Recommended read
Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire
Jason Goodwin
Goodwin on Bayezid II's consolidation of the empire and the Jewish exodus from Spain.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Henry VII of England
England
1485–1509
Ferdinand II of Aragon
Spain
1479–1516
Louis XI of France
France
1461–1483
Henry VIII of England
England
1509–1547
Richard III of England
England
1483–1485
James IV of Scotland
Scotland
1488–1513
Hongzhi Emperor
China
1487–1505
Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado
Japan
1464–1500
Charles VIII of France
France
1483–1498
Louis XII of France
France
1498–1515
Manuel I of Portugal
Portugal
1495–1521
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1452–1493
John II of Portugal
Portugal
1477–1477; 1481–1495
Ashikaga Yoshizumi
Japan (Shogunate)
1495–1508
Emperor Go-Kashiwabara
Japan
1500–1526
Pope Alexander VI
Papacy
1492–1503
Chenghua Emperor
China
1464–1487
Zhengde Emperor
China
1505–1521
James III of Scotland
Scotland
1460–1488
Ashikaga Yoshihisa
Japan (Shogunate)
1474–1489
Pope Julius II
Papacy
1503–1513
Pope Innocent VIII
Papacy
1484–1492
Edward IV of England
England
1461–1470; 1471–1483
Maximilian I
Holy Roman Empire
1508–1519
Ashikaga Yoshitane
Japan (Shogunate)
1490–1493; 1508–1522
Pope Sixtus IV
Papacy
1471–1484
Hans, King of Denmark
Sweden
1497–1501
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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From the library
Go deeper on Bayezid II
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300–1923
Caroline Finkel
A modern narrative history of the sultans and the empire they ruled for six centuries.
Find on Amazon
Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire
Jason Goodwin
A lyrical, readable introduction to Ottoman court life, conquest, and decline.
Find on Amazon
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