hundred Years War. The French victories were made possible by the military leadership of Joan of Arc.

1917 – King George V of the United Kingdom issued a royal proclamation changing his family’s name from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, to the House of Windsor. This was due to the large anti-German sentiment through Britain at the time during World War I. He also renounced any German titles for himself and several members of his family. His first cousin, German Kaiser Wilhelm II famously said that he wanted to Shakespeare’s play, “The Merry Wives of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha”, after hearing the news of the name change.

Birthdays:
1945 – In not so dead royalty, the last heir apparent of Yugoslavia, Alexander is born in London. His father, Peter II was living in exile during World War II. When he was just a few months old, his father was overthrown, and his family deprived of citizenship. He grew up in Britain, and finally in 2000 he was able to return to Yugoslavia, and given citizenship again in 2001. He still resides in Serbia, and promised to stay out of politics, focusing on humanitarian efforts.

1947 – Camilla Shand is born in London to Major Bruce Shand and Rosalind Cubitt. She is known today as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, as the second wife of Charles, Prince of Wales. Charles is her second husband, and she has teo children from her previous marriage.

Deaths:
1762 – Peter III of Russia was found dead, approximately a week after he was overthrown in favor of his wife, now Catherine II of Russia. She would rule in her own right until her death in 1796. German by birth, Catherine had fully assimilated herself into Russian culture and is one of the most famous monarchs, both male or female in European history. She is referred to as Catherine the Great.

1918 – The family of the deposed Tsar Nicholas II was shot and killed near Yekaterinburg, Russia. Nicholas and his immediate family, including his wife, Alexandra, son Alexei, and daughters, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia were assassinated by agents of the new Bolshevik government which had overthrown the monarchy the previous year. The family had been arrested and living in captivity since then. Their remains would not be found until much later in the 20th century, then positively identified through DNA in the late 90’s.

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July 16th

23 Tuesday Jul 2013

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Events:
1377 – A ten year old Richard II was crowned King of England, after the death of his Grandfather, Edward III. His father, known as Edward, The Black Prince, died when he was just 3 years old.

1951 – King Leopold III of the Belgians was forced to abdicate in favor of his son, Baudouin. The abdication was due to his conduct during World War II, and spent the rest of his life in semi-retirement, acting as an advisor to his son from time to time. He died in 1983.

Birthdays:
1611 – Cecilia Renata of Austria is born to Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II and Maria Anna of Bavaria. In 1637, she became Queen consort of Poland when she married Władysław IV Vasa, King of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth. She would be popular in the country and at court. She was influential at first with her husband, promoting the causes of her Habsburg family, but after time, her advice was ignored. She had three children, two died young, and one stillborn in 1644, which claimed Cecilia’s life shortly after.

Deaths:
1342 – Charles I of Hungary died in Visegrad at age 54. He was of the House of Anjou, but had a dynastic claim to the Hungarian throne, which he claimed in 1312. He is credited with being one of the more successful Hungarian medieval rulers, for his overhauls of the way royal favors and grants were given, he would also reform the government and economic systems.

1557 – Anne of Cleves died in England. Anne is famous for being the fourth wife of Henry VIII of England. Their marriage was annulled after just six months, and Anne was given a settlement of lands, homes, and an annuity. She had been in London when her former stepdaughters rode into the city in 1553, when Mary became Queen. She had lived a quiet life since the end of her marriage and was 41 years old. She is the only wife of Henry VIII to be buried in Westminster Abbey.

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July 15th

22 Monday Jul 2013

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Events:
1381 – Richard II oversees the execution of John Ball, one of the leaders of the failed Peasant’s Rebellion.

Birthdays:
1737 – Princess Louise of France is born at Versailles to King Louis XV and Queen Marie Leszczynska. She was their tenth and youngest child. She grew up at Fontevraud Abbey, but returned to live at Versailles at her father’s court. She later took the vows of a nun, and was prioress of the convent at Saint-Denis. Louise died there in 1789 at the age of 50.

1837 – Stephanie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen is born in Germany to the Prince Hohenzollern, Charles Anthony, and his wife, Josephine of Baden. In 1858, she was married to Peter V of Portugal. She founded a few hospitals, but within a year of the marriage, she died of diphtheria in 1859. She was just 22 years old, and Pedro never remarried.

Deaths:
1291 – Rudolph I of Germany died at age 73 in Speyer, Germany. He was elected King of Germany in 1273, he was one of the early monarchs of the House of Habsburg and helped push them into prominence in Europe. He attempted to consolidate his power by establishing peace among the German regions, but was unsuccessful. His attempts at peace would continue until shortly before his death.

1685 – James Scott, Duke of Monmouth was executed in London. He was an illegitimate son of the late King Charles II. Monmouth was also a Protestant, and tried to overthrow his Catholic Uncle, now King James II and VII. The rebellion failed, and the Duke was captured and executed.

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July 14th

20 Saturday Jul 2013

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Events:
1789 – The angry citizens of Paris stormed the Bastille fortress. This is regarded as the start of the French Revolution. France was in a major economic crisis and the kings dismissal of his finance minister, who had been sympathetic to the lower classes, was the final straw that put the National Assembly on the move. The people of Paris were encouraged to take up arms and fight. Before they took the Bastille, the actually stormed the Hotel des Invalides which was housing muskets. There were actually few prisoners left in the Bastille, as the economic crisis had made it almost impossible to operate financially. However it was a symbol of royal tyranny. King Louis XVI did not retaliate and most nobles began fleeing the country.

Birthdays:
1932 – Princess Margarita of Baden is born in Germany to the Margrave of Baden and Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark. She left Germany in 1948 and lived in London, where she met and eventually married an exiled Yugoslavian Prince, Tomislav. They would have two children, but later divorce. She lived out her days in England, and died there in 2013.

1977 – In not so dead royalty, Swedish Crown Princess Victoria is born in King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. She is her father’s heir and will be the first Queen regnant of Sweden since 1720.

Deaths:
1223 – Phillip II of France died at age 57. Also known as Phillip the God-Given, he would continue construction on the Notre-Dame be Paris, and would construct the Louvre as a fortress. He spent much of his reign at war with the Plantagenets of England. He is cited as one of the more successful French monarchs because of his popularity and reorganization of the government.

1704 – Sophia Alekseyevna died in a Russian convent at age 46. She was a daughter of Tsar Alexis I, and a sister to Feodor III, and a sister/regent to Ivan IV and Peter I. She was actually Peter’s half sister. In 1682, at Feodor’s death, she was propelled forward in politics to be regent for the mentally incapacitated Ivan and the 10-year old Peter. Sophia was a tough ruler, and did not hesitate to use harsh and violent tactics to reach her goals. Her power waned as Peter grew older, and when he was 17, she was overthrown and forced to enter a convent. There was a plot to free and reinstate her, however it failed, and the conspirators were hung within view of her windows as a deterrent any future involvement in plotting on her part.

July 13th

19 Friday Jul 2013

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Events:
1174 – William I of Scotland is captured during the Revolt of 1173-1174. He was a key player in the rebellions against Henry II of England.

1249 – A seven year old Alexander III was crowned as the King of Scots at Scone. He would rule through regents until 1262, at age 21. Alexander ruled until his sudden death from a fall off his horse in 1286.

Birthdays:
1608 – The future Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Empire is born in Graz, Austria. He was the son of Emperor Ferdinand II, and ruled since 1637. While Emperor, Ferdinand granted the rights to set their own foreign policies to all the rulers of the small German states under his authority, thus beginning the slow break up of the Empire. He was also a major patron of music and was said to have composed some pieces himself.

1776 – Caroline of Baden is born in Germany to the Hereditary Princess and Princess of Baden. In 1797, she married Maximilian, who became the Elector of Bavaria in 1799. In 1806, at the breakup of the Empire, her husband was promoted to King of Bavaria, making Caroline Queen consort. They would have no sons that lived until adulthood, but her daughters would marry into other German and Austria Royal families.

1798 – Princess Charlotte of Prussia is born to King Frederick William III and Queen Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. On her birthday in 1817, she married the future Nicholas I of Russia, and converted to Russian Orthodoxy, taking the name Alexandra Feodorovna. The marriage was happy, and produced several children, including Alexander II. Her husband’s reign was marred but revolts and wars, and Alexandra suffered ill health for quite a while. She did outlive her husband though, dying in 1860 and age 62.

1889 – Princess Louise Battenburg is born in Hesse, Germany. Her father was Prince Louis of Battenburg and her mother was Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine. In 1917, her family’s name was changed to “Mountbatten” after her family renounced its German titles for British ones. She was then known as Lady Louise Mountbatten, after her father was created a Marquess. She traveled throughout Europe as a child and received several marriage proposals, but in 1923, she married Swedish Crown Prince Gustaf Adolph, later Gustaf VI Adolph. They would become King and Queen in 1950. It was a happy marriage and they were in love. She was respected in her new home, and had great love for it herself. However they only had one child, a daughter who was stillborn. She succumb to illness and died in 1965.

Deaths:
1189 – Matilda of England, Duchess of Saxony died in Brunswick, Germany, in her early 30’s. She was the daughter of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Her husband was called Henry the Lion, and she would act as his regent while he was away on campaign. Her second son would go on to be Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor.

1807 – Henry Benedict Stuart died in Rome at age 82. He was the younger son of the “Old Pretender” James Stuart, and the younger brother of “Bonnie Prince Charlie”. He entered the Church at a young age and became a Cardinal. He was never recognized as King of England and Scotland, but he referred to himself publicly and privately as the Cardinal-Duke of York.

Have a good one!