September 22

He Jin (135–189) was a key military leader of the Eastern Han dynasty who rose to the position of General-in-Chief. As the half-brother of Empress He, he wielded immense influence at court and sought to eliminate the power of the eunuchs. His efforts culminated in a plot to summon regional warlords, which inadvertently led to a violent conflict. He briefly acted as regent for the young emperor before his assassination by the very eunuchs he opposed. His death triggered widespread unrest and paved the way for the turmoil that ended the Han dynasty.

Born Li Jie in 867, he ascended the throne in 888 at a time when the Tang dynasty was weakened by eunuch factions and regional warlords. Throughout his reign, he was repeatedly dominated by powerful military governors and was forced to flee Chang’an multiple times, seeing central authority erode. In 900, the warlord Zhu Quanzhong seized control of the court, reducing the emperor to a puppet. Despite attempts to reclaim imperial power, Zhaozong remained under duress until his forced abdication in 904 in favor of his son. He was shortly thereafter assassinated on the orders of Zhu Quanzhong, effectively ending the Tang imperial line.

A member of the influential Billung family, Wichmann the Younger was the son of Wichmann the Elder and held significant lands in Saxony. He twice rebelled against King Otto I, first in 953 and again after Otto’s Italian campaign, allying with Slavic tribes. Although he negotiated reconciliations with the king, his defiance exemplified the tensions between regional magnates and royal authority. Wichmann’s actions destabilized Otto’s rule but also highlighted the complexities of early medieval German politics. He died in 967, leaving a legacy as one of the era’s most formidable noble challengers to royal power.

Born in 1007, Ouyang Xiu rose through the civil service examinations to serve as a high-ranking official under multiple Song emperors. A leading figure of the Qingli Reforms, he championed administrative changes and criticized corruption. Ouyang was also a masterful writer and poet, producing lyrical essays and poems that influenced later literati. He compiled the influential New Book of Tang and contributed to historiography with his erudite style. Even after periods of exile, his intellectual legacy endured, shaping both political thought and literary aesthetics in imperial China.

The eldest son of Fergus of Galloway, Uchtred assumed leadership of the semi-independent region of Galloway after his father’s death. He skillfully navigated loyalties between the Scottish crown and the English monarchy, at times supporting King Henry II of England against Scottish rivals. Uchtred granted lands to religious foundations, including the abbey at Whithorn, demonstrating his piety. His rule contributed to the relative stability of Galloway during a turbulent period of Scottish feudal politics. Uchtred was assassinated in 1174, his death marking the end of his line’s undisputed control over the region.

The younger brother of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, Henry inherited the earldom in 1322 and became one of the most influential nobles in Edward III’s court. He served as Lord High Steward, overseeing royal ceremonies and the administration of justice. Henry participated in military campaigns in Scotland and France, supporting England’s early Hundred Years’ War efforts. He married Maud Chaworth but left no legitimate heirs, leading his titles to pass to his nephew. His tenure exemplified the responsibilities and challenges of high nobility during a period of dynastic and military expansion.

Born in 1366, Thomas de Mowbray inherited the earldom of Norfolk as a child and was created the first Duke of Norfolk by King Richard II in 1397. He held the prestigious office of Earl Marshal, responsible for ceremonial and military duties at court. Mowbray became embroiled in a bitter dispute with Henry Bolingbroke, leading to both men’s exile in 1398. He died in exile in Venice in 1399, never returning to England. His life reflects the volatile politics of Richard II’s court and the personal rivalries that precipitated the rise of the House of Lancaster.

John VII Palaiologos (1370–1408) was a Byzantine prince who seized the throne in August 1390. His reign lasted only five months before his forces were defeated by his grandfather Manuel II. After his defeat, he was granted control of Thessalonica and recognized as heir. He later served as regent of Constantinople during Manuel's absence in the West. John maintained his dynastic status until his death in 1408. His actions reflect the tumultuous power struggles of late Byzantium.

Peter II (1418–1457) became Duke of Brittany in 1450 after the death of his uncle John V. He strengthened ties with Charles VII of France and pursued alliances through his marriage to Margaret of Burgundy. His rule focused on internal reforms and defending Breton autonomy against external pressures. Despite fathering two sons, both died in childhood, leaving no male heir. Peter’s early death at 39 led to his sister Anne's succession. His diplomacy and governance shaped Brittany's position in late medieval France.

Philibert I (1465–1482) inherited the duchy of Savoy in 1472 at the age of seven. Under the regency of his mother, Yolande of Valois, the duchy maintained close ties with France. His brief tenure saw efforts to balance relations with both the French crown and the Holy Roman Empire. Philibert's health declined, and he passed away in Turin at just sixteen years old. His younger brother Charles succeeded him, preserving the Savoyard lineage. Although his personal rule was short, it upheld Savoy's stability during a turbulent era.

Selim I (1465–1520), known as Selim the Grim, ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1512. He deposed his father Bayezid II and led successful campaigns against the Safavids, securing eastern Anatolia and Mesopotamia. In 1517, his forces defeated the Mamluk Sultanate, bringing Syria, Egypt, and the holy cities under Ottoman control. He assumed the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, enhancing the empire's religious prestige. Selim's strict governance and military accomplishments laid the foundation for Ottoman supremacy in the 16th century. His reign marked a turning point in Middle Eastern history.

Louise of Savoy (1476–1531) was mother to King Francis I and a pivotal figure in French politics. She governed as regent during Francis's campaigns in Italy in 1515 and again in 1525 after his capture at Pavia. A noted patron of the arts, she supported humanists such as Erasmus and Rabelais. Louise negotiated peace treaties, managed financial reforms, and upheld royal authority in her son's absence. Even after stepping down, she continued to influence court affairs through her extensive network. Her leadership helped France navigate the turbulent Italian Wars.