November 28

Manuel I Komnenos was born in 1118 as a member of the Komnenos family. He ascended to the Byzantine throne in 1143 following the death of his father, John II Komnenos. During his reign, he sought to restore the empire's former glory through military campaigns in Anatolia, the Balkans, and Italy. He cultivated diplomatic ties with Western powers and the Crusader states, earning him the epithet "the Great". Manuel also patronized the arts and theology, commissioning churches and intellectual works. His reign marked a period of cultural revival known as the Komnenian restoration. He died in 1180, leaving behind a stronger and more cohesive empire.

Yesün Temür was born in 1293 into the Borjigin clan. He became emperor of the Yuan dynasty in 1323 after the death of Gegeen Khan. His reign was marked by efforts to stabilize the empire amid internal strife and factional conflict. He worked to reinforce Mongol traditions and manage rival power groups at court. Yesün Temür also supported Confucian scholars and civil administration reforms. His sudden death in 1328 led to a succession crisis. Despite his short reign, he is remembered for striving to maintain unity in a fracturing empire.

Wen Zhengming (1470–1559) was a leading figure of the Wu School in Suzhou during the Ming dynasty. He excelled in landscape painting, calligraphy, and poetry, blending classical techniques with his own lyricism. Trained under Shen Zhou, he developed a refined brush style admired for its elegance and subtlety. Wen produced numerous albums, scrolls, and fan paintings depicting misty mountains and quiet waterways. He also achieved success as a poet and calligrapher, with his inscriptions sought after by collectors. Despite his artistic acclaim, Wen Zhengming lived a relatively modest life and served briefly as a government official. His works influenced generations of literati painters and remain highly prized in museums and collections today.

Born in 1489, Margaret Tudor was the eldest daughter of King Henry VII of England. At age 13, she married James IV of Scotland, forging the Treaty of Perpetual Peace between England and Scotland. As Queen, she played a key role in Scottish politics, serving as regent for her infant son, James V, after her husband's death at Flodden in 1513. Margaret navigated turbulent factions between pro-English and pro-French nobles, striving to protect her son's inheritance. Later, she married Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, causing a scandal and further power struggles. Despite personal and political challenges, her descendants would unite the crowns of England and Scotland under her great-grandson, James VI. Margaret died in 1541, remembered as a pivotal dynastic figure in British history.

James Whitelocke was born in 1570 into a prominent Yorkshire family. He pursued legal studies at the Inner Temple and rose through the ranks of the English judiciary. Appointed Chief Justice of Chester, he presided over civil and criminal cases in the Welsh marches. Whitelocke also served in Parliament, representing Newcastle-under-Lyme and other constituencies. He was known for his legal acumen, fairness, and advocacy for the rule of law. His writings on legal procedures provided insight into the early Stuart judiciary. Whitelocke retired in 1625 and died in 1632, leaving a legacy as a respected jurist and statesman.

Hong Taiji was born in 1592 as a son of Nurhaci, the founder of the Later Jin. After Nurhaci's death in 1626, he became khan and later adopted the dynastic name Qing in 1636. He reorganized the Manchu military banners, streamlined administration, and expanded into Mongolia and China proper. Hong Taiji also laid the foundations for Manchu rule over China, integrating Han officials into the government. He encouraged cultural and economic reforms to stabilize the realm. Hong Taiji died in 1643, leaving a powerful and organized state that would soon conquer the Ming dynasty. His reign is credited with transforming the Qing into a dominant imperial power.

Hans Nansen was born in 1598 into a merchant family in Flensburg. He studied law at the University of Copenhagen and became a prominent lawyer in the Danish capital. In 1651, he was elected mayor of Copenhagen, where he oversaw trade regulations and civic administration. Nansen played a key diplomatic role during the Dano-Swedish Wars, negotiating on behalf of the Danish crown. He represented the city at the peace congress in Oliva in 1660. Known for his negotiation skills and leadership, Hans Nansen helped rebuild Copenhagen after wartime damages. He died in 1667, remembered as a dedicated public servant and civic leader.

John Bunyan was born in 1628 in Elstow, Bedfordshire, to a poor tinker's family. He served briefly in the Parliamentary army before returning to religious work as a Baptist preacher. Arrested for nonconformist preaching in 1660, he spent 12 years in Bedford jail, where he wrote The Pilgrim's Progress. This allegorical tale became one of the most translated works in English literature. Bunyan published many other devotional writings, including Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and The Life and Death of Mr. Badman. His vivid prose and rich imagery influenced religious literature for centuries. John Bunyan died in 1688, leaving a lasting legacy as a founder of English devotional fiction.

Abraham Brueghel was born in 1631 in Antwerp, into the renowned Brueghel artistic dynasty. He moved to Italy as a young man, working in Rome under the patronage of high-ranking families. Specializing in still life and floral compositions, Brueghel combined Northern realism with Italianate color and light. His paintings are celebrated for their vibrant palettes, detailed textures, and harmonious arrangements. Collaborating with figure painters, he often included mythological or allegorical scenes framed by his botanical works. Brueghel’s influence extended to the next generation of European still-life artists. He died in Naples in 1690, leaving behind a rich body of work prized by collectors and galleries.

Jean-Baptiste Lully was born in 1632 in Florence and moved to France in 1646, where he became a close associate of Louis XIV. As court composer, he revolutionized French musical style by blending Italian virtuosity with French taste. Lully pioneered the tragédie en musique, creating a new form of court opera that integrated music, dance, and drama. He also composed ballets at the Sun King’s court and served as director of the royal orchestra. His works, including Atys and Armide, set the standard for French Baroque music. Lully’s strict control over tempo via his conducting baton influenced orchestral practice. He died in 1687 after an accidental injury but left a lasting legacy on Western music.

Born in 1640, Willem de Vlamingh was a seasoned Flemish mariner employed by the Dutch East India Company. In 1696 he commanded an expedition in search of the missing ship Ridderschap van Holland and instead charted large portions of Western Australia's coast. He named Rottnest Island after observed rodents and recorded detailed maps of the coastline from the Swan River to Shark Bay. His surveys greatly expanded European knowledge of the region and paved the way for future exploration and settlement. De Vlamingh's meticulous journals and charts remained reference points for navigators long after his death in 1698.

Edward Hyde, 3rd Earl of Clarendon, was born in 1661 into an influential aristocratic family. He pursued a military career before entering politics and was appointed Governor of New York in 1702. During his tenure he implemented administrative reforms, strengthened frontier defenses, and negotiated with Native American tribes. He navigated complex colonial rivalries and laid groundwork for more structured governance in the province. After returning to England in 1708, he continued to play roles at court until his death in 1723. His leadership in New York helped shape the colony's development during a formative period.