December 14

Originally a general under his father Xue Ju, Xue Rengao proclaimed himself emperor of Qin in 618 amid widespread rebellion. He sought to consolidate power in northwestern China but faced stiff resistance from rival warlords and the emerging Tang forces. Despite valiant defenses, his reign lasted only months before his defeat by Li Shimin’s army. His death marked the swift end of the Qin state and opened the path for the Tang Dynasty’s ascendancy. Xue Rengao is remembered for his bold but ultimately doomed attempt to seize imperial authority.

Elected patriarch in 631, John III guided the Syriac Orthodox community through a period of significant change. He authored theological writings and sermons to strengthen church doctrine amidst Christological controversies. Under his leadership, monastic communities flourished and became centers of learning. He navigated political shifts as Arab forces expanded into former Byzantine territories. His tenure left a lasting legacy of resilience and scholarship within the Syriac tradition.

Son of King Oswiu, Aldfrith spent his early years in exile in Ireland, acquiring a deep knowledge of literature and theology. He ascended the throne of Northumbria in 685 and ruled until his death in 704. His reign saw a cultural revival, with monasteries emerging as centers of learning. A patron of scholars, he encouraged the production of illuminated manuscripts and religious texts. Aldfrith’s legacy endures as a defining figure of the Northumbrian Golden Age.

Born in Rome in 792, Adrian II was elected pope in 867 during a time of political turmoil. He confronted the legacy of iconoclasm and worked to maintain unity between the Eastern and Western Churches. Adrian supported missionary efforts in Central Europe, including the missions to Great Moravia. He deftly balanced relationships with Frankish rulers and the Byzantine Empire. His pontificate is remembered for its diplomatic accomplishments and steadfast commitment to church authority.

Born around 1025 into the powerful Poitou family, Agnes married Emperor Henry III in 1043. She became empress consort and took an active role in church reform and imperial administration. After Henry III’s death in 1056, she served as regent for the young Henry IV, quelling rebellions and negotiating with the papacy. Agnes balanced noble factions and external threats, leaving a period of relative stability. She retired to religious life after her regency and died in 1077, remembered for her political acumen and piety.

Born into the Bahri Mamluk dynasty, Khalil ascended the throne in 1290 after his father Qalawun's death. He achieved his greatest victory with the 1291 Siege of Acre, ending Crusader rule in the Holy Land. Khalil also campaigned against the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and reinforced Mamluk dominance in Syria. His reign was cut short by court intrigues, culminating in his assassination in 1293. He is celebrated for his military prowess and the unification of Egypt and Syria under Mamluk rule.

Born in 1276 into the ducal house of Brabant, Margaret married King Henry of Germany in 1292. As queen consort, she played a diplomatic role in imperial politics and fostered ties between noble families. She was known for her piety and generosity, founding hospitals and supporting convents. Margaret acted as regent in the Low Countries during her husband’s absences, administering Holland and Zeeland. Her death in 1311 marked the end of a reign remembered for its benevolent and devout character.

Born in 1326 as a member of the imperial Borjigin clan, Rinchinbal Khan ascended the throne in 1332. At just six years old, his accession was driven by court power struggles between rival factions. His brief two-month reign ended with his sudden death, intensifying dynastic conflicts in the Yuan court. Rinchinbal’s passing paved the way for the enthronement of his cousin, Toghon Temür. He remains a symbol of the turbulent politics that marked the late Yuan period.

Born in 1332 into the powerful della Scala family, Cangrande II took control of Verona in 1351. His administration was marked by heavy taxation to fund military campaigns and urban fortifications. He engaged in ongoing disputes with the Visconti of Milan and other Italian city-states. Despite his harsh methods, he patronized artists and oversaw construction projects in Verona. In 1359, he was assassinated in a noble conspiracy, ending his turbulent and contested reign.

Born around 1370, Oldcastle was a respected soldier and member of Parliament before embracing the teachings of John Wycliffe. He became a leading advocate for religious reform, criticizing clerical wealth and advocating scripture in the vernacular. In 1414, he led a failed rebellion seeking greater religious freedom and accountability within the Church. Captured after years in hiding, he was tried for heresy and executed in 1417, becoming a symbol of early Protestant dissent. His life inspired later reformers and literary figures, including Shakespeare's character Falstaff.

Guarino da Verona (c.1370–1460) was a pivotal figure in the Italian Renaissance humanist movement. After studying Greek in Constantinople, he returned to Italy to teach and promote classical learning. He established schools in Venice and Verona, influencing students such as Vittorino da Feltre. He translated major Greek authors, including Plato and Strabo, making their works accessible to Western scholars. His treatises on rhetoric and grammar helped standardize humanist education across Europe. His legacy endures in the revival of classical studies that defined the Renaissance.

Niccolò Perotti (1429–1480) was an Italian humanist scholar renowned for his expertise in Latin grammar. He served as the papal secretary under Pope Paul II, influencing church diplomacy. Perotti's 'Rudimenta Grammatices' became a standard Latin grammar text across European schools. He edited and commented on classical authors such as Virgil, Cicero, and Pliny, enhancing their accessibility. His work laid the foundation for Renaissance humanist education and philology. Perotti's legacy persists in the continued study of classical languages and literature.