Aristocrat, military leader, and devoted Catholic. His repression of the Dutch rebellion and of Protestants between 1567 and 1573 became legendary for its brutality.

Pope, member of the Borgia family. He secured the papacy through bribery, tried to enrich his family through means most foul, and began the banning of books.

Poet. Although he had friends in high places and wrote a conventional tragedy, he especially liked to affront the comfortable and the powerful.

Poet. Among other themes, he celebrated the legendary heroism of Roland (reinterpreted as Orlando in Orlando Furioso).

The first Mughal (Muslim) emperor of North India. He is primarily associated with conquest, but to a lesser degree with patronage of the arts, and is perhaps best remembered for the religious toleration that he fostered.

Knight and poet. His verse extolled heroism, a life of service, love, and religious devotion, and he gave his life battling the Turks.

Explorer and the first Spaniard to view the Pacific Ocean ("from a peak in Darien"). He lived a life of adventure and discovery, but eventually quarreled with his superior and was executed.

Christian visionary. She was a simple housemaid, but began to fall into trances and report visions. After she courageously condemned Henry VIII's divorce and break with Rome, she was executed.

Famous poisoner.

Astronomer. His support of Copernican ideas about the solar system, with the sun at its center, led to his execution by the Catholic Inquisition.

Explorer. He sailed over both North and South America.