Directory

1140 CE

Pierre Abelard, a French theologian, is condemned for heresy by the Council of Sens. He sets out for Rome to present his defense to Pope Innocent II. Sephardi Jewish philosopher Judah Halevi, having completed the Kuzari, arrives in Alexandria on a pilgrimage to Palestine. Siege of Weinsberg: Conrad III captures the castle at Weinsberg during the civil war between the Staufers and the Welfs in Germany.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Summer – King Roger II promulgates the Assizes of Ariano (a series of laws to rule the Norman Kingdom of Sicily) after the pacification of southern Italy.source

Conflict & Security

  • August 21 – Jin–Song Wars – Battle of Yancheng: Chinese forces under the command of Yue Fei defeat a numerically superior Jin army led by Wuzhu.source
  • December 21 – Siege of Weinsberg: Conrad III captures the castle at Weinsberg during the civil war between the Staufers and the Welfs in Germany.source
  • Spring – King Fulk of Jerusalem confronts Imad al-Din Zengi, Seljuk ruler (atabeg) of Mosul, near Dara'a in southern Syria. Turkish forces under Mu'in al-Din (supported by the Crusaders) besiege Banias.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • September 8 – Sephardi Jewish philosopher Judah Halevi, having completed the Kuzari, arrives in Alexandria on a pilgrimage to Palestine.source
  • The town of Lanark in Scotland is made a Royal Burgh by King David I, giving it merchant privileges relating to government and taxation.source

Religion & Belief

  • June 3 – Pierre Abelard, a French theologian, is condemned for heresy by the Council of Sens. He sets out for Rome to present his defense to Pope Innocent II.source
  • The first Cistercian monastery in Spain is founded in Fitero. The order enjoys a rapid expansion in the region in the following 15 years.source
  • Gratian, an Italian monk and canon lawyer, founds the science of Canon law with the publication of the Decretum Gratiani (approximate date).source

Culture & Society

  • Spring – King Conrad III enfeoffs Henry II ("Jasomirgott"), a member of the House of Babenberg, with the County Palatine of the Rhine (belonging to the Holy Roman Empire).source
  • Summer – King Stephen appoints Geoffrey de Mandeville as Earl of Essex for his support during the civil war against Matilda (Stephen's cousin).source

Births

  • May 28 – Xin Qiji, Chinese military leader (d. 1207)source
  • Raymond the Palmer, Italian pilgrim (d. 1200)source
  • John I, archbishop of Trier (approximate date)source
  • Gerard de Ridefort, Flemish Grand Master (d. 1189)source
  • Eliezer ben Joel HaLevi, German rabbi (d. 1225)source
  • Peter Waldo, French spiritual leader (d. 1205)source
  • Sophia of Minsk, queen of Denmark (d. 1198)source
  • Cadfan ap Cadwaladr, Welsh nobleman (d. 1215)source
  • William FitzRalph, English High Sheriff (d. 1200)source
  • Adela of Champagne, queen of France (d. 1206)source
  • Domhnall Caomhánach, king of Leinster (d. 1175)source
  • Walter Map, Welsh clergyman and writer (d. 1210)source
  • Hedwig, margravine of Meissen (approximate date)source
  • Simon II, duke of Lorraine (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • January 12 – Louis I, German noblemansource
  • February 6 – Thurstan, archbishop of Yorksource
  • February 14 – Soběslav I, duke of Bohemiasource
  • February 14 – Leo I, prince of Armeniasource
  • April 7 – Aibert, French monk and hermit (b. 1060)source
  • August 21 – Yang Zaixing, Chinese generalsource
  • August 31 – Godebold, bishop of Meissensource
  • September 15 – Adelaide, duchess consort of Bohemiasource
  • November 16 – Wulgrin II, count of Angoulêmesource
  • Kumarapala, Indian ruler of the Pala Empiresource
  • Li Gang, Chinese Grand Chancellor (b. 1083)source
  • Lhachen Naglug, Indian ruler of Ladakh (b. 1110)source
  • Diego Gelmírez, Galician archbishop (b. 1069)source
  • Wanyan Xiyin, Chinese chief advisersource