April 20

Born in 659, Cædwalla ascended to the throne of Wessex in the late 7th century. He led military campaigns against neighboring territories and consolidated power over the South Saxons. A convert to Christianity, he supported the church and granted lands to monastic communities. After a brief but impactful reign, he abdicated and traveled to Rome to be baptized by the Pope. He died in 689 shortly after his return to England, leaving a legacy of territorial expansion and religious patronage.

Born in 862, Li Yi succeeded his father Emperor Yizong in 873 at a young age. His reign was marked by internal unrest and the rise of powerful eunuch factions. He attempted administrative reforms to curb corruption and suppress rebellions such as the Huang Chao uprising. Despite some initial successes, imperial control continued to wane and the dynasty remained vulnerable. Xi Zong died in 888, leaving the Tang dynasty in a state of deep crisis that ultimately led to its collapse.

Born around 1061, Peter Bartholomew served as a soldier in the First Crusade. In 1098 he reported visions of St. Andrew guiding him to the Holy Lance buried under the siege camp at Antioch. His discovery boosted crusader morale but sparked controversy and skepticism among church leaders. In 1099 he underwent an ordeal by fire to prove his claims, was severely injured, and died of his wounds shortly after. His story remains a fascinating episode in crusading history, illustrating the interplay of faith and politics.

Born as Octavian, he became a cardinal before his controversial election as antipope in 1159. Supported by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I, he challenged the legitimacy of Alexander III and deepened the schism within the Church. He maintained his claim until his death in 1164, holding territories in Italy loyal to the imperial cause. His tenure intensified the struggle between papal and imperial powers, shaping the course of medieval European politics. The resolution of this conflict paved the way for the Concordat of Worms and a new balance between Church and Empire.

Born in 1130 into the powerful de Clare family, he inherited the title of Earl of Pembroke and became a prominent Anglo-Norman magnate. Invited by Diarmait Mac Murchada, he led the first major Norman expedition into Ireland in 1169. His military success and marriage to Aoife, daughter of the Leinster king, secured his claim over large parts of Ireland. Appointed Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, he worked to establish Norman control and colonial governance. He died in 1176, leaving behind a transformed Irish political landscape that would influence Anglo-Irish relations for centuries.

Born in 1206 as the eldest son of Ögedei Khan, Güyük inherited the leadership of the Mongol Empire in 1246. His election as Great Khan followed a period of intense political maneuvering within the imperial family. During his brief reign, he sought to strengthen central authority and continued plans for expansion into Europe and the Middle East. He maintained communication with Western powers, receiving envoys and letters from the Pope and European monarchs. Güyük died in 1248 while returning from a campaign, leaving his policies unfinished and his legacy debated by historians.

Born in 1251, he became regent (shikken) of the Kamakura shogunate in 1268 at a young age. Facing the threat of Kublai Khan’s vast Mongol forces, he mobilized the samurai class and strengthened coastal defenses. Under his leadership, Japan repelled the first Mongol invasion in 1274 and the second in 1281, aided, it was said, by divine storms known as 'kamikaze'. A patron of Zen Buddhism, he promoted its teachings to foster discipline and resilience among his warriors. Tokimune died in 1284, and his policies left a lasting imprint on Japanese military and religious history.

Born Bertrand de Got in 1264, he was elected Pope in 1305 amid tensions between the Papacy and the French monarchy. Influenced by King Philip IV, he moved the papal court to Avignon in 1309, initiating the Avignon Papacy period. He faced the controversial trial and dissolution of the Knights Templar, ordering the arrest of its members in 1307. His decisions strengthened French influence over the Church while deepening divisions in Christendom. Clement V died in 1314, and his papacy set precedents that would shape Church-state relations for generations.

Originating from a noble family in the 13th century, he entered the Augustinian Order and rose to prominence as a preacher and teacher. He served as Prior Provincial and visited numerous monasteries to enforce discipline and doctrinal orthodoxy. Rinalducci authored influential commentaries on Scripture and was known for his deep devotion and ascetic lifestyle. Reports of miracles and healings at his tomb contributed to his beatification in the centuries following his death. He died in 1322, leaving a legacy as one of the Order’s most revered figures.

Born in 1424 to the ruling family of Heinsberg, she married Duke John IV of Jülich-Berg in 1444, strengthening dynastic ties. After her husband’s early death, she assumed the regency for her young son, governing the duchy with skill and firmness. Mary oversaw administrative reforms, managed alliances, and patronized religious institutions and the arts. Her leadership maintained stability in the region during a period of frequent territorial disputes. She died in 1502, remembered as a capable regent whose governance left a lasting impact on the duchy.

Born Zhu Houzhao, he became emperor in 1505 at age fourteen. His reign was marked by lavish spending on architecture, theater, and sumptuary projects. He delegated authority to eunuchs, notably Liu Jin, influencing court politics. Despite military successes against Mongol tribes, his neglect of state affairs drew criticism. He commissioned numerous artistic and literary endeavors that enriched Ming culture. His sudden death at age 29 ended the Zhengde era, leaving a legacy of opulence and controversy.

Born in 1506 in Aldington, Kent, she entered a Benedictine abbey and gained reputation for piety. She claimed visions foretelling the King's break with Rome and condemned Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn. Her prophecies brought her royal scrutiny and the favor of Catherine of Aragon. Arrested in 1533 for treasonous utterances, she was imprisoned in the Tower of London. In April 1534, she was executed by hanging and beheading, her final words invoking divine justice. Her death made her a symbol of resistance to the English Reformation.