Directory

1284 CE

Jönköping in Sweden is granted town privileges by King Magnus Ladulås. Battle of the Gulf of Naples: An Aragonese-Sicilian fleet (some 30 galleys) led by Admiral Roger of Lauria surrounds and defeats the Neapolitan ships in the Gulf of Naples. King Charles II of Naples ("the Lame") is captured during the battle; disorganized, the remnants of the Neapolitan fleet (between 15 and 18 galleys) flee back to Naples. 6 – Battle of Meloria: A Genoese fleet (some 90 galleys) led by Admiral Oberto Doria defeats the Pisan ships in the Ligurian Sea. This marks the decline of the maritime power of Pisa in the Mediterranean.

Conflict & Security

  • June 5 – Battle of the Gulf of Naples: An Aragonese-Sicilian fleet (some 30 galleys) led by Admiral Roger of Lauria surrounds and defeats the Neapolitan ships in the Gulf of Naples. King Charles II of Naples ("the Lame") is captured during the battle; disorganized, the remnants of the Neapolitan fleet (between 15 and 18 galleys) flee back to Naples.source
  • August 5–6 – Battle of Meloria: A Genoese fleet (some 90 galleys) led by Admiral Oberto Doria defeats the Pisan ships in the Ligurian Sea. This marks the decline of the maritime power of Pisa in the Mediterranean.source
  • King Peter III of Aragon takes advantage of the weakness of the Hafsid dynasty and raids the island of Djerba. Aragonese forces massacre the population and occupy the island.source
  • Hafsid forces under Abu Hafs Umar bin Yahya (half-brother of Abu Ishaq Ibrahim I) reconquer Tunis and reinstall the Hafsid dynasty as the dominating power in Ifriqiya. This ends the Bedouin rebellion started in 1283.source
  • Jean de Meun, French poet and writer, translates Vegetius' 4th century military treatise De Re Militari from Latin into French.source
  • The events giving rise to the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin take place in Lower Saxony.source

Religion & Belief

  • Aragonese Crusade: The first French armies under King Philip III ("the Bold") and his 14-year-old son Charles of Valois enter Roussillon. They include 16,000 cavalry, 17,000 crossbowmen, and 100,000 infantry, along with 100 ships in south French ports. Though they have the support of James II, ruler of Majorca, the local populace rises against them. Elne is valiantly defended by Aragonese troops, but the French occupy the city, and burn the cathedral, while the population is massacred.source
  • Peterhouse, oldest collegiate foundation of the University of Cambridge in England, is established by Bishop Hugh de Balsham.source
  • Construction of Beauvais Cathedral is interrupted by a partial collapse of the choir; the event unnerves French masons working in the Gothic style.source

Economy & Finance

  • The Republic of Venice begins coining the ducat, a gold coin that is to become the standard of European coinage, for the following 600 years.source

Health & Medicine

  • The Al-Mansuri bimaristan (hospital) is completed in Cairo.source

Climate & Environment

  • King Rudolf I imposes a trade embargo on Norway, due to the latter pillaging a German ship. The embargo cuts off vital supplies of grain, flour, vegetables and beer, causing a general famine in Norway.source

Culture & Society

  • May 18 – Jönköping in Sweden is granted town privileges by King Magnus Ladulås.source

Births

  • April 25 – Edward II, king of England (d. 1327)source
  • April 26 – Alice de Toeni, Countess of Warwick, English noblewoman (d. 1325)source
  • Approximate date – Thomas de Brus, Scottish nobleman and knight (k. 1307)source
  • Yu Qin, Chinese official, geographer and writer (d. 1333)source
  • Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall, English nobleman and knight, royal favourite (k. 1312)source
  • John I, Dutch nobleman (House of Holland) (d. 1299)source
  • Edward, Count of Savoy ("the Liberal"), Savoyan nobleman (d. 1329)source
  • Delphine of Glandèves, French noblewoman (d. 1358)source
  • Wernher von Homberg, Swiss knight and poet (d. 1320)source

Deaths

  • January 18 – Qonqurtai, Mongol nobleman and viceroysource
  • January 28 – Alexander, Scottish prince and heir (b. 1264)source
  • March 24 – Hugh III ("the Great"), king of Cyprus (b. 1235)source
  • April 4 – King Alfonso X of Castile ("the Wise") falls ill and dies after a 32-year reign at Seville. He is succeeded by his 25-year-old son Sancho IV ("the Brave") who becomes ruler of Castile and León. Meanwhile, his nephew, Alfonso de la Cerda, challenges his right to the Castilian throne. Pope Martin IV excommunicates Sancho, places an interdict on his kingdom and refuses to acknowledge the marriage to his cousin, Queen María de Molina.source
  • April 6 – Peter I, Count of Alençon, French nobleman and prince (b. 1251)source
  • April 9 – Adelaide of Holland, Dutch noblewoman (b. 1230)source
  • April 20 – Hōjō Tokimune, Japanese nobleman (b. 1251)source
  • May – Isa ibn Muhanna, Mamluk ruler, commander and princesource
  • August 9 – James of Castile, Lord of Cameros, son of Alfonso X (b. 1268)source
  • August 10 – Tekuder, Mongol ruler of the Ilkhanate (b. 1246)source
  • August 19 – Alphonso, Earl of Chester, English nobleman and heir (b. 1273)source
  • October 16 – Shams al-Din Juvayni, Persian ruler and viziersource
  • November 9 – Siger of Brabant, Dutch philosopher (b. 1240)source
  • December – Irene Komnene Palaiologina, Byzantine princess (b. 1218)source