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20 October 1538 Francesco Maria I della Rovere, Duke of Urbino

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Francesco Maria della Rovere was born on March 22nd. 1490 in Senigallia, capital of the Duchy of Urbino (now located in Italy). Francesco Maria della Rovere - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Giovanni della Rovere and Giovanna da Montalto. He was a nephew of Giuliano della Rovere, who became Pope Julius II. Guidobaldo I of Urbino had no children and he called Francesco at court and named him as heir for the duchy in 1504. In 1508 Guidobaldo died and Francesco became the new duke of Urbino. With the help of Pope Julius II he could conquer the duchy. In 1508 Francesco Maria della Rovere married a noble called: Eleonora Gonzaga. They had 5 children. When Pope Julius II died, Francesco lost a great support. In 1516 he was excommunicated by the new Pope Leo X and had to leave Urbino. However Francesco could return to his duchy in 1521 due to the death of Pope Leo X. On October 20th. 1538 he was poisoned and died in Pesaro. 

18 October 1141 Death of Leopold Duke of Bavaria

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Leopold was born in 1108 as one of the younger sons of Markgrave Leopold III, the Holy. Leopold IV, Duke of Bavaria - Source picture: Wikipedia Through his mother, Agnes, he was related to the House of Hohenstaufen.  Hohenstaufen was a dynasty of German monarchs in the Middle Ages reigning between 1138 and 1254. Leopold died unexpected on October 18th. 1141 at the Niederaltaich Abbey in Bavaria. He was succeeded by his brother Henry. Leopold IV of Bavaria, King Konrad III, Hadmar I of Kuenring Source picture: Wikipedia

17 October 1853 Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia

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On October 17th. 1853 a girl was born at Tsarskoye Selo in St. Petersburg. This girl received the name and title Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Tsar Alexander II of Russia and Marie of Hesse and by Rhine. This made her an aunt of Tsar Nicholas II (last Tsar of Imperial Russia). In 1871, Grand Duchess Maria was introduced to Prince Alfred,  Duke of Edinburgh and second son of Queen Victoria, during a family holiday  in Denmark. On January 23rd. 1874 Maria and Alfred married at the Winter Palace in St.Petersburg.  They would have 6 children. Their eldest daughter Marie (Missy in the family)  married later King Ferdinand I of Romania. On March 12th. 1874 the new couple arrived in London where they made their public entry in the Society. However the bride wasn't popular.  First of all a large discussion took place between Queen Victoria and 

OTD 16 October 1796 King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia

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On June 26th. 1726, Victor Amadeus was born at the Royal Palace of Turin. Victor Amadeus of Sardinia - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia and Polyxena of Hesse-Rotenburg. As heir of the throne his birth was much greeted with joy. He also received a proper and military education. Throughout his life, Victor Amadeus would have a great interest in the state military.  On May 31th. 1750, Victor Amadeus of Sardinia married the very noble Maria Antonia, infante of Spain (youngest daughter of King Philip V of Spain). Although, the marriage was arranged, this turned out happy. They had a loving relationship and 12 children. painting: the familie of Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia Source picture: Wikipedia On February 20th. 1773 Victor Amadeus became King of Sardinia. He was very suspicious of anything innovative. However he tried to improve the army and the administration.  Victor Amadeus of Sardinia d

OTD 15 October 1564 The extraordinary life of Henry Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg

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October 15th. 1564 marks the birth of a very special and amusing boy. He received the name Henry Julius. Henry Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and  Hedwig of Brandenburg. In 1589 Henry Julius succeeded his father as ruler of Wolfenbüttel  (located in Germany). The ruler of Wolfenbüttel married twice: 1/ Dorothea of Saxony  (they had 1 child) 2/ Elizabeth of Denmark  (they had 10 children) In the years 1593 and 1594 he started to write plays.  Henry Julius invited Robert Browne (an actor) and his theater company. The ruler of Wolfenbüttel also was interested in architecture. He would have designed the main building of University of Helmstedt. But Henry lost control of the state's financing and caused large amounts of public debt.  On July 20th. 1613 Henry Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg died in Prague of alcohol abuse. He was buried in the cath