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.
Suleiman the Magnificent
Ottoman Empire
1521–1566
Henry VIII of England
England
1521–1547
Akbar
Mughal Empire
1556–1567
Humayun
Mughal Empire
1531–1540
Elizabeth I of England
England
1558–1567
Charles V
Spain
1521–1556
Mary I
England
1553–1558
Charles V
Holy Roman Empire
1521–1556
Babur
Mughal Empire
1526–1531
John III of Portugal
Portugal
1521–1557
Gustav I of Sweden
Sweden
1523–1560
Francis I of France
France
1521–1547
Emperor Go-Nara
Japan
1526–1557
Mary, Queen of Scots
Scotland
1542–1567
Ashikaga Yoshiharu
Japan (Shogunate)
1522–1547
James V of Scotland
Scotland
1521–1542
Henry II of France
France
1547–1559
Ashikaga Yoshiteru
Japan (Shogunate)
1547–1565
Philip II of Spain
Spain
1556–1567
Pope Paul III
Papacy
1534–1549
Charles IX of France
France
1560–1567
Edward VI of England
England
1547–1553
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1556–1564
Pope Clement VII
Papacy
1523–1534
Emperor Ōgimachi
Japan
1557–1567
Sebastian, King of Portugal
Portugal
1557–1567
Emperor Go-Kashiwabara
Japan
1521–1526
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1564–1567
Pope Pius IV
Papacy
1560–1565
Pope Julius III
Papacy
1550–1555
Pope Paul IV
Papacy
1555–1559
Erik XIV
Sweden
1560–1567
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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