June 14

Ōtomo no Otomaro (731–809) was a leading military commander during Japan's early Heian period. He led imperial campaigns against the Emishi tribes in northern Honshū. In 794, he became the first to hold the title Sei-i Taishōgun (Barbarian Subduing Generalissimo). He served as Governor of Dazaifu, strengthening the imperial presence in Kyushu. His victories and governance helped expand and stabilize the central government's frontier control. Ōtomo's legacy paved the way for the rise of the samurai class in Japanese history.

Methodius I (c. 785–847) was appointed Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in 843 after years of imperial iconoclasm. He played a key role in the Triumph of Orthodoxy, restoring the veneration of icons across the Byzantine Empire. As patriarch, he convened synods that reaffirmed the legitimacy of icons in worship. He authored theological defenses of iconodule doctrine against iconoclast critics. His leadership reinforced the bond between church and state and shaped Eastern Orthodox tradition for centuries.

Guadamir was the Bishop of Vic in Catalonia until his death in 957. He oversaw the administration of the diocese and its ecclesiastical properties. He supported the growth and reform of monastic communities in the region. Historical records praise his piety and governance during a formative period for the Catalan church. His tenure contributed to the consolidation of church authority in medieval Spain.

Aron was a leading noble in the First Bulgarian Empire and elder brother of Tsar Samuel. He governed key regions in Macedonia and played a central role in military and diplomatic affairs. His attempt to negotiate peace with the Byzantine Empire without his brother's consent led to his downfall. In 976, he was captured and executed on Samuel's orders, reflecting the ruthless nature of dynastic politics. His life highlights the complexities of loyalty and power in medieval Bulgaria.

Emperor Qinzong (1100–1161) ascended the Northern Song throne in 1126 during a period of escalating conflict. His reign saw the devastating Jin–Song wars, culminating in the Jingkang Incident of 1127. Jurchen forces captured Kaifeng, deposed Qinzong, and sent him into exile in Manchuria. He spent the rest of his life as a captive, stripped of his titles and subjected to humiliation. His fall marked the end of the Northern Song dynasty and the rise of the Southern Song under his brother's rule. Qinzong's tragic story epitomizes the era's geopolitical upheavals.

Günther von Schwarzburg (c. 1304–1349) was a member of the House of Schwarzburg and Count of Schwarzburg. In February 1349, rival electors opposing Emperor Louis IV elected him King of the Romans. He was crowned in Aachen but struggled to gain broad recognition across the empire. Later that year, he fell ill—likely from the plague—and died, ending his short reign. His election highlighted the deep divisions within the Holy Roman Empire's electoral politics. Günther's brief kingship underscores the volatility of medieval German principalities.

Simon Sudbury (1316–1381) served as Bishop of London before becoming Lord Chancellor and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1375. As Lord Chancellor, he helped impose taxes that fueled widespread discontent among the peasantry. During the Peasants' Revolt, rebels besieged the Tower of London demanding his surrender. He was captured, dragged from sanctuary, and beheaded on Tower Hill on June 14, 1381. His death symbolizes the intense social and political tensions of 14th-century England. Sudbury's career illustrates the fraught relationship between church leadership and royal authority.

Giovanni Borgia (1474–1497) was the second Duke of Gandía and eldest legitimate son of Pope Alexander VI. He served as a papal legate in Spain and cultivated alliances with Spanish nobility. In 1497, he vanished while traveling and his body was found months later in the Tíber River. The circumstances of his disappearance sparked rumors of fratricide and political intrigue. His untimely death remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Renaissance. Giovanni's story continues to captivate historians and enthusiasts alike.

John III (Jean d'Albret) (1469–1516) ascended the Navarrese throne in 1484 alongside his wife, Queen Catherine. He worked to reinforce ties with France while preserving Navarre's independence. John reformed the kingdom's administration and promoted economic development. He navigated complex relations with Aragon and the French crown during his reign. Despite challenges, his policies laid a foundation for the future stability of Navarre. His reign is noted for balancing diplomacy and domestic reform in a turbulent era.

Antoine (1489–1544) became Duke of Lorraine in 1508 at a young age. He married Renée of Bourbon, strengthening ties with French nobility. Antoine balanced his duchy's relations between France and the Holy Roman Empire. He participated in the Italian Wars, defending Lorraine's borders and sovereignty. In 1544, he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Serravalle and died shortly after. His leadership preserved Lorraine's autonomy amid 16th-century European power struggles.

Born around 1470 in Carpentras, France. He became a distinguished singer and composer in the papal chapel under Pope Leo X. Carpentras is celebrated for his richly textured masses and motets that exemplify Renaissance polyphony. His works influenced both Italian and French musical traditions of the 16th century. Few of his secular chansons survive, but his sacred music remains highly regarded. He died in Rome in 1548, leaving a lasting legacy in liturgical music.

Born in 1522, Shibata Katsuie emerged as one of Oda Nobunaga's most trusted commanders. He fought in key battles such as Anegawa and played a vital role in Nobunaga's campaigns to unify Japan. After Nobunaga's death, he clashed with rival Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the Battle of Shizugatake. Defeated in 1583, he retreated to Kitanosho Castle. Facing inevitable defeat, he committed seppuku the same year. His career exemplifies the shifting alliances and brutal conflicts of Japan's Warring States era.