August 22

Stilicho (c. 359–408) was a Roman general of Vandal heritage who rose to become magister militum and regent for the young Emperor Honorius. He led successful campaigns against invading barbarian tribes such as the Visigoths and protected Italy from external threats. Born to a Vandal father and a Roman mother, he navigated complex court politics to wield significant power in the late empire. Stilicho's efforts were instrumental in maintaining stability during a period of decline. His rivalry with other court factions ultimately led to his arrest and execution in 408 AD. Despite his controversial end, Stilicho's military achievements and political influence left a lasting mark on the Western Roman Empire.

Emperor Konoe (1139–1155) was the 76th sovereign of Japan, ascending the throne at the age of three. As a figurehead under the influence of the powerful Fujiwara clan, he held the ceremonial duties of the Chrysanthemum Throne during a turbulent era of court politics. His reign saw ongoing rivalries between the retired Emperor Sutoku and the ruling cloistered government. Despite his youth, Konoe presided over important court ceremonies and patronized the arts. He passed away at the age of sixteen, leaving the throne vacant and further fueling succession disputes. His brief reign reflects the complexities of Heian court life and the fragility of imperial authority.

Pope Gregory IX (born Ugolino di Conti; c. 1143–1241) served as the head of the Catholic Church from 1227 until his death. He is best known for instituting the Papal Inquisition to combat heresy and for canonizing Saint Francis of Assisi. Gregory IX organized the Decretals, a comprehensive collection of canon law that became authoritative for centuries. His papacy was marked by conflicts with the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II over authority and territorial disputes. He also fostered ecclesiastical reforms and strengthened the administrative structure of the Church. Gregory IX's legacy endures in both theological jurisprudence and the Church's approach to doctrinal enforcement.

Pope Nicholas III (born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini; 1225–1280) led the Catholic Church from 1277 until his death. A member of the powerful Orsini family, he worked to strengthen papal authority in Italy and negotiated political alliances among city-states. Nicholas III instituted financial reforms to increase church revenues and supported charitable institutions in Rome. He sought to assert papal influence over the Kingdom of Sicily and mediated conflicts between secular rulers. His brief pontificate was also notable for nepotistic appointments that secured his family's standing within the church hierarchy. Nicholas III's tenure set precedents in ecclesiastical governance and papal-state relations.

John II (1247–1304) was Count of Holland and Zeeland, succeeding his father as ruler in 1299. His reign was characterized by ongoing disputes with the County of Flanders and rival noble factions. John II sought to consolidate his territories through strategic marriages and alliances, marrying Philippa of Luxembourg. He fortified important towns and strengthened the county's defenses against external threats. During his rule, trade in the region grew, benefiting from Holland's coastal ports. John II's unexpected death in 1304 led to his young son's succession and continued political rivalries. His leadership helped shape the medieval Low Countries' feudal landscape.

William II (1312–1338) was Duke of Athens, a feudal lord of the Crusader principality established after the Fourth Crusade. Born into the de la Roche family, he inherited the duchy and governed its territories in central Greece. His reign was marked by shifting alliances with neighboring Latin states and Byzantine successor kingdoms. William II managed to maintain the duchy's autonomy through marital ties and feudal agreements. Despite ongoing regional conflicts, he upheld the Latin rule in Athens until his untimely death. His passing in 1338 triggered succession challenges that affected the stability of Frankish Greece.

Philip VI (1293–1350), known as Philip of Valois, succeeded to the French throne in 1328, inaugurating the Valois dynasty. His reign was dominated by the outbreak of the Hundred Years’ War against England and the protective alliance with Scotland. Philip VI financed and led military campaigns, but suffered a significant defeat at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. He also navigated complex relations with powerful French nobles and the papacy. Under his rule, France confronted the Black Death’s initial arrival in 1348, which devastated the population. Philip VI’s policies laid the groundwork for his successors’ ongoing conflicts with England. His death in 1350 ended a reign of both challenges and consolidation for medieval France.

Isabella of France (1295–1358), known as the 'She-Wolf of France', was daughter of Philip IV and queen consort of Edward II of England. Frustrated by her husband’s favoritism and political failures, she allied with Roger Mortimer to invade England in 1326 and force Edward II’s abdication. As regent for her son, Edward III, Isabella governed England until she and Mortimer were overthrown in 1330. She spent her later years in France and retained considerable wealth and influence. Isabella’s political acumen and bold assertion of power challenged traditional gender roles in medieval Europe. Her actions paved the way for her son’s long and consequential reign. Isabella’s legacy endures as one of the most formidable female figures of the Middle Ages.

Eleanor (1423–1425) was Princess of Asturias as the heir presumptive to the throne of Castile. Born to King John II of Castile and his first wife Maria of Aragon, she held the title from birth. Eleanor’s brief life coincided with dynastic struggles among Iberian kingdoms. She passed away at only two years old, preventing her succession. Her death led to a shift in the line of inheritance and influenced the future of Castilian monarchy. Though her life was short, Eleanor’s birth was initially celebrated for securing the royal lineage during a period of political uncertainty. Her memory remains a footnote in the turbulent history of medieval Spain.

Vladislav II (died 1456), known as Vladislav II the Monk, was Voivode of Wallachia in multiple reigns during the turbulent mid-15th century. Supported by the Hungarian regent John Hunyadi, he governed the principality after the deposition of Vlad Dracula. His rule was marked by efforts to resist Ottoman incursions and maintain alliances with neighboring powers. Vladislav II negotiated with Hungary and Moldavia to secure military support against external threats. His reign ended in 1456 when he was assassinated, leading to the restoration of Vlad III Dracula. Although often overshadowed by his more famous successor, Vladislav II played a significant role in Wallachia’s defense and politics. His leadership exemplified the challenges faced by small principalities between larger empires.

Richard III was born on October 2, 1452, the youngest surviving son of Richard, Duke of York. He served with distinction as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and gained a reputation as a capable administrator and soldier. In 1483, he seized the throne from his nephew Edward V, declaring the princes illegitimate. His reign was marked by political turmoil and the final stages of the Wars of the Roses. He was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485, ending the Plantagenet dynasty. Controversies over his character and the fate of the Princes in the Tower have fascinated historians and inspired countless works of literature.

James Harrington was a knight loyal to King Richard III during the Wars of the Roses. Little is known about his early life, but he rose to prominence under Richard's patronage. He fought at key battles in the conflict between the houses of York and Lancaster. After Richard's death at Bosworth, he likely faced the shift in power to the Tudor dynasty. His exact date of birth and familial background remain obscure. Harrington's life illustrates the experiences of lesser-known nobles in 15th-century England.