Infamous History

Famous and infamous historical events and people from around the world. https://x.com/historyinfamy

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Thankmar, Half-Brother of Otto I, Killed During the Siege of Eresburg

On July 27, 938, Thankmar, the elder half-brother of King Otto I of Germany, was killed during the Siege of Eresburg. Born around 908, Thankmar had rebelled against Otto’s rule as part of a wider struggle among German nobles over royal authority and influence.

After being defeated and forced to retreat to Eresburg Castle, Thankmar was surrounded by Otto’s forces. When the fortress fell, he sought sanctuary inside a church, but he was attacked and killed there, according to contemporary accounts. His death brought an end to one of the earliest major rebellions against Otto I’s reign.

Thankmar’s fate demonstrates the dangerous nature of medieval dynastic conflicts, where disputes between royal relatives could quickly turn into armed rebellion. His death helped secure Otto’s position and paved the way for the king’s later rise as the founder of the Ottonian imperial dynasty.

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Crusaders Abandon the Siege of Damascus, Ending the Hopes of the Second Crusade

The Second Crusade suffered a devastating blow on July 27, 1148, when the Crusader armies abandoned their siege of Damascus after only four days. What began as a major attempt to capture one of the most important cities in the Islamic world quickly collapsed due to poor planning, disagreements among the Crusader leaders, and strong resistance from the defenders.

The siege had been launched by a force led by European nobles including King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of Germany. However, the Crusaders’ decision to move their camp to a less favorable position, combined with a lack of supplies and growing fears of a Muslim relief army, forced them to withdraw.

The failure at Damascus marked a turning point in the Second Crusade. The expedition, once filled with hopes of reclaiming lost territories in the Holy Land, ended in disappointment and damaged the reputation of its leaders. The Crusader states would continue to struggle as Muslim powers grew stronger in the decades that followed.

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Emperor Theodosius II Dies After a Horse-Riding Accident

The death of Emperor Theodosius II on July 28, 450, brought an end to one of the longest reigns in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire. According to ancient sources, the emperor suffered fatal injuries after being thrown from his horse during a hunting expedition, dying a few days later from the accident.

During his 42-year reign, Theodosius II oversaw the construction of the famous Theodosian Walls of Constantinople and commissioned the Theodosian Code, a landmark compilation of Roman law. His death without an heir led to the accession of Marcian, ushering in a new era for the Eastern Roman Empire.

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Pope Stephen II Re-Anoints Pepin the Short as King of the Franks

On July 28, 754, Pope Stephen II solemnly re-anointed Pepin the Short as King of the Franks at the Abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris. The ceremony also anointed Pepin's sons, Charles (the future Charlemagne) and Carloman, strengthening the legitimacy of the new Carolingian dynasty. In return, Pepin pledged to protect the papacy from its enemies, especially the Lombards in Italy.

This historic alliance between the Frankish monarchy and the papacy reshaped medieval Europe. Pepin's military campaigns on behalf of the pope led to the Donation of Pepin, which established the Papal States and gave the pope temporal authority over central Italy. The partnership between throne and altar would influence European politics for centuries and pave the way for Charlemagne's coronation as emperor in 800.

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Vincent van Gogh Shoots Himself

On July 27, 1890, Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound while in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. He was taken back to his lodging, where he died two days later on July 29 at the age of 37. His death came during a period of intense emotional struggles, despite his remarkable creative achievements.

Van Gogh’s life was marked by passion, hardship, and an extraordinary dedication to art. In just over a decade, he created thousands of works, including masterpieces such as The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Irises. Although he received little recognition during his lifetime, his bold colors and expressive style would later transform the world of modern art.

Today, Van Gogh is remembered not only for his tragic end but for the lasting beauty and influence of his paintings. His story remains a powerful reminder of the connection between creativity, human experience, and resilience.

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Robespierre Is Arrested: The Fall of the Architect of the Reign of Terror

On July 27, 1794 (9 Thermidor Year II in the French Revolutionary calendar), Maximilien Robespierre, one of the most powerful figures of the French Revolution, was arrested as his political enemies turned against him. Once a leading voice of the revolutionary government, Robespierre had become closely associated with the Reign of Terror, a period of mass executions aimed at defending the Republic from its enemies.

The arrest came after members of the National Convention accused Robespierre and his allies of tyranny and abusing revolutionary power. After a failed attempt to resist, Robespierre was captured and taken into custody. The following day, he was executed by guillotine along with several of his supporters.

Robespierre’s downfall marked a major turning point in the French Revolution. The end of his leadership brought the collapse of the most radical phase of the Revolution and opened the way for a more moderate government known as the Thermidorian Reaction.

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Birth of Princess Luisa of Naples and Sicily

On July 27, 1773, Princess Luisa of Naples and Sicily was born in Naples, the daughter of King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies and Queen Maria Carolina of Austria. As a member of the powerful Bourbon dynasty, Luisa was born into one of Europe’s most influential royal families during a period of political uncertainty and growing revolutionary ideas.

Princess Luisa’s life unfolded during the dramatic upheavals of the late 18th century, including the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Like many royal women of her era, her marriage was shaped by diplomacy and dynastic alliances. In 1790, she married Grand Duke Ferdinand III of Tuscany, becoming Grand Duchess of Tuscany and helping strengthen ties between Bourbon and Habsburg interests.

Luisa’s story reflects the complex world of European royalty, where family connections, politics, and survival were closely intertwined. Her life was marked by exile, changing governments, and the challenges faced by monarchies during one of history’s most turbulent eras.

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The Battle of Killiecrankie: A Jacobite Triumph Against the Crown

On July 27, 1689, the Jacobite uprising in Scotland achieved a dramatic victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie. Supporters of the deposed Catholic King James VII of Scotland and II of England, led by the skilled commander John Graham of Claverhouse, 1st Viscount Dundee, faced a government army loyal to the new monarchs William III and Mary II.

Fought in the rugged Highlands near the Pass of Killiecrankie, the Jacobite forces used the difficult terrain and their famous Highland charge to overwhelm the larger government army commanded by Major General Hugh Mackay. The victory was a stunning blow to the Williamite cause and appeared to give the Jacobite movement momentum.

However, the triumph came at a heavy cost. Viscount Dundee was killed during the battle, removing the Jacobites’ most talented leader. Without his leadership, the rebellion soon lost strength, and the Jacobite defeat at the Battle of Dunkeld later that year ended hopes of quickly restoring James to the throne.

The Battle of Killiecrankie remains one of the most famous clashes in Scottish history, remembered for Highland bravery, political struggle, and the fierce conflict between Jacobite supporters and the new Williamite government.

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Oliver Cromwell’s Victory at the Battle of Gainsborough

On July 27, 1643, during the English Civil War, Parliamentarian commander Oliver Cromwell achieved an important victory against Royalist forces at the Battle of Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. The clash came as both sides fought for control of key towns and supply routes during the struggle between supporters of Parliament and King Charles I.

Cromwell, then a rising military figure, led a cavalry force that defeated a larger Royalist detachment commanded by Charles Cavendish. The victory helped strengthen Parliament’s position in the region and boosted Cromwell’s reputation as an effective and determined battlefield leader.

Although Gainsborough was not one of the largest battles of the Civil War, it marked another step in Cromwell’s rise from local commander to one of England’s most influential military figures. His successes during the conflict would eventually lead him to command the powerful New Model Army and shape the future of Britain.

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The Return of Roanoke Voyagers and the Arrival of Tobacco in England

On July 27, 1586, English voyagers connected to the Roanoke Island colonization attempt returned to England, bringing with them new experiences and exotic discoveries from the Americas. Among the items they carried was Virginian tobacco, a plant that would soon become one of the most recognizable imports from the New World.

The expedition, associated with figures such as Ralph Lane and Thomas Harriot, helped introduce tobacco use to English society. Popular tradition credits the returning colonists with demonstrating pipe smoking at the royal court, where the unusual habit quickly attracted attention.

Although tobacco had been encountered by Europeans before, its popularity exploded in England during the late 16th century. The crop would eventually become deeply connected with the history of Virginia and the wider English colonies, shaping trade, agriculture, and society for centuries to come.

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Birth of Frances Howard, Duchess of Richmond

Born on July 27, 1578, Frances Howard became one of the most influential noblewomen at the English court during the reigns of James I and Charles I. The daughter of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, she was raised in a powerful aristocratic family connected to the Tudor and Stuart courts.

Frances married Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox and later became Duchess of Richmond and Lennox. Known for her wealth, status, and connections, she played a prominent role in court life during a period when noble families competed for royal influence and political power.

Her life reflected the importance of aristocratic women in shaping alliances, patronage, and culture at the Stuart court. Frances Howard died in 1632, leaving behind a legacy as one of the notable court figures of early 17th-century England.

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Sir John Cheke Arrested After Lady Jane Grey’s Fall

Following the collapse of Lady Jane Grey’s brief reign, supporters of her claim to the English throne faced the consequences of their involvement. On July 27, 1553, the respected scholar and royal tutor John Cheke was arrested for his role in supporting Jane’s succession.

Cheke had been a close adviser to the Protestant Edward VI of England and helped shape the religious reforms of his reign. When Edward attempted to exclude his Catholic half-sister Mary from the succession and place Jane Grey on the throne, Cheke became associated with the failed coup that followed Edward’s death.

After Mary I of England reclaimed the throne, many of Jane’s supporters were imprisoned. Cheke was later released but eventually faced further punishment and exile due to his Protestant beliefs. His story reflects the dangerous political and religious struggles of Tudor England, where loyalty could quickly become treason after a change of monarch.

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The Birth of Bess of Hardwick

Born on July 27, 1527, Elizabeth "Bess" of Hardwick rose from the Derbyshire gentry to become one of the wealthiest and most influential women in Tudor England. Through four strategic marriages, careful estate management, and remarkable business acumen, she built an immense fortune and secured her family's place among England's elite.

Bess is perhaps best remembered as the builder of the magnificent Hardwick Hall, a masterpiece of Elizabethan architecture that still stands today. She also played a significant role at court, served as a trusted companion to Queen Elizabeth I, and was the grandmother of Arbella Stuart, whose claim to the English throne made her a figure of great political interest.

More than just a noblewoman, Bess of Hardwick was a symbol of ambition, intelligence, and resilience. Her extraordinary life proved that in Tudor England, determination and shrewdness could leave a legacy that lasted for centuries.

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Henry Bolingbroke Marries Mary de Bohun: A Union That Shaped England's Future

On July 27, 1380 (often mistakenly listed as 1399), Henry Bolingbroke, the future King Henry IV of England, married Mary de Bohun, one of the wealthiest heiresses in the kingdom. Their marriage united the powerful House of Lancaster with the Bohun inheritance, strengthening Henry's wealth, influence, and political standing.

Although Mary died in 1394, years before Henry claimed the English throne in 1399, her legacy endured through their children. Most notably, their eldest son became King Henry V, the legendary victor of the Battle of Agincourt. What began as a noble marriage would ultimately shape the future of England and the Lancastrian dynasty for generations.

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The Assassination of Joanna I of Naples

On July 27, 1382, Queen Joanna I of Naples died after months of imprisonment, bringing a dramatic end to one of the most turbulent reigns in medieval Europe. A capable but controversial ruler, Joanna had governed the Kingdom of Naples for more than three decades, facing rebellions, foreign invasions, and repeated challenges to her right to rule.

Her downfall began during the Western Schism, when Joanna backed Pope Clement VII instead of Pope Urban VI. Urban responded by supporting her cousin, Charles of Durazzo, who invaded Naples, captured the queen, and imprisoned her. Joanna was ultimately killed while in captivity, with many historians believing she was suffocated on Charles's orders to eliminate any rival claim to the throne.

Joanna's death marked the end of an extraordinary reign defined by political intrigue, dynastic conflict, and papal rivalry. Though her rule was often contested, she remains one of medieval Europe's most remarkable female monarchs, remembered for her resilience in an era dominated by powerful kings and ambitious nobles.

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Isabella of England Marries Enguerrand of Coucy at Windsor

On July 27, 1365, Isabella of England, eldest daughter of King Edward III, married the renowned French nobleman Enguerrand VII, Lord of Coucy, in a lavish ceremony at Windsor Castle. The marriage was far more than a royal celebration—it was a diplomatic effort to strengthen ties between England and France during a temporary lull in the Hundred Years' War.

Enguerrand of Coucy was one of the most respected knights of his age and, as part of the marriage agreement, was granted the title of Earl of Bedford by Edward III. Although the union symbolized hopes for lasting peace between the rival kingdoms, political tensions soon resurfaced, and the conflict between England and France continued for generations.

The marriage remains a fascinating chapter in medieval history, illustrating how royal weddings were often used as powerful tools of diplomacy, with the hopes of kingdoms resting on the vows of princes and princesses.

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The Death of Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria

On July 27, 1365, Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria, died unexpectedly at just 25 years old, bringing an abrupt end to the life of one of medieval Austria's most ambitious rulers. Known as "Rudolf the Founder," he worked tirelessly to elevate the prestige of the House of Habsburg and strengthen Austria's position within the Holy Roman Empire.

During his short reign, Rudolf commissioned the expansion of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna and founded the University of Vienna in 1365, the oldest university in the German-speaking world after Prague. He also promoted the forged Privilegium Maius, a document intended to grant Austria special privileges and elevate its rulers' status.

Although his reforms were not all recognized during his lifetime, Rudolf's vision helped shape the future of the Habsburg dynasty. His legacy endured long after his early death, laying the foundations for Austria's rise as one of Europe's great powers.