Directory

1038 CE

An earthquake in Dingxiang, China kills an estimated 32,300. A battle occurs near the town of Alfuente, Andalucia, between the Taifa of Granada and the Taifa of Almeria, as described by the Jewish poet Samuel ibn Naghrela. Li Yuanhao proclaims himself Emperor of the Western Xia, declaring independence from the Song dynasty in China.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • November 10 – Li Yuanhao proclaims himself Emperor of the Western Xia, declaring independence from the Song dynasty in China.source

Conflict & Security

  • August – A battle occurs near the town of Alfuente, Andalucia, between the Taifa of Granada and the Taifa of Almeria, as described by the Jewish poet Samuel ibn Naghrela.source
  • Duke Bretislav I of Bohemia invades Poland. He captures and destroys the cities of Gniezno and Poznań.source
  • Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor ("the Elder") travels to Southern Italy and holds court in Troia. He orders Pandulf IV of Capua to restore the territories of Monte Cassino. Pandulf holes himself up in the fortress of Sant'Agata de' Goti, and dispatches tribute (300 lb of gold) and his son as hostage to Troia as a token of peace. Conrad accepts his offer, but the son escapes. Conrad goes on the offensive and seizes Capua, and gives it to Guaimar IV of Salerno.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • The name of Versailles, at this time a small village, appears for the first time in a medieval charter in France.source
  • Duke John II drives his brother Manso II and his mother Maria out of Amalfi. He has Manso blinded and exiled to the island of Sirenuse. John reconciles with Maria, and allows her to remain as co-ruler of Amalfi.source

Climate & Environment

  • January 9 – An earthquake in Dingxiang, China kills an estimated 32,300.source

Births

  • Rostislav of Tmutarakan, Kievan Rus' prince (d. 1066)source
  • Sancho Garcés, Lord of Uncastillo, Spanish nobleman (approximate date)source
  • Ibn Butlan, Arab Nestorian Christian physician (d. 1075)source
  • Isaac ibn Ghiyyat, Jewish rabbi and philosopher (d. 1089)source

Deaths

  • March 28 – Hai Gaon, Jewish theologian (b. 939)source
  • March – William VI, Duke of Aquitaine, French nobleman (b. 1004)source
  • April 23 – Liudolf of Brunswick, margrave of Frisiasource
  • May 4 – Gotthard, bishop of Hildesheim (b. 960)source
  • May 22 – Shibl al-Dawla Nasr, Mirdasid emir of Alepposource
  • July 6 – Ōnakatomi no Sukechika, Japanese poet (b. 954)source
  • July 18 – Gunhilda of Denmark, queen consort of Germanysource
  • July – Herman IV, duke of Swabia (House of Babenberg)source
  • August 15 – Stephen I, king of Hungarysource
  • August 15 – On the death of his uncle, Stephen I, Peter Orseolo becomes the second ruler of Hungary.source
  • November 1 – Herman I, Margrave of Meissen, German noblemansource
  • December 3 – Emma of Lesum, German noblewomansource
  • December 20 – Beorhtheah, bishop of Worcestersource
  • Felix of Rhuys, Breton Benedictine abbotsource