July 28

Ascending to the throne at age seven, Theodosius II ruled the Eastern Roman Empire for over four decades. He is best remembered for commissioning the Theodosian Code, a comprehensive compilation of Roman laws. He also ordered the construction of the massive Theodosian Walls, which protected Constantinople for centuries. A scholarly ruler, he sponsored Christian theological debates and maintained diplomatic ties with Western Rome and Persia. His reign saw both cultural flourishing and challenges, including religious conflicts and barbarian pressures. Theodosius’ legacy influenced Byzantine law and urban defense for generations.

Athanasius I Gammolo served as Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch from the late 6th to early 7th century. He guided his church through theological disputes following the Council of Chalcedon. A skilled diplomat, he traveled to Constantinople to negotiate with Byzantine Emperor Heraclius. He promoted monasticism, founded monasteries, and advanced Syriac liturgical scholarship. Under his leadership, the Syriac Orthodox community consolidated its traditions and maintained its autonomy amid imperial pressures.

Thankmar was the firstborn son of Henry the Fowler and his concubine Eadgyth, making him the elder half-brother of Otto I. Denied the throne due to questions of legitimacy, he took ecclesiastical orders before returning to secular life. Crowned king by dissenting nobles following Otto’s accession in 936, his claim sparked a brief civil conflict. During the siege of Eresburg in 938, Thankmar was killed in battle, ending the uprising. His death underscored the fragile nature of royal succession and the interplay between church and monarchy in early medieval Germany.

Shi Jingtang was a prominent military governor under the Later Tang dynasty who rebelled against his sovereign with Khitan support. In 936, he established the Later Jin dynasty and ascended the throne as its founding emperor. His alliance with the Khitan Liao Empire secured his victory but required ceding the strategic Sixteen Prefectures. Shi’s reign saw both cultural patronage and court corruption, as he sought to balance Khitan demands with Chinese governance. He died in 942, leaving a contested succession that foreshadowed the Five Dynasties’ continued instability.

Born Gebhard of Dollnstein-Hirschberg, he became Archbishop of Cologne before being elected Pope Victor II by Emperor Henry III. Installed in 1055, he pursued clerical reforms targeting simony and enforcing celibacy. Victor II acted as a mediator in Italian politics, negotiating peace between Norman and Lombard factions. He maintained close ties with the Holy Roman Empire, reinforcing the imperial influence over the papacy. Despite a short reign, his commitment to reform and diplomacy left a lasting impact on church-state relations.

William Clito was the only son of Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy, and nephew of Henry I of England. His claims to Normandy made him a rallying figure for nobles discontented with Henry’s rule. In 1127, he briefly assumed the title of Count of Flanders through his marriage to Margaret of Flanders. He led military campaigns to seize Normandy but was ultimately repelled by royal forces. William died from wounds sustained during the siege of Aalst in 1128, leaving his ambitions unfulfilled.

Born to Duke Leopold V, he ascended as Leopold VI in 1198 and ruled Austria until his death in 1230. A cultured patron dubbed “the Glorious,” he fostered Minnesang poetry and supported German writers. Leopold joined the Fifth Crusade, contributing troops to the Holy Land campaign. Back home, he granted privileges to merchants and Jews, boosting economic growth and urban development. He founded monasteries, charities, and new towns, shaping Austria’s social and cultural landscape.

A scion of the powerful de Burgh family, Walter inherited extensive lands in Ireland. In 1264, he was created the first Earl of Ulster by King Henry III. Appointed Justiciar of Ireland in 1266, he enforced royal authority and oversaw justice. He built strategic castles, founded monasteries, and clashed with native Irish lords. Walter’s leadership laid the groundwork for his family’s dynasty in medieval Ireland.

Born into the noble House of Lampron, Keran married King Leo II of Cilician Armenia around 1269. As queen consort, she adeptly managed court affairs and advised on matters of state. Renowned for her devotion, she patronized monasteries and commissioned religious works. Keran fostered alliances with Crusader states, enhancing Armenia’s regional standing. She bore several children who continued her dynasty’s rule after her death. Following Leo’s passing, she served as regent, guiding the kingdom through a vulnerable period. Her legacy endured in the cultural and political life of Cilician Armenia.

Son of Humbert I, Guy VIII ascended to the Dauphiné in 1318 at the age of nine under regency. He assumed full control in 1323 and engaged in regional conflicts against Savoy and Dauphin Provence. A military leader, he fortified key strongholds and enhanced the defenses of his domain. He supported Emperor Louis IV’s Italian ambitions, illustrating his diplomatic reach. Guy died in Tuscany in 1333 while on campaign, leaving a legacy of strengthened autonomy for the Dauphiné. His patronage of architecture and governance laid foundations for his successors.

Sancia of Majorca was a princess of the Kingdom of Majorca who became queen of Naples through marriage. After her husband’s death in 1343, she served as regent for the young Joanna I, skillfully managing court politics and international diplomacy. Her financial reforms and charitable work strengthened the monarchy’s position during a time of noble unrest. She founded several religious institutions and was known for her devout faith and negotiation skills. Her regency played a crucial role in preserving the Angevin dynasty in Naples.

John II (1418–1458) ascended the throne of Cyprus and claimed the title of King of Armenia in 1432, inheriting a realm beset by external threats. He fortified the island against Mamluk incursions and negotiated trade agreements to bolster the economy. John fostered cultural exchanges by inviting Italian artisans and scholars to his court, promoting a flourishing Renaissance influence. Despite dynastic disputes and rival claimants, he maintained a fragile peace through careful diplomacy. His reign laid foundations for the later Lusignan dynasty’s golden age.