August 31

Liu Cong (died 318) was the second emperor of the Xiongnu-led Former Zhao state during China's Sixteen Kingdoms period. Succeeding his father Liu Yuan, he reigned from 310 to 318 CE. Under his rule, Former Zhao expanded its territories across northern China. He was noted for his patronage of Buddhism and for integrating Xiongnu and Han Chinese traditions. His reign marked a period of relative stability amid the era's widespread fragmentation. However, his later years saw court intrigues that weakened his state. Upon his death, he was succeeded by his son Liu Can.

John Scholasticus (died 577) served as the Patriarch of Constantinople from 565 until his death. A former legal scholar, he compiled the Nomocanon, a foundational collection of ecclesiastical and imperial laws. His legal writings influenced Eastern Orthodox canon law for centuries. He was recognized as a saint for his contributions to Christian jurisprudence. During his patriarchate, he worked to unify church disciplines and promote doctrinal clarity. His tenure faced challenges of theological disputes following the Council of Chalcedon. He died in 577, leaving behind a lasting ecclesiastical legacy.

Aidan of Lindisfarne (died 651) was an Irish monk and missionary credited with founding the monastery on Lindisfarne in 635. Appointed by King Oswald of Northumbria, he became the region's first bishop. He is remembered for his austere lifestyle, humility, and dedication to educating both clergy and laity. Aidan traveled extensively preaching the Gospel, establishing churches, and fostering monastic communities. His gentle approach and use of native languages aided conversions among the Anglo-Saxons. He died on August 31, 651, and was later venerated as a saint. His legacy includes the enduring Christian heritage of the Northumbrian church.

Ōtomo no Tabito (665–731) was a prominent Japanese poet and nobleman during the Nara period. As governor of Dazaifu, he gathered poets at his residence, fostering the Dazaifu poetic circle. His works, many preserved in the Man'yōshū, reflect themes of nature, travel, and court life. He was the father of Ōtomo no Yakamochi, another renowned poet and compiler of the Man'yōshū. His patronage and own poetry significantly influenced early Japanese literature. His role in shaping waka poetry left a lasting cultural legacy. He died on August 31, 731.

Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Ta'i (died 894) was an Abbasid-era governor appointed over various provinces in the 9th century. He managed affairs of state, overseeing fiscal policies and regional security. Though details of his career are sparse, medieval chroniclers note his administrative competence. His governance reflected the complexities of provincial rule under the Abbasid Caliphate, balancing central authority with local challenges. He presided over tax collection and judicial matters, aiming to maintain order. He died on August 31, 894, leaving limited but enduring mentions in Arabic historical records.

Kunigunde of Altdorf (died 1054) was a Frankish noblewoman belonging to the Elder House of Welf. Daughter of Welf II, Count of Altdorf, she married into other noble families, reinforcing alliances in the Holy Roman Empire. Although specific details of her life are limited, her lineage connected her to significant power struggles in medieval Europe. She played a role in the dynastic politics of Swabia and Bavaria through her family ties. Kunigunde's status exemplified the importance of noble marriages in shaping regional alliances. She died on August 31, 1054, remembered for her connections to one of Europe's most enduring dynasties.

Theodora (981–1056), sister of Emperor Constantine VIII, became Byzantine empress and de facto ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire from 1042 until her death. After the deposition of Michael V, she assumed power and was crowned Augusta. Her tenure restored stability following decades of turmoil and continued legal reforms. She patronized religious institutions and supported charitable works in Constantinople. Her reign marked one of the last periods of native Byzantine rule before the rise of the Komnenos dynasty. She died on August 31, 1056, leaving a legacy as a capable and pious ruler.

Turgot of Durham (c. 1050–1115) was a Scottish monk and priest who served as Prior of Durham Cathedral in England before becoming the first known Bishop of St Andrews in Scotland. He introduced liturgical reforms and worked to strengthen ties between the Scottish church and Rome. Turgot navigated political and cultural challenges while organizing ecclesiastical structures in a formative period. He later returned to Durham shortly before his death, where he continued his scholarly and pastoral work. Turgot died on August 31, 1115, leaving a reputation for piety, learning, and leadership in early medieval Britain.

Sancho III of Castile (1134–1158), also known as Sancho the Desired, ascended the Castilian throne in 1157 at the age of 23. His brief reign was marked by continued campaigns against Muslim-held territories as part of the Reconquista. He forged alliances and managed disputes with neighboring kingdoms of Navarre and León. Although his time on the throne was short, he maintained internal stability and royal authority in Castile. His military and diplomatic efforts laid groundwork for his successors. He died on August 31, 1158, leaving a legacy of steadfast leadership.

Emperor Go-Horikawa (1212–1234) ascended the Japanese throne in 1221 following the Jōkyū War, at only nine years old. His reign was characterized by the dominant influence of the Kamakura shogunate, limiting imperial authority. Despite his youth, he promoted cultural patronage, supporting Buddhist temples and court rituals. His era saw efforts to maintain imperial traditions amid rising military governance. He died on August 31, 1234, at the age of 22, and was succeeded by Emperor Shijō. His reign exemplifies the complexities of imperial-shogunal relations in medieval Japan.

Konrad von Würzburg was a prominent figure in Middle High German literature during the late 13th century. He authored a varied corpus of courtly romances, lyrical poems, and religious narratives. His works such as 'Daniel von dem blühenden Tal' and 'Partonopier' are celebrated for their intricate verse and vivid imagery. Drawing inspiration from French epic and Arthurian legends, he adapted these traditions to a German audience. His literary style, characterized by rich language and emotional depth, influenced generations of German poets and helped cement his legacy in medieval literature.

Born in 1271, Henry II ascended to the thrones of Cyprus and Jerusalem in 1285. As king, he struggled to defend the remaining Crusader strongholds against Mamluk advances. He witnessed the fall of Acre in 1291, marking the end of Latin presence in the Holy Land. Henry navigated complex political alliances through marriage and diplomacy to bolster his weakened realm. His reign exemplified the final chapter of the Crusader kingdoms in the Eastern Mediterranean.