The Sultan and the Queen
Jerry Brotton
Mehmed's world of diplomacy and conquest after 1453, empire, trade, and Renaissance exchange.
Mehmed II
- Life
- 1432–1481
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.
Afonso V of Portugal
Portugal
1451–1481
Louis XI of France
France
1461–1481
Charles VII of France
France
1451–1461
Henry VI of England
England
1451–1461
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1452–1481
John II of Aragon
Spain
1458–1479
Pope Nicholas V
Papacy
1451–1455
Ashikaga Yoshimasa
Japan (Shogunate)
1451–1474
James III of Scotland
Scotland
1460–1481
Chenghua Emperor
China
1464–1481
Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado
Japan
1464–1481
Edward IV of England
England
1471–1481
Emperor Go-Hanazono
Japan
1451–1464
Alfonso V of Aragon
Spain
1451–1458
Emperor Yingzong of Ming
China
1457–1464
James II of Scotland
Scotland
1451–1460
Jingtai Emperor
China
1451–1457
Pope Sixtus IV
Papacy
1471–1481
Ashikaga Yoshihisa
Japan (Shogunate)
1474–1481
Pope Paul II
Papacy
1464–1471
Ferdinand II of Aragon
Spain
1479–1481
Pope Pius II
Papacy
1458–1464
Constantine XI Palaiologos
Rome
1451–1453
Christian I of Denmark
Sweden
1457–1464
John VIII Palaiologos
Rome
1444–1446
Karl Knutsson
Sweden
1451–1457
Pope Callixtus III
Papacy
1455–1458
Pope Eugene IV
Papacy
1444–1446
Christopher of Bavaria
Sweden
1444–1446
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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Further Reading
Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Mehmed II's life and times.
Constantinople: The Last Great Siege, 1453
Roger Crowley
Crowley's gripping account of Mehmed's siege that ended the Byzantine Empire.
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