Directory

1004 CE

Henry II is crowned King of Italy by Archbishop Arnulf II in Pavia. A quarrel ensues between the German troops and the Pavese citizens. Henry orders a massacre of the population in response, destroying the city. Fujiwara no Kenshi, the future empress consort, enters the palace as lady-in-waiting to her sister, Empress Shōshi. A Danish Viking fleet under Sweyn Forkbeard lands in Norfolk. Ealdorman Ulfcytel orders his Anglo-Saxon troops to burn the raiding ships. The plan fails and Ulfcytel's small army is defeated by the Vikings.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Sancho III becomes king of Pamplona, Aragon and Castille (until 1035).source

Conflict & Security

  • May 14 – Henry II is crowned King of Italy by Archbishop Arnulf II in Pavia. A quarrel ensues between the German troops and the Pavese citizens. Henry orders a massacre of the population in response, destroying the city.source
  • German–Polish War: Duke Bolesław I of Poland loses Bohemia. With German support, Jaromír occupies Prague and proclaims himself the new duke. At Merseburg, he promises to hold Bohemia as a vassal of Henry II.source
  • Summer – Emperor Sheng Zong of Liao launches a major offensive against the Song dynasty. He invades Shanyang and threatens the Song capital of Kaifeng (approximate date).source
  • Mahmud of Ghazni invades the Kingdom of Bhatia (modern-day Bhera, Pakistan). He defeats its ruler, Biji Rai, who is captured and subsequently immolates himself.source
  • Saracen pirates under the Balearic emir Mugahid sack Pisa, destroying nearly one-quarter of the city.source
  • Moorish forces under vizier Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar sack the Catalan city of Manresa (modern Spain).source
  • A Danish Viking fleet under Sweyn Forkbeard lands in Norfolk. Ealdorman Ulfcytel orders his Anglo-Saxon troops to burn the raiding ships. The plan fails and Ulfcytel's small army is defeated by the Vikings.source
  • Fall – Venetian-Byzantine forces defeat the Saracens at Bari. The citadel is on the brink of capitulation after a 3 day siege. Giovanni, a son of Doge Pietro Orseolo II, is married to the Byzantine princess Maria Argyra.source
  • Spring – King Henry II crosses with an expeditionary force through the Brenner Pass to Trento. After initial military successes against Arduin of Ivrea, he receives the homage of the Italian clergy and Lombard noble families.source
  • Battle of Skopje: Emperor Basil II defeats the Bulgarian forces near Skopje (modern North Macedonia). Leaving his army behind, Samuel of Bulgaria manages to escape. Basil continues his campaign and besieges the fortress of Pernik. By the end of the year Basil has reconquered about half of the Bulgarian Empire.source

Religion & Belief

  • Spring – Pope John XVIII begins his reign as the 141st pope of the Catholic Church at Rome (until 1009).source

Health & Medicine

  • An episode of plague and famine breaks out in North Africa.source

Culture & Society

  • December – Fujiwara no Kenshi, the future empress consort, enters the palace as lady-in-waiting to her sister, Empress Shōshi.source
  • Jingdezhen porcelain enters a period of significant production during the Song dynasty.source

Births

  • Minamoto no Takakuni, Japanese nobleman (d. 1077)source
  • Abdallah ibn Al-Aftas, founder of the Aftasid Dynasty (d. 1060)source
  • Guido of Acqui (or Wido), Italian bishop (approximate date)source
  • Godgifu, daughter of Æthelred the Unready (approximate date)source
  • William VI ("the Fat"), French nobleman (d. 1038)source
  • Nasir Khusraw, Persian poet and philosopher (d. 1088)source
  • Dedi I (or Dedo), margrave of Saxon Ostmark (d. 1075)source

Deaths

  • June – Frederick, archbishop of Ravennasource
  • July 11 – Theobald II, French noblemansource
  • November 4 – Otto I, duke of Carinthiasource
  • November 13 – Abbo of Fleury, French abbotsource
  • Soběslav (or Soběbor), Bohemian noblemansource
  • Gisilher (or Giselmar), archbishop of Magdeburgsource
  • Adelaide of Aquitaine, French queen consortsource
  • Aderald, French priest and archdeaconsource
  • Ragnall mac Gofraid, king of the Isles (or 1005)source
  • Eochaid ua Flannacáin, Irish cleric and poet (b. 935)source
  • Li, empress consort of the Song Dynasty (b. 960)source
  • Khusrau Shah, king of the Justanids (approximate date)source
  • Wulfric Spot, English nobleman (approximate date)source
  • Li Jiqian, Chinese governor and rebel leader (b. 963)source