
Recommended read
Heart of Europe: A History of the Holy Roman Empire
Peter H. Wilson
The standard modern history of the empire and its emperors, from Charlemagne to Napoleon.

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

Louis XIV of France
France
1643–1715

Aurangzeb
Mughal Empire
1658–1707

Kangxi Emperor
China
1661–1722

Charles II of Spain
Spain
1665–1700

Mehmed IV
Ottoman Empire
1648–1687

Charles II of England
England
1660–1685

Charles XI of Sweden
Sweden
1660–1697

Frederick I of Prussia
Prussia
1701–1713

Charles II of England
Scotland
1660–1685

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
Japan (Shogunate)
1680–1709

Afonso VI of Portugal
Portugal
1656–1683

Emperor Reigen
Japan
1663–1687

Peter II of Portugal
Portugal
1683–1706

Tokugawa Ietsuna
Japan (Shogunate)
1651–1680

William III of England
England
1689–1702

Emperor Higashiyama
Japan
1687–1709

Mustafa II
Ottoman Empire
1695–1703

Pope Innocent XI
Papacy
1676–1689

Mary II of England
England
1689–1694

Philip IV of Spain
Spain
1621–1665

James II of England
England
1685–1688

Philip V of Spain
Spain
1700–1706; 1714–1724; 1724–1746

Anne, Queen of Great Britain
England
1702–1707

Suleiman II
Ottoman Empire
1687–1691

Ahmed II
Ottoman Empire
1691–1695

Pope Innocent XII
Papacy
1691–1700

William III of England
Scotland
1694–1702

Pope Alexander VII
Papacy
1655–1667

Mary II of England
Scotland
1689–1694

Shunzhi Emperor
China
1644–1661

Pope Clement X
Papacy
1670–1676

James II of England
Scotland
1685–1688

Emperor Go-Sai
Japan
1655–1663

Anne, Queen of Great Britain
Scotland
1702–1707

Charles XII of Sweden
Sweden
1697–1718
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
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Recommended read
Peter H. Wilson
The standard modern history of the empire and its emperors, from Charlemagne to Napoleon.
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