1180 facts for kids

The year 1180 was a time of big changes around the world. New leaders came to power in Europe and Japan. Important wars began, and cities grew larger. It was a year that shaped history in many places.

Main Events of 1180

New Rulers and Kingdoms

• On April 13, Frederick Barbarossa, a powerful emperor, signed an important document called the Gelnhausen Charter. This charter changed how some lands were governed.
• On November 18, Philip II became the new King of France. He would later become a very important ruler for his country.
• Emperor Antoku began his rule as the 81st emperor of Japan. His reign lasted from 1180 to 1185.
• Alexius II Comnenus became the new Byzantine emperor. The Byzantine Empire was a powerful empire in Eastern Europe.
• The Wittelsbach family took control of Bavaria, a region in what is now Germany.

Wars and Conflicts

• Afonso I of Portugal, the first King of Portugal, was captured by Ferdinand II of Leon.
• The region of Artois became part of France.
• In Japan, Prince Mochihito gathered a large army. This started the Genpei War, a major conflict between the powerful Taira and Minamoto families.
• Frederick Barbarossa removed Henry the Lion from his position as Duke of Duchy of Saxony. He then created two new duchies: Westphalia and Styria. A duchy is a territory ruled by a duke.
• Kilij Arslan II, a powerful sultan, formed an alliance with Saladin. This happened after the death of the Byzantine emperor Manuel I Comnenus.

Culture and Science

• Around this time, Alexander Neckam started teaching in Paris. He wrote a book called De Natura Rerum. This book is one of the earliest writings to mention the game of chess.

World's Largest City

• Experts believe that Hangzhou, the capital of the Southern Song in China, became the largest city in the world. It took the lead from Fes in the Almohad Empire.

Natural Events

• In Japan, a powerful whirlwind caused a lot of damage in the city of Kyoto.
• The last major volcanic eruption of Sunset Crater happened in Arizona.

People Born in 1180

• August 6 – Emperor Go-Toba of Japan (died 1239)
• Berenguela of Castile, who later became a queen (died 1246)
• Gilbert de Clare, 5th Earl of Hertford, an English soldier (died 1230)

People Who Died in 1180

• September 18 – King Louis VII of France (born 1120)
• September 24 – Manuel I Comnenus, the Byzantine Emperor (born 1118)
• October 25 – John of Salisbury, a French bishop
• Al-Mustadi, a Caliph (a leader in the Islamic world)
• Prince Mochihito, a son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan
• Minamoto no Yorimasa, a Japanese warlord (born 1106)

Images for kids

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  Coronation of Philip II (1165–1223)

See also

In Spanish: 1180 para niños