January 22

Born in 205, Cao Rui ascended to the throne at age 20 after the death of his father, Cao Pi. He ruled until 239, overseeing military campaigns against rival kingdoms and pacifying internal rebellions. A patron of scholarship and the arts, he sponsored the compilation of historical records and Buddhist texts. He fortified the northern borders and improved the administration of his empire. Despite challenges from the Shu and Wu states, he maintained relative stability in Cao Wei. His reign laid the groundwork for later intellectual and artistic achievements in the Three Kingdoms era.

Originating from Persia, Anastasius converted to Christianity at a young age. He joined a monastery near Antioch, dedicating his life to prayer and asceticism. In 628, he confronted King Khosrow II over religious persecution and was arrested. Refusing to renounce his faith, he endured torture and exile before his death. He is venerated as a saint in both Eastern and Western Christian traditions for his steadfast courage.

Empress He (personal name unknown) became consort to Emperor Zhaozong in the late 9th century. She wielded considerable influence at court during a period marked by warlord conflicts. In 904, palace factions forced the emperor to abdicate briefly, highlighting her resilience. After the fall of Chang'an, she endured capture and political turmoil before her death. Her life reflects the complex intrigues of a declining imperial dynasty.

Empress Ma was married to Liu Yan, the founding emperor of Southern Han, during the Five Dynasties period. She supported cultural development by sponsoring poets and calligraphers at court. Ma played a role in diplomatic exchanges with neighboring kingdoms, strengthening alliances. Known for her charitable works, she provided relief during famines and floods. Her influence helped stabilize a fledgling realm amid regional fragmentation.

Al-Muqallad succeeded his father in governing Mosul and its surrounding territories. He balanced relations with the Abbasid caliphate and local Arab tribes to maintain autonomy. Under his rule, Mosul became a regional trade hub connecting the Islamic world. He repelled incursions by rival dynasties and negotiated alliances to secure his emirate. His death in 1001 marked a turning point, opening the way for new powers in Upper Mesopotamia.

Ælfric Puttoc first served as Bishop of Elmham before becoming Archbishop of York in 1023. He convened synods to address clerical discipline and combat secular interference in church affairs. A skilled administrator, he oversaw the construction and restoration of cathedral properties. Ælfric maintained close ties with the English monarchy, advising King Cnut on church matters. His leadership helped shape the medieval English church on the eve of the Norman Conquest.

Born in 1113, Wang Chongyang studied Confucianism and Buddhism before dedicating himself to Daoist practice. He established the Quanzhen School in Shandong, advocating celibacy and meditation as paths to immortality. Known for his "Seven Masters," he trained disciples who spread his teachings across China. Wang integrated martial arts and healing practices, blending spirituality with practical skills. His doctrines profoundly influenced subsequent Daoist thought and folk beliefs.

Born c.1137, Ferdinand II was the son of Alfonso VII and ascended the Leonese throne in 1157. He waged campaigns against the Moors, capturing territories in Extremadura and Galicia. Ferdinand promoted the settlement of repopulated lands, laying foundations for future Castilian growth. He codified regional customs into fueros, standardizing legal practices across his kingdom. His alliances through marriage strengthened ties with Aragon and Portugal, shaping Iberian politics.

Born in 1279, Louis was the son of Robert, Count of Clermont, and grandson of King Louis IX. He was elevated to Duke of Bourbon in 1327 by King Charles IV, marking the rise of a new ducal line. Louis participated in the Hundred Years' War, leading troops in Flanders with distinction. A patron of the arts, he fostered Gothic architecture and courtly literature within his domains. His descendants would go on to rule France, making his lineage one of the most influential in European history.

Hadım Sinan Pasha rose through the ranks as a capable administrator, earning the sultan's trust. Appointed Grand Vizier in 1516, he guided imperial policy during campaigns against the Mamluks. He played a central role in Ottoman annexation of Egypt, overseeing logistics and governance. A patron of architecture, Sinan Pasha commissioned mosques and charitable complexes in Istanbul. His death in 1517 marked the end of an influential career at the height of Ottoman power.

Born in 1495, Bernhard Knipperdolling was a German cloth merchant who became a key leader of the radical Anabaptist movement. He joined forces with Jan Matthys and later John of Leiden to establish a theocratic government in Münster in 1534. As mayor of the city, he implemented communal ownership of property and introduced radical social and religious reforms. Under his leadership, the city became the focal point of a millenarian vision that challenged both Catholic and Protestant authorities. After a lengthy siege by Prince-Bishop forces, the rebellion collapsed and Knipperdolling was captured and executed in 1536.

Born in 1509 in Leiden, John of Leiden was a blacksmith turned radical preacher who led the Anabaptist takeover of Münster. He proclaimed himself 'King of the New Jerusalem' and enforced communal ownership and polygamy within the city walls. Under his rule, Münster became a theocratic state governed by his millenarian vision, attracting followers from across Europe. His regime’s radical social and religious experiments challenged both Catholic and Protestant authorities alike. After a prolonged siege, Münster fell in 1535 and John of Leiden was executed in 1536, leaving a profound mark on Reformation history.