September 21

Born around 580, Vitalian was elected Pope in 657 during a turbulent period of East-West relations. He worked to restore communion with the Eastern Church under Emperor Constans II, navigating Monotheletism controversies. Vitalian sent legates to Constantinople and played a key role in drafting the Roman Rite's liturgical texts. He supported the autonomy of various local churches and reinforced papal authority within Italy. His pontificate laid foundations for future relations between the papacy and the Byzantine Empire.

Born in 953 into the Buyid dynasty, Ibrahim was a member of the ruling family that dominated western Iran and Iraq. His father, Mu'izz al-Dawla, established Buyid authority over the Abbasid caliphate's heartlands. Although specific records of his actions are limited, as a prince he would have governed key provinces and managed court affairs. The Buyid rulers maintained the Abbasid caliphs as figureheads while exercising real political and military power. Ibrahim's upbringing reflected the dynasty's patronage of Shia scholarship, architecture, and the arts.

Born around 1051 into the House of Savoy, Bertha became Queen consort of the Italians and later Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. She married Henry IV in 1066 and was crowned Empress by Pope Alexander II in 1069. Bertha's marriage strengthened ties between the imperial court and the Savoyard territories. She bore several children, including the future Emperor Henry V, and played an active role in dynastic politics during the Investiture Controversy. Her patronage of religious communities and charitable works left a lasting mark on the medieval empire.

Born as Frederick VI of Nuremberg in 1371, he succeeded as Burgrave of Nuremberg in 1397. In 1415, Emperor Sigismund granted him the Electorate of Brandenburg, making him Frederick I. He expanded his territories by acquiring the Neumark and strengthening the Hohenzollerns’ hold on northeastern Germany. Frederick instituted administrative reforms that improved governance and finances. His reign set the stage for Brandenburg-Prussia’s rise as a major European power.

Born in 1407 and later legitimized as the heir of Niccolò d'Este, Leonello ruled Ferrara from 1441. Educated by the humanist Vittorino da Feltre, he cultivated a vibrant court of scholars and artists. Leonello commissioned architectural projects like the Studiolo in the Palazzo Belfiore and supported figures such as Guarino of Verona. He navigated political alliances across Italy to secure Ferrara’s independence and prosperity. His patronage ushered in a golden age of culture, making his marquisate a model of Renaissance governance.

Born in 1411, Richard inherited vast estates and a claim to the English throne through royal lineage. He became a central player in the dynastic struggle between Lancastrians and Yorkists, pressing his claim amid rising tensions. Richard was appointed Lord Protector during King Henry VI’s incapacities, using the role to assert governance. His military successes bolstered Yorkist fortunes and paved the way for his son Edward IV’s ascension. He fell at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460, becoming a rallying symbol for Yorkist supporters.

Born into the powerful Habsburg family in 1415, Frederick became King of the Romans in 1440 and was crowned Emperor in 1452. His lengthy reign saw the gradual consolidation of Habsburg territories in Central Europe. Frederick’s motto A.E.I.O.U., inscribed on his possessions, symbolized his vision for empire. He arranged dynastic marriages that strengthened ties across European royal houses. Despite facing military challenges, his political acumen secured Habsburg influence for future generations.

Born in 1428 as Zhu Qiyu, he was the second son of the Xuande Emperor. He assumed the throne in 1449 amid the Tumu Crisis, replacing his brother, the Zhengtong Emperor, who had been captured by Mongol forces. Jingtai reinforced China’s northern defenses and restored administrative order. He supported the revival of Confucian scholarship and the construction of new cultural works. Deposed in a palace coup in 1457, he died shortly thereafter, but his reign marked a crucial recovery period for the Ming state.

Born in 1433 in Le Petit-Bornand, Fichet studied and later taught rhetoric and theology at the Sorbonne. In 1470, he partnered with Johann Heynlin to establish the first printing press in France at the University of Paris. He translated and edited classical works, including texts by Cicero and Seneca, spreading Renaissance humanism. Fichet oversaw the printing of works by renowned scholars such as Poggio Bracciolini. His efforts bridged medieval scholasticism and the emerging humanist movement, influencing France’s intellectual landscape.

Born in Ferrara in 1452, Savonarola entered the Dominican Order and honed his oratory skills in Bologna and Ferrara. He rose to prominence in Florence through sermons condemning clerical corruption and luxury. His prophetic declarations led to the establishment of a short-lived theocratic regime in the city. Savonarola organized the infamous 'Bonfire of the Vanities', urging citizens to burn secular art, books, and cosmetics. Arrested for heresy and political rebellion in 1498, he was executed, leaving a polarizing legacy of religious zeal and reform.

Hedwig Jagiellon was born into the powerful Jagiellonian dynasty as the daughter of King Casimir IV of Poland. In 1475, she married George of Bavaria-Landshut, becoming Duchess and strengthening the alliance between Poland and Bavaria. She was known for her diplomatic skills and patronage of the arts. Hedwig used her position to foster cultural exchange between the courts of Kraków and Landshut. She played a key role in promoting education and charity projects in her duchy. Her marriage produced children who continued the Jagiellonian legacy in Central Europe.

Barbara Longhi was an Italian painter active during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. She specialized in small-scale devotional paintings, depicting the Virgin Mary and saints with delicate expressiveness. Daughter of celebrated painter Luca Longhi, she inherited a refined style characterized by gentle colors and serene compositions. Longhi maintained a successful workshop in Ravenna, attracting commissions from religious institutions and private patrons. Her works are distinguished by their intimate mood and meticulous attention to detail. Though often overshadowed by her male contemporaries, her oeuvre demonstrates a unique female perspective in Renaissance art. Barbara Longhi's paintings remain prized examples of the Mannerist period's devotional imagery.