November 10

Born in 467 as the grandson of Emperor Leo I, Leo II was acclaimed augustus in 472. After the death of his grandfather in January 474, he became sole emperor at only six years old. His brief reign was dominated by his mother and the regent patriarch Gennadius. He faced internal power struggles that challenged his legitimacy. Leo II died in June 474, ending the direct succession of Leo I's line and paving the way for Emperor Zeno. Despite his youth, his elevation underscored the Byzantine principle of hereditary succession in troubled times.

Born around 850, Adelaide was the daughter of a Frankish noble family and married King Louis the Stammerer in 875. As queen, she navigated the fractious politics of West Francia during the decline of Carolingian power. After Louis's death in 879, she defended her young sons' inheritance and ruled as regent. Adelaide allied with influential nobles and the Church to secure their position. Her regency strengthened royal authority in a period of division and external threats. She died in 901, leaving a legacy of political acumen and maternal guardianship.

Born into the noble House of Burgundy, Agnes married Duke William VIII of Aquitaine around 1032. As duchess, she played a central role in the court's patronage of monasteries and the arts. After William's death in 1058, Agnes governed Aquitaine as regent for her young son William IX. She negotiated alliances with neighboring lords to preserve her son's inheritance. Agnes fostered stability in a period marked by dynastic rivalries and external threats. She passed away in 1068, remembered for her diplomatic skill and devotion to her family and subjects.

He inherited the kingship of the Isles, including the Isle of Man and parts of the Hebrides, from his father Olafr in 1153. Guðrøðr navigated alliances and conflicts with both Scottish and Irish kingdoms to maintain his realm's autonomy. He led maritime expeditions and trade missions that bolstered the prosperity of his domain. His rule saw a blend of Norse and Gaelic culture flourish under his patronage. Internal family disputes and pressure from neighboring powers challenged his authority throughout his reign. Guðrøðr died in 1187, leaving a legacy as one of the last independent Norse kings of the Irish Sea region.

Born Layth on the shores of the Black Sea, Qalawun was brought to Egypt as a mamluk slave and rose rapidly through military ranks. After the death of Sultan Baibars in 1277, Qalawun became regent for Baibars's son before seizing power himself in 1279. His reign saw the consolidation of Mamluk authority, including victories over the Crusader states at Tripoli and Acre. Qalawun commissioned monumental architecture such as the Qalawun complex in Cairo, reflecting both piety and royal grandeur. He fortified Egypt's frontiers and reformed administrative systems to ensure stability. Qalawun died in 1290, leaving a legacy of military success and cultural patronage.

Born Isabella de Redvers, she inherited the earldom of Devon and vast lands at a young age. She married William de Forz and became a formidable political figure during the Barons' Wars. Her estates in Devon, Somerset, and the Channel Islands made her one of the most powerful women of her time. Isabella was known for her patronage of religious institutions and her skillful management of her lands. After her husband's death, she ruled her domains independently until her own death in 1293. Her legacy endured through her daughter and the eventual succession of her lands to the crown.

Born in 1284 to Count John II and Philippa of Luxembourg, John I spent his early years preparing to assume his father's titles. He was groomed in the political and military affairs of medieval Holland. Tragically, he died in 1299 at just fifteen years old, before he could take up full responsibilities as count. His untimely death led to a shift in the succession and had lasting effects on regional power dynamics. John I remains a poignant example of medieval dynastic fragility and the perils of youthful heirs.

Born in 1424, Władysław III was crowned King of Poland at the age of ten and King of Hungary at sixteen. His reign was marked by efforts to unite Christian kingdoms against Ottoman expansion. In 1444, he joined a crusading force that marched into the Balkans and met Ottoman armies at Varna. Despite initial successes, his troops were overwhelmed, and he fell in combat, leaving the crusade leaderless. His death at just twenty years old dashed hopes for a strong front against the Ottomans. Władysław's bravery in battle and his early leadership have cemented his place in Central European history.

Born in 1573, he inherited the earldom of Southampton and served as Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire under Elizabeth I. A respected courtier, he participated in military campaigns in Ireland and the Low Countries. Southampton is best known for his patronage of Shakespeare, who dedicated the poems Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece to him. His political loyalty to the crown persisted despite his association with the Earl of Essex's circle. He skillfully navigated court factions to maintain his family's status. Wriothesley died in 1624, remembered as a cultured patron and capable administrator.

Born in 1640 to the influential Wiśniowiecki magnate family, he was chosen king through the Commonwealth's free election in 1669. His reign was challenged by factions of powerful nobles who limited royal authority. He faced military conflicts with the Ottoman Empire and internal Cossack uprisings that tested his leadership. Despite attempts at administrative reform, financial strains and political infighting plagued his rule. Wiśniowiecki also patronized the arts and supported the development of education. He died in 1673, and his brief tenure is remembered for its turbulent politics and the ongoing struggle between royal power and the nobility.

Cornstalk (c.1720–1777) was a prominent leader of the Shawnee nation who navigated the delicate relations between Native American tribes and European colonists. He rose to prominence as a skilled orator and strategist, playing a pivotal role in Lord Dunmore's War and the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774. Seeking peace, he traveled for negotiations but was tragically killed while held at Fort Randolph. Cornstalk's leadership and efforts at diplomacy have made him a lasting symbol of Native American resistance and the struggle for autonomy during colonial expansion.

Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester (1724–1808) was a distinguished British Army officer and statesman noted for his service during the American Revolutionary period. As Commander-in-Chief in North America, he led the defense of Quebec in the 1775–76 siege and orchestrated the evacuation of Loyalists from New York City. Appointed Governor of Quebec and later Governor General of Canada, he championed the Quebec Act of 1774 to secure the allegiance of French-speaking colonists. Carleton's policies of religious tolerance and legal protections for Catholics helped define Canada's early governance. His diplomatic skill and administrative reforms left a lasting legacy in Canadian history.