1260 facts for kids

The year 1260 was a time of big changes and important events around the world. From major battles that shaped empires to the construction of grand cathedrals and new ideas in music, this year saw many developments. Kings and leaders made important decisions, and new works of art and literature were created.

Key Events of 1260

Europe: Battles and Buildings

Wars and Political Changes

• On September 4, a big battle happened at Montaperti in Italy. The Sienese Ghibellines, supported by King Manfred of Sicily, defeated the Florentine Guelphs. The Guelphs and Ghibellines were two rival groups in Italy who often fought each other.
• King Ottokar II of Bohemia took control of Styria from King Béla IV of Hungary. This happened during the Battle of Kressenbrunn.
• In the Battle of Durbe, two groups from the Baltic region, the Samogitians and Curonians, defeated the Teutonic Knights. This was a significant victory for the Baltic people.
• The Duchy of Saxony was divided into two new areas: Saxony-Lauenberg and Saxony-Wittenberg. This marked the end of the first Saxon state.
• A war began in Valais (which is now part of Switzerland). The Bishop of Sion had to defend his land against an invasion from the County of Savoy.

Culture and New Creations

• On October 24, the amazing Chartres Cathedral in France was officially opened. King Louis IX of France was there for the dedication. This cathedral is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Construction started on the Dunkeld Cathedral in Perthshire, Scotland.
• Work also began on new cathedrals in Meißen and Schwerin, both in Germany.
• Jacobus de Voragine finished his famous book, Golden Legend. This book was a huge best-seller in the medieval period.
• The artist Nicola Pisano created a beautiful pulpit for the Pisa Baptistery.
• A German music expert named Franco of Cologne published a book called Ars Cantus Mensurabilis. In it, he shared a new idea for writing music. He suggested that the shape of a musical note could show how long it should be played. We still use a similar system today!
• A beautiful mosaic artwork called Christ between the Virgin and St Minias was made for the front of Florence's Basilica di San Miniato al Monte.

Asia: Empires and Dynasties

• On May 5, Kublai Khan became the new leader of the huge Mongol Empire.
• On May 21, Kublai Khan sent a messenger to talk with the Southern Song Dynasty in China. However, the Chinese leader ordered the messenger to be put in prison. Kublai Khan did not forget this, but he could not attack China right away because he was fighting a civil war with his brother, Ariq Böke.
• On September 3, the Mamluks defeated the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut in Palestine. This was the first major defeat for the Mongols and showed the furthest point their empire reached.
• The Sena Dynasty in Bengal (part of modern-day India and Bangladesh) came to an end.
• The Chinese era called Jingding began and ended in the Southern Song Dynasty of China.
• In Japan, the Shōgen era ended, and the Bun'ō era began.
• The Hindu Silharya Dynasty, which ruled an area near Mumbai, also ended.
• The new Sukhothai kingdom in Thailand adopted Theravada Buddhism as its main religion.

Africa: A New Leader

• On October 24, Saif ad-Din Qutuz, who was the Mamluk sultan of Egypt, was assassinated. Baibars then took power for himself and became the new sultan.

Important People Born in 1260

• Henry de Cobham, 1st Baron Cobham (died 1339)
• Meister Eckhart, a German thinker and mystic (died 1328)
• Agnes of France, a French princess (died 1240)
• Andronicus II Palaeologus, a Byzantine Emperor (died 1332)
• Enguerrand de Marigny, an important minister to King Philip IV of France
• Guillaume de Nogaret, another minister to King Philip IV of France (died 1313)
• Maximus Planudes, a Byzantine writer and theologian (died 1330)
• Farsi, a Persian mathematician and physicist (died 1320)

Important People Who Died in 1260

• October 24 – Saif ad-Din Qutuz, the Mamluk sultan of Egypt
• Franciscus Accursius, an Italian legal expert
• Matilda II of Bologne, a powerful countess
• Aymer de Valence, a Bishop of Winchester

See also

In Spanish: 1260 para niños