1356 CE
The city of Lwów is granted Magdeburg rights by Casimir III the Great, King of Poland. The advantages of the rights are not only economic, but also political. Hundred Years' War – Battle of Poitiers: The English, commanded by Edward the Black Prince, defeat the French. The greatly outnumbered English forces not only rout the French, but capture the French king John II of France and his youngest son, the future Philip the Bold of Burgundy. Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, promulgates the Golden Bull, a constitution for his empire.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
- December 25 – Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, promulgates the Golden Bull, a constitution for his empire.source
Conflict & Security
- January 20 – Edward Balliol surrenders his title as King of Scotland, to Edward III of England.source
- June 17 – The city of Lwów is granted Magdeburg rights by Casimir III the Great, King of Poland. The advantages of the rights are not only economic, but also political.source
- September 19 – Hundred Years' War – Battle of Poitiers: The English, commanded by Edward the Black Prince, defeat the French. The greatly outnumbered English forces not only rout the French, but capture the French king John II of France and his youngest son, the future Philip the Bold of Burgundy.source
- October 17 – Erik XII proclaims himself king of Sweden, in opposition to his father, King Magnus IV. Thus begins a civil war in Sweden between father and son, which will last until Erik's death in 1359.source
- Ghazan II replaces Anushirwan as ruler of the Ilkhanate in Persia.source
- Zhu Yuanzhang, one of the leaders in the Red Turban Rebellion, captures the city of Nanjing from the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty in China; from then on it becomes his base of power, and the capital of a new dynasty he would establish in 1368, the Ming dynasty.source
Exploration & Expansion
- The Hanseatic League, a trading alliance between many cities in northern Europe, first meets.source
Religion & Belief
- The majority of the Great Pyramid of Giza's limestone casing stones are removed by Bahri Sultan An-Nasir Hasan, to build fortresses and mosques in the nearby city of Cairo, leaving the first of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World in the step-stone condition in which it remains into modern times.source
Technology & Infrastructure
- The Castelvecchio Bridge in Verona is probably completed this year; its main span of 48.7 m ft is the world's longest arch at this time.source
Disasters & Accidents
- ca. February – Burnt Candlemas: Edward III of England burns down every town and village in Lothian, Scotland.source
Climate & Environment
- October 18 (St Luke's Day) – The Basel earthquake affects northern Switzerland, with a maximum MSK intensity of IX–X (Destructive–Devastating), leaving around 1,000 dead. It is the most damaging intraplate earthquake known to have occurred in central Europe.source
Culture & Society
- Sweden's first guild privileges (for tailors) are issued in Stockholm.source
Births
Deaths
- January 10 – Toqto'a, Yuan dynasty official who was murdered (b. 1314)source
- June 23 – Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut (b. 1311)source
- September 19 (killed at the Battle of Poitiers):source
- Peter I, Duke of Bourbon (b. 1311)source
- Zheng Yunduan, Chinese poet (b. c. 1327)source
- Harihara I, founder of the Vijayanagara Empiresource
- Walter VI, Count of Brienne, Constable of France (b. 1304)source