July 13

Born Li Dan in 662, he first ascended the throne in 684 as Emperor Zhongzong but was deposed by his mother, Wu Zetian. He regained power in 710 after a palace coup that restored the Tang dynasty. His second reign was largely ceremonial, with real authority held by his son Li Longji (later Emperor Xuanzong). During his rule, he oversaw the recovery of the empire after the tumultuous Zhou interregnum. Rui Zong abdicated in 712 and retired; he died on 13 July 716, leaving a legacy of dynastic restoration.

Born in 758, Wu Yuanheng rose through the ranks of the Tang bureaucracy, earning a reputation for integrity. As chancellor, he supported centralization of power and campaigns against regional warlords. He was also celebrated for his lyrical poetry, blending personal reflection with classical form. In 815, he was murdered in a political conspiracy, becoming a symbol of loyalty and courage in official historiography. His death marked a turning point in the struggle between central authority and regional military governors.

A member of the ruling family of Capua, Pandulf II governed alongside his relatives in the 10th century. He navigated alliances between the Byzantines, the Holy Roman Empire, and neighboring Lombard states. Pandulf’s rule saw both cooperation and conflict as southern Italian politics fragmented. He supported fortification projects and managed trade routes in Campania. Pandulf II died in 982, leaving his territory contested among rival branches of the family.

Son of Pandulf Ironhead, Landulf IV inherited the principalities of Capua and Benevento in the late 10th century. He faced challenges from both the Byzantines and the Holy Roman Empire as he defended his domains. Landulf engaged in strategic marriages and alliances to maintain his family’s influence. His reign saw internal conflicts with local nobility and rival Lombard branches. Landulf IV died in 982, after which Capua and Benevento gradually diverged under separate rulers.

A member of the Kalbid dynasty, Abu'l-Qasim governed Sicily under the suzerainty of the Fatimid Caliphate. He fortified coastal cities and led campaigns to repel Byzantine attempts to reclaim the island. Under his rule, Palermo flourished as a center of trade and culture in the Mediterranean. He patronized scholars and overseers of agriculture, enhancing the island’s prosperity. Abu'l-Qasim died in 982, leaving a legacy of strong governance and military resilience.

Henry II, also known as Saint Henry, was King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor from 1014 until his death in 1024. Born in 973 in the Duchy of Bavaria, he consolidated imperial power through strategic alliances and church reforms. He worked to increase the influence of the papacy while asserting imperial authority over Italian territories. Henry was known for his pious devotion and patronage of monasteries and churches. He died in 1024 and was canonized by Pope Eugene III in 1146, becoming the only German monarch recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Hubert Walter (1160–1205) served as Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor for King Richard I and King John. As a skilled administrator and legal reformer, he streamlined the royal chancery and introduced innovations in record-keeping. Walter also led diplomatic missions and managed the kingdom’s finances during Richard’s absence on the Third Crusade. He played a key role in church affairs, balancing papal interests with royal authority. Walter died in 1205 and was remembered for his intellect, reforms, and effective governance at the intersection of church and state.

Afonso of Portugal (1475–1491) was the eldest surviving son of King Afonso V and Queen Joanna. Named heir to the throne, he was educated in court politics and naval affairs. His death at the age of 15 from malaria during a campaign in North Africa shocked the Portuguese court. The loss of the young prince diverted royal expectations and led to the eventual reign of Manuel I. Afonso’s brief life exemplified the era’s dynastic risks and the challenges of medieval succession.

Sir John Wallop (1490–1551) was a trusted military commander and ambassador during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI. He fought in wars in France and Scotland, earning a reputation for bravery and leadership. Wallop also undertook diplomatic missions to secure alliances and negotiate peace treaties for England. His service at court included involvement in negotiations over marriage alliances and trade. He died in 1551, leaving his mark on Tudor military and diplomatic history.

Adam Wenceslaus (1574–1617) was the duke of Cieszyn, a region in Silesia, from 1592 until his death. He navigated the complex political landscape of the Holy Roman Empire, balancing the interests of local estates with imperial authority. Known for patronizing arts and education, he supported the construction of churches and schools in his duchy. Wenceslaus also engaged in territorial disputes and alliances with neighboring states. He died in 1617, remembered as a ruler who fostered stability and cultural growth in Cieszyn.

Albert VII (1559–1621) was Archduke of Austria and joint sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands alongside his wife, Isabella Clara Eugenia. Appointed by Philip II of Spain, he governed the Southern Netherlands during a period of religious and political strife. His reign saw the continuation of the Eighty Years’ War and efforts to restore peace and Catholicism. Albert was a patron of the arts and supported the careers of artists like Peter Paul Rubens. He died in 1621, leaving the Southern Netherlands to Habsburg control and influencing European politics.

Robert Sidney was an English nobleman and politician, best known for his tenure as the 1st Earl of Leicester. Born in 1563 to a prominent family, he served in the court of Queen Elizabeth I and later King James I. Sidney was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, allowing him to influence policy abroad. He was a patron of literature and the arts, supporting writers and scholars of the Jacobean era. His correspondence provides valuable insight into the politics and culture of early 17th-century England. Sidney died in 1626, leaving a legacy as a statesman and cultural patron.