China

Imperial Consort Dou Guiniang – The Imperial Consort who helped restore Chu under the Tang Empire

Imperial Consort Dou Guiniang was an imperial consort to Li Xilie, who rebelled against the Tang Dynasty.[1] Li Xilie initially proclaimed himself a minor king.[2] He later proclaimed himself Emperor of the state of Chu.[3] Imperial Consort Dou Guiniang helped restore the state of Chu under Tang Dynasty rule.[4] The birth date of Imperial Consort Dou [read more]
Book News

Book News Week 43

*contains affiliate links* Book News Week 43 – 19 October – 25 October 2026 The Pillow Book: Revelations of a Japanese Lady-in-Waiting Hardcover – 20 October 2026 (US & UK) Mary Boleyn: The Queen’s Slandered Sister Hardcover  – 20 October 2026 (US) Ladies-in-Waiting in Medieval England Paperback – 22 October 2026 (US & UK) The Future [read more]
Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – The life and death of King Frederick William IV of Prussia (Part one)

On 15 October 1795, Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Crown Princess of Prussia, gave birth to her second child, the future King Frederick William IV of Prussia. Louise’s first child had tragically been stillborn. As such, Frederick William was their eldest surviving child. His younger brother, the future William I, German Emperor, was only 18 months younger [read more]
Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – The short life of Frederica of Prussia

In the early hours of 14 October 1799, Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Prussia, gave birth to a daughter named Frederica. The little girl was their fifth child, although their eldest daughter had been stillborn. Louise had given birth in Potsdam. Frederica was baptised on 8 November and given the additional names Augusta Carolina Amelia. [read more]