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.

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.

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 1500, Edward Seymour rose to prominence as the brother of Queen Jane Seymour and uncle to Edward VI. Appointed Lord Protector of England after Henry VIII’s death, he governed as Duke of Somerset and Lord High Treasurer. He directed military campaigns, notably the Battle of Pinkie against Scotland, and oversaw the introduction of Protestant liturgy. Seymour implemented economic and social reforms but faced fierce opposition from rival nobles. Accused of maladministration, he was arrested, tried for treason, and executed in 1552, marking a dramatic fall from power.

Born in 1516, James Hamilton inherited the earldom of Arran and rose to become Duke of Châtellerault. Appointed Regent of Scotland in 1543, he governed on behalf of the young Mary Queen of Scots. He negotiated the controversial Treaties of Greenwich, attempting to secure a royal marriage with England. A staunch Protestant, he later shifted alliances between France and England to maintain his power. After losing the regency in 1554, he continued to influence Scottish politics until his death in 1575.

Born in 1592, Shah Jahan became the fifth emperor of the Mughal Empire in 1628. His reign is celebrated for monumental architecture, including the Taj Mahal built as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. He also commissioned the Red Fort in Delhi and the Jama Masjid, showcasing Persian and Indian artistry. Under his patronage, the arts flourished and the empire reached new cultural heights. Deposed by his son Aurangzeb in 1658, Shah Jahan spent his final years under house arrest, gazing upon his greatest masterpiece.

Born in 1675, Franz Xaver Josef von Unertl was a leading minister in the Electorate of Bavaria. He managed state finances and advised Electors Maximilian II Emanuel and Charles VII during times of war and political change. Unertl negotiated treaties and oversaw fiscal policies that underpinned Bavarian governance. His administrative reforms strengthened central authority and improved bureaucratic efficiency. Remembered for his political acumen, he left a lasting impact on Bavaria’s statecraft before his death in 1750.

Born in 1690, John Carteret held several key diplomatic and ministerial posts for Great Britain. He served as Ambassador to Sweden and as Secretary of State for the Northern Department during the War of Austrian Succession. A proponent of an anti-French alliance, he shaped Britain’s foreign policy alongside figures like Pitt the Elder. Appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1748, he implemented administrative and economic reforms there. Known for his eloquence and extensive political correspondence, his career spanned over five decades.