[Edit]

As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. In the history of European culture, this period is considered part of the High Middle Ages.

top

1206 - Mongols united under Temujin, who is proclaimed "Genghis Khan" (Lord of the Earth).

Most of Asia and Eastern Europe is conquered and incorporated into the Mongol Empire

Ogedei Khan establish Mongolian dynasty in China. Some Mongol leaders convert from Tantric Buddhism to Islam.

1204 - Fourth Crusade sacks Byzantine Constantinople and creates the Latin Empire.

Fifth through eighth crusades of western European kingdoms against Islam

Teutonic Knights begin activity in Eastern Europe.

Battle of Bouvines

1215 - King John of England forced to sign Magna Carta at Runnymede

Fall of the Hohenstaufen dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors. Sicily and Naples are acquired by the French count Charles I of Naples.

Marco Polo and his family reach China

Fall of the Ghana Empire

1270 - restoration of Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia, deposing the Zagwe dynasty.

James I of Aragon takes control of Balearic Islands and Valencia. In 1282, after the Sicilian Vespers, Aragon acquires Sicily.

Andrew II of Hungary signs the Golden Bull which afferms the privileges of Hungarian nobility.

Theravada overtakes Mahayana as the dominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia.

Persian historian Rashid al-Din records eleven Buddhist texts circulating in Arabic translation.

1238 - The Thai Kingdom of Sukhothai is established, with Theravada Buddhism as the state religion. Later in the century it vassalises significant parts of modern Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia.

Norway cedes the Isle of Man to Scotland, following the signing of the Treaty of Perth.

First European universities founded.

The Utiguri Bulgar state on the Volga vanishes from history.

Bantu-speaking peoples arrive in modern Angola, partially displacing the original Khoisan inhabitants.

The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212 in Spain sees the beginning of a rapid Christian reconquest of the southern half of the Iberian peninsula, with the defeat of Moorish forces.

The Swiss Confederation is formed by Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden

End of Hohenstaufen dynasty at the Battle of Tagliacozzo. The Kingdom of Sicily goes to French Anjou house.

A period of civil unrest, Sturlungaöld, leads to Iceland becoming part of the Kingdom of Norway

top

Giotto di Bondone Italian painter

Genghis Khan, founder of Mongol Empire

Sundiata Keita semi-historical founder of the Mali Empire

Alexander of Hales, philosopher and theologian

Albertus Magnus, German philosopher and theologian

Thomas Aquinas, theologian

Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order

Robert Grosseteste, English statesman, theologian, and scientist

Roger Bacon, Franciscan, philosopher, and scientist

Birger jarl, Swedish statesman, earl, and founder of Stockholm

Bonaventure, Franciscan theologian

Petrus Peregrinus, scientist

Louis IX of France, St. Louis, French king and crusader

Frederick II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire

Dante Alighieri, Italian writer

Ramon Llull, Majorcan philosopher

Kublai Khan, Khan ruler, founder of Yuan Dynasty in China

Alexander Nevsky, Grand Prince of Novgorod and Vladimir

Saadi Persian poet

Snorri Sturluson, historian and saga-writer

William Wallace, Scottish national leader

Béla IV of Hungary rebuilder of Hungary after the devastating Mongol invasion

Lembitu, Estonian ruler

top

List of 13th century inventions

top