April 11

Yang Guang ascended the throne in 604 and ruled until 618, overseeing the completion of the Grand Canal and the expansion of the Great Wall. He launched costly military expeditions against Goguryeo in Korea and other frontier states. His reign was marked by heavy taxation and forced labor, which fueled widespread unrest and rebellions. Court intrigues and power struggles undermined his authority, and he faced multiple uprisings across the empire. In 618, he was assassinated during a coup led by his own generals, bringing an end to the Sui Dynasty. Despite his brutal methods, his infrastructural achievements laid the foundation for the prosperity of the subsequent Tang Dynasty.

Donus was elected pope in April 676 following the death of Adeodatus II. He recognized the importance of church art and restored ancient basilicas in Rome and Ravenna. He formally revoked earlier prohibitions on the veneration of icons, setting a precedent for later liturgical practices. Donus is credited with improving the administration of church estates and distributing alms to the poor. His brief pontificate lasted only two years, yet he left a legacy of piety and administrative competence. He died in April 678 and was succeeded by Agatho. Although little of his personal correspondence survives, his contributions to church worship endure in historical records.

Herman was appointed Archbishop of Cologne in 890 and held the position until his death in 924. As imperial chancellor, he managed the royal chancery and oversaw charters and correspondence for the Ottonian dynasty. He crowned several German kings, including Arnulf of Carinthia and Louis the Child, playing a key role in legitimizing their rule. Herman advocated for church reforms and defended ecclesiastical interests at court. He was known for his learning and administrative skill, earning respect from both clergy and nobility. His long tenure helped consolidate the power of the Cologne archbishopric as a major spiritual and political center in medieval Germany.

Born into the noble Argyros family around 968, Romanos III became emperor after marrying Empress Zoe in 1028. He introduced tax reforms aimed at improving state revenues but his policies often alienated the aristocracy and peasantry. Romanos sponsored extensive construction projects, including churches and palace expansions in Constantinople. He neglected military affairs, leading to setbacks against the Arab emirates in the east. Court intrigue and tensions with his powerful wife undermined his authority. In 1034, Romanos died under mysterious circumstances in the imperial palace, with some sources alleging that he was assassinated on Zoe's orders. His reign is viewed as a period of both cultural patronage and political mismanagement.

Anawrahta ascended the throne of Pagan in 1044 and began campaigns to consolidate neighboring states in present-day Myanmar. He seized Thaton and other Mon kingdoms, bringing large Buddhist monastic communities under his patronage. Under his guidance, Theravada Buddhism flourished, replacing earlier religious traditions and fostering cultural unity. Anawrahta sponsored the construction of hundreds of temples and stupas, laying the architectural foundations of Bagan. He established administrative reforms that centralized royal authority and improved tax collection. His reign also saw the introduction of Burmese script and legal codes. After his death in 1077, the Pagan Empire continued to thrive, leaving a lasting legacy as the birthplace of Myanmar's classical civilization.

Born around 1030, Stanislaus became Bishop of Kraków in 1072 and quickly gained a reputation for his piety and moral rigor. He clashed with King Bolesław II over the monarch's alleged injustices and favoritism toward secular nobility. In 1079, Stanislaus excommunicated the king, leading to a violent confrontation that ended with the bishop's execution. His death shocked the kingdom and prompted a wave of popular veneration. The Church canonized him in 1253, and he became one of Poland's most important saints and patron figures. Pilgrims visit his shrine on Wawel Hill in Kraków, where miracles were attributed to his intercession. Stanislaus's stand for church rights and justice has made him a symbol of moral integrity in Polish history.

A member of the Árpád dynasty and son of Béla II, Stephen IV asserted his claim to the Hungarian throne after the death of his nephew, King Géza II, in 1162. With support from the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, he was crowned at Esztergom in 1163. His rule faced immediate opposition from Hungarian nobles loyal to his cousin, Stephen III, leading to a series of military clashes. These engagements weakened Stephen IV's position and forced him to retreat. He attempted to regain power through diplomacy, but his efforts failed and his supporters were defeated. In 1165, Stephen IV died under unclear circumstances while in exile. His brief and contested reign is often overlooked in Hungarian chronicles due to its turbulent nature.

Born around 1172, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth rose to power as ruler of Gwynedd after defeating rivals in 1194. He skillfully negotiated alliances and marriages, including his union with Joan, daughter of King John of England. Llywelyn expanded his territory to cover much of North and mid-Wales, asserting de facto independence. He convened councils to codify Welsh laws and strengthened the administrative structures of his principality. Though he battled English forces, he also secured treaties that recognized his authority and brought periods of peace. Llywelyn died in 1240 and was buried at Worcester Cathedral, where later Welsh pilgrims honored him. He is remembered as one of Wales's greatest medieval leaders and a symbol of national identity.

Little is known about Ramadan ibn Alauddin's origins, but his Arabic-inscribed tombstone, dated 1349, was found in the Goryeo capital of Kaesong. The stele records his death on April 11, marking him as the earliest Muslim identified in Korean history. His epitaph suggests he held a respected position in the royal court, possibly as an interpreter or official under the Yuan dynasty's influence. The inscription reflects Islamic burial rites and use of the Hijri calendar, indicating the presence of a small Muslim community in medieval Korea. Scholars view Ramadan's tombstone as a rare testament to religious diversity during the Goryeo period. His legacy endures through ongoing research and preservation efforts of Korea's Islamic heritage landmarks.

Born around 1375 as the son of John of Gaunt, Henry Beaufort pursued an ecclesiastical career that led to his appointment as Bishop of Lincoln in 1398 and later Bishop of Winchester in 1404. In 1426 he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Martin V, becoming the first Englishman to hold that rank in decades. Beaufort wielded significant political influence as Lord Chancellor under King Henry VI, managing royal finances during the closing phases of the Hundred Years' War. He advocated for church interests at court and was involved in negotiations leading to the Treaty of Troyes. Beaufort also served as regent during the king's minority, reinforcing his status as a key power broker. He founded scholarships and supported the University of Oxford, leaving a lasting educational legacy. Cardinal Beaufort died in 1447, remembered for his dual role as a church leader and statesman.

Gaston de Foix, Duke of Nemours (1489–1512), was a celebrated French general in the Italian Wars. Grandnephew of King Louis XII of France, he led royal armies at a remarkably young age. Nicknamed the 'Thunderbolt of Italy' for his swift and decisive victories, he drove back Papal and Spanish forces in several engagements. His most famous triumph occurred at the Battle of Ravenna in 1512, where his leadership secured a critical victory for France. Tragically, he was killed in the same battle at the age of 22. Despite his short life, de Foix's daring campaigns influenced military strategy for generations.

Thomas Wyatt the Younger (1521–1554) was the son of the poet Sir Thomas Wyatt and a courtier at the Tudor court. He became famous for leading Wyatt's Rebellion against Queen Mary I's plan to marry Philip II of Spain. Rallying support primarily in Kent, he amassed several thousand men demanding an end to Spanish influence. Despite initial momentum, his forces faltered as they approached London and faced royal troops. Captured after a brief skirmish, he was tried for treason and executed by beheading. His revolt is remembered as a significant precursor to later political resistance in England.