Recommended read
William the Lion, 1143-1214
D. D. R. Owen
A well-regarded work on William the Lion and scottish history, useful for going deeper beyond this page.
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.
Alfonso VIII of Castile
Spain
1158–1214
Alfonso II of Aragon
Spain
1164–1196
Henry II of England
England
1154–1189
Sancho I of Portugal
Portugal
1185–1211
Peter II of Aragon
Spain
1196–1213
John, King of England
England
1199–1216
Knut Eriksson
Sweden
1173–1196; 1173–1195
Afonso I of Portugal
Portugal
1139–1185
Richard I of England
England
1189–1199
Philip II of France
France
1180–1223
Minamoto no Sanetomo
Japan (Shogunate)
1203–1219
Minamoto no Yoritomo
Japan (Shogunate)
1192–1199
Afonso II of Portugal
Portugal
1211–1223
Erik Knutsson
Sweden
1208–1216
Emperor Shizong of Jin
China
1161–1189
Emperor Xiaozong of Song
China
1162–1189
Frederick Barbarossa
Holy Roman Empire
1155–1190
Emperor Ningzong of Song
China
1194–1224
Louis VII of France
France
1137–1180
Manuel I Komnenos
Rome
1143–1180
Emperor Zhangzong of Jin
China
1189–1209
Pope Innocent III
Papacy
1198–1216
Pope Alexander III
Papacy
1159–1181
Emperor Go-Toba
Japan
1183–1198
Isaac II Angelos
Rome
1185–1195; 1203–1204
Theodore I Laskaris
Rome
1205–1222
Emperor Tsuchimikado
Japan
1198–1210
Alexios III Angelos
Rome
1195–1203
Emperor Takakura
Japan
1168–1180
Emperor Guangzong of Song
China
1189–1194
Sverker II of Sweden
Sweden
1195–1208
Henry VI
Holy Roman Empire
1191–1197
Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1209–1218
Alexios II Komnenos
Rome
1180–1183
Andronikos I Komnenos
Rome
1183–1185
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 William the Lion
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
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