(Encyclopedia) Ferdinand II, 1816–85, king consort of Portugal (1837–53). The eldest son of Ferdinand, duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, he married Maria II (Maria da Glória) of Portugal in 1836. After her…
(Encyclopedia) Leopold III, 1901–83, king of the Belgians (1934–51), son and successor of Albert I. In 1936, Leopold announced a fundamental change in foreign policy; Belgium abandoned its military…
(Encyclopedia) William I, 1772–1843, first king of the Netherlands and grand duke of Luxembourg (1815–40), son of Prince William V of Orange, last stadtholder of the Netherlands. He commanded (1793–…
(Encyclopedia) RosamondRosamondrŏzˈəmənd [key], fl. c.570, wife of the Lombard king Alboin. The daughter of King Kunimund of the Gepidae, a Germanic people, she was captured by Alboin, who had…
(Encyclopedia) Ferdinand II, 1810–59, king of the Two Sicilies (1830–59), son and successor of Francis I. Although initially he sought to improve the wretched conditions of his kingdom, he soon…
(Encyclopedia) David I, 1084–1153, king of Scotland (1124–53), youngest son of Malcolm III and St. Margaret of Scotland. During the reign of his brother Alexander I, whom he succeeded, David was earl…
(Encyclopedia) William II or William RufusWilliam IIr&oomacr;ˈfus [key], d. 1100, king of England (1087–1100), son and successor of William I. He was called William Rufus or William the Red…
(Encyclopedia) Louis XIV, 1638–1715, king of France (1643–1715), son and successor of King Louis XIII.
Although he had a series of mistresses, Louis XIV finally came under the influence of Mme de…
(Encyclopedia) Ferdinand I, 1345–83, king of Portugal (1367–83), son and successor of Peter I. His ambitions and his private life plunged the realm into disaster, although during his reign…
(Encyclopedia) Philip I, 1052–1108, king of France (1060–1108), son and successor of Henry I. He enlarged, by arms and by diplomacy, his small royal domain. In order to prevent the union of England…
