November 28

Pope Gregory III was elected in 731 and led the Church through a period of political and theological upheaval. He convened synods to defend the use of religious images against Emperor Leo III’s iconoclasm and upheld the traditions of the Western liturgy. Recognizing the threat from the Lombards, he sought and secured military aid from the Frankish kingdom. Gregory oversaw building campaigns that reinforced Rome’s defenses and consecrated new churches. His efforts strengthened the papacy’s spiritual and temporal authority, influencing the future relationship between Rome and the Frankish Empire.

Born in 890, Lady Ma belonged to a prominent aristocratic family during the turbulent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era. Although specific details of her life remain scarce, noblewomen like her often played vital roles in courtly culture and familial alliances. Her death in 939 marks one of the limited records of aristocratic society during this period.

Born around 980, Adalbero inherited the ducal title in Carinthia, overseeing its administration under the Holy Roman Emperor. His tenure was marked by the maintenance of feudal relations with local nobles and defense of the Alpine territories. Although historical records provide few details of his specific policies, dukes like Adalbero were crucial in asserting imperial authority in frontier regions. He died in 1039, passing the duchy to his successors.

As a member of the Otakar dynasty, Ottokar II ruled the March of Styria until his death in 1122. He oversaw the establishment of defensive fortifications and promoted settlement to secure the empire’s eastern borders. Ottokar fostered relations with neighboring Bavaria and supported the growth of local markets. His leadership laid the groundwork for Styria’s later elevation to a duchy within the Holy Roman Empire.

Born around 1080, Owain ap Gruffudd became King of Gwynedd in 1137 and forged one of the most powerful Welsh principalities. He successfully resisted Norman encroachment, expanding his territory and consolidating Welsh power. A patron of Welsh culture and law, Owain presided over a flourishing court at Aberffraw. His reign is celebrated as a high point in medieval Welsh independence, lasting until his death in 1170.

Born in 1241, Eleanor was the daughter of Ferdinand III of Castile and became Queen of England upon her marriage to Edward in 1254. She accompanied him on the Ninth Crusade and managed royal estates during his absences. Eleanor’s death in 1290 deeply moved Edward, who commemorated her memory with the famous Eleanor Crosses. She was known for her patronage of religious houses and support of charitable works. Her legacy endures in English cultural history.

Born in 1247 near Hangzhou, Yishan Yining became a respected Chan monk in China before being invited to Japan in 1299. He taught the Linji school at the Kamakura shogunate’s court and profoundly influenced Japanese Zen practice. Yining authored poetry and religious treatises that blended Chinese Chan philosophy with Japanese aesthetics. His role as a cultural bridge earned him recognition as one of the ‘Five Mountains’ masters in Japan’s Buddhist establishment. He died in 1317, leaving an enduring spiritual and literary legacy.

James joined the Franciscan Order and became known for his fervent sermons and dedication to pastoral care. He traveled across Italy, Germany, and the Balkans, working to reinforce church teachings and address heretical movements. Appointed as a papal legate and inquisitor, he played a key role in countering Ottoman influence in Southeastern Europe. His writings and letters provide insight into the religious challenges of his era. James died in 1476 and was later canonized for his lifelong commitment to his faith.

Born in 1475 as the son of George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence, Edward held a strong claim to the English throne. Following his uncle Richard III’s defeat, he was imprisoned by Henry VII to neutralize Yorkist opposition. Held in the Tower of London for most of his life, Edward was executed in 1499 at age 23. His death extinguished the senior line of the House of York and secured Tudor rule. He is remembered as a tragic figure caught in dynastic conflict.

Born in 1502 near Frankenberg, Georg Major studied under Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon at the University of Wittenberg. He became a professor of theology and later served as rector at the University of Frankfurt (Oder). Major engaged in the Marburg Colloquy and controversies over the Eucharist, advocating a balanced Lutheran position. He authored textbooks that shaped Protestant teaching and supported educational reforms. Major died in 1574, leaving a lasting legacy in early Lutheran orthodoxy.

Hernando Franco (1532–1585) was a prominent Spanish composer of the Renaissance who served as maestro de capilla in Puebla and Mexico City. He brought advanced polyphonic techniques from Europe to the New World, shaping liturgical music traditions. His surviving masses, motets, and villancicos reflect a blend of Spanish style with New World influences. Franco's works are celebrated for their clarity, devotional depth, and contrapuntal skill. He remains a key figure in early American colonial music history.

Jean de Thévenot (1633–1667) was a French linguist, botanist, and explorer famed for his detailed travel journals. He journeyed across the Middle East, Persia, India, and Southeast Asia, studying local languages and flora. His publications, including Relations de divers voyages, offered some of the first European botanical descriptions of exotic plants. Thévenot's linguistic prowess helped him communicate with diverse cultures and record regional dialects. His observations bridged scientific inquiry with vivid narrative, influencing later explorers and naturalists.