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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.
George III of Great Britain
Great Britain
1760–1801
Catherine II of Russia
Russia
1762–1796
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1765–1790
Selim III
Ottoman Empire
1789–1807
Frederick William II of Prussia
Prussia
1786–1797
Frederick II of Prussia
Prussia
1740–1786
Qianlong Emperor
China
1735–1796
Maria I of Portugal
Portugal
1777–1816
Louis XVI of France
France
1774–1791
Paul I of Russia
Russia
1796–1801
Emperor Kōkaku
Japan
1779–1817
Frederick William III of Prussia
Prussia
1797–1840
Abdul Hamid I
Ottoman Empire
1774–1789
Charles III of Spain
Spain
1759–1788
Shah Alam II
Mughal Empire
1760–1788; 1788–1806
Gustav III of Sweden
Sweden
1771–1792
Charles IV of Spain
Spain
1788–1808; 1808–1808
Tokugawa Ienari
Japan (Shogunate)
1787–1837
Tokugawa Ieharu
Japan (Shogunate)
1760–1786
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1792–1806
Louis XVII of France
France
1793–1795
Jiaqing Emperor
China
1796–1820
Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden
Sweden
1792–1809
Emperor Go-Momozono
Japan
1771–1779
Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1790–1792
Joseph I of Portugal
Portugal
1750–1777
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 Pius VI
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
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