Nicknamed “The Wisest Fool in Christendom.” King James VI and I was most notable for the King James Bible, which translated the Bible to English, and uniting England and Scotland under one throne. He was also the main target of the failed Gunpowder Plot. 

He oversaw Scottish Witch Trials (similar to Salem’s). Also known for his male favorites, and rumored to have had relationships with them. He was unfortunately known as a slobberer, with a tongue too large for his mouth. Yuck!

📖 | King James VI & I Stuart of England&Scotland 

Oliver Cromwell was the leader of the Parliamentary forces to victory in the English Civil War. He led the Model New Army against King Charles I as result of Charles’ dismissal and blasé attitude of Parliament. 

Afterwards, Cromwell became a politician and held the special title of “Lord Protector” in the new republic. He gets a reputation as a dour man for his exertion on Puritan principles into law (no Christmas!). He was also disliked in Ireland for his cruel actions there. 

⚖️ | Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of Britain

The third Hanoverian king of England, King George III’s reign was impressively long. Though, his rule is mainly defined by his loss of the American colonies and becoming delirious in his later years. 

Although he was considered a strict autocrat, in private he has been described as “gentle and decent.” Though who cares when he’s also the “mad king.” 

⚓️ | King George III William Frederick of Great B.

A famed Polish Renaissance astronomer who lived from 1473 to 1543. He is regarded as the father of modern astronomy.

In a particularly controversial theory, he proposed the now widely accepted heliocentric view of the heavens. He argued that the Earth, in fact, revolved around the Sun, rather than the opposite way. He also argued that rather than the Earth remaining motionless, it spun on its axis once a day.

🌞 | Renowned Polish Astronomer 

Queen Victoria was the second longest reigning monarch in English history, at an impressive 61 years—beaten only by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Her reign famously shaped the Victorian Era, a bustling time in England highlighted by industrialization, along with economic and imperial expansion.

She helped to restore and reshape the monarchy and its status. An intelligent and lively figure, having an affinity with drawing and writing.

💎 | Queen Alexandrina Victoria of Great Britain

Eugène Delacroix was a quite prominent French painter, known for his stunning and moody romantic works. His most famous painting is “Liberty Leading the People.” 

His art is defined by his expressive brushstrokes and striking use of color. His art would go on to influence many other significant painters, such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet.

🖼️ | Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix

Guy Fawkes is known as the figurehead of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. He, and several other conspirators, attempted to assassinate King James I during Parliament’s state opening by blowing the building up.

The goal was religious freedom, as all the plotters were Catholics and were harshly oppressed. Fawkes lives on in the famous “anonymous” mask, now unfortunately used by internet trolls. Guy Fawkes Day is also celebrated to commemorate the failure of the plot, with a huge bonfire!

💥 | Guido Fawkes

Peter Lely was a Dutch painter whose career was primarily based in England. He was a Baroque painter, drawing influence from Anthony van Dyck. He became a well-respected and sought after portraitist in the court.

He became Charles II of England’s Principal Painter in Ordinary in 1661, and was knighted in 1679.

🪞| Sir Peter Lely

Known as one of Britain’s greatest military leaders. He is most notable for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. This was a decisive victory that drew the curtains on the Napoleonic Wars. 

His victory led him to become a military hero, and is still regarded as a great general and strategist today. He served as the Prime Minister twice during his life, however he lost some favor during his office for his opposition to reform. 

🔰 | Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

King George IV was an interesting figure. Although his reign—a short one, at only ten years—was not as eventful as his father’s, his personality certainly made up for it. 

He was a prominent art collector, and had a very expensive taste in decoration. This helped to develop the ceremonial side of the monarchy. He also had a large appetite (me too) and had an affinity for alcohol. He showed up to his own wedding drunk! 

🥃 | King George IV Augustus Frederick of Great B.

Known as the “merry monarch.” Reclaimed the English throne upon Parliament’s invite, and began the Restoration Era. 

He was a shameless hedonist, his frequent parties putting slight strain on the taxes subjects had to pay. He brought back many things the Puritans banned (the fun stuff). Known for his many mistresses. Was fond of his dogs, whose breed was named after him—the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

🍷| King Charles II Stuart of England 

The last queen of France before the infamous French Revolution. She lived a rather lavish and luxurious lifestyle, having a particular fondness for fashion and beauty. 

She was nicknamed “Madame Deficit” for her exorbitant spending, meanwhile the French were starving and suffering. Evidence suggests that her iconic catchphrase, “Let them eat cake,” was not actually uttered by her at all. Though, it may highlight her obliviousness to the true bleak reality the peasantry had to face. 

🍰 | Queen Marie Antoinette of France

King Louis XIII was by account a good king, however he was a very taciturn and paranoid man. He was also quite sickly as well. 

His rule is mainly known for strengthening the power of French royalty and ending the revolt of the nobility. He also established the French Academy. Although, he relied quite heavily on his ministers to rule France.

🦌 | King Louis “The Just” XIII of France

Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last German emperor and King of Prussia. He is most notable for his role in the first world war, contributing to Germany’s harsh militaristic reputation. He welcomed war, encouraging his generals to take lead. 

He was not well-liked by his fellow European monarchs, and often acted snobbish to them. Eventually, he was forced to abdicate, and sought asylum in The Netherlands where he lived out the rest of his life.

✠ | Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany

King Charles I hailed from the House of Stuart. He dissolved Parliament for 11 years and resolved to rule himself, on the concept of divine right. 

His marriage to a Roman Catholic led the Protestants and Puritans to mistrust him. Eventually, his rule resulted in the English Civil War, where he was tried and charged with high treason, and was executed. Although he was gentle privately, he was also very shy and insecure. Nicknamed “Baby Charles” by his family. Spoke with a slight stammer. 

🩸| King Charles I Stuart of England

A High Renaissance painter from Italy. His artwork features largely religious themes, being featured in the Vatican itself. The composition of his artwork was made as such to achieve the Renaissance concept of mathematical harmony. His most famous works include “School of Athens” and “The Sistine Madonna.” 

Interestingly, Raphael and Michelangelo—two famous and influential artists—were described as “bitter rivals.” 

🍋 | Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino

James Scott, the 1st Duke of Monmouth. He was Charles II’s illegitimate son. After his uncle, James II, was crowned, he openly rebelled. He was James II’s opp, as the kids would say. 🧐

James Scott led the Monmouth Rebellion (or the Pitchfork Rebellion) in an attempt to dethrone James II, believing he had a rightful claim to the throne. He was a Protestant, and extremely unhappy with James II’s Catholic faith. Monmouth lost, and was charged with high treason and beheaded.

🔱 | 1st Duke of Monmouth, English Nobleman

King George I was the first Hanoverian monarch of Great Britain. He started ruling after his second cousin, Queen Anne, passed away. Parliament chose him as king to ensure a Protestant ruler.

He is rather unremarkable, but famous for being unable to speak English, rather he spoke German (naturally) and Latin. (Was not fluent, but over time did come to understand and write some English.) He had his Prime Minister, Robert Walpole, inform him of government activities and proceedings.

🥨 | King George I Louis of Great Britain

King James took the throne after the death of his brother, Charles II—as consequence of having no legitimate heirs. While James did have the backing of the three kingdoms to ascend the throne, he quickly lost his favor through his policies and Catholicism.

He was the last Catholic monarch of England, and lost his throne in the Glorious Revolution. Unlike his brother, James was described as “stiff, formal, and not well liked.” 

🔔 | King James II Stuart of England 

Charles Edward Stuart, also known by his nicknames such as “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” for his boyish charm, and “the Young Pretender.” He was the grandson of James VII and II, and thus a Stuart claimant to the British throne.

He lead the Jacobite rising of 1745 against King George II in the highlands of Scotland to overthrow the House of Hanover. Though the Jacobites eventually lost, Charles is still hailed as romantic hero in Scotland.

🧣 | Bonnie Prince Charlie 

Ivan the Terrible is famous for being…terrible. However, this word is moreso used to describe people in history who were feared and formidable.

The first Russian monarch to be crowned Tsar who engaged Russia into the Livonian War, which resulted in a loss and near bankruptcy. He was especially prone to violent fits of rage and had an incredible temper. Supposedly his hobbies in his youth included beating up strangers at night and throwing dogs off the palace roof. Yikes!

⚰️ | Ivan IV Vasilyevich, Grand Prince of Moscow 

Marshal Jean Lannes was one of Napoleon’s marshals, and he is considered one of the best. Not only did he display brilliance and cunning, but he was also regarded as Napoleon’s best friend by the Emperor himself. 

He was of middle height, and described as “kind, but passionate.” Also showed strong courage and bravery throughout his military career. 

🛡️ | 1st Duke of Montebello, Prince of Siewierz

Prince Rupert was a German-English officer most famous for his contribution to the English Civil War. He fought for King Charles I—he was the King’s nephew—as a Royalist, and stunned many with his military prowess and effective use of European tactics.

He was an energetic and charismatic calvary general. However, upon surrendering the city of Bristol to Parliamentarians, King Charles dismissed him from service, and he was later exiled.

🏹 | Prince Rupert of the Rhine 

A firm Tsar known for his harsh and autocratic tactics. He implemented many reforms that westernized Russia and resolved to make Russia rival other European nations. He exerted his power by lassoing the church and nobility into his control.

Also established St. Petersburg and won wars against the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden that laid the foundation for the creation of the Imperial Russian Navy. He was reportedly a giant—6’8” feet tall—which was very unusually tall at the time. 

🦢 | Tsar Peter I Alekseyevich Romanov of Russia

Cardinal Richelieu was a French Catholic statesman who had very significant political influence throughout his time in office. He served as the chief minister to King Louis XIII. 

During his tenure, Richelieu sought to strengthen the monarchy, and establish absolutism within France. Foreign affairs of his included keeping France a powerhouse during the Thirty Years’ War, and weakening the Spanish Habsburgs. Also led a siege on La Rochelle against the Huguenots; Catholic/Royal victory. 

🕯️| Armand Jean du Plessis, 1st Duke of Richelieu

Anthony van Dyck was a Flemish painter, whose works reflect the Baroque style of art. He is mainly known for his depictions of the court of King Charles I of England.

He was knighted, and established as the court painter for King Charles. 

🖌️ | Sir Anthony van Dyck

George Villiers, the 1st Duke of Buckingham, was a notable English statesman and courtier. He was the favorite and lover of King James VI and I, and close friend of the king’s son, Charles I. 

Because he was lavished with titles, he was able to exert major influence in the court. Though, many statesmen disliked him due to his lack of experience and incompetence. After many military failures and inadequate leadership, he was eventually stabbed to death by John Felton, a discharged navy officer.

🍸 | George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

The last Bourbon king of France, King Louis XVI is most famous for falling victim to the clutches of the French Revolution. He most notably met his demise with the blade of the guillotine.

Although King Louis tried to implement social reforms and lower taxes, which was what peasants needed at the time, he was a pushover, to put it nicely. He was unable to control his nobility and succumbed to their demands. He is described as shy, indecisive, and quiet. 

🫗 | King Louis XVI Auguste of France

Lord Horatio Nelson is probably the most famed naval officer in British history, and regarded as a war hero. During his service, he displayed genius tactics and strategies that won the Royal Navy several battles and secured naval superiority. 

His most famous battle was the Battle of Trafalgar, which was a decisive British victory in the Napoleonic Wars. This is also the very battle where Nelson was shot and killed. He lost his right arm and partially lost sight in one eye during other battles.

🌊 | Vice-Admiral Nelson, 1st Viscount

Józef Poniatowski was a Polish military commander known for his exploits during the Napoleonic Wars. He was the nephew of King Stanislaus Augustus of Poland. He started his military career in Austria where he attained the rank of colonel.

He became a general, minister of war, army chief, and eventually a Marshal of the French Empire. However, he would only be a Marshal for a mere three days before he met his demise by drowning at the Battle of Leipzig.

⚔️ | Prince Józef Antoni Poniatowski 

Though seldom spoken of, Anne was an impactful queen as the Stuart monarch. Her reign oversaw the unification of England and Scotland and the end of the War of the Spanish Succession.

Many spoke of her with sharp tongues, critiquing her for superficial things, such as her weight. However, she was an effective queen; moderate, levelheaded, and kind. She unfortunately was an ill woman, but sadly outlived all her children. Described to be shy, yet assertive and direct when needed. 

☕️ | Queen Anne Stuart of Great Britain

King Louis XIV is famously known as the “Sun King.” He currently holds the record of the longest reigning monarch in hisotry, at 72 years. He was throned at age 4! 

King Louis is known as a figurehead of absolutism, his reign highlighted by a strong and centralized government, which he controlled well. He was also the monarch who commissioned the famous Palace of Versailles, a gorgeous wonder of art and architecture. Famously declared “L’État, c’est moi.” (“I am the state.”)

⚜️ | King Louis XIV Dieudonné of France 

A French painter, who was a pioneer of the Symbolist art movement, and a post-impressionist artist. His artworks are bright and colorful, whilst also blending in symbolic elements and some Tahitian ethnic culture. 

Was friends with Vincent van Gogh, but the two often fought. Van Gogh famously cut off his ear after a fight with Gauguin. Was outgoing, charismatic, but highly egotistical.

🌴 | Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin

King Christian VII was truly a mad king. He had shown symptoms of mental illness since childhood, and is speculated to have suffered from schizophrenia, and had tremendous mood swings. 

He was only King by title, but he was far from fit to rule. His court physician, Johann Struensee, had gained major political influence, but was executed after his affair with the Queen. King Christian was formal in the morning, but at night he would venture into Copenhagen for all sorts of debauchery.

⚕️| King Christian VII of Denmark and Norway 

King George II was the second of the Hanoverian monarchs to rule Britain, and the last to have been born in Germany. Also the last British monarch to go into battle alongside their men. A king who had a passion for military.

Spoke with a thick German accent. Tends to be remembered for his short temper and boorishness, and his involvement with mistresses. Also had a strained relationship with his father (he was banned court proceedings as Crown Prince).

🚢 | King George II Augustus of Great Britain

King Louis XV’s rule was rife with indecisiveness and war efforts that nearly bankrupted the nation. His rule also considerably weakened the royal family’s authority, setting up the stage for the French Revolution later on after his rule. 

Louis XV is also historically known for his good looks and charm, having mistresses—such as Madame Du Barry and Madame De Pompadour—and apparently consummated his marriage with his wife seven times on their wedding night!

🎀 | King Louis “The Beloved” XV of France

Queen Mary II was the eldest daughter of James II. She married Prince William of Orange (later William III) and moved to Holland. Took the British throne in the Glorious Revolution, and ruled jointly with William.

Essentially, she forced her own father out of his own country and into exile. But he was Catholic, so according to Parliament it was deserved. Although a competent leader, she usually left the ruling up to her husband. She died of smallpox at age 32, which devastated William. 

🌷 | Queen Mary II Stuart of Great Britain

King William III, also William of Orange, became king of England alongside his wife, Mary II, after the Glorious Revolution.

Parliament had invited Protestant Mary and William to essentially invade England and usurp King James II, because they’d rather have a foreign king than a Catholic one. James II was chased out of England and William and Mary ruled thereafter, being met extremely positively by the people. William was regarded as plain, prim, and ill tempered.