Year 1242 Overview
The year 1242 (MCCXLII) was a significant year in history, marked by various crucial events across Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was a common year starting on Wednesday according to the Julian calendar.
Notable Events by Place
Europe
In the spring, Prince Alexander Nevsky was joined by his brother Andrey II in Novgorod. With the support of his elite druzhina from Suzdal, they advanced southwest across the frozen marshes. On March 5, Alexander retook the city with minimal resistance, managing to do so before a larger Crusader garrison in nearby Izborsk could intervene.
In April, a Russian force led by Alexander Nevsky crossed into Livonian Crusader territory to raid Catholic Estonia, but was forced to retreat after facing defeat at the Mooste bridge near Tartu.
The Battle of Lake Peipus occurred on April 5, where Russian forces successfully repelled an invasion attempt by a Crusader army, including German Teutonic Knights. The battle took place on the icy surface of Lake Peipus, leading to a significant victory for Alexander’s forces.
On May 28, the Avignonet massacre took place, involving a group of Cathars who, with the probable connivance of Count Raymond VII of Toulouse, murdered inquisitor William Arnaud and eleven of his companions.
From July 21-22, during the Battle of Taillebourg, French forces under King Louis IX defeated King Henry III near the Charente River, forcing Henry to retreat to Bordeaux.
In the summer, Alexander Nevsky sent envoys to Batu Khan, capitulating to Mongol rule before their forces reached Novgorod.
On November 16, King Béla IV issued the Golden Bull, proclaiming Gradec a royal free city.
Mongol Empire
In spring, the Siege of Esztergom saw Mongol forces under Batu Khan assault and devastate most of the Hungarian city. However, Croats under Béla IV successfully halted the Mongol invasion at the Battle of Grobnik Field.
England
In May, Isabella of Angoulême persuaded her son, Henry III, to mount an expedition to reclaim Poitou, leading to an assembly of a sizable army and escalating conflict with Louis IX.
Africa
In the summer, Hafsid forces under Sultan Abu Zakariya Yahya conquered the city of Tlemcen, establishing it as a vassal state.
Middle East
In spring, the Templar Knights raided the city of Hebron, while An-Nasir Dawud, ruler of Damascus, imposed tolls on pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem.
Asia
On February 10, the 10-year-old Emperor Shijō of Japan died, leading to a succession dispute that eventually saw Go-Saga ascend to the throne.
Births
- January 27 – Margaret of Hungary (d. 1270)
- March 17 – Maud de Prendergast (d. 1272)
- June 25 – Beatrice of England (d. 1275)
- July 24 – Christina von Stommeln (d. 1312)
- December 15 – Munetaka, Japanese shogun (d. 1274)
- Other notable births include Beatrice of Castile (d. 1303) and George Pachymeres (d. 1310).
Deaths
- February 10 – Shijō, emperor of Japan (b. 1231)
- February 12 – Henry VII, king of Germany (b. 1211)
- March 26 – William de Forz, English nobleman (b. 1190)
- July 1 – Chagatai Khan, son of Genghis Khan (b. 1183)
- December 2 – Al-Mustansir, Abbasid caliph (b. 1192)
- Numerous other notable figures passed away, including Hōjō Yasutoki (b. 1183) and Richard le Gras, English abbot and bishop.