September 19

He served as bishop of Metz during the early 7th century, leading the local church through a period of political change. Renowned for his piety and charitable works, he supported the poor and educated clergy. His devotion to liturgical reforms strengthened the spiritual life of his diocese. After his death, he was venerated as a saint, and his feast day is celebrated on September 19. His legacy endures in the churches of Lorraine.

Born in Tarsus, he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 668. He convened the Synod of Hertford to establish church canons and diocesan structures. Theodore traveled extensively across England to oversee ecclesiastical reforms. He founded schools that became early centers of learning and scholarship in Anglo-Saxon England. His leadership fostered unity among diverse English kingdoms and clergy. He is revered as a saint with a feast day on September 19.

Helena was the daughter of Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos and Augusta Theodora. As empress consort, she wielded influence at the imperial court of Constantinople. Her marriage strengthened the legitimacy of the Lekapenos dynasty in the 10th century. She played a role in diplomatic ceremonies and patronage of the church. After her husband's deposition, she retired to a monastery, where she spent her final years. Her life reflects the power dynamics of the Byzantine imperial family.

He served as Archbishop of Milan in the late 10th century, overseeing one of Italy's most important sees. He navigated tensions between the church and local nobility, strengthening ecclesiastical authority. Gotofredo supported the construction and restoration of churches in the region. He maintained correspondence with other church leaders to uphold canonical practices. Details of his tenure illustrate the complex relationship between secular and religious power. He is remembered for his devotion to the reform and administration of the Milanese church.

He was born Wanyan Aguda and united the Jurchen tribes to overthrow the Liao dynasty. In 1115, he established the Jin dynasty and took the title Emperor Taizu. He implemented military and administrative reforms that consolidated Jurchen rule in northern China. His campaigns challenged the Song dynasty and expanded Jin territory across the region. Taizu supported Confucian scholars and laid foundations for Jin cultural development. His reign reshaped East Asian geopolitics in the early 12th century.

He belonged to the Rurikid dynasty and ruled as Grand Prince of Kiev intermittently in the 1140s. His tenure was marked by internal conflicts and power struggles among Kievan princes. Igor II attempted to assert his authority over rival regional rulers in the Kievan Rus. He engaged in military campaigns to defend his realm against nomadic incursions and rival factions. His death in 1147 ended a brief and contested rule, reflecting the instability of the period. His life illustrates the dynastic rivalries that shaped early Rus' politics.

Ascending the throne in 1318, Go-Daigo challenged the Kamakura shogunate's authority. He launched the Kemmu Restoration in 1333 aiming to restore direct imperial rule. His reforms attempted to reassert the emperor's role in government and land distribution. Facing resistance from powerful samurai clans, his rule was ultimately short-lived. Exiled by Ashikaga Takauji in 1336, he later returned to establish the Southern Court. His struggle sparked the Nanboku-chō period, a time of divided imperial lines.

He inherited the duchy in 1342 and became a leading figure among French nobility. Peter I led troops in several key battles of the Hundred Years' War against English forces. His courage and strategic insight earned him respect among contemporaries. He fell at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, a major English victory under Edward the Black Prince. His death marked a significant loss for the French cause and the Bourbon lineage. He is remembered for his valor and dedication to defending his realm.

He was a member of the Brienne family and held claims to the Duchy of Athens. Walter VI served as a military commander under the English during the Hundred Years' War. He participated in the Siege of Calais and other campaigns led by Edward III. He asserted his rights to Athenian territories but never secured full control. Walter died at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, fighting bravely against French forces. His life reflects the complex interplay of crusader heritage and medieval warfare.

Born in 1519 to the Willoughby family, she became Duchess of Suffolk through marriage to Charles Brandon. She was known for her Protestant faith and close relationship with Henry VIII and Edward VI. Catherine survived religious turmoil and championed the Reformation in England. An accomplished writer and translator, she corresponded with prominent scholars of her time. After being widowed, she managed extensive estates and continued her patronage of the arts. She died in 1580, remembered for her intellect and steadfast devotion to her faith.

Jean-Antoine de Baïf, born in 1532, was a French poet and humanist who co-founded the literary group known as the Pléiade. He studied under the patronage of Catherine de' Medici and introduced the practice of vers mesurés à l'antique, adapting classical quantitative meter to French. His works, including odes and sonnets, celebrated classical themes and French national identity. As a teacher at the Collège de France, he influenced a generation of poets and musicians. Baïf also composed music and organized poetic and musical academies in Paris. His pioneering blend of classical form and vernacular spirit left a lasting mark on French literature and cultural life.

Edward Lewknor, born in 1542, was an English politician who represented multiple constituencies in the House of Commons under Queen Elizabeth I. Hailing from a gentry family in Sussex, he navigated the complex religious and political tensions of the late 16th century. Lewknor participated in parliamentary debates on taxation and local governance, reflecting the concerns of his constituents. Though few personal records survive, his repeated elections demonstrate the confidence placed in him by his peers. He died in 1605, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service during a formative period in English parliamentary history.