
Recommended read
A History of Portugal and the Portuguese Empire
A. R. Disney
Sancho I, the second king and the consolidation of the young Portuguese realm.

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

Alfonso VIII of Castile
Spain
1158–1214

Peter II of Aragon
Spain
1196–1213

John, King of England
England
1199–1216

Philip II of France
France
1180–1223

Alfonso II of Aragon
Spain
1164–1196

Richard I of England
England
1189–1199

William the Lion
Scotland
1165–1214

Knut Eriksson
Sweden
1173–1196; 1173–1195

Minamoto no Sanetomo
Japan (Shogunate)
1203–1219

Minamoto no Yoritomo
Japan (Shogunate)
1192–1199

Henry II of England
England
1154–1189

Emperor Ningzong of Song
China
1194–1224
Emperor Zhangzong of Jin
China
1189–1209

Erik Knutsson
Sweden
1208–1216

Emperor Tsuchimikado
Japan
1198–1210

Pope Innocent III
Papacy
1198–1216

Emperor Go-Toba
Japan
1183–1198

Isaac II Angelos
Rome
1185–1195; 1203–1204

Sverker II of Sweden
Sweden
1195–1208

Alexios III Angelos
Rome
1195–1203

Theodore I Laskaris
Rome
1205–1222

Henry VI
Holy Roman Empire
1191–1197

Emperor Guangzong of Song
China
1189–1194

Pope Celestine III
Papacy
1191–1198

Emperor Xiaozong of Song
China
1162–1189

Frederick Barbarossa
Holy Roman Empire
1155–1190

Emperor Shizong of Jin
China
1161–1189

Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1209–1218

Pope Clement III
Papacy
1188–1191

Pope Urban III
Papacy
1185–1187
Wanyan Yongji
China
1209–1213
Nicholas Laskaris
Rome
1208–1210
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
A. R. Disney
Sancho I, the second king and the consolidation of the young Portuguese realm.
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