
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.

Kangxi Emperor
China
1661–1722

Louis XIV of France
France
1643–1715

Frederick I of Prussia
Prussia
1701–1713

Aurangzeb
Mughal Empire
1658–1707

Farrukhsiyar
Mughal Empire
1713–1719

Frederick William I of Prussia
Prussia
1713–1740

Ahmed III
Ottoman Empire
1703–1730

Bahadur Shah I
Mughal Empire
1707–1712

Charles XII of Sweden
Sweden
1697–1718

John V of Portugal
Portugal
1706–1750

Emperor Nakamikado
Japan
1709–1735

Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1711–1740

Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Spain
1706–1714

Anne, Queen of Great Britain
Great Britain
1707–1714

George I of Great Britain
Great Britain
1714–1727

Emperor Higashiyama
Japan
1687–1709

Louis XV of France
France
1715–1774

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

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
Japan (Shogunate)
1680–1709

Anne, Queen of Great Britain
England
1702–1707
Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1705–1711

Anne, Queen of Great Britain
Scotland
1702–1707

Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1658–1705

Mustafa II
Ottoman Empire
1695–1703

Tokugawa Yoshimune
Japan (Shogunate)
1716–1745

Peter II of Portugal
Portugal
1683–1706

William III of England
England
1689–1702

Muhammad Shah
Mughal Empire
1719–1748

Tokugawa Ienobu
Japan (Shogunate)
1709–1712

Tokugawa Ietsugu
Japan (Shogunate)
1713–1716

William III of England
Scotland
1694–1702

Ulrika Eleonora I of Sweden
Sweden
1718–1720

Frederick I of Sweden
Sweden
1720–1751
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
By subscribing you agree to receive emails from us. See our Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe any time.
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.
Some book links on this site point to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, WhoWasRuling.com may earn from qualifying purchases.