November 09

He was the son of King Gwangjong and ascended the throne in 975 at age 20. His reign saw struggles between the monarchy and powerful aristocratic clans. Despite political turmoil, he maintained the continuity of the Goryeo dynasty. He presided over Buddhist cultural patronage during a formative period in Korean history. He died in 981 and was succeeded by King Seongjong.

He inherited the marquisate at age 10 and ruled Ferrara for nearly half a century. He consolidated his family's territories in northern Italy, including Modena and Reggio. Niccolò maintained alliances through strategic marriages and diplomacy. He was a notable patron of the arts, supporting early Renaissance painters and scholars. Under his rule, Ferrara became a cultural center that foreshadowed the splendors of later Renaissance courts.

Daughter of King Charles VI of France, she married Richard II of England at age 6 in 1396. Her short reign as queen consort ended with Richard's deposition in 1399, after which she returned to France. Isabella later married Charles, Duke of Orléans, strengthening Valois family ties. Despite her youth, she navigated complex political shifts between England and France. She died in 1409 at age 20, remembered for her diplomatic marriages amid the Hundred Years' War.

Born into the House of Hohenzollern, he became Elector of Brandenburg in 1471. He also ruled as Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, expanding his family's influence. Albrecht faced internal challenges and managed to strengthen electoral authority. He supported imperial policies of the Holy Roman Empire under Frederick III. His careful governance laid foundations for the rise of Brandenburg-Prussia in later centuries.

He succeeded his father in 1475 and ruled the territory of Siegen in modern-day Germany. John V maintained Nassau influence through alliances and prudent administration. He engaged in local conflicts and diplomacy amid the changing landscape of the Holy Roman Empire. His descendants became key figures in European dynastic politics, including the Dutch royal line. He died in 1516, leaving a legacy of stability that benefited his heirs.

Charles II inherited the Duchy of Guelders and became count of Zutphen in 1492. He fought to preserve his territories against expansionist ambitions of the Habsburgs. During his reign, Guelders became a focal point of regional conflicts in the Low Countries. He secured alliances with France to bolster his duchy's position in European politics. He died in 1538, remembered for his tenacious defense of Guelders' autonomy.

Born alongside her twin brother Charles II, she became Duchess consort of Cleves through marriage. Philippa played a key diplomatic role, forging ties between Guelders and neighboring states. She managed court affairs and supported charitable and religious endeavors. Her marriage to Duke John I of Cleves linked two important ducal families in the Rhineland. She lived through major political shifts and died in 1547, leaving a lasting legacy in regional history.

He succeeded his father in 1581 as the third king of Taungoo Burma. His reign saw both the peak and the beginning of the decline of the empire's power. Faced with rebellions and foreign invasions, he struggled to maintain territorial integrity. He attempted administrative reforms but could not prevent fragmentation of his realm. He died around 1600, marking a turning point that led to the eventual fall of the first Taungoo Empire.

Born in Hanover in 1683, George II acceded to the British throne in 1727 after the death of his father, George I. His reign saw the expansion of British influence, colonial development in North America, and significant parliamentary power struggles. George II led British forces in the War of Austrian Succession and was the last monarch to command troops in battle at Dettingen in 1743. He maintained a close relationship with his prime ministers, including Sir Robert Walpole, helping shape the modern system of cabinet government. Despite personal conflicts, his patronage of the arts and architecture left a lasting cultural legacy. He died in 1760, succeeded by his grandson George III.

Born in 1723 to the ducal family of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Anna Amalia became Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg in 1764. As a sovereign ruler, she balanced political duties with a passionate support of literature and music. She founded a renowned music library and salon in her residence, attracting composers and writers of the period. Anna Amalia composed symphonies, keyboard pieces, and chamber music reflecting early Classical styles. Her library later formed the core of the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, a UNESCO World Heritage institution. She died in 1787, leaving a legacy as both a political leader and cultural visionary.

Nicolai Wergeland was born in 1780 and ordained as a Lutheran priest before entering public life. He represented Kristiansand at the Norwegian Constituent Assembly of 1814 and contributed to the foundation of Norway's independence from Denmark. As a writer he published poetry and religious works that reflected his patriotic beliefs and deep faith. His literary and political activities laid the groundwork for his children, including playwright Henrik Wergeland and novelist Camilla Collett. Wergeland's combined service in church and state helped shape the early nineteenth-century Norwegian society and national identity.

Gustav, Prince of Vasa, was born in 1799 as the only son of King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden. Following his father's overthrow in 1809, the young prince was raised in exile across Europe. He served in the Bavarian army and pursued a military career while maintaining his claim to the Swedish throne. In 1830 he married Princess Louise Amélie of Baden and established his household in Austria. Despite his efforts, he never regained his birthright, yet he remained a symbol of the deposed Vasa dynasty until his death in 1877.