
Recommended read
Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
John Julius Norwich
Norwich's narrative history of the popes, from Saint Peter's successors to the modern Vatican.

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

Henry VII of England
England
1485–1509

Bayezid II
Ottoman Empire
1481–1512

Hongzhi Emperor
China
1487–1505

Ferdinand II of Aragon
Spain
1479–1516

James IV of Scotland
Scotland
1488–1513

Ashikaga Yoshizumi
Japan (Shogunate)
1495–1508

Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado
Japan
1464–1500

Manuel I of Portugal
Portugal
1495–1521

Charles VIII of France
France
1483–1498

Louis XII of France
France
1498–1515

Hans, King of Denmark
Sweden
1497–1501

John II of Portugal
Portugal
1477–1477; 1481–1495

Emperor Go-Kashiwabara
Japan
1500–1526

Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1452–1493
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
John Julius Norwich
Norwich's narrative history of the popes, from Saint Peter's successors to the modern Vatican.
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