Explore the White Tower
Explore all four floors of the White Tower at the Tower of London using the Unity 3d game engine.
A Medieval Mystery
There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.
1: Location
Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.
2: Alignment
Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.
3: Size
Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?
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1101 .. 1125
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Twelfth Century
Historical events occurring between 1101 and 1125
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Arundel Castle siege
After Arundel Castle fell to the besiegers, the ownership of the castle passed to the King. ¹
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Roger Bigod granted lands at Framlingham
This is the start of a line of Bigod involvement at Framlingham where later a castle is built.
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Albert elected Antipope
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Stephen of Blois returns to the Holy Land
Accused of desertion and under the threat of excommunication, Stephen of Blois, and several of the other knights who deserted with him returned to the Holy Land to make amends for their actions. But their crusade was to end in disaster with many crusaders killed or captured. Those that did survive made their way to the coast to find ships to take them home.
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Foundation of Fontevraud Abbey
This abbey near the Loire Valley in Anjou was founded by Robert of Arbrissel, a preacher.
Feb
Robert attempts to take the Crown
Feb
Ranulf Flambard escaped from the Tower of London and fled to Normandy. There he joined Robert II of Normandy who had just returned from the Crusades. Flambard and Robert planned to take the English throne away from his younger brother Henry I.
Apr 2
Henry I appoints Roger, a Norman Monk, as Chancellor
Apr 2
Henry I appointed Roger, a Norman Monk, as Chancellor. While in Caen Henry and his elder brother William (Rufus) had entered a church and requested the priest say mass. The priest impressed the two with his efficiency that they made him their chaplain. Roger then became chancellor and later Bishop of Salisbury. Roger helped build many churches and castles. ¹
Jul
The Treaty of Alton
Jul
Robert Duke of Normandy landed at Portsmouth with an army and marched up to Alton on the way to London. Here he and King Henry I signed the Treaty of Alton where Robert gave up his claim to the throne of England in return for 3 thousand marks a year. The treaty also ensured that Robert's supporters would not be punished.
Births
Matilda (Empress Maud) (b.1102 - d.1167)
Deaths
Stephen (count of Blois) (b.1045 - d.1102)
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Earl Robert of Belleme
Henry I brought several charges against Robert of Belleme. Robert resisted Henry but finally surrendered at Shrewsbury Castle. Robert was exiled. ¹
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Henry captures castle at Bridgnorth
The castle at Bridgnorth was surrendered to King Henry I. ¹
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Siege of Tripoli
The crusaders began the siege of the city of Tripoli in the County of Tripoli, now Lebanon. The siege was led by Raymond of Toulouse.
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Peterborough Cathedral attacked
The monastery at Peterborough was attacked by Flemish mercenaries. They broke into the buildings and took anything of value made of gold and in silver including crosses, chalices and candlesticks. ¹
May 19
Stephen of Blois killed in battle
May 19
Stephen found himself trapped in the city of Ramleh. He was killed and his fellow Crusaders were either also killed or captured after they attacked the large Moslem army that surrounded them. ¹
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Henry let off paying Robert of Normandy
Robert of Normandy visited King Henry and told him that he did not need to pay Normandy the three thousand marks a year which he should have done bound by Treaty of Alton. ¹
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Crops do badly
Cattle as well as corn and fruit crops did badly this year. ¹
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Conflicts between Church and State
Disagreements began to arise between Henry I and Archbishop Anselm over the appointment of bishops and abbots into important Church positions. Anselm believed that it was a matter for the Church to decide and should not be controlled by the King. No concession could be agreed upon and once again Anselm went into exile as the King confiscated the lands that the archbishop owned.
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Construction of Toron Castle
Hugh of Saint-Omer, a crusader knight built Toron Castle to the east of Tyre. This is now known as Tebnine Castle. ¹
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Construction of a castle at Mount Pilgrim
The crusader Raymond of Toulouse had a castle built on Mount Pilgrim overlooking the city of Tripoli in order to lay siege to it. ¹
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Birth of William Adelin
Matilda of Scotland, the wife of King Henry I of England gave birth to their first son William Adelin at Winchester. They already had a daughter called Matilda.
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Anslem travels to Rome
Anslem travels to Rome
Aug 10
Strong winds damage crops
Aug 10
On the morning of mass day of St. Lawrence, strong winds did more damage that anyone could remember. (St. Lawrence's day appears to be August 10th, but this may not have been the case in medieval times.) ¹
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Port of Acre captured by the Crusaders
King Baldwin I captured the important port of Acre on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. The port was an important supply route for Jerusalem.
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Nicholas I becomes King of Denmark
In Denmark Erik I (The Good) died in 1103 during a Crusade in the Holy Land. He was succeeded by his brother Nicholas (Niels) even though Erik had several sons.
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Venice Arsenal Italy
An industrial-scale shipbuilding area was created in order to mass produce ships. Thousands of people were employed in this large complex long before the Industrial Revolution.
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Alfonso I becomes ruler of Aragon
Alfonso was the brother of Pedro of Aragon and was the successor to the region after Pedro's death. Alfonso was also ruler of Leon and Castile through his ill-fated marriage to Urraca of Leon and Castile. The marriage was annulled by the Pope due to their close family relationship . In a will a few years before his death Alfonso granted his lands to the Knights Templar and Hospitaller. This will was ignored when he died in 1134.
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Henry attacks his brother
King Henry I entered Normandy to take power from this brother Robert whose incapacity to manage the affairs of the region could have had grave consequences. Robert fought back forcing Henry to return to England but not before Henry had gained Caen and Bayeux.
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Sylvester IV becomes the Antipope
Jul
Henry and Anselm reach an agreement
Jul
Under threat of excommunication Henry I met Archbishop Anselm at Laigle in Normandy to settle the disputes that had led to the Archbishop's exile from England. An agreement was reached and Aneslm returned to england in the following year.
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A comet passes by
A comet was seen and reported by several civilisations around the World. Lasting for forty days the comet grew steadily in brightness until finally fading away.
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Construction of Kidwelly Castle
Roger, bishop of Salisbury, was granted land in south Wales and started construction of a wooden castle called Kidwelly Castle on the banks of the river Gwendraeth.
Jan
Venice hit by a series of disasters
Jan
Venice was hit by severe floods. Shortly afterwards a fire broke out destroying several districts of the city. Several months later another more deadly fire started. As many of the buildings were constructed of wood the fire spread out of control. The disasters led to future buildings being constructed of stone and brick. ¹
Sep 28
Henry attacks his brother again
Sep 28
King Henry I attacked his brother Robert at the battle of Tinchebrai. This time with a much larger force Henry defeated and captured Robert along with William, the Count of Mortain. Henry locked Robert in Cardiff castle where he remained until he died in 1135. Also captured was Edgar the Atheling who had sided with Robert. Edgar was released as King Henry did not think he was a threat.
Oct 17
St. Etheldreda's Day
Oct 17
Deaths
Edgar (King of Scotland 1097-1107) (b.1074 - d.1107)
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FitzHamon dies
Robert FitzHamon died of his injuries at Falaise in Normandy. His son-in-law Robert Fitzroy succeeded to the Manor of Tewkesbury and continued the building the Abbey at Tewkesbury.
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Construction of Llandaff Cathedral
At Llandaff in South Wales bishop Urban began the construction of a new church on the site of a much older religious site.
Jan 8
Alexander I becomes king of the Scots
Jan 8
The death of Edgar caused a split of unity in Scotland. Alexander I became King of the Scots and David I became the King in Lothian and Strathclyde.
Births
Louis (VI, The Fat, King of France 1108-1137) (b.1108 - d.1137)
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Winchester Cathedral tower
Construction work began on the tower of Winchester Cathedral and building continued until 1120. ¹
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Southwell Cathedral nave
Work began on the nave and transepts of Southwell Cathedral and work continued until 1150. ¹
Mar 7
Death of Gundulf
Mar 7
Gundulf's thirty year career of magnificent castle and cathedral design and construction came to an end with his death. His plans for the reconstruction of Rochester Cathedral were left incomplete. It was not until 1115 that construction work was to resume under the direction of Ernulf. ¹
Dec 1
Louis VI becomes King of France
Dec 1
Louis VI, the Fat, became king of France, upon the death of his father Philippe I. ¹
Deaths
Anselm, (Archbishop of Canterbury) (b.1033 - d.1109)
Fulk Rechin (count of Anjou) (b.1043 - d.1109)
Geoffrey (The Bearded) ( - d.1109)
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Church at Ely becomes seat of bishop
The church at Ely became a Cathedral when it became the seat of the bishopric (or Diocese) of the area. Hervey who had been abbot at Ely was made its first Bishop by King Henry I.
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Abduction of Princess Nest
Nest, the wife of Gerald de Windsor, was abducted along with her children possibly from Cilgerrran Castle. She was abducted by one of her own relatives, Owain ap Cadwgan.
Apr 21
Archbishop Anselm dies
Apr 21
Archbishop Anselm, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died. ¹
Jul 12
Fall of Tripoli
Jul 12
After a siege lasting many years Tripoli fell to the Crusaders. The Banu Ammar Emirs had an important library in the city but it was attacked and all the books were destroyed. The Crusader state of Tripoli was then founded, the last of the Crusader states. Bertrand of Toulouse, the son of Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, became the ruler of the state alongside William-Jordan. ¹
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Construction of Aberystwyth Castle
At Aberystwyth in Wales an improved castle was built by the Norman Gilbert de Clare replacing an earlier fort. This castle was also known as Aberrheidol Castle. ¹
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Windsor Castle becomes a royal residence
King Henry I had improvements made at Windsor Castle, including a chapel, so that he could use the castle as his formal residence. ¹
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Birth of Geoffrey Plantagenet
Geoffrey Plantagenet, the son of Fulk V, the count of Anjou was born. Geoffrey would marry Matilda, the daughter of Henry I, King of England. ¹
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Haughmond Abbey Founded
Situated a few miles to the north east of Shrewsbury, an Augustinian priory called Haughmond Abbey was founded by William, a Lord of Clun. ¹
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Krak des Chevaliers
The construction of Krak des Chevaliers, an important crusader castle was begun in this year. ¹
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Shropshire Earthquake
An earthquake is recorded to have struck Shropshire in this year.
Jun 8
A comet is sighted
Jun 8
The comet was visible from England for three weeks.
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Deaths
Bohemund (I, Prince of Antioch 1099-1111) (b.1050 - d.1111)
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Severe winter
An extreme winter prevented the growing of crops and cattle died of disease.
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Founding of Neath Abbey
Neath Abbey in south Wales was founded by Richard de Granville. Originally part of the Savigniac Order. ¹
See Also
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Construction of new cathedral at Exeter
The second Norman bishop at Exeter, Warelwast started the construction of a new cathedral because he was not happy with the current building.
Mar
Bernard of Clairvaux reaches Citeaux
Mar
Bernard at the age of 22, his brothers and several Burgundian nobles reached the monastery at Citeaux. As there had not been any new novices for some years, Stephen Harding, the abbot, accepted them willingly. This could have been a year later in 1113. ¹
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Knights Hospitallers Recognised
A Papal Bull issued by Pope Paschal II (a formal proclamation issued by the pope) recognised and named the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem as an independent religious order.
Mar
Louis VI signes a treaty
Mar
Unable to get King Henry to abandon the castle at Gisors, King Louis VI signed a treaty giving Henry control over Brittany and Maine. ¹
Jun
Worcester Cathedral and Castle damaged by fire
Jun
The city of Worcester, its cathedral and castle were damaged by an accidental fire. ¹
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Count of Champagne travels to the Holy Land
The Count of Champagne was preparing to travel to the Holy Land when he received a letter from the bishop of Chartres. The letter stated that the count was planning to join 'la milice du Christ' (the original name for the Templars ?). This seems to indicate that the order existed at this time, as the letter speaks of chastity, something not usually expected of a Crusader.
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Chichester Cathedral fire
Chichester Cathedral suffered a disastrous fire in this year.
Jan
Matilda marries an Emperor
Jan
Matilda, the daughter of Henry I is married to Emperor Henry V.
Oct 10
Tide fails on the Thames
Oct 10
A strange event took place in London where the tide went out and did not return for twenty-four hours. People were able to cross the river by wading across rather than using the bridge. ¹
Nov
Earthquake
Nov
A large earthquake damaged the areas of the Frankish control in the East. Antioch and Edessa were hit by the shocks.
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Count of Champagne donates land to St. Bernard
The count of Champagne donated land to St. Bernard on which the abbey of Clairvaux was built. ¹
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Clairvaux Abbey founded
The Cistercian abbey of Clairvaux was founded in 1115 by Bernard of Fontaines who became Clairvaux's abbot until his death in 1153.
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Nave of Rochester Cathedral
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St. Albans consecrated
The church at St. Albans was consecrated.
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Scone Abbey founded
Alexander I of Scotland founded an abbey at Scone favouring the Augustinian canons to populate it.
Births
Philip (of France) (b.1116 - d.1131)
Deaths
Mary (of Scotland) (b.1084 - d.1116)
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Fire destroys Peterborough Abbey
An accidental fire destroys the abbey at Peterborough.
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Welsh attack Norman castles
The Welsh led by Grufydd ap Rhys attacked both Llandovery and Carmarthen Castles. ¹
See Also
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Peterborough Cathedral choir and transept
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Berkeley castle construction
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Rebellion in Normandy
King Henry I was in Normandy attempting to put down a rebellion led by William Clito, the son of Robert Curthose, Henry's elder brother who was being held captive in Cardiff Castle. ¹
Jan
A large earthquake hits Italy
Jan
The series of large earthqukes began in January and may have lasted for several months. Many churches and cathedrals in and around northern Italy were damaged in the quakes. ¹
Births
Becket, Thomas (St) (b.1118 - d.1170)
Deaths
Baldwin (I, King of Jerusalem 1100-1118) (b.1058 - d.1118)
Comnenus, Alexius (Byzantine Emperor) (b.1048 - d.1118)
Matilda Edith (of Scotland) (b.1080 - d.1118)
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Baldwin II becomes King of Jerusalem
Baldwin II became King of Jerusalem following in his cousin's footsteps. ¹
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Earthquake
An earthquake damages Crowland Abbey. ¹
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Gregory VIII becomes the Antipope
Jan 25
Gelasius II becomes Pope
Jan 25
After the death of Paschal II at the end of January, Giovanni Da Gaeta was unanimously chosen as the new Pope by the Cardinals of Rome.
Apr 14
Baldwin II crowned
Apr 14
Baldwin of le Bourg was crowned as King of Jerusalem in Jerusalem on Easter Sunday.
May 1
Queen Matilda dies
May 1
Queen Matilda died at the Palace of Westminster where for the last 12 years of her life she had been neglected by her husband King Henry I.
Sep
Gelasius leaves Italy for France
Sep
With Maurice Bourdin in control of Rome, Gelasius decided to leave Italy and travel to France. He landed in Pisa where he consecrated the Cathedral.He travelled through France consecrating churches and ordinaing Bishops.
Deaths
Gelasius (II, Pope) ( - d.1119)
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Knights Templar in Jerusalem
The Knights Templars travelled to the Holy Lands twenty years after Jerusalem was captured by European powers. ¹
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Knights Templar order founded in Jerusalem
Knights Templar order founded in Jerusalem, by Hughes de Payen. ¹
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Hughes de Payen: Master of the Temple
Hughes de Payen became the Master of the Temple. ¹
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William Adelin marries Matilda
Fulk V of Anjou arranged the marriage of his daughter Matilda to William Adelin, heir to the English crown. Wanting to go on Crusade, Fulk needed to ensure security and a marriage between his family and the English crown would help secure that security.
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Roger de Newburgh 2nd Earl of Warwick
Roger de Newburgh became the second Earl of Warwick.
Jan 29
Death of Gelasius
Jan 29
Pope Gelasius died at the Abbey of Cluny in France and was buried there.
Feb 1
Calixtus II becomes Pope
Feb 1
At Cluny, when Pope Gelasius realised that he was dying, he requested that the Archbishop of Vienne come to him. Gelasius died before the Archbishop arrived and it was decided by the Cardinals present that he should become the next Pope.
Jun
Field of Blood
Jun
Muslim forces kill Roger of Antioch and many members of his army at the battle of the Field of Blood. ¹
Deaths
William (Adelin) (b.1103 - d.1120)
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Worcester Cathedral Chapter-house
Work began on the chapter-house of Worcester Cathedral. ¹
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Norwich Castle keep
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Dedication of Llandaff Cathedral
The church at Llandaff was dedicated by bishop Urban to St. Peter, St. Dubricius, St. Teilo and St. Oudoceus.
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Kenilworth Castle construction
Kenilworth Castle's history began when Henry I gave a portion of the Stoneleigh estate to Geoffrey de Clinton his chamberlain. de Clinton built a motte and bailey on the land and formed a lake to provide better defences. ¹
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Construction of Sherborne Castle
Built by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury. ¹
Nov
William Adelin is drowned
Nov
The son of Henry I was drowned attempting a crossing from Normandy to England. It should have been a straight forward sea crossing from Normandy to England and the weather was good, but the young prince and his young friends had delayed the sailing with their merrymaking in Normandy. The crew of the White Ship were supplied with beer and as a result were in no state to handle the ship safely. The ship hit rocks and began to sink. Prince William was initially rescued and placed in a small boat but on his orders he tried to rescue his sister and the boat was overwhelmed by others hoping to be saved. The small boat tipped over and the prince was drowned.
Episode: Stephen's succession to the throne [highlight all]
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Births
Louis (VII, The Young, King of France, 1137-1180) (b.1121 - d.1180)
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Norwich Cathedral nave and tower
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Reading Abbey founded
Henry I founded the abbey at Reading. The Cluniac Order of monks populated the abbey. When he died, Henry's remains were buried at the Abbey. ¹
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Norham Castle Construction
Norham Castle, located on the southern shore of the River Tweed on a steep hill on the border between England and Scotland, was constructed in 1121 to protect the area from the Scots by the Bishop of Durham, Ranulf Flambard.
Jan 24
Henry I marries Adeliza
Jan 24
Henry I married Adeliza of Louvain at Windsor Castle. Adeliza was his second wife. They did not have any children. ¹
Jan 30
Coronation of Adeliza of Louvain
Jan 30
Shortly after her marriage to King Henry, Adeliza's coronation was performed at Westminster Abbey.
Deaths
Sybilla (of Normandy) (b.1092 - d.1122)
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Kenilworth Abbey Founded
A priory of Austin Canons was founded in Kenilworth by Geoffrey de Clinton, the Chamberlain of King Henry I. The Priory was raised to the status of an abbey in the reign of Henry VI. ¹
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Gloucester fire
A fire that started in the town of Gloucester spread to the Cathedral destroying treasures and all but a few books. ¹
Aug
Venetians besiege Corfu
Aug
In retaliation for the removal of their trading rights agreed in the treaty of 1082 by the emperor of Byzantine, John II, the Venetians led by Doge Michiel began a long siege of the island of Corfu. ¹
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Foundation of Inchcolm Abbey
Alexander I founded this abbey on an island in the middle of the Forth river in Scotland. The Scottish king took refuge on the island in a storm and rewarded the hermit who looked after him with the foundation of a church.
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Lincoln fire
A large fire took hold in the city of Lincoln doing much damage.
Apr
Baldwin II is captured
Apr
Baldwin, the king of Jerusalem, was captured by Balak of Aleppo. To save the situation the Venetians were asked to help and so Doge Michiel lifted the siege of Corfu and took his fleet to Acre, arriving at the port in May. ¹
May
Egyptian navy destroyed off Ascalon
May
The Venetian fleet arrived at Ascalon and instantly set about attacking the Egyptian fleet. The Egyptian fleet was totally destroyed or captured. ¹
Oct 23
Tewkesbury Abbey consecrated
Oct 23
Five bishops took part in the consecration of Tewkesbury Abbey.
Christmas
Henry I at Dunstable
Christmas
Henry and a large number of his court spent Christmas as his palace at Dunstable. Here he entertained the Earl of Anjou. ¹
Deaths
Alexander (I, King of Scotland 1107-1124) (b.1077 - d.1124)
Henry (V of Germany) (b.1081 - d.1124)
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Unity of Scotland restored under David I
The unity in Scotland was restored at the death of Alexander by David I who became King of Scots. During his reign the Scottish borders were extended to the River Tees, including all of Northumberland. (Was he assisted by the Knight Templar?)
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Louis prevents war
Louis VI of France, with the help of his vassals, mobilized a huge number of men to avert a joint invasion from England and the Emperor Henry V. ¹
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Furness Abbey founded
Founded by Stephen, the future King of England, Furness Abbey was built near Barrow in Furness. Initially the order was Savigniac but were later converted to Cistercians in 1147 when the orders were merged. ¹
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Agreement with Venice
The Crusaders and Venetians came to an agreement. If the Venetians assisted in the capture of Tyre and Ascalon they could take a third of each city for themselves. ¹
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Celestine II is elected Antipope
Was Antipope for just one or two days before resigning in favour of Honorius II.
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Honorius II becomes Pope
Feb (to Jul)
Siege of Tyre
Feb (to Jul)
The Crusaders laid siege to the city of Tyre in February and the city's inhabitants managed to hold out for five months before succumbing to starvation. The Crusaders were assisted by a fleet of ships from Venice. ¹
Aug 11
Eclipse of the Sun
Aug 11
A potential eclipse took place, although the area of totality is not known. ¹
Births
Baldwin (of Forde, Archbishop of Canterbury) (b.1125 - d.1190)
Deaths
Eustace (III, Count of Boulogne) (b.1089 - d.1125)
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Hugh of Champagne joins the Templars
Hugh of Champagne joins the Templars. ¹
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Stephen marries Matilda of Boulogne
King Henry I arranged the marriage between his nephew, Stephen of Blois and Matilda, the daughter and heiress of Eustace III, the Count of Boulogne. This gave Stephen control of the county of Boulogne and also lands in England that had belonged to Count Eustace II. Matilda was descended from both Malcolm III of Scotland and Edmund Ironside. ¹
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