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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thomas Bromley (1530–1587) served as Lord Chancellor of England from 1579 until his death, under Queen Elizabeth I. A respected lawyer and politician, he played a pivotal role in drafting key legal reforms of the Elizabethan era. He presided over the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots, and managed matters of state with notable prudence. Educated at Oxford, Bromley rose through the legal ranks to become one of the kingdom's foremost jurists. His balanced judgments and commitment to justice earned him widespread respect at court. He died in office in 1587, leaving behind a legacy of legal innovation and measured governance.

John Lumley, 1st Baron Lumley (1533–1609), was a prominent English noble and courtier during the reign of Elizabeth I. He inherited extensive estates and became renowned for amassing one of the largest private art and book collections of his time. Lumley's library included rare manuscripts, classical texts, and contemporary works, making his home a center of learning. As ambassador to Scotland, he also cultivated diplomatic ties and fostered cultural exchange. His patronage supported artists and scholars, reflecting his passion for Renaissance humanism. He passed away in 1609, leaving a cultural legacy celebrated by historians and bibliophiles alike.

John Robinson (1650–1723) served as an English bishop and diplomat, representing the Church of England and the crown abroad. Appointed Bishop of Bristol in 1710, he also acted as envoy to Poland and Denmark during critical European negotiations. Robinson's dual roles enabled him to bridge religious and political spheres at a time of shifting alliances. He contributed to peace talks and trade agreements, enhancing England's influence on the continent. Educated at Cambridge, he was respected for his erudition and devout character. He died in 1723, remembered for both his ecclesiastical leadership and diplomatic achievements.

Nikita Ivanovich Panin (1718–1783) was a leading Russian statesman and diplomat under Empress Catherine II. Born to a prominent Polish-Russian family, he rose to prominence as Catherine's chief foreign policy advisor. As Russia's Foreign Minister, he shaped alliances and pursued a balance-of-power strategy in Europe. Panin advocated for a Northern Accord that sought cooperation among Russia, Prussia, and Britain against Austrian and French influence. Though his plans were sometimes contested at court, his diplomatic skill earned him lasting respect. He retired from public life in 1782 and died the following year, leaving a significant imprint on Russian foreign affairs.

Born in 1801 into a prominent landowning family, Urquiza rose to prominence as a military leader. He led forces against Juan Manuel de Rosas at the Battle of Caseros in 1852, paving the way for constitutional governance. As president from 1854 to 1860, he promoted infrastructure, immigration, and educational reforms across Argentina. His administration helped unify the Argentine Confederation and laid the foundations for modern federal institutions. Urquiza was assassinated in 1870, but his vision for a united Argentina endures.