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.
Akbar
Mughal Empire
1557–1586
Elizabeth I of England
England
1558–1586
Murad III
Ottoman Empire
1574–1586
John III of Sweden
Sweden
1568–1586
Philip II of Spain
Spain
1557–1586
Suleiman the Magnificent
Ottoman Empire
1557–1566
Selim II
Ottoman Empire
1566–1574
Sebastian, King of Portugal
Portugal
1557–1578
Ashikaga Yoshiaki
Japan (Shogunate)
1568–1586
Charles IX of France
France
1560–1574
Wanli Emperor
China
1572–1586
Henry III of France
France
1574–1586
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1564–1576
Jiajing Emperor of Ming
China
1557–1567
Pope Gregory XIII
Papacy
1572–1585
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1576–1586
Mary, Queen of Scots
Scotland
1557–1567
Longqing Emperor
China
1567–1572
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1557–1564
Ashikaga Yoshiteru
Japan (Shogunate)
1557–1565
Henry II of France
France
1557–1559
Francis II of France
France
1559–1560
Pope Pius V
Papacy
1566–1572
Philip II of Spain
Portugal
1580–1586
Erik XIV
Sweden
1560–1568
Pope Pius IV
Papacy
1560–1565
Pope Paul IV
Papacy
1557–1559
Pope Sixtus V
Papacy
1585–1586
Henry, King of Portugal
Portugal
1578–1580
Gustav I of Sweden
Sweden
1557–1560
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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