
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.

James VI and I
England
1603–1625

Jahangir I
Mughal Empire
1605–1627

Ahmed I
Ottoman Empire
1603–1617

Philip III of Spain
Spain
1598–1621

Wanli Emperor
China
1572–1620

James VI and I
Scotland
1587–1625

Tokugawa Hidetada
Japan (Shogunate)
1605–1623

Philip III of Spain
Portugal
1598–1621

Emperor Go-Mizunoo
Japan
1611–1629

Louis XIII of France
France
1610–1617; 1617–1643

Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Sweden
1611–1632

Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1576–1612

Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1612–1619

Henry IV of France
France
1589–1610

Emperor Go-Yōzei
Japan
1586–1611

Charles IX of Sweden
Sweden
1604–1611

Osman II
Ottoman Empire
1618–1622

Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1619–1637
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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