November 17

Valentinian I was born in 321 in the province of Pannonia (modern Hungary). He became Western Roman Emperor in 364 following the death of his brother Valens. Known for his vigorous military campaigns, he fortified the empire's northern borders against Germanic tribes. He reformed tax systems to better support the army and provincial governance. Valentinian was celebrated for his dedication to justice and intolerance of corruption at court. His sudden death in 375 marked the end of a dynamic reign that strengthened the Western Empire.

Born in 538 in Auvergne, Gregory became Bishop of Tours in 573. His principal work, 'Historia Francorum,' offers a detailed chronicle of Frankish history and early medieval Europe. He blended historical narrative with accounts of miracles and saints, influencing the genre of medieval historiography. Gregory’s writings provide unique insights into the Merovingian court, politics, and local religious practices. He navigated turbulent relations between Frankish nobility and the Church, exercising both spiritual and political influence. Canonized as a saint, he remains one of the most important sources for the study of early medieval France.

Born in 593, his personal name was Tamura. He ascended the throne in 629 following the reign of Empress Suiko. Jomei’s tenure saw the consolidation of the Yamato court and greater influence of Buddhism. He oversaw diplomatic exchanges with Korean kingdoms, strengthening cultural and political ties. Few direct records survive, but his reign is noted in the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki chronicles. His death in 641 paved the way for Empress Kogyoku's accession.

Born in 845 as the daughter of King Louis the German of East Francia. Married King Louis the Younger in 874, becoming Queen consort. She acted as a key advisor in Carolingian politics during her husband’s reign. Liutgard managed royal estates and court ceremonies, showcasing administrative skill. She was known for her piety and patronage of local monasteries. Her death in 885 marked the loss of a powerful dynastic figure in East Francia.

Born in 893 amidst the fragmentation of the late Tang Dynasty. She became Empress as the wife of Wang Yanjun, ruler of the Min Kingdom. Chen wielded influence in the imperial court, navigating factional rivalries and palace intrigue. Her patronage extended to Buddhist temples and local cultural institutions. Political maneuvering and palace conspiracies marked her tenure. In 935 she was killed during a coup that reshaped Min’s leadership.

He rose to power in 928 as the third ruler of Min during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Yanjun declared himself emperor, elevating Min to imperial status. He sponsored cultural projects and Buddhist institutions to legitimize his reign. His rule faced challenges from rival states and internal court factions. Palace conspiracies and family rivalries marked the final years of his reign. He was assassinated in 935, triggering a cycle of instability in Min.

Born around 1045 into the prominent Melissenos family. He served as a military commander in Alexios I’s campaigns against the Seljuks. In 1080, he rebelled and declared himself emperor in western Anatolia. Emperor Alexios negotiated his submission and appointed him governor of Nicaea in 1081. Melissenos defended his province against external threats and managed its administration. He remained a loyal imperial vassal until his death in 1104, blending ambition with service.

Born in 1095 into a noble family in Shaizar, Syria. He served as a diplomat and military leader under the Munqidh dynasty. Usama authored 'Kitab al-I'tibar,' a vivid collection of anecdotes from Muslim-Christian encounters. His writings blend political narrative, personal reflection, and sharp wit. He traveled widely across the Islamic world and interacted with Crusader nobles. He died in 1188, leaving a unique historical and literary legacy of the Crusades.

Born in 1207 to King Andrew II of Hungary. She married Ludwig IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, at age 14. Elizabeth devoted her wealth to caring for lepers and the destitute. She founded hospitals, convents, and charitable institutions across Thuringia. Legends of miraculous roses and healing miracles spread her fame. Canonized in 1235, she remains a patron saint of charity and hospitals.

Born in 1266, he first ascended the Cilician throne in 1289. Hethum forged a strategic alliance with the Mongol Empire against the Mamluk threat. He abdicated in 1293 to enter the Franciscan order, highlighting his religious devotion. Returning to power, he faced internal dynastic struggles and external pressures. His reign saw architectural patronage and cultural exchanges in Cilicia. Captured and executed by the Mamluks in 1307, his diplomatic efforts influenced regional politics.

Born in 1289, Leo III ascended the throne of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia as a child after the death of his father, Hethum II. He was a member of the Lusignan dynasty that sought to maintain its sovereignty amid regional threats. During his brief reign, he faced pressure from neighboring Mamluk forces and worked to strengthen his kingdom’s defenses. His administration issued coinage that reflected a blend of Armenian and Frankish influences. Leo III’s rule ended with his premature death at the age of 18, leading to a succession crisis within the kingdom.

Edmund FitzAlan, born in 1285, inherited the Earldom of Arundel in 1302 and quickly became a prominent figure at the court of Edward II. He played a key role in royal campaigns in Scotland and Wales and held important administrative offices in the royal household. FitzAlan’s political fortunes fluctuated during the turbulent reign of Edward II, as he initially supported the king but later opposed the influence of the Despenser family. In 1326, he was accused of treason and executed by orders of Hugh Despenser the Younger. His death marked a dramatic end to one of the kingdom’s most powerful aristocratic careers.