All About Royal Families

Albert (in German: Albrecht) was born on November 9th. 1414 in Tangermünde as the son of Frederick I, Elector of Brandenburg and Elisabeth of Bavaria-Landshut. During his youth he passed some time at the court of Emperor Sigismund and he made a pilgrimage to the Holly Country. He took part in the war against the Hussites. Albert received the nickname Achilles due to his qualities as knight. He also supported the German King Albert II in his war in Poland. In 1440 his father died and Albert received the principality of Ansbach. After that he soon took a leading position over the German princes. On November 12th. 1447 he married Margaret of Baden. She was the daughter of Margrave Jacob I of Baden and Catherine of Lorraine. They would have 6 children. Margaret died on October 24th. 1457. Albert was a keen supporter of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III. The Emperor had a lot of troubles with his reforms in his Empire. He gave many marks to Albert for that support.

John Sigismund was born on November 8th. 1572 in Halle as the son of Joachim III Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg and Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin. On October 30th. 1594 John Sigismund married Anna of Prussia. They would have 8 children. In 1608 he succeeded his father as Margrave. In 1618 he became Duke of Prussia. John Sigismund's most remarkable action was his conversion from Lutheranism to Calvinism. He won over for Calvinism during a visit in Heidelberg. John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg died on December 23rd. 1619 in Berlin.

"In the market-place of Bruges stands the Belfry old and brown; Trice consumed and trice rebuilded, still it watches o'er the town." poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (USA). Belfry of Bruges - Belgium The Belfry of Bruges is one of the most amazing symbols of the City and it could be seen from a long distance.  The Belfry was added at the market square of Bruges in 1240. On that place  originally halls were built.  During that time the city was one of the most important places of the Flemish  cloth industry.  The Bells of the Belfry regulated the city life. They warned the people in case of fire and also for political, religious and social events. Belfry of Bruges - Belgium A narrow staircase of 366 ! steps is open for public. The view over the city and over a part of the province of West Flanders really is fantastic. However I didn't like the staircase. It was too dark.

November 6th. 1661 marks the birth of a very special noble boy called Charles (in Spanish: Carlos). This happy event took place at the Royal Alcazar in Madrid. His parents were King Philip IV of Spain and Mariana (Maria Anna) of Austria. The boy received the title Prince of Asturias, given to the first in line to the Spanish throne. Carlos II of Spain By the time of Charles's birth, there were many generations of inbreeding in the House of Habsburg. There also was a lot of mental illness in Charles's family. Queen Joanna became insane in her early life and was known as the mad. Charles also was physically and mentally disabled. Due to the deaths of his half-brothers he was the last member of the Spanish Habsburg line. The boy didn't learn to speak until he was 8 years old and his jaw was deformed, so he could barely speak or chew. Charles was three years old when his father King Philip IV died. Mariana of Austria became regent for her minor son.