July 27

Little is known about Abdallah II's early life or his ascent to power. He succeeded to the emirate amidst internal family conflicts and external pressures. During his brief rule, he oversaw administrative affairs and maintained the dynasty's hold on Ifriqiya. The Aghlabid emirate under his leadership controlled parts of modern-day Tunisia and Libya. His reign ended with his death in 903, leaving the emirate in a period of transition.

Born Guo Rong, he ascended the throne in 954 following the death of his brother. As emperor, he implemented military reforms to strengthen central authority and professionalize the army. He led successful campaigns against neighboring states, expanding Later Zhou's territory. Chai Rong also introduced administrative measures to improve tax collection and government efficiency. His sudden death in 959 curtailed many of his plans, but his reign is remembered for its ambition and vigor. He laid the groundwork for the eventual reunification of China under the Song dynasty.

Born into the noble House of Berg, she became High Duchess through her marriage to Duke Bolesław III of Poland. As consort, she played a role in dynastic alliances and political negotiations at the Polish court. She bore several children who would go on to influence the fragmented Polish realm. Salomea's tenure coincided with internal strife among Polish dukes following her husband's death. Her death in 1144 marked the end of her involvement in the complex succession disputes of medieval Poland.

Born Gerard of Burgundy, he was elected pope in 1058 during a time of clerical corruption and simony. Nicholas II convened the Council of Melfi in 1059, issuing the papal bull In nomine Domini to regulate papal elections. He sought to strengthen papal authority and reduce secular interference in ecclesiastical matters. Under his pontificate, he also opposed the antipope Benedict X and secured recognition from European rulers. His brief reformist papacy set important precedents for the Gregorian Reforms that followed. Nicholas II died in 1061, leaving a legacy of increased independence and structure for the papal office.

Born in 1074, he was crowned King of Italy in 1093 as part of dynastic struggles within the Holy Roman Empire. As the emperor's son, he acted as a representative of imperial authority in northern Italy. During his tenure, he engaged in conflicts with local Italian nobles and faced the broader Investiture Controversy. Conrad sought to uphold his father's policies but struggled against papal opposition and regional autonomy movements. He died in 1101, and his early death limited his impact on the unfolding imperial-papal power dynamics.

A close ally of William the Conqueror, he was granted the earldom of Chester around 1071 as a frontier lord. Hugh established Chester Castle and fortified the border region against Welsh incursions. He wielded extensive authority, administering justice and managing lands directly under the crown. Known for his forceful rule, he earned the nickname 'Hugh the Fat' and maintained his frontier earldom until his death. He died in 1101, leaving a strengthened defensive position in northwestern England.

Born in 1134, he inherited the county of Anjou during the complex inheritance conflicts of the Plantagenet era. As count, he navigated alliances and rivalries among the Angevin dynasty and neighboring powers. Although overshadowed by his brother, King Henry II of England, he managed local affairs and feudal disputes. His rule saw tensions between Anjou and Normandy as part of broader Angevin influence. Geoffrey VI died in 1158 after a relatively obscure tenure overshadowed by larger continental politics.

Born in 1208, he ascended the throne as a child after his father's death and faced initial regency conflicts. James I led successful campaigns against Muslim-held territories, including the conquest of Majorca in 1229. He also captured Valencia in 1238, significantly extending Aragonese influence. A patron of culture and law, he compiled the 'Llibre dels Fets', one of the earliest autobiographical works in medieval Catalan. His reign established Aragon as a major Mediterranean power before his death in 1276.

Born in 1339, he assumed the ducal title in 1358 and sought to elevate Austria's prestige among European powers. Rudolf founded the University of Vienna in 1365, one of the oldest universities in the German-speaking world. He issued the Privilegium Maius, a forgery asserting Austrian independence and princely status. His cultural patronage and administrative reforms laid foundations for Habsburg influence. He died unexpectedly in 1365, but his initiatives had lasting impact on the duchy's development.

Born in 1326, she inherited the Neapolitan throne in 1343 as one of the few reigning queens of her time. Her reign was marked by political intrigue, including accusations over the murder of her first husband. She navigated complex relations with the Papacy, supporting the Avignon Papacy during the Western Schism. A patron of the arts and letters, she maintained a vibrant court in Naples. Overthrown in 1382 amid dynastic conflicts, she met a mysterious death that remains a subject of historical debate.

Born in 1423 into a powerful Welsh family, William Herbert rose to prominence in the late medieval English court. He played a crucial role in securing Edward IV's reign, demonstrating strategic acumen in the Wars of the Roses. In 1468, he was created the 1st Earl of Pembroke and appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland, consolidating his authority. Herbert governed the Welsh Marches and amassed considerable estates, shaping regional politics. His life ended suddenly at the Battle of Edgecote Moor in 1469, but his descendants continued the Herbert legacy.

Born in 1593, Salomo Glassius studied theology and became a professor at the University of Jena. He authored the influential 'Philologia Sacra', which shaped Protestant biblical interpretation. His work combined philology with theology, advancing critical methods in scriptural studies. Glassius served as court preacher in Weimar and contributed to spiritual discourse during the Thirty Years' War. He left a lasting impact on hermeneutics and German Protestant scholarship before his death in 1656.