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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 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.
Francis I of Austria
Austria
1804–1835
Frederick William III of Prussia
Prussia
1797–1840
William I of the Netherlands
Netherlands
1815–1840
Nicholas I of Russia
Russia
1825–1855
Louis XVIII of France
France
1814–1815; 1815–1824
George IV of the United Kingdom
Great Britain
1820–1830
Alexander I of Russia
Russia
1801–1825
Mahmud II
Ottoman Empire
1808–1839
Akbar Shah II
Mughal Empire
1806–1837
Daoguang Emperor
China
1820–1850
Ferdinand VII of Spain
Spain
1808–1808; 1814–1833
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Austria
1804–1835
Emperor Ninkō
Japan
1817–1846
Tokugawa Ienari
Japan (Shogunate)
1787–1837
Maria II of Portugal
Portugal
1826–1828; 1834–1853
Charles X of France
France
1824–1830
Charles XIV John of Sweden
Sweden
1818–1844
John VI of Portugal
Portugal
1816–1826
Miguel I of Portugal
Portugal
1828–1834
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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From the library
Go deeper on Pope Leo XII
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
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