November 23

Jin Feidi, born Sima Yi in 342, ascended to the throne of the Eastern Jin dynasty in 365 at the age of 23. His reign was marked by the dominance of powerful regents and internal court struggles. In 371, he was forced to abdicate and was granted the title of Prince of Donghai. Despite his deposition, he remained a respected member of the imperial family. He lived under limited power until his death in 386.

Berthold, born around 900, served as Duke of Bavaria during the reigns of Henry I and Otto I. He assumed ducal authority following the death of Arnulf the Bad. His tenure was characterized by ongoing power shifts within the East Frankish kingdom. Details of his rule remain scarce in historical records. He died in 947, leaving the duchy to be restructured by the Ottonian dynasty.

Eadred was born in 923 as a son of King Edward the Elder and became King of England in 946 after the death of his brother. He continued efforts to unify the kingdom by subduing Viking-held territories in Northumbria. In 952, he secured York and brought the region under the English crown. His reign saw relative stability and the strengthening of royal authority. Eadred died in 955 at the age of 32.

William Fitz Robert inherited the earldom of Gloucester in 1147 after the death of his father, Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester. He lived during the tumultuous period known as the Anarchy under King Stephen. William was involved in the political and military struggles of the time, although specific details of his actions are sparse. He was noted for his patronage of religious institutions in his domains. William died in 1183, passing the title to his successors.

Louis I became Duke of Orléans in 1384 at the age of 12 after the death of his father, King Charles V of France. As the younger brother of King Charles VI, he held significant influence at the royal court and led a powerful faction during the king's bouts of mental illness. His rivalry with John the Fearless of Burgundy escalated into open conflict. In 1407, Louis was assassinated by agents of the Burgundian faction in Paris. His death deepened the divisions that led to the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War.

Ladislaus was born in 1440 after the death of his father, King Albert II, earning him the epithet “the Posthumous.” As an infant, he inherited the crowns of Bohemia and Hungary, and regents governed on his behalf. His reign was marked by dynastic struggles, particularly with the Habsburgs, who contested his claim. Ladislaus assumed personal rule in 1453 but reigned briefly. He died of the plague in 1457 at the age of 17, triggering further succession conflicts.

Perkin Warbeck emerged in the 1490s claiming to be Richard of Shrewsbury, one of the 'Princes in the Tower.' He gained support from foreign powers including France and Burgundy in his attempt to challenge Henry VII. In 1497, his invasion of Cornwall was swiftly suppressed by royal forces. Captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London, he made repeated attempts to escape. Ultimately, Warbeck was executed in 1499, marking the end of a significant Yorkist threat to the Tudor dynasty.

Bona of Savoy was born in 1449 to the ruling family of Savoy and married Galeazzo Maria Sforza, becoming Duchess of Milan in 1468. After her husband's assassination in 1476, she served as regent for her young son, Gian Galeazzo, managing the duchy's affairs with political acumen. Bona was a notable patron of Renaissance art and architecture, commissioning works that shaped Milan's cultural landscape. Her regency helped maintain stability during a period of internal and external challenges. She died in 1503, remembered for her leadership and support of the arts.

Margaret of York (1446–1503) was an English princess and Duchess of Burgundy by marriage to Charles the Bold. As sister of King Edward IV, she wielded significant influence in late 15th-century European politics. She served as regent and advisor in the Burgundian court, strengthening ties between England and Burgundy. A patron of the arts and literature, she fostered cultural exchanges in Bruges and Ghent. Her diplomatic efforts and courtly leadership left a lasting impact on European alliances. She died on 23 November 1503.

Friedrich Heinrich von Seckendorff (1673–1763) was a prominent German soldier and statesman in Habsburg service. He achieved the rank of field marshal and commanded forces during the War of the Spanish Succession, demonstrating strategic skill on the battlefield. Beyond his military career, Seckendorff held key diplomatic roles, negotiating treaties and alliances for the Austrian court. His memoirs and correspondence provide rare insights into early 18th-century European politics and warfare. A respected figure in the imperial administration, he influenced Habsburg military and foreign policy. He died on 23 November 1763.

Constantine Mavrocordatos (1711–1769) was a member of the Phanariote Greek elite who served multiple terms as Prince of Wallachia and Moldavia under Ottoman overlordship. He implemented groundbreaking fiscal and legal reforms, standardizing taxation and reducing feudal privileges. Mavrocordatos promoted education and the arts, commissioning schools and cultural institutions in the Danubian Principalities. His enlightened policies modernized governance and laid foundations for later national movements. Skilled in diplomacy, he maintained stability amid Ottoman and Russian pressures. He died on 23 November 1769.

Roger Newdigate (1719–1803) was a British Member of Parliament and benefactor of the arts and literature. Representing Middlesex and later Oxford University in the House of Commons, he advocated for educational improvements and cultural patronage. Newdigate founded the Newdigate Prize for English verse, encouraging poetic talent among Oxford students. He commissioned the Gothic revival Arbury Hall estate, reflecting his interest in architecture and design. Known for his wit and support of literary figures, he contributed to the cultural vibrancy of his era. He died on 23 November 1803.