Year 1017 (MXVII) Overview
Year 1017 was a common year that began on a Tuesday according to the Julian calendar.
Significant Events
Europe
During the summer, Melus of Bari, a Lombard nobleman, initiated a revolt supported by Norman mercenaries at Capua. He advanced into Apulia, catching the Byzantine army off-guard. Melus achieved victory over the Byzantines along the Fortore River and devastated the Apulian territory.
In the winter, Emperor Basil II, known as “the Bulgar Slayer,” replaced Leo Tornikios with the new catapan Basil Boioannes and dispatched reinforcements, including a unit from the elite Varangian Guard, from Constantinople.
England
On January 6, Cnut, also referred to as “the Great,” was crowned king of England. Later in July, he married Emma of Normandy, the widow of Æthelred the Unready, solidifying his connections with Normandy.
Cnut took further steps to organize the kingdom, dividing England into four earldoms: Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria.
Arabian Empire
In the summer, Hamza ibn-‘Ali ibn-Ahmad publicly proclaimed the establishment of the Druze religion, during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah.
Africa
The Sunnis of Kairouan, present-day Tunisia, revolted against the Shi’ite Zirid dynasty. The city was swiftly retaken and systematically sacked.
Asia
In March, Fujiwara no Michinaga transferred the title of regent of Japan (Sesshō) to his eldest son, Fujiwara no Yorimichi.
By September, Prince Atsuakira, the eldest son of ex-Emperor Sanjō, resigned the title of Crown Prince due to a skin ailment and pressures from Michinaga, passing it to his younger brother Prince Atsunaga, who wedded Fujiwara no Kanshi, daughter of Michinaga.
During this time, Michinaga made a pilgrimage to the Iwashimizu Shrine in Japan, accompanied by many courtiers. Tragically, one of the boats capsized, resulting in the loss of over 30 lives.
On December 24, Michinaga was granted the honorary title of Daijō-daijin of Japan.
Rajendra I, the ruler of the Chola dynasty in modern India, successfully conquered Sri Lanka and annexed the island.
By Topic
Religion
Construction of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv commenced during this period (approximate date).
Notable Births
- October 28 – Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor (d. 1056)
- Ahimaaz ben Paltiel, Italian-Jewish liturgical poet (d. 1060)
- Bermudo III, king of León (approximate date)
- Floris I, count of Friesland west of the Vlie (approximate date)
- Ramanuja, Indian Sri Vaishnavism philosopher (d. 1137)
- Vikramabahu (Kassapa VI), king of Sri Lanka (d. 1041)
- Zhou Dunyi, Chinese philosopher and cosmologist (d. 1073)
Notable Deaths
- February 5 – Sancho García, count of Castile
- June 5 – Sanjō, ex-emperor of Japan (b. 976)
- June 22 – Leo Passianos, Byzantine general
- July 6 – Genshin, Japanese Tendai scholar (b. 942)
- September 18 – Henry of Schweinfurt, German nobleman
- October 6 – Wang Dan, Chinese Grand Chancellor
- Eadric Streona, ealdorman of Mercia
- Eadwig Ætheling, son of Æthelred II
- Elvira of Castile, queen consort of León
- Emnilda, duchess consort of Poland
- Fujiwara no Junshi, Japanese empress (b. 957)
- Judith of Brittany, duchess of Normandy (b. 982)
- Ma’mun II, Ma’munid ruler of Khwarezm
- Ramon Borrell, count of Barcelona (b. 972)
- Renaud of Vendôme, French nobleman
References
For further information, please consult historical sources.