1385 facts for kids

The year 1385 was a time of big changes in Europe. It was a common year starting on Sunday in the Julian calendar. Many important events happened, from battles that changed who ruled countries to the building of strong castles.

Key Events of 1385

Important Battles and New Rulers

• On August 14, a very important battle happened: the Battle of Aljubarrota. In this fight, John of Aviz defeated John I of Castile. This victory was a big deal because it secured Portugal's independence from Castile. After this, John of Aviz became King John I of Portugal.
• Also on August 14, the Union of Krewo was formed. This agreement led to the Jagiellonian family becoming powerful in Poland and Lithuania. It happened because Queen Jadwiga of Poland was going to marry Grand Duke Jagiello of Lithuania. This also meant that the leaders of Lithuania accepted the Roman Catholic faith.
• On October 15, another battle took place, the Battle of Valverde, between the armies of Portugal and Castile.
• In the Balkans, the Albanians, with help from the Ottoman Empire, pushed out their rulers from Zeta (which is now Montenegro). Balša II of Zeta was killed, and his cousin, Đurađ II, took his place. However, Albania was then conquered by the Ottomans after the Battle of Savra. This started a long, eighty-year period where the Albanians resisted Turkish rule.
• In Central Europe, some Hungarian nobles helped Charles III of Naples to take over as ruler of Hungary and Croatia, replacing Queen Mary.
• Scotland successfully defended itself against a small invasion force from England.

Changing Empires and Kingdoms

• Tokhtamysh from the Golden Horde conquered parts of the Jalayirid Empire in western Persia. This caused problems between him and Timur of the Timurid Empire, who also wanted to conquer Persia.
• Olav IV of Norway was chosen to be the King of Sweden. He was elected because the current king, King Albert, was not very popular.

New Buildings

• The Estense Castle began construction in Ferrara, which is in modern-day Italy.
• Bodiam Castle was built in East Sussex, England.

Famous Births

• Thomas Ebendorfer, an Austrian historian, was born. (He died in 1464).
• John FitzAlan, 13th Earl of Arundel, an English nobleman, was born. (He died in 1421).
• Jan van Eyck, a famous Flemish painter, was born around this time. (He died in 1441).
• Margaret Holland, an English noblewoman, was born. (She died in 1429).

Notable Deaths

• Andronikos IV Palaiologos, who was a co-ruler of the Byzantine Empire, passed away.
• Joan of Kent, who was the wife of Edward, the Black Prince, died. (She was born in 1328).

See also

In Spanish: 1385 para niños