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.
Akbar
Mughal Empire
1572–1605
Elizabeth I of England
England
1572–1603
Murad III
Ottoman Empire
1574–1595
James VI and I
England
1603–1620
Jahangir I
Mughal Empire
1605–1620
Ahmed I
Ottoman Empire
1603–1617
John III of Sweden
Sweden
1572–1592
Mehmed III
Ottoman Empire
1595–1603
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1576–1612
James VI and I
Scotland
1587–1620
Philip II of Spain
Spain
1572–1598
Henry IV of France
France
1589–1610
Philip III of Spain
Spain
1598–1620
Emperor Go-Yōzei
Japan
1586–1611
Henry III of France
France
1574–1589
Philip III of Spain
Portugal
1598–1620
Philip II of Spain
Portugal
1580–1598
Emperor Ōgimachi
Japan
1572–1586
Ashikaga Yoshiaki
Japan (Shogunate)
1572–1588
Tokugawa Hidetada
Japan (Shogunate)
1605–1620
Pope Paul V
Papacy
1605–1620
Louis XIII of France
France
1610–1617
Pope Clement VIII
Papacy
1592–1605
Pope Gregory XIII
Papacy
1572–1585
Emperor Go-Mizunoo
Japan
1611–1620
Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1612–1619
Osman II
Ottoman Empire
1618–1620
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1572–1576
Sebastian, King of Portugal
Portugal
1572–1578
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Sweden
1611–1620
Pope Sixtus V
Papacy
1585–1590
Charles IX of Sweden
Sweden
1604–1611
Sigismund III Vasa
Sweden
1592–1599
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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