
Recommended read
A Brief History of the Samurai
Jonathan Clements
A lively introduction to Japan's warrior rulers and the shogunates they led.

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

James VI and I
Scotland
1587–1625

Philip III of Spain
Spain
1598–1621

Wanli Emperor
China
1572–1620

Philip III of Spain
Portugal
1598–1621

Pope Paul V
Papacy
1605–1621

Emperor Go-Mizunoo
Japan
1611–1629

Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Sweden
1611–1632

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

Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1612–1619

Henry IV of France
France
1589–1610

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

Emperor Go-Yōzei
Japan
1586–1611

Osman II
Ottoman Empire
1618–1622

Charles IX of Sweden
Sweden
1604–1611

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

Tianqi Emperor
China
1620–1627

Philip IV of Spain
Spain
1621–1665

Mustafa I
Ottoman Empire
1617–1618; 1622–1623

Philip IV of Spain
Portugal
1621–1640

Pope Gregory XV
Papacy
1621–1623
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
Jonathan Clements
A lively introduction to Japan's warrior rulers and the shogunates they led.
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