January 16

Sheng Zong, born Yelü Longxu in 972, ascended the throne at the age of ten. During his reign, he consolidated Khitan power and expanded the Liao dynasty's territory. He negotiated a landmark peace treaty with the Song dynasty, stabilizing relations in northern China. Sheng Zong promoted agriculture and trade, fostering economic growth across his realm. He supported Buddhist and Taoist institutions, encouraging a flourishing of culture. His long and prosperous rule left a lasting legacy on the northern frontier.

Isaac Komnenos was born in 1093 to Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Empress Irene Doukaina. He held the esteemed title of sebastokrator and governed key provinces of the Byzantine Empire. Amid court intrigues, he became involved in a failed conspiracy against his brother, Emperor John II. Following his rebellion, Isaac was stripped of his titles and lived his final years in monastic exile. He died in 1152, remembered as a complex figure in the Komnenian dynasty.

Edmund Crouchback was born in 1245 as the second surviving son of King Henry III of England. He was invested as Earl of Leicester and Lancaster, founding the influential Lancaster lineage. Edmund earned his epithet 'Crouchback' after taking up the cross to join the Crusades in his youth. He served as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, defending England's southern coast against invasion. He married Blanche of Artois, strengthening ties with French nobility and overseeing vast estates. Edmund's leadership bolstered royal authority and his descendants played key roles in English politics.

Robert de Vere was born in 1362 to a prominent noble family and quickly became a close confidant of Richard II. In 1386 he was created Earl of Oxford, and two years later the unprecedented title Duke of Ireland. His rapid rise and influence sparked envy and opposition among other English nobles. De Vere led royal forces during the conflict of the Merciless Parliament and was defeated at Radcot Bridge. Exiled from England in 1388, he spent his last years in Louvain, dying in 1392. His story exemplifies the perils of courtly favor and the volatility of medieval politics.

René of Anjou, born in 1409, was a versatile monarch holding titles including King of Naples and Duke of Anjou. He ruled Provence and claimed the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Aragon through dynastic ties. A celebrated patron of literature and the arts, René supported poets, painters, and architects. He composed poetry and works on chivalry, reflecting his cultured image across Europe. His turbulent reign saw conflicts in Italy and France, yet his court remained a beacon of Renaissance splendor. René died in 1480, remembered as a gentle ruler whose legacy endured in art and letters.

Anthony Denny was born in 1501 and rose to prominence as Groom of the Stool to King Henry VIII. He managed intimate aspects of the king's household and gained unparalleled access to the monarch. Denny was a key advisor during Henry's later years, overseeing the royal privy purse and confidential affairs. He supported the king's religious reforms and played a role in the Dissolution of the Monasteries. After Henry's death, Denny retained influence under Edward VI but retired from public life in 1553. He died in 1559, remembered for his loyalty and administrative skill within the Tudor court.

Bayinnaung was born in 1516 and became king of Burma in 1551, founding the Second Toungoo Empire. He led successful military campaigns that unified diverse kingdoms across present-day Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. Bayinnaung implemented administrative reforms and centralized authority to manage his vast territories. He patronized Buddhism and constructed numerous pagodas, promoting religious and cultural unity. His reign, marked by military prowess and statecraft, established him as one of Southeast Asia's most powerful rulers. Bayinnaung died in 1581, leaving an empire that endured for decades under his successors.

Jakobea of Baden was born in 1558 to the Margrave of Baden, renowned for her noble lineage and education. In 1585 she married John William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, uniting two influential German houses. Jakobea was celebrated for her intelligence, piety, and support of religious and charitable causes. Her marriage faced political tensions as her husband struggled with mental health and governance. She spent her final years in relative seclusion and died under mysterious circumstances in 1597. Jakobea’s life reflects the challenges faced by noblewomen in the complex politics of the Holy Roman Empire.

François de Vendôme was born in 1616 into the royal House of Bourbon as Duke of Beaufort. He gained fame for his daring naval exploits against the English and Barbary pirates. Beaufort became a prominent leader during the Fronde, opposing royal authority in mid-17th century France. Known for his charisma and adventurous spirit, he was nicknamed 'le Roi des Halles' by Parisians. Later appointed as Admiral of France, he led expeditions in the Mediterranean and fought in the Franco-Dutch War. François died of the plague in 1669 off the coast of Sicily, leaving a legend of chivalry and rebellion.

Born in 1675 into a noble family, he entered Louis XIV's court as a youth. Saint-Simon served in military campaigns in Spain and Flanders and undertook diplomatic missions on behalf of France. Disenchanted with court intrigues, he retired to write extensive memoirs chronicling the personalities and politics of Versailles. His keen observations and candid style provided an unparalleled portrait of the Sun King's reign and its aftermath. Though unpublished in his lifetime, his Memoirs became a crucial historical source on 17th- and 18th-century France. He died in 1755, his writings cementing his reputation as a master of memoir literature.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1821, Breckinridge entered politics at a young age and was elected to the U.S. Senate by age 30. He served as Vice President under President James Buchanan from 1857 to 1861, becoming the youngest person elected to that office. Following his split from the Union, he joined the Confederate Army and rose to the rank of major general. Breckinridge also served as Confederate Secretary of War in 1865 before fleeing abroad. After returning to the United States, he practiced law and remained active in Democratic politics until his death in 1875.

Born in Utica, New York, in 1834, Hitt began his public service as Assistant Secretary of State from 1874 to 1877. He was appointed to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1879 and was reelected for thirteen successive terms representing Illinois. As a congressman, he was a leading voice on foreign affairs and chaired the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Hitt played a key role in the establishment of the Pan-American Union and promoted international cooperation. After over three decades in office, he died in Washington, D.C., in 1906, leaving a legacy of diplomatic advocacy.