08月25日

Born in 359 AD as the eldest son of Emperor Valentinian I, Gratian was declared Augustus at the age of eight. He ruled alongside his father and later his brother, Valens. A devout Christian, he refused the title of pontifex maximus and promoted Nicene Christianity across the empire. He led military campaigns against the Alemanni in Gaul and withdrew troops from Britain. Facing internal dissent, he was betrayed by the usurper Magnus Maximus and assassinated in 383. His reign marked a significant shift toward a Christianized Roman state and ongoing conflicts with barbarian tribes.

Born in 1142, Hugh III succeeded his father, William III, as Duke of Burgundy at the age of sixteen. He strengthened ducal governance by reforming his administration and fostering economic growth within his territories. He maintained a close alliance with King Philip II of France and played a diplomatic role in the balance of power between France and England. Hugh joined the Third Crusade, demonstrating his commitment to Christendom. His rule saw relative stability and the expansion of Burgundian influence. He died in 1192, leaving behind a more unified and prosperous duchy.

Born in 1214, Louis IX ascended the French throne at the age of twelve under the regency of his mother, Blanche of Castile. He established the Parlement of Paris and instituted legal reforms to ensure justice throughout his realm. A devout Christian, he led the Seventh and Eighth Crusades, ultimately dying during the latter in Tunis. Louis negotiated peace treaties, enforced moral legislation, and supported charitable institutions. Canonized in 1297 by Pope Boniface VIII, he became the only French king to be declared a saint. His reign is remembered for the strengthening of royal authority and cultural patronage.

Born in 1315, Muhammad IV ascended the throne as a young ruler after the death of his father, Ismail I. He forged alliances with Castile and Aragon to defend the Nasrid kingdom against Christian advances. His reign was marked by diplomatic negotiations and military engagements to preserve Granada’s sovereignty. He invested in cultural patronage, supporting scholars and builders within the Alhambra. Facing internal conspiracies and external pressures, his rule ended abruptly when palace assassins murdered him in 1333. His leadership exemplified the challenges of the Nasrid dynasty during the Reconquista.

Born in 1429 in Anjou, France, Margaret married King Henry VI of England in 1445. She became an influential and determined political leader, rallying Lancastrian supporters when her husband’s reign faltered. Margaret organized armies, secured funds, and negotiated alliances to defend her son’s claim to the throne. Her leadership was pivotal in the Battles of Wakefield and Towton. After the Lancastrian defeat in 1461, she lived in exile in France, continuing to plot restoration. She returned briefly in 1470 before capture and final exile. Her resilience and political acumen left a deep mark on English dynastic history.

Born in 1432, Ota Dokan emerged as a skilled military strategist under the Uesugi clan. In 1457, he designed and built Edo Castle, laying the groundwork for what would become modern Tokyo. As the shugo of Musashi Province, he defended his domains against rival clans and consolidated his power through both warfare and diplomacy. A cultured warrior, Dokan was also known for his poetry and patronage of Buddhist temples. Internal rivalries led to his assassination in 1486 by a trusted retainer. Today, he is remembered as the founder of Edo and a symbol of early samurai governance.

Born in 1537 as the second son of Shimazu Takahisa, Toshihisa played a central role in expanding Shimazu control over Satsuma and Ōsumi. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Mimigawa in 1578, securing a decisive victory against the Otomo clan. As Toyotomi Hideyoshi launched his Kyushu campaign, Toshihisa led resistance efforts before surrendering in 1587. He retired to his estates but remained an influential advisor until his death in 1592. His martial prowess and leadership helped set the stage for the unification of Kyushu under Shimazu rule.

Born in 1563 to the samurai Akechi Mitsuhide, Tama later married Hosokawa Tadaoki and embraced Christianity, taking the name Gracia. Renowned for her devotion and charitable works, she became a prominent figure among European missionaries in Japan. During the lead-up to the Battle of Sekigahara, she was besieged and chose death over dishonor when samurai killed her in 1600. Her story symbolized the turmoil of the Sengoku era and the plight of Christian converts in Japan. Gracia’s legacy endures in literature and art as a poignant example of faith and sacrifice.

1587年、譜代大名・酒井家の一員として生まれる。 小浜藩主として領国経営に尽力し、藩政改革を断行。 1638年に老中に就任し、幕府の外交や財政を担当。 1655年には大老に任じられ、幕政を総括。 1662年に没し、その手腕は後世に評価される。

1635年、ウェールズに生まれる。 イギリス王室から私掠許可を得て海上でスペイン船を襲撃。 1671年のパン・タ・カーナ攻撃などで名声を博す。 1674年にチャールズ2世から騎士に叙され、ジャマイカ総督代理を務める。 晩年はジャマイカで過ごし、1688年に没した。