May 15

He ascended the throne at the age of four following the death of his brother Gratian. His reign was dominated by the influence of regents and the powerful general Arbogast. Valentinian II faced internal rebellions and conflicts with Gothic tribes along the Danube. In 387 he was briefly ousted by Magnus Maximus and took refuge with Emperor Theodosius I. Restored to power, he struggled to assert authority against rival generals. His mysterious death in 392 marked the end of his turbulent rule and raised questions of foul play or suicide.

Born Li Cunxu in 885, he emerged as a formidable military commander against the Later Liang dynasty. In 923 he declared himself emperor of the Later Tang, reviving Tang traditions. His governance fostered cultural patronage, attracting poets and scholars to the court. Zhuang Zong reorganized the military and stabilized northern China’s frontiers. Despite these successes, his harsh treatment of dissenters sparked mutinies. He was slain in a palace revolt in 926, ending a brief but impactful reign.

Born in 1008, he ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 1016 as a child emperor under the Fujiwara regency. His era witnessed the flourishing of waka poetry and refined court rituals. Go-Ichijō patronized the compilation of official histories and supported literary salons. Diplomatic envoys maintained ties with the Song dynasty, enriching cultural exchange. The imperial court under his reign produced classic works that define Heian aesthetics. He passed away in 1036, remembered for fostering an era of artistic elegance.

Born in 1099 as the son of Vladimir Monomakh, Yuri governed Rostov and Suzdal before turning his sights on Kiev. He is traditionally credited with the first recorded mention of Moscow in 1147. Through diplomatic marriages and military campaigns, he extended his influence over key trade routes. Yuri fortified strategic towns along the Volga and Dnieper rivers, boosting regional commerce. His tenure in Kiev was marked by dynastic rivalry that shaped later Rus’ politics. He died in 1157, leaving a nascent Moscow destined for future prominence.

A member of the Rubenid dynasty, Mleh seized the Cilician throne in 1170 after a fierce struggle with his brother. Aligning with Muslim neighbors, he challenged nearby Crusader states for regional dominance. His military campaigns expanded Armenian territories but provoked deep internal dissent. Mleh’s forced religious conversions of nobles and harsh rule alienated many supporters. He was assassinated in 1175, leaving a legacy of ambition and controversy. His reign exemplifies the complex alliances of the Crusader era.

Born in 1118, he inherited Aleppo from his father Imad ad-Din Zengi and later secured Damascus by 1154. Nur ad-Din championed jihad against the Crusader states and fortified key fortresses. He established madrasas and hospitals, promoting religious education and public welfare. His support for Sunni scholarship led to a revival of Islamic learning across Syria. He patronized Sufi mystics and invited leading jurists to his court. His death in 1174 paved the way for Saladin to carry forward his vision of a united Muslim front.

Peter II (1203–1268), known as 'the Little Charlemagne', was a member of the House of Savoy and ruled as Count of Savoy from 1263 until his death. He expanded Savoyard territories through strategic marriages and alliances with neighboring states. A patron of religious and cultural institutions, he commissioned monasteries and churches across his domain. His niece's marriage to King Henry III of England strengthened his diplomatic ties at European courts. His effective leadership laid the foundations for Savoy's rise as a significant European principality.

Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset (1436–1464) was a prominent Lancastrian noble and military leader during the Wars of the Roses. A grandson of John of Gaunt, he inherited the dukedom in 1456 and became a key figure in the dynastic conflict. He led Lancastrian forces at battles such as St Albans and Hexham. Following the Lancastrian defeat, he was captured and executed in 1464, ending the male line of his dukedom. His chivalric reputation and tragic end exemplify the turbulent politics of 15th-century England.

Charles VIII of Sweden (1409–1470), also known as Carl Knutsson Bonde, served three non-consecutive terms as King of Sweden and one as King of Norway. A member of the noble Bonde family, he navigated the challenges of the Kalmar Union and conflicts with Denmark. His reigns were marked by internal power struggles and efforts to promote mining and trade in Sweden. Despite repeated depositions, his persistent claims influenced the region's political landscape. His leadership helped pave the way for Sweden’s eventual independence from Danish rule.

Henry Bromley (1560–1615) was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons representing Worcestershire. He served as High Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1593 and took part in parliamentary committees on taxation and trade. Bromley was known for his support of Protestant causes and his involvement in local governance during the transition from Elizabeth I to James I. His work in the Commons contributed to early discussions on fiscal policy and law enforcement. He remained influential in regional affairs until his death in 1615.

Sir Edward Petre, 3rd Baronet (1631–1699) was an English aristocrat and politician who inherited the Petre baronetcy. He sat in the House of Commons, participating in debates on taxation and religious toleration during the reigns of Charles II and James II. A loyal royalist, he held local offices including Justice of the Peace in his county. Petre adeptly navigated the complex politics of the Restoration court and country. His death marked the end of his branch of the Petre lineage, leaving a legacy of committed public service.

Braulio Carrillo Colina was born in 1800 and emerged as one of the most influential figures in early Costa Rican politics. A trained lawyer, he first took office as Head of State in 1835 and again in 1838, seeking to centralize government authority and modernize the economy. Carrillo implemented land reforms, promoted infrastructure development, and negotiated treaties to secure the nation’s boundaries. He founded the Costa Rican bank and restructured the judiciary to strengthen the rule of law. His tenure also saw efforts to expand education and public health. Carrillo’s administration ended in 1842, and he was executed in 1845 following political upheaval, becoming a pivotal figure in Costa Rican history.