Famous Men of the 16th 17th Century Author:Robert G Shearer 28 biographies from Queen Elizabeth I (who came to the throne in 1560) through King Louis XIV who died in 1715. The 17th century was an age of religious wars and revolutions. The French had seven civil wars of religion from 1570-1590. The German Empire had a religious civil war from 1618-1648. The English had a civil war from 1642-1649. It wa... more »s also the century in which the English and French settlements were founding in North America at Jamestown, Plymouth, Boston, & Quebec. But learning the wars will not convey to students what the times were like. Biographies will. Twenty-eight key individuals are profiled in chronological order.« less