May 24 – Duke
Skule Bårdsson, claimant to the Norwegian throne, is defeated by King
Haakon IV (the Old) and his supporters. He seeks refuge in
Elgeseter Priory in
Trondheim, and Haakon burns down the monastery, in which Skule is burned alive. Haakon becomes the undisputed ruler; this ends the
civil war era in Norway, after 110 years.
July 15 –
Battle of the Neva: A Swedish army under Bishop
Thomas sails up the
Gulf of Finland in their longboats. They proceed into the
Neva River with the aim of seizing control over
Lake Ladoga and from there, striking at the city of
Novgorod. Prince
Alexander rallies his druzhina comparable to the 'household' of western European countries, and decisively routs the Swedish forces, saving the
Novgorod Republic from a full-scale enemy invasion from the North. As a result, Alexander wins his first military victory at the age of 19 and receives the title of Nevsky.[1]
Winter – Alexander Nevsky quarrels with the Kievan nobles (boyars) and merchants of Novgorod, probably about peaceful trade with the westerners. He is banished, along with his mother, wife, and his druzhina to take up residence in the region around
Moscow, a minor town on the western border of the
Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal.[2]
Summer –
As-Salih Ayyub becomes ruler of
Egypt, after deposing his half-brother
Al-Adil II. Meanwhile, other members of the
Ayyubid Dynasty are conspiring to depose him and replace him with his uncle,
As-Salih Ismail. During his reign, As-Salih begins buying large numbers of
Kipchak slaves, to form an elite core in the Egyptian army, known as
Mamluks.[4]
Levant
October 10 –
Richard of Cornwall, brother of King
Henry III, arrives at
Acre for a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem. His pilgrimage has the approval of Emperor
Frederick II, who is married to his younger sister,
Isabella of England, and gives him the task to make arrangements with the Military Orders. On his arrival, Richard travels to
Ascalon, where he is met by ambassadors from As-Salih Ayyub. As a negotiator, he is successful in the release of prisoners captured at
Gaza (see
1239), and he also assists with the building of the citadel in Ascalon.[5]
Mongol Empire
Winter – The Mongols under
Batu Khan cross the frozen
Dnieper River and
lay siege to the city of Kiev. On
December 6, the walls are rendered rubble by Chinese catapults and the Mongols pour into the city. Brutal hand-to-hand street fighting occurs, the Kievans are eventually forced to fall back to the central parts of the city. Many people take refuge in the
Church of the Blessed Virgin. As scores of terrified Kievans climb onto the Church's upper balcony to shield themselves from Mongol arrows, their collective weight strain its infrastructure, causing the roof to collapse and crush countless citizens under its weight. Of a total population of 50,000, all but 2,000 are massacred.[6]
Pope
Gregory IX authorizes a
Crusade against Novgorod, hoping that the
Kievan Rus' will be too preoccupied dealing with the raiding Mongols to the east to defend.
Early northern summer – A succession crisis or other priorities results in the Mongols withdrawing behind their river barrier into the Ukraine and the Russias, leaving Central Asian and far Eastern Europe peoples tributary to the Khanates, but leaving Poland and Hungary to begin recovery and reorganization.[16][17]
Spring – Prince
Alexander Nevsky is joined by his brother
Andrey II (Yaroslavich) at
Novgorod, supported with his elite druzhina (or 'household') from
Suzdal. They head southwest across the frozen marshes, which cover much of the land between Novgorod and
Pskov. On
March 5, Alexander retakes the city almost without a struggle, before the larger Crusader garrison in nearby
Izborsk can intervene.[29]
April – A Russian force led by Alexander Nevsky crosses the frontier between Novgorod and Livonian Crusader territory, to raid into Catholic
Estonia. After that, Alexander breaks his army off into contingents to ravage the countryside. He is forced to turn back, when a local Crusader force under Bishop
Hermann von Buxhövden defeats Alexander's advance guard at
Mooste bridge south of
Tartu.[30]
April 5 –
Battle of Lake Peipus (or Battle on the Ice): Russian forces led by Alexander Nevsky, rebuff an invasion attempt by a Crusader army (some 2,600 men), including German
Teutonic Knights. The opposing armies meet upon the frozen surface of
Lake Peipus. The outnumbered Teutonic Knights are defeated on the slippery surface, by Alexander's elite druzhina and the Novgorod forces.[31]
July 21–
22 –
Battle of Taillebourg: French forces (some 25,000 men) under King
Louis IX (the Saint) defeat King
Henry III at the bridge over the
Charente River near
Taillebourg. After the battle, Louis continues to pursue the English troops, capturing many prisoners. Henry retreats with the remnants of his army to
Bordeaux, where he spends the winter.
Summer – Alexander Nevsky sends envoys to
Batu Khan, preemptively capitulating before the Mongols even though they have not reached Novgorod, and accepts his rule as Mongol overlord.
Spring –
Siege of Esztergom: The Mongols under Batu Khan assault and destroy most of the Hungarian city of
Esztergom. Batu Khan sends a reconnaissance party against the
Holy Roman Empire.
Battle of Grobnik Field: Croatian forces under Béla IV stop the Mongol invasion in
Hungary and
Croatia. Béla rebuilds the country and orders the building of fortifications through his kingdom.
Siege of Sernya: Mongol forces led by
Subutai besiege and capture
Sernya. During the siege, Queen
Narchat is killed as she and a small group of warriors attempt to flee the city.[33]
Batu Khan establishes the
Golden Horde at
Sarai and withdraws his forces after messengers arrive with the news that the Great Khan
Ögedei Khan has died (see
1241).
England
May –
Isabella of Angoulême, mother of Henry III, persuades him to mount an expedition to retake
Poitou. On
May 20, Henry arrives at
Royan and joins the rebelling French nobles – forming an army (some 30,000 men). Louis IX exchanges letters with Henry to resolve the conflict, but the dispute escalates further.
Africa
Summer – In the
Maghreb, after a string of successes against the
Almohad Caliphate, Hafsid forces under Sultan
Abu Zakariya Yahya, conquer the city of
Tlemcen (modern
Algeria). The
Kingdom of Tlemcen becomes a vassal of Abu Zakariya, and is formed in a series of small states between his rule and the states of the Western Maghreb.[34]
February 10 – The 10-year-old Emperor
Shijō (or Mitsuhito) dies suddenly, despite a dispute over who should follow him as sovereign,
Go-Saga (son of former Emperor
Tsuchimikado) ascends to the throne of Japan.
March – King
Ferdinand III (the Saint) turns the independent
Taifa of Murcia into a protectorate, and initiates the process of the colonization and
Christianization of the region. He receives the submission of the
Moors, under the terms of a peace agreement (the famous Treaty of Alcaraz).
Siege of Viterbo: Emperor
Frederick II besieges
Viterbo on request of the rebel citizens. The defenders are able to set fire to the
siege towers and after signing a peace treaty, Frederick is persuaded to withdraw his army.[37]
Siege of Montségur: French forces (some 10,000 men) begin the siege of
Château de Montségur to raze the stronghold held by the rebellious
Cathars. The castle is defended by some 100 troops and 500 refugees.[38]
Spring – Henry III bestows the custody of
Kenilworth Castle to
Simon de Montfort. Simon's wife
Eleanor, Henry's sister, already owned
Odiham Castle (or King John's Castle) so Simon has two of the strongest fortresses in England under his control.
March 16 –
Siege of Montségur: French forces capture and destroy
Château de Montségur in
Languedoc, after a 9-month siege. Some 200 'heretics' (perfecti and credentes) are burnt in a
bonfire, near the foot of the castle. This marks the final defeat of the
Cathars (or Albigensians); the followers become scattered fugitives, meeting in forests and mountain wilds.[41]
December – King
Louis IX (the Saint) falls desperately ill of a severe
malarian infection. Near-death, he vows that if he recovers he will set out for a crusade. Louis' life is spared and as soon as his health permits him, he takes the cross and immediately begins preparations for the
Seventh Crusade.[43]
Levant
June –
Khwarazmian forces (some 10,000 men) invade Syrian territory, ravaging the land and burning the villages. As
Damascus is too strong for a siege, they attack
Galilee, past the town of
Tiberias – which they capture. The Khwarazmians attack further southward through
Nablus towards
Jerusalem.[44]
July 15 –
Siege of Jerusalem: Khwarazmian horsemen attack and sack the 'holy city' of Jerusalem. There is bloody fighting in the streets, the Khwarazmian force their way into the
Armenian Quarter, where they decimate the Christian population, and drive out the Jews. The city is left in a state of ruin.[45]
August 23 – The
Tower of David surrenders to the Khwarazmian forces, some 6,000 Christian men, women and children march out of Jerusalem. As they move along the road toward
Jaffa, they see crusader flags waving on the
Walls of Jerusalem. Returning, some 2,000 of them are massacred.[46]
October 4 – The Crusaders assemble a force of some 1,000 cavalry and 6,000 men outside
Acre, after hearing that Jerusalem is sacked by the Khwarazmians. They are joined by the Ayyubid forces (some 4,000 men) of
Damascus and
Homs – while Emir
An-Nasir Dawud brings his army from
Kerak.[47]
June 7 – Pope
Innocent IV is driven from
Rome by imperial forces of Emperor
Frederick II, and travels secretly in disguise to
Sutri. Genoese galleys prepared by his relatives are waiting for him at the port of
Civitavecchia to take him to
Genoa.
October 5 – Innocent IV flees to
France and travels to
Lyon, where he arrives on
November 29. Although the city is nominally subject to the
Holy Roman Empire, Innocent falls under the protection of Louis IX.
December 27 – Innocent IV summons a general council to meet in Lyon (some 140 bishops eventually come) to attend what becomes later the
First Council of Lyon.
Winter –
Siege of Jaén: Castilian forces under King
Ferdinand III (the Saint) besiege the Moorish-held city of
Jaén. During the siege Moorish knights sally out and manage to capture a Castilian supply caravan. Meanwhile, Ferdinand tries to launch attacks on the various city gates, but all are ineffective.
In witness of the toll taken by war and fiscal pressure in the
Kingdom of Castile, the region of
Segovia is described this year as depopulated and sterile.[49]
February 21 –
Thomas, bishop of
Turku (modern
Finland), is granted resignation by Pope
Innocent IV. He admits to committing several felonies, such as torturing and forging a papal letter.
December 1 – A rebellion arises among the Muslim subjects in the region of
Valencia. As a punishment, King
James I (the Conqueror), issues an order of expulsion of the Muslims from his realm, leading numerous people into exile in
Andalusia and
North Africa.[60]
Summer – King
Henry I (the Fat) sends a Cypriot squadron of 8 galleys with 100 knights led by
Baldwin of Ibelin, to Acre. With the support of the Italian colonists, they fitted out 7 more galleys and some 50 lighter ships, to relieve the siege at Ascalon – which is now blockaded by the Egyptian fleet.[62]
The Egyptian fleet (some 20 galleys) confronts the Crusader ships led by Baldwin of Ibelin at Ascalon. But before contact is made, it is caught in a sudden Mediterranean storm. Many of the Muslim ships are driven ashore and wrecked; the survivors sail back to
Egypt.
October 15 – Egyptian forces under As-Salih Ayyub capture Ascalon by surprise – while a battering-ram forces a passageway under the walls right into the citadel. Most of the defenders are massacred, and the remainder of the garrison is taken prisoner.[63]
August 25 – Louis IX departs from
Aigues-Mortes and
Marseilles with a French expeditionary force (some 10,000 men) transported by 100 ships. An English detachment (some 5,000 men) under
William Longespée (the Younger), grandson of King
Henry III, and his mistress
Ida de Tosny follows close behind with 36 transport ships.[65]
September 17 – Louis IX arrives at
Limassol on the island of
Cyprus. He gathers his forces and is well received by King
Henry I (the Fat). The Crusaders are supplemented by nobles from
Acre, including Grand Masters
Jean de Ronay and
Guillaume de Sonnac. Louis prepares a plan of campaign, with
Egypt as the prime objective.[66]
December – Louis IX receives an embassy during his stay in Cyprus from the Mongol general,
Eljigidei, who is viceroy in
Persia. They bring a letter from
Guyuk Khan (who had died by the time his envoys reached Cyprus[67]) with no demands of submission, but talking in terms about Mongol favouritism for
Christianity, and a proposal of a joint invasion against the Ayyubid forces in
Syria.[68]
December – Louis IX decides to spend the winter on Cyprus to make preparations against Egypt. Meanwhile, the nobles persuade him to start negotiations with Sultan
As-Salih Ayyub to intervene in the internal Ayyubid affairs. But Louis rejects this offer and orders the
Knights Templar to break off their negotiations with As-Salih.[69]
November 24–
25 – In the middle of the night a mass on the north side of
Mont Granier suddenly collapses, in one of the largest historical rock slope failures.[70]
December – Ferdinand III issues an edict to expel the Almohads out of Seville. Many Muslims sail to
North Africa and others travel to
Granada in
Al-Andalus.
May 13 – King
Louis IX (the Saint) assembles a Crusader fleet of 120 transports and embarks an army (some 15,000 men) at
Limassol. Unfortunately, a storm scatters the ships a few days later. On
May 30, Louis sets sail to
Egypt – only a quarter of his forces sails with him, the others make their way independently to the Egyptian coast. Finally, the royal squadron arrives off
Damietta on
June 4 aboard Louis' flagship the
Montjoie. The king's advisers urges a delay until the rest of his transports arrive before attempting to disembark, but Louis refuses.[71]
June 5 –
Siege of Damietta: Louis IX lands with a Crusader force and captures
Damietta, after a fierce battle at the edge of the sea. The onslaught of the knights of
France and those of
Outremer under
John of Ibelin, force the Ayyubids back with heavy losses. At nightfall,
Fakhr ad-Din withdraws his army over a bridge of boats to Damietta. Finding the population there in panic and the garrison wavering, Fakhr ad-Din decides to evacuate the city. On
June 6, Louis marches triumphantly over the bridge into Damietta and builds a camp to attack
Cairo.[72]
November 20 – Louis IX sets out (against the advice of his nobles) with a Crusader force from Damietta, along the southern road to
Mansourah. A garrison is left to guard the city – where Queen
Margaret of Provence and Patriarch
Robert of Nantes remain. The Crusaders make slow progress along the
Nile, carrying a number of supplies and equipment. After 32 days, Louis orders to make camp opposite the Ayyubid camp near Mansourah, protected by a branch of the river and fortifications. Both camps use their catapults to bombard each other.[73]
December – Louis IX consolidates his forces at Mansourah. After the death of Sultan
As-Salih Ayyub, Fakhr ad-Din effectively becomes the ruler of Egypt. He takes command of the city's defense and his cavalry harasses the Crusaders but none of these skirmishes is successful in holding up the Crusader's advance. Meanwhile, Louis orders the construction of a dyke at Mansourah, although the Crusaders build covered galleries to protect the workmen, the Egyptian bombardment (particularly
Greek fire), is so formidable that the work is halted.[74]
Europe
February 16 – Louis IX sends
Andrew of Longjumeau on a diplomatic mission to meet the "Great Khan" of the
Mongol Empire. He carries letters from Louis and the
Papal States, and rich presents, including a chapel-tent lined with scarlet cloth and embroidered with sacred pictures. From
Cyprus he goes to the port of
Antioch in
Syria and travels for a year to the khan's court at
Karakorum.[75]
Winter – William of Villehardouin tours the
Peloponnese and selects sites for new fortifications such as
Grand Magne and
Leuktron. At
Mystras (ancient
Sparta), he builds a fortress and a palace.
Asia
March – The Japanese
Hōji period ends during the reign of Emperor
Go-Fukakusa and the
Kenchō period begins (until
1256).
Jean Mouflet makes an agreement with the
abbot of Saint-Pierre-le-Vif in the Senonais region in
France: in return for an annual payment, the monastery will recognize Jean as a "citizen of Sens". He is a
leathermerchant, with a leather shop that he leases for the rent of 50 shillings a year. The agreement is witnessed by Jean's wife, Douce, daughter of a wealthy and prominent citizen of
Sens, Felis Charpentier.
^David Nicolle (2005). Osprey: Lake Peipus 1242 – Battle on the Ice, p. 53.
ISBN1-85532-553-5.
^
abcPicard, Christophe (2000). Le Portugal musulman (VIIIe-XIIIe siècle. L'Occident d'al-Andalus sous domination islamique. Paris: Maisonneuve & Larose. p. 110.
ISBN2-7068-1398-9.
^Humphreys, R. Stephen (1977). From Saladin to the Mongols: The Ayyubids of Damascus, 1193–1260, p. 268. Albany, New York: State University of New York Press.
ISBN0-87395-263-4.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, pp. 182–183.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Perfecky, George (1973). The Hypatian Codex, pp. 43–49. Munich, Germany: Wilhelm Fink Publishing House.
^Murray, Julia K. (2014).
"Confucian Iconography". In Lagerwey, John; Marsone, Pierre (eds.). Modern Chinese Religion I (2 vols): Song-Liao-Jin-Yuan (960-1368 AD). Leiden, Boston: BRILL. p. 815.
ISBN9789004271647.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, p. 187.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Gilbert, Martin (1978). Jerusalem: Illustrated History Atlas, p. 25. New York: Macmillan Publishing.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, p. 188.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Dougherty, Martin J. (2007). Battles of the Crusades, pp. 176–77.
ISBN978-1-905704-58-3.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, p. 189.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Linehan, Peter (1999). "Chapter 21: Castile, Portugal and Navarre". In
Abulafia, David (ed.). The New Cambridge Medieval History c.1198-c.1300. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 668–699 [670].
ISBN0-521-36289-X.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, pp. 190–191.
ISBN978-0241-29877-0.
^Yule, Henry; Beazley, Charles Raymond (1911). "Carpini, Joannes de Piano". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Vol 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 397–399.
^Hywel Williams (2005). Cassell's Chronology of World History, p. 141.
ISBN0-304-35730-8.
^Linehan, Peter (1999). "Chapter 21: Castile, Portugal and Navarre". In
Abulafia, David (ed.). The New Cambridge Medieval History c.1198-c.1300. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 668–699 [670].
ISBN0-521-36289-X.
^Žemlička, Josef (2011). "The Realm of Přemysl Ottokar II and Wenceslas II", p. 107. In Pánek, Jaroslav; Tůma, Oldřich (eds.). A History of the Czech Lands, pp. 106–116. Charles University in Prague.
ISBN978-80-246-1645-2.
^Hywel Williams (2005). Cassell's Chronology of World History, p. 141.
ISBN0-304-35730-8.
^Irwin, Robert (1986). The Middle East in the Middle Ages: The Early Mamluk Sultanate, 1250–1382, p. 19. Southern Illinois University Press/Croom Helm.
ISBN1-5974-0466-7.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, pp. 215–216.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, p. 216.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Atwood, C. P. (2004). Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire. New York. p. 213.
ISBN0-8160-4671-9.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, p. 218.
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^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, p. 217.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, p. 220.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, p. 221.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Steven Runciman (1952). A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre, pp. 222–223.
ISBN978-0-241-29877-0.
^Beazley, Charles Raymond (1911). "Andrew of Longjumeau". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 972–973.
^Macrides, Ruth (2007). George Akropolites: The History – Introduction, Translation and Commentary, pp. 246–248. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
ISBN978-0-19-921067-1.
^
abcdeMarkó, László (2006). A magyar állam főméltóságai Szent Istvántól napjainkig: Életrajzi Lexikon [Great Officers of State in Hungary from King Saint Stephen to Our Days: A Biographical Encyclopedia] (in Hungarian). Helikon Kiadó. p. 251, 256, 269, 364, 451.
ISBN963-208-970-7.
^Zsoldos, Attila (2011). Magyarország világi archontológiája, 1000–1301 [Secular Archontology of Hungary, 1000–1301] (in Hungarian). História, MTA Történettudományi Intézete. p. 313.
ISBN978-963-9627-38-3.
^
abcdeB. Szabó, János (2007). A tatárjárás. A mongol hódítás és Magyarország [The Mongol Invasion of Hungary] (in Hungarian). Corvina. p. 141.
ISBN978-963-13-6348-7.
^Font, Márta; Barabás, Gábor (2019). Coloman, King of Galicia and Duke of Slavonia (1208–1241): Medieval Central Europe and Hungarian Power. Amsterdam University Press. p. 124.
ISBN978-164-1890-24-3.
May 24 – Duke
Skule Bårdsson, claimant to the Norwegian throne, is defeated by King
Haakon IV (the Old) and his supporters. He seeks refuge in
Elgeseter Priory in
Trondheim, and Haakon burns down the monastery, in which Skule is burned alive. Haakon becomes the undisputed ruler; this ends the
civil war era in Norway, after 110 years.
July 15 –
Battle of the Neva: A Swedish army under Bishop
Thomas sails up the
Gulf of Finland in their longboats. They proceed into the
Neva River with the aim of seizing control over
Lake Ladoga and from there, striking at the city of
Novgorod. Prince
Alexander rallies his druzhina comparable to the 'household' of western European countries, and decisively routs the Swedish forces, saving the
Novgorod Republic from a full-scale enemy invasion from the North. As a result, Alexander wins his first military victory at the age of 19 and receives the title of Nevsky.[1]
Winter – Alexander Nevsky quarrels with the Kievan nobles (boyars) and merchants of Novgorod, probably about peaceful trade with the westerners. He is banished, along with his mother, wife, and his druzhina to take up residence in the region around
Moscow, a minor town on the western border of the
Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal.[2]
Summer –
As-Salih Ayyub becomes ruler of
Egypt, after deposing his half-brother
Al-Adil II. Meanwhile, other members of the
Ayyubid Dynasty are conspiring to depose him and replace him with his uncle,
As-Salih Ismail. During his reign, As-Salih begins buying large numbers of
Kipchak slaves, to form an elite core in the Egyptian army, known as
Mamluks.[4]
Levant
October 10 –
Richard of Cornwall, brother of King
Henry III, arrives at
Acre for a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem. His pilgrimage has the approval of Emperor
Frederick II, who is married to his younger sister,
Isabella of England, and gives him the task to make arrangements with the Military Orders. On his arrival, Richard travels to
Ascalon, where he is met by ambassadors from As-Salih Ayyub. As a negotiator, he is successful in the release of prisoners captured at
Gaza (see
1239), and he also assists with the building of the citadel in Ascalon.[5]
Mongol Empire
Winter – The Mongols under
Batu Khan cross the frozen
Dnieper River and
lay siege to the city of Kiev. On
December 6, the walls are rendered rubble by Chinese catapults and the Mongols pour into the city. Brutal hand-to-hand street fighting occurs, the Kievans are eventually forced to fall back to the central parts of the city. Many people take refuge in the
Church of the Blessed Virgin. As scores of terrified Kievans climb onto the Church's upper balcony to shield themselves from Mongol arrows, their collective weight strain its infrastructure, causing the roof to collapse and crush countless citizens under its weight. Of a total population of 50,000, all but 2,000 are massacred.[6]
Pope
Gregory IX authorizes a
Crusade against Novgorod, hoping that the
Kievan Rus' will be too preoccupied dealing with the raiding Mongols to the east to defend.
Early northern summer – A succession crisis or other priorities results in the Mongols withdrawing behind their river barrier into the Ukraine and the Russias, leaving Central Asian and far Eastern Europe peoples tributary to the Khanates, but leaving Poland and Hungary to begin recovery and reorganization.[16][17]
Spring – Prince
Alexander Nevsky is joined by his brother
Andrey II (Yaroslavich) at
Novgorod, supported with his elite druzhina (or 'household') from
Suzdal. They head southwest across the frozen marshes, which cover much of the land between Novgorod and
Pskov. On
March 5, Alexander retakes the city almost without a struggle, before the larger Crusader garrison in nearby
Izborsk can intervene.[29]
April – A Russian force led by Alexander Nevsky crosses the frontier between Novgorod and Livonian Crusader territory, to raid into Catholic
Estonia. After that, Alexander breaks his army off into contingents to ravage the countryside. He is forced to turn back, when a local Crusader force under Bishop
Hermann von Buxhövden defeats Alexander's advance guard at
Mooste bridge south of
Tartu.[30]
April 5 –
Battle of Lake Peipus (or Battle on the Ice): Russian forces led by Alexander Nevsky, rebuff an invasion attempt by a Crusader army (some 2,600 men), including German
Teutonic Knights. The opposing armies meet upon the frozen surface of
Lake Peipus. The outnumbered Teutonic Knights are defeated on the slippery surface, by Alexander's elite druzhina and the Novgorod forces.[31]
July 21–
22 –
Battle of Taillebourg: French forces (some 25,000 men) under King
Louis IX (the Saint) defeat King
Henry III at the bridge over the
Charente River near
Taillebourg. After the battle, Louis continues to pursue the English troops, capturing many prisoners. Henry retreats with the remnants of his army to
Bordeaux, where he spends the winter.
Summer – Alexander Nevsky sends envoys to
Batu Khan, preemptively capitulating before the Mongols even though they have not reached Novgorod, and accepts his rule as Mongol overlord.
Spring –
Siege of Esztergom: The Mongols under Batu Khan assault and destroy most of the Hungarian city of
Esztergom. Batu Khan sends a reconnaissance party against the
Holy Roman Empire.
Battle of Grobnik Field: Croatian forces under Béla IV stop the Mongol invasion in
Hungary and
Croatia. Béla rebuilds the country and orders the building of fortifications through his kingdom.
Siege of Sernya: Mongol forces led by
Subutai besiege and capture
Sernya. During the siege, Queen
Narchat is killed as she and a small group of warriors attempt to flee the city.[33]
Batu Khan establishes the
Golden Horde at
Sarai and withdraws his forces after messengers arrive with the news that the Great Khan
Ögedei Khan has died (see
1241).
England
May –
Isabella of Angoulême, mother of Henry III, persuades him to mount an expedition to retake
Poitou. On
May 20, Henry arrives at
Royan and joins the rebelling French nobles – forming an army (some 30,000 men). Louis IX exchanges letters with Henry to resolve the conflict, but the dispute escalates further.
Africa
Summer – In the
Maghreb, after a string of successes against the
Almohad Caliphate, Hafsid forces under Sultan
Abu Zakariya Yahya, conquer the city of
Tlemcen (modern
Algeria). The
Kingdom of Tlemcen becomes a vassal of Abu Zakariya, and is formed in a series of small states between his rule and the states of the Western Maghreb.[34]
February 10 – The 10-year-old Emperor
Shijō (or Mitsuhito) dies suddenly, despite a dispute over who should follow him as sovereign,
Go-Saga (son of former Emperor
Tsuchimikado) ascends to the throne of Japan.
March – King
Ferdinand III (the Saint) turns the independent
Taifa of Murcia into a protectorate, and initiates the process of the colonization and
Christianization of the region. He receives the submission of the
Moors, under the terms of a peace agreement (the famous Treaty of Alcaraz).
Siege of Viterbo: Emperor
Frederick II besieges
Viterbo on request of the rebel citizens. The defenders are able to set fire to the
siege towers and after signing a peace treaty, Frederick is persuaded to withdraw his army.[37]
Siege of Montségur: French forces (some 10,000 men) begin the siege of
Château de Montségur to raze the stronghold held by the rebellious
Cathars. The castle is defended by some 100 troops and 500 refugees.[38]
Spring – Henry III bestows the custody of
Kenilworth Castle to
Simon de Montfort. Simon's wife
Eleanor, Henry's sister, already owned
Odiham Castle (or King John's Castle) so Simon has two of the strongest fortresses in England under his control.
March 16 –
Siege of Montségur: French forces capture and destroy
Château de Montségur in
Languedoc, after a 9-month siege. Some 200 'heretics' (perfecti and credentes) are burnt in a
bonfire, near the foot of the castle. This marks the final defeat of the
Cathars (or Albigensians); the followers become scattered fugitives, meeting in forests and mountain wilds.[41]
December – King
Louis IX (the Saint) falls desperately ill of a severe
malarian infection. Near-death, he vows that if he recovers he will set out for a crusade. Louis' life is spared and as soon as his health permits him, he takes the cross and immediately begins preparations for the
Seventh Crusade.[43]
Levant
June –
Khwarazmian forces (some 10,000 men) invade Syrian territory, ravaging the land and burning the villages. As
Damascus is too strong for a siege, they attack
Galilee, past the town of
Tiberias – which they capture. The Khwarazmians attack further southward through
Nablus towards
Jerusalem.[44]
July 15 –
Siege of Jerusalem: Khwarazmian horsemen attack and sack the 'holy city' of Jerusalem. There is bloody fighting in the streets, the Khwarazmian force their way into the
Armenian Quarter, where they decimate the Christian population, and drive out the Jews. The city is left in a state of ruin.[45]
August 23 – The
Tower of David surrenders to the Khwarazmian forces, some 6,000 Christian men, women and children march out of Jerusalem. As they move along the road toward
Jaffa, they see crusader flags waving on the
Walls of Jerusalem. Returning, some 2,000 of them are massacred.[46]
October 4 – The Crusaders assemble a force of some 1,000 cavalry and 6,000 men outside
Acre, after hearing that Jerusalem is sacked by the Khwarazmians. They are joined by the Ayyubid forces (some 4,000 men) of
Damascus and
Homs – while Emir
An-Nasir Dawud brings his army from
Kerak.[47]
June 7 – Pope
Innocent IV is driven from
Rome by imperial forces of Emperor
Frederick II, and travels secretly in disguise to
Sutri. Genoese galleys prepared by his relatives are waiting for him at the port of
Civitavecchia to take him to
Genoa.
October 5 – Innocent IV flees to
France and travels to
Lyon, where he arrives on
November 29. Although the city is nominally subject to the
Holy Roman Empire, Innocent falls under the protection of Louis IX.
December 27 – Innocent IV summons a general council to meet in Lyon (some 140 bishops eventually come) to attend what becomes later the
First Council of Lyon.
Winter –
Siege of Jaén: Castilian forces under King
Ferdinand III (the Saint) besiege the Moorish-held city of
Jaén. During the siege Moorish knights sally out and manage to capture a Castilian supply caravan. Meanwhile, Ferdinand tries to launch attacks on the various city gates, but all are ineffective.
In witness of the toll taken by war and fiscal pressure in the
Kingdom of Castile, the region of
Segovia is described this year as depopulated and sterile.[49]
February 21 –
Thomas, bishop of
Turku (modern
Finland), is granted resignation by Pope
Innocent IV. He admits to committing several felonies, such as torturing and forging a papal letter.
December 1 – A rebellion arises among the Muslim subjects in the region of
Valencia. As a punishment, King
James I (the Conqueror), issues an order of expulsion of the Muslims from his realm, leading numerous people into exile in
Andalusia and
North Africa.[60]
Summer – King
Henry I (the Fat) sends a Cypriot squadron of 8 galleys with 100 knights led by
Baldwin of Ibelin, to Acre. With the support of the Italian colonists, they fitted out 7 more galleys and some 50 lighter ships, to relieve the siege at Ascalon – which is now blockaded by the Egyptian fleet.[62]
The Egyptian fleet (some 20 galleys) confronts the Crusader ships led by Baldwin of Ibelin at Ascalon. But before contact is made, it is caught in a sudden Mediterranean storm. Many of the Muslim ships are driven ashore and wrecked; the survivors sail back to
Egypt.
October 15 – Egyptian forces under As-Salih Ayyub capture Ascalon by surprise – while a battering-ram forces a passageway under the walls right into the citadel. Most of the defenders are massacred, and the remainder of the garrison is taken prisoner.[63]
August 25 – Louis IX departs from
Aigues-Mortes and
Marseilles with a French expeditionary force (some 10,000 men) transported by 100 ships. An English detachment (some 5,000 men) under
William Longespée (the Younger), grandson of King
Henry III, and his mistress
Ida de Tosny follows close behind with 36 transport ships.[65]
September 17 – Louis IX arrives at
Limassol on the island of
Cyprus. He gathers his forces and is well received by King
Henry I (the Fat). The Crusaders are supplemented by nobles from
Acre, including Grand Masters
Jean de Ronay and
Guillaume de Sonnac. Louis prepares a plan of campaign, with
Egypt as the prime objective.[66]
December – Louis IX receives an embassy during his stay in Cyprus from the Mongol general,
Eljigidei, who is viceroy in
Persia. They bring a letter from
Guyuk Khan (who had died by the time his envoys reached Cyprus[67]) with no demands of submission, but talking in terms about Mongol favouritism for
Christianity, and a proposal of a joint invasion against the Ayyubid forces in
Syria.[68]
December – Louis IX decides to spend the winter on Cyprus to make preparations against Egypt. Meanwhile, the nobles persuade him to start negotiations with Sultan
As-Salih Ayyub to intervene in the internal Ayyubid affairs. But Louis rejects this offer and orders the
Knights Templar to break off their negotiations with As-Salih.[69]
November 24–
25 – In the middle of the night a mass on the north side of
Mont Granier suddenly collapses, in one of the largest historical rock slope failures.[70]
December – Ferdinand III issues an edict to expel the Almohads out of Seville. Many Muslims sail to
North Africa and others travel to
Granada in
Al-Andalus.
May 13 – King
Louis IX (the Saint) assembles a Crusader fleet of 120 transports and embarks an army (some 15,000 men) at
Limassol. Unfortunately, a storm scatters the ships a few days later. On
May 30, Louis sets sail to
Egypt – only a quarter of his forces sails with him, the others make their way independently to the Egyptian coast. Finally, the royal squadron arrives off
Damietta on
June 4 aboard Louis' flagship the
Montjoie. The king's advisers urges a delay until the rest of his transports arrive before attempting to disembark, but Louis refuses.[71]
June 5 –
Siege of Damietta: Louis IX lands with a Crusader force and captures
Damietta, after a fierce battle at the edge of the sea. The onslaught of the knights of
France and those of
Outremer under
John of Ibelin, force the Ayyubids back with heavy losses. At nightfall,
Fakhr ad-Din withdraws his army over a bridge of boats to Damietta. Finding the population there in panic and the garrison wavering, Fakhr ad-Din decides to evacuate the city. On
June 6, Louis marches triumphantly over the bridge into Damietta and builds a camp to attack
Cairo.[72]
November 20 – Louis IX sets out (against the advice of his nobles) with a Crusader force from Damietta, along the southern road to
Mansourah. A garrison is left to guard the city – where Queen
Margaret of Provence and Patriarch
Robert of Nantes remain. The Crusaders make slow progress along the
Nile, carrying a number of supplies and equipment. After 32 days, Louis orders to make camp opposite the Ayyubid camp near Mansourah, protected by a branch of the river and fortifications. Both camps use their catapults to bombard each other.[73]
December – Louis IX consolidates his forces at Mansourah. After the death of Sultan
As-Salih Ayyub, Fakhr ad-Din effectively becomes the ruler of Egypt. He takes command of the city's defense and his cavalry harasses the Crusaders but none of these skirmishes is successful in holding up the Crusader's advance. Meanwhile, Louis orders the construction of a dyke at Mansourah, although the Crusaders build covered galleries to protect the workmen, the Egyptian bombardment (particularly
Greek fire), is so formidable that the work is halted.[74]
Europe
February 16 – Louis IX sends
Andrew of Longjumeau on a diplomatic mission to meet the "Great Khan" of the
Mongol Empire. He carries letters from Louis and the
Papal States, and rich presents, including a chapel-tent lined with scarlet cloth and embroidered with sacred pictures. From
Cyprus he goes to the port of
Antioch in
Syria and travels for a year to the khan's court at
Karakorum.[75]
Winter – William of Villehardouin tours the
Peloponnese and selects sites for new fortifications such as
Grand Magne and
Leuktron. At
Mystras (ancient
Sparta), he builds a fortress and a palace.
Asia
March – The Japanese
Hōji period ends during the reign of Emperor
Go-Fukakusa and the
Kenchō period begins (until
1256).
Jean Mouflet makes an agreement with the
abbot of Saint-Pierre-le-Vif in the Senonais region in
France: in return for an annual payment, the monastery will recognize Jean as a "citizen of Sens". He is a
leathermerchant, with a leather shop that he leases for the rent of 50 shillings a year. The agreement is witnessed by Jean's wife, Douce, daughter of a wealthy and prominent citizen of
Sens, Felis Charpentier.
^David Nicolle (2005). Osprey: Lake Peipus 1242 – Battle on the Ice, p. 53.
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^Humphreys, R. Stephen (1977). From Saladin to the Mongols: The Ayyubids of Damascus, 1193–1260, p. 268. Albany, New York: State University of New York Press.
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^Perfecky, George (1973). The Hypatian Codex, pp. 43–49. Munich, Germany: Wilhelm Fink Publishing House.
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^Gilbert, Martin (1978). Jerusalem: Illustrated History Atlas, p. 25. New York: Macmillan Publishing.
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abcdeMarkó, László (2006). A magyar állam főméltóságai Szent Istvántól napjainkig: Életrajzi Lexikon [Great Officers of State in Hungary from King Saint Stephen to Our Days: A Biographical Encyclopedia] (in Hungarian). Helikon Kiadó. p. 251, 256, 269, 364, 451.
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^Zsoldos, Attila (2011). Magyarország világi archontológiája, 1000–1301 [Secular Archontology of Hungary, 1000–1301] (in Hungarian). História, MTA Történettudományi Intézete. p. 313.
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abcdeB. Szabó, János (2007). A tatárjárás. A mongol hódítás és Magyarország [The Mongol Invasion of Hungary] (in Hungarian). Corvina. p. 141.
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