May 31

Born in 396 into a noble family, he rose to prominence under Emperor Honorius. In March 455, he orchestrated the assassination of Valentinian III to seize power. His reign was marked by political instability and threats from external invaders. He failed to secure Rome against the Vandals, leading to the city's sack. Fleeing the chaos, he was killed by a mob in May 455. His death symbolized the rapid decline of the Western Roman Empire.

Born in 896 to the ruling Liu family of the Southern Han kingdom. Daughter of Emperor Liu Yan and sister to subsequent rulers Liu Bin and Liu Sheng. She was a notable patron of Buddhism and fostered the arts at the royal court. Liu Hua played diplomatic roles, strengthening alliances with neighboring states. Her life reflected the cultural vibrancy and political complexity of southern China. She died in 930, remembered for her contributions to courtly culture.

Born in 909 as the son of Fujiwara no Tokihira, a leading figure of the Heian court. He served as regent (sesshō) under Emperor Murakami and held high-ranking ministerial posts. Morosuke expanded the Fujiwara clan's influence through strategic marriages and court alliances. He was a patron of Buddhist temples and cultivated ties with literary circles. His political acumen helped stabilize imperial succession during a turbulent era. He died in 960, leaving a powerful legacy within the Japanese aristocracy.

Born around 1050, Waltheof inherited the Earldom of Northumbria in 1065. Initially loyal to William the Conqueror, he later joined rebellions against Norman authority. He married Judith of Lens, linking him by marriage to the Norman elite. Implication in the Revolt of the Earls led to his arrest and trial in 1075. In 1076, he was executed—beheaded by William the Conqueror—the only English earl so punished. His life embodies the clash between Anglo-Saxon tradition and Norman rule.

Chosen as Archbishop of Cologne in 1078 amid the Investiture Controversy. A staunch supporter of Pope Gregory VII, he enforced reforms against simony and clerical marriage. He convened local synods to tighten ecclesiastical discipline in his archdiocese. Sigwin founded and supported several monasteries, including Michaelsberg Abbey. He acted as mediator between secular rulers and the Papacy in the Rhineland. He died in 1089, remembered for his leadership during a critical period of church reform.

Born in 1130 as the son of King Béla II, he became king at age ten under regency. He invited German and French settlers to colonize and develop Hungary's border regions. Géza II strengthened the kingdom's defenses against nomadic incursions and internal dissent. He forged alliances with the Holy Roman Empire and conducted successful Balkan campaigns. His support for new bishoprics and monasteries invigorated Hungarian ecclesiastical life. He died in 1162, leaving a prosperous and more unified kingdom.

Born in 1280 to King Magnus III, Birger ascended the Swedish throne in 1290. He faced constant rivalry with his brothers Eric and Valdemar for control of the kingdom. In the Håtuna games of 1306, he was captured and imprisoned by his siblings. Birger sought Danish support to reclaim authority, fueling Scandinavian conflicts. Exiled later in life, he died in 1321 on the island of Gersö away from Sweden. His reign highlights the internecine struggles of medieval Scandinavian royalty.

Born in 1271, he inherited the Barony of Berkeley in 1321 upon his father's death. Maurice served King Edward II in military campaigns, notably in Scotland. He managed and fortified Berkeley Castle, securing his family's seat in Gloucestershire. Active in regional politics, he supported royal forces against rebellious barons. His leadership exemplified the martial and administrative duties of English nobility. He died in 1326, succeeded by his grandson Thomas de Berkeley.

Born in Padua in 1261 to a noble family, he became a leading figure in civic life. He held the office of podestà in Vicenza and served on Padua's city council. Mussato wrote the Latin tragedy Ecerinis in 1314, a milestone in Italian humanism. His historical chronicle, Historia Augusta, provided critical accounts of Paduan politics. As a scholar, he championed the revival of classical Latin and moral philosophy. He died in 1329, leaving a rich intellectual legacy that influenced Renaissance thinkers.

Born in 1297 to Baldwin Wake, he inherited the title Baron Wake of Liddell. Thomas served as a diplomat and counselor under King Edward III of England. He acted as Warden of the Marches, overseeing border security with Scotland. He participated in parliaments that laid the groundwork for English legal reforms. His career reflected the evolving role of nobles in military and diplomatic affairs. He died in 1349 during the Black Death, marking the end of his line's male succession.

Vitalis of Assisi was born in 1295 and lived as a hermit near Assisi. He embraced a life of asceticism and devoted himself to prayer, meditation, and manual labor. He is associated with the Franciscan tradition and sought to embody its ideals of poverty and humility. Although detailed historical records are scarce, his reputation for piety attracted seekers of spiritual guidance. His memory was preserved in medieval hagiographies and he remains a symbol of solitary devotion in Christian history.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was born in 1358 and became the third shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate in 1368. He consolidated political authority in Kyoto and worked to strengthen central rule over Japan. Yoshimitsu established diplomatic relations with the Ming dynasty of China and welcomed envoys to the Muromachi court. He was a passionate patron of the arts and commissioned the famed Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto. Under his leadership, Noh theater and ink painting flourished, and Japanese culture entered a golden age. After abdicating in 1394, he continued to wield influence behind the scenes until his death in 1408.