November 16

Emperor Lizong of Song reigned from 1224 to 1264, overseeing a period of cultural renewal and administrative change. Born in 1205, he ascended the throne as a distant relative chosen by court officials. Despite his long reign, much of the real power rested with his grand councilors, yet he remained a patron of the arts and Confucian scholarship. Lizong commissioned commentaries on classical texts and supported innovations in printing and papermaking. His era witnessed both internal reforms and the growing threat of the Mongol Empire, setting the stage for the eventual fall of the Southern Song.

Henry III was King of England from 1216 until his death and one of the longest-reigning English monarchs. Born in 1207, he took the throne at the age of nine under a regency government. His reign saw the construction of Westminster Abbey, but also the Barons' Wars sparked by his struggles with powerful nobles. A devout king, Henry championed ecclesiastical rebuilding projects and the cult of Saint Edward. Despite political turmoil and financial strain, his 56-year rule left a lasting architectural and cultural legacy.

Nasr was the Sultan of Granada from 1309 to 1322, leading the last Muslim state on the Iberian Peninsula. Born in 1287 into the Nasrid dynasty, he navigated complex alliances and rivalries among Moorish princes. Nasr maintained diplomatic relations with the Christian kingdoms of Castile and Aragon to preserve his realm's autonomy. He also patronized the arts and oversaw the fortification of Granada's defenses. His later years were marked by internal dissent, culminating in his overthrow by his nephew in 1322.

Prince Hisaaki (1276–1328) was the seventh shōgun of Japan's Kamakura shogunate. He was the son of Emperor Go-Fukakusa and took office at a young age. During his tenure, real power was held by the Hōjō regents. Hisaaki presided over a period of courtly intrigue and political consolidation. He retired in 1308 and returned to Kyoto, where he maintained influence in imperial affairs. His reign is remembered as a symbol of shogunal authority under the oversight of the Hōjō clan.

John of Brandenburg-Kulmbach (1406–1464) was a member of the House of Hohenzollern and ruled as Margrave of Kulmbach. He focused on strengthening the region's fortifications and promoting economic growth. John negotiated treaties with neighboring states and navigated the complexities of the Holy Roman Empire. Under his leadership, Kulmbach experienced a period of relative stability. He implemented administrative reforms that improved local governance. John's reign reinforced Hohenzollern influence in Franconia amid regional rivalries.

Theda Ukena (1432–1494) was a member of the Cirksena family and became regent of East Frisia after her husband's death. She defended her territories against rival counts and secured the county's autonomy. Theda implemented judicial reforms and strengthened the local administration. She negotiated lasting peace treaties with neighboring principalities. Her regency laid the groundwork for the prosperity of East Frisia. Theda is celebrated as a rare female ruler in late medieval Germany who exercised effective political leadership.

Marie of Baden-Sponheim (1507–1580) was born into the House of Zähringen and married William IV, Duke of Bavaria. As duchess consort, she supported church reform and patronized educational institutions. Marie founded charitable foundations and promoted the arts at the Bavarian court. After William's death, she withdrew to Munich and devoted herself to religious life. She maintained influence through correspondence and advisory roles. Marie's long life and devoted service left a lasting mark on the Wittelsbach dynasty.

Charles Neville (1542–1601) succeeded his father as Earl of Westmorland in 1564. Disaffected by Elizabeth I's Protestant policies, he allied with Catholic nobles to restore Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1569, Neville co-led the Northern Rebellion, briefly capturing Durham. The uprising collapsed under royal forces, forcing him into exile. He spent the rest of his life on the Continent in poverty. His estates were forfeited, and he never returned to England. Neville's revolt remains one of Elizabethan England's most significant Catholic insurrections.

James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde (1665-1745) was an Anglo-Irish aristocrat and military leader. He fought alongside the Duke of Marlborough in the War of the Spanish Succession, earning distinction at major battles. Ormonde served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, acting as the monarch's representative and overseeing administration. A skilled administrator and soldier, he navigated the complex politics of the Stuart and Hanoverian courts. His later involvement in the Jacobite cause led to his exile, but his early career left a mark on Irish and British history.

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer (1723-1790) was a prominent American politician from Maryland. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was a signatory of the United States Constitution in 1787. Jenifer held various state offices, including President of the Maryland Senate and President of Congress under the Articles of Confederation. He played a key role in shaping Maryland's governance and advocating for a stronger federal union. His contributions to the early republic helped lay the foundations of the United States government.

Frederick William II (1744-1797) ascended to the Prussian throne following the death of his uncle, Frederick the Great. His reign saw renewed military engagements, including conflicts against revolutionary France and expansion in Poland. The king was a patron of music and the arts, supporting composers like Haydn and Mozart's early career. He reversed some Enlightenment reforms of his predecessor, favoring conservative religious and social policies. Despite initial successes, his later years were marked by financial strain and court extravagance.

Mustafa IV (1779-1808) ascended the Ottoman throne during a turbulent era marked by reformist and conservative factions. He came to power following a rebellion that deposed his cousin, Sultan Selim III, and attempted to reverse military reforms. His brief reign saw further unrest, culminating in the Janissary revolt and the rise of Mahmud II. Mustafa was eventually deposed and, in 1808, executed by order of his successor to secure the dynasty. His rule highlights the challenges faced by the empire in adapting to modern military and administrative changes.