13th century

As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. In the history of European culture, this period is considered part of the High Middle Ages.

Events

Genghis Khan, Temujin by birth is proclaimed "Khan of Khans" by the Mongol tribes.
Mongols under Genghis Khan conquer and rule over most of Asia and Eastern Europe by establishing Mongol Empire
Ogedei Khan establish Mongolian dynasty in China. Some Mongol leaders convert from Tantric Buddhism to Islam.
1204 - Fourth Crusade sacks Byzantine Constantinople and creates the Latin Empire.
Fifth through eighth crusades of western European kingdoms against Islam
Teutonic Knights begin activity in Eastern Europe.
Battle of Bouvines
1215-King John of England forced to sign Magna Carta at Runnymede
Fall of the Hohenstaufen dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors. Sicily and Naples are acquired by the French count Charles I of Naples.
Marco Polo and his family reach China
Fall of the Ghana Empire
1270 - restoration of Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia, deposing the Zagwe dynasty.
James I of Aragon takes control of Balearic Islands and Valencia. In 1282, after the Sicilian Vespers, Aragon acquires Sicily.
Andrew II of Hungary signs the Golden Bull which afferms the privileges of Hungarian nobility.
Theravada overtakes Mahayana as the dominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia.
Persian historian Rashid al-Din records eleven Buddhist texts circulating in Arabic translation.
The Thai Kingdom of Sukhothai is established, with Theravada Buddhism as the state religion. Later in the century it vassalises significant parts of modern Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia.
Norway cedes the Isle of Man to Scotland, following the signing of the Treaty of Perth.
First European universities founded.
The Utiguri Bulgar state on the Volga vanishes from history.
Bantu-speaking peoples arrive in modern Angola, partially displacing the original Khoisan inhabitants.
The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212 in Spain sees the beginning of a rapid Christian reconquest of the southern half of the Iberian peninsula, with the defeat of Moorish forces.
The Swiss Confederation is formed by Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden
End of Hohenstaufen dynasty at the Battle of Tagliacozzo. The Kingdom of Sicily goes to French Anjou house.
A period of civil unrest, Sturlungaöld, leads to Iceland becoming part of the Kingdom of Norway

Significant people

Giotto di Bondone Italian painter
Genghis Khan, founder of Mongol Empire
Sundiata Keita semi-historical founder of the Mali Empire
Alexander of Hales, philosopher and theologian
Albertus Magnus, German philosopher and theologian
Thomas Aquinas, theologian
Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order
Robert Grosseteste, English statesman, theologian, and scientist
Roger Bacon, Franciscan, philosopher, and scientist
Birger jarl, Swedish statesman, earl, and founder of Stockholm
Bonaventure, Franciscan theologian
Petrus Peregrinus, scientist
Louis IX of France, St. Louis, French king and crusader
Frederick II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
Dante Alighieri, Italian writer
Ramon Llull, Majorcan philosopher
Kublai Khan, Khan ruler, founder of Yuan Dynasty in China
Alexander Nevsky, Grand Prince of Novgorod and Vladimir
Saadi Persian poet
Snorri Sturluson, historian and saga-writer
William Wallace, Scottish national leader
Béla IV of Hungary rebuilder of Hungary after the devastating Mongol invasion

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

List of 13th century inventions

Decades and years

External links

The Thirteenth: Greatest of Centuries by James J. Walsh, 1907

13th century | Centuries

Gourt Home::Gourt :: 13th century

Events

Significant people

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

Decades and years

External links