
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.

Louis XIV of France
France
1643–1715

Aurangzeb
Mughal Empire
1658–1707

Kangxi Emperor
China
1661–1722

Charles II of Spain
Spain
1665–1700

William III of England
England
1689–1702

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

Emperor Higashiyama
Japan
1687–1709

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
Japan (Shogunate)
1680–1709

Peter II of Portugal
Portugal
1683–1706

Mustafa II
Ottoman Empire
1695–1703

William III of England
Scotland
1694–1702

Charles XI of Sweden
Sweden
1660–1697

Mary II of England
England
1689–1694

Ahmed II
Ottoman Empire
1691–1695

Mary II of England
Scotland
1689–1694

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
John Julius Norwich
Norwich's narrative history of the popes, from Saint Peter's successors to the modern Vatican.
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