August 22

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.

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.

Charles Brandon was born around 1484 into a noble family with ties to King Henry VII. He became Duke of Suffolk in 1514 and was a lifelong friend and confidant of Henry VIII. Brandon served in military campaigns in France and was rewarded with titles and wealth. He controversially married Henry's sister, Princess Mary Tudor, without royal permission. Brandon held high offices, including Lord President of the Council and Knight of the Garter. He died on August 22, 1545, having navigated the treacherous politics of the Tudor court with skill. His descendants continued to play significant roles in English politics.

John Dudley was born in 1504 into the powerful Dudley family and rose to prominence under King Edward VI. He served as Lord Admiral and led military campaigns in Scotland and France. In 1551, Dudley became Lord President of the Council, effectively ruling England in Edward's name. He was instrumental in advancing Protestant reforms and strengthening royal authority. After Edward VI's death, he attempted to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne to preserve his power. His plan failed, and he was executed for treason on August 22, 1553. Dudley's ambitious rule and dramatic fall have been the subject of historical study.

Thomas Percy was born in 1528 into the prominent Percy family of Northumberland. A devout Catholic, he became a leader of the 1569 Rising of the North, aiming to restore Catholic worship in England. Percy and other nobles seized Durham and sought support for Mary, Queen of Scots. The rebellion was swiftly suppressed, and Percy fled before being captured. He was executed on August 22, 1572, in York for his role in the uprising. Percy's revolt highlighted the religious tensions that plagued Elizabethan England. He is remembered as a key figure in the Catholic resistance to the Protestant monarchy.

Born in 1583 to a noble Baltic family, De la Gardie became Lord High Constable of Sweden, leading campaigns in the Polish-Swedish Wars. He introduced mobile artillery tactics and reorganized infantry formations, enhancing the army's effectiveness. As a member of the Privy Council, he influenced both military strategy and domestic policies under King Gustavus Adolphus. His diplomatic efforts secured alliances and peace treaties. De la Gardie's reforms and battlefield successes helped establish Sweden as a major European power. He died in 1652, leaving a lasting impact on military history.