
Frederick Barbarossa
John B. Fried
The most complete modern biography of the red-bearded emperor of the twelfth century.

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

Henry II of England
England
1155–1189

Alfonso VIII of Castile
Spain
1158–1190

Afonso I of Portugal
Portugal
1155–1185

Alfonso II of Aragon
Spain
1164–1190

Knut Eriksson
Sweden
1173–1190

Louis VII of France
France
1155–1180

Emperor Shizong of Jin
China
1161–1189

Emperor Xiaozong of Song
China
1162–1189

Manuel I Komnenos
Rome
1155–1180

Alfonso VII of Castile
Spain
1155–1157

William the Lion
Scotland
1165–1190

Sancho I of Portugal
Portugal
1185–1190

Karl Sverkersson
Sweden
1161–1167

Saint Erik
Sweden
1156–1160

Pope Alexander III
Papacy
1159–1181

Philip II of France
France
1180–1190

Emperor Takakura
Japan
1168–1180

Malcolm IV of Scotland
Scotland
1155–1165

Emperor Gaozong of Song
China
1155–1162

Wanyan Liang
China
1155–1161

Isaac II Angelos
Rome
1185–1190

Emperor Nijō
Japan
1158–1165

Emperor Go-Toba
Japan
1183–1190

Alexios II Komnenos
Rome
1180–1183

Andronikos I Komnenos
Rome
1183–1185

Emperor Antoku
Japan
1180–1185

Pope Adrian IV
Papacy
1155–1159

Pope Lucius III
Papacy
1181–1185

Emperor Go-Shirakawa
Japan
1155–1158

Emperor Rokujō
Japan
1165–1168

Pope Clement III
Papacy
1188–1190

Pope Urban III
Papacy
1185–1187
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Frederick Barbarossa's life and times.

John B. Fried
The most complete modern biography of the red-bearded emperor of the twelfth century.
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