Geoffrey II of Brittany and the Political…

Three-year old Emperor Go-Toba ascends to the throne of Japan after the forced abdication of his brother Emperor Antoku during the Genpei War.

Taira no Munemori and the Taira clan take the young Emperor Antoku and the three sacred treasures on August 14 and flee to western Japan to escape pursuit by the Minamoto clan advancing on Kyoto.

The Monanoto forces then turn west toward the heart of Taira power.

The betrothal in 1180 of Alexios II to Agnes of France, daughter of Louis VII of France and his third wife Adèle of Champagne and at the time a child of nine, had not apparently been followed by their marriage.

Andronikos is now formally proclaimed as co-emperor before the crowd on the terrace of the Church of Christ of the Chalkè, and not long afterwards, on the pretext that divided rule is injurious to the Empire, he causes Alexios II to be strangled with a bowstring in October 1183).

To legitimize his usurpation, the sixty-five-year-old regicide marries the latter’s thirteen-year-old fiancé.

Andronikos attempts to improve life in the provinces by reforming the decaying political system, prohibiting the sale of offices, punishing corrupt officials, and, above all, checking the power of the great feudal nobles and landowners whose privileges undermine the unity of the empire.

In repudiating the pro-Western policy pursued by Manuel and asserting the independence of the Eastern Church, he arouses the hostility of Western Christians.

Andronikos poses as the champion of Greek patriotism and of the oppressed peasantry, but to enforce his reforms he behaves like a tyrant.

By undermining the power of the aristocracy, he weakens the empire's defenses and undoes much of Manuel's work.

He also resumes trade and political relations with Venice in 1183, promising compensation for their losses.

By November 1183, Andronikos has associated his younger legitimate son John Komnenos on the throne.

Kulin had come to prominence in Bosnia 1163 as Emperor Manuel I Komnenos was taking the country from the Hungarians, although it would not be until 1180 that he would place Kulin as his vassal as Ban.

In 1183, Kulin leads his troops with the forces of the Kingdom of Hungary under King Béla, who had just launched an attack on the Empire together with the Serbs led by grand župan of Serbia, Stefan Nemanja.

The cause of the war is the new claimant to the Imperial throne, Andronikos Komnenos, whose legitimacy is not recognized as legitimate by the Hungarian crown.

The united forces meet little resistance in the eastern Serbian lands—the Greek squadrons are fighting among themselves, as are the local imperial commanders: Alexios Brannes supports the new Emperor, while Andronicus Lapardes opposes him—and deserts the Imperial Army, going onto adventures on his own.

Without difficulties, the Greeks are pushed out of the Valley of Morava and the allied forces breach all the way to Sofia, raiding Belgrade, Braničevo, Ravno, Niš and Sophia itself.

When the Hungarians withdraw from the conflict, so does Kulin.

Saladin had named Al-Muzaffar Taqi al-Din Umar the sovereign of Ayyubid-ruled Mesopotamia after the conquest of Syria and northern Iraq.

Taqi al-Din had built a madrasa in the city of Edessa, located in the Mesopotamian territory, and had particularly shown favor for those who worked in religious law and the Sufis.

He had been handed the principality of Hama four years after helping Saladin conquer it in 1175.

His ascendancy has ushered in an era of prosperity for Hama that will last until the end of Ayyubid rule in 1341.

During al-Muzaffar Umar's reign, the city is walled and palaces, markets, madrasas, and mosques are built.

While in Manbij, in 1181, Taqi al-Din had attempted to block the Zengid forces of Izz ad-Din Mas'ud from reaching Aleppo, but had failed and had been forced to retreat to Hama.

Two years later, Saladin's brother and his deputy ruler in Egypt, al-Adil, have been sent to besiege Kerak in southern Transjordan, which is in Crusader hands.

Saladin now sends al-Muzaffar Yaqi al-Din Umar as al-Adil's replacement.

Saladin occupies Aleppo in 1183, virtually completing the encirclement of the Latin states.

Baldwin, crippled by leprosy, can no longer function as monarch by September 1183.

Guy of Lusignan, who had married Baldwin's sister Sibylla of Jerusalem in 1180, is appointed regent.

Saladin on August 24, 1183, returns to Damascus, having conquered Aleppo and several cities in Mesopotamia for his empire.

He mounts a major invasion in September of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Crossing the Jordan River, the Ayyubid host plunders the abandoned town of Baisan.

Continuing west, up the Jezreel Valley, Saladin establishes his army near some springs about eight kilometers southeast of Al-Fule.

At the same time, the Muslim leader sends out numerous columns to damage as much property as possible.

The raiders destroy the villages of Jenin and Afrabala, attack the monastery on Mount Tabor and wipe out a contingent from Kerak that is trying to join the Crusader field army.

Guy of Lusignan, expecting an attack, musters the Crusader host at Sephoria.

When intelligence reports detect Saladin's invasion route, Guy marches the field army to the small castle at Al-Fule (La Fève).

His army is swollen by pilgrims and Italian sailors to a size of thirteen hundred horsemen and over fifteen thousand infantry.

The Frankish army advances in its usual fashion toward the water points at Ain Jalut And Ain Tuba'un (Tubania).

The exact formation cannot be reconstructed, except that the infantry spearmen and bowmen kept the Turkish horse archers at a respectable distance while the mounted knights launched local charges to drive away any Saracens who approached too closely.

Muslim chroniclers mention how Saladin's Mamluks led by Jorduk an-Nuri and Jawili were faced with an unexpected crusader attack, but they fortified themselves at a base of a mountain and caused the crusaders to retire.

Saladin, unable to halt his enemies or to provoke them to fight a pitched battle,  withdraws his army from the springs and moves downstream.

The Latin army camps around the springs and remains passive for eight days, refusing battle.

The Saracens try to incite the Franks into an attack while intercepting the Crusaders' supply convoys.

Since the local Crusaders have brought provisions for only three days while the pilgrims and the sailors have brought none, the supply situation soon becomes critical.

By great good luck, the Latin soldiers find quantities of fish at Ain Tuba'un and this prevents them from starving until some food convoys get through the Ayyubid blockade.

Saladin then moves toward Mount Tabor, hoping to lure the Franks into an ambush.

Guy instead retreats to Al-Fule.

During this move, the Ayyubid army quickly returns and pounces on the Crusaders again, but they are unable to halt or disrupt the march.

Saladin, also short of supplies, concludes the campaign.

At this, Guy marches back to his main base at Sephoria.

Following long-standing Crusader policy, Guy has successfully thwarted Saladin's invasion by preventing him from capturing any strongholds and by keeping the field army intact.

However, as in 1182, the Saracen raiders have caused extensive damage to crops and villages.

Guy is harshly criticized for failing to fight a major battle when in command of such a large host.

Others, mostly native barons such as Raymond III of Tripoli, supportshis cautious strategy, pointing out that Saladin's army had been drawn up on rough ground, unsuitable for a Frankish heavy cavalry charge.

Guy soon after this battle loses his position as regent.

The six-year imperial truce with the Lombard communes, who have for years battled the Holy Roman emperor to ensure their freedom, is converted in 1183 into the Peace of Constance, by which the cities of the Lombard League gain recognition of their independent status as free communes, or republics, from Emperor Frederick I, acknowledging the emperor’s sovereignty over Lombardy but reducing his actual control.

Construction of the Nave of Notre-Dame de Paris Begins (1183 CE)

Following the completion of the choir in 1183, work began on the nave of Notre-Dame de Paris, marking the next phase in the construction of one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals of medieval Europe.

The Progression of Notre-Dame’s Construction

• 1163 – Construction begins under Bishop Maurice de Sully, with the laying of the foundation stone.
• 1170s–1183 – The choir is completed, allowing for liturgical functions to begin.
• 1183 – With the choir finished, focus shifts to constructing the nave, the main central section of the cathedral.

Architectural Features of the Nave

• Gothic rib vaulting – Allowed for greater height and openness, reducing the need for massive supporting walls.
• Large clerestory windows – Introduced more stained glass, filling the interior with ethereal light.
• Pointed arches – Enhanced verticality, emphasizing the heavenly aspiration of Gothic design.

Significance of the Nave’s Construction

• Unified the structure – Once the nave connected to the choir, the cathedral became a more complete space for worship.
• Reflected the expansion of Paris – The growing economic and religious significance of the city led to grand architectural projects like Notre-Dame.
• Influenced later cathedrals – Notre-Dame’s design set a standard for Gothic architecture, influencing later churches in Chartres, Reims, and Amiens.

The completion of the choir in 1183 marked a major milestone, and the beginning of the nave’s construction signified the continued evolution of Gothic architecture, transforming Notre-Dame into the monumental landmark it remains today.

The Death of Henry the Young King and the End of His Rebellion (1183 CE)

Henry the Young King, eldest son of Henry II of England, died of dysentery on June 11, 1183, during a campaign in the Limousin against his father and younger brother, Richard, Duke of Aquitaine. His death marked the end of his rebellion and a turning point in the struggles for succession within the Plantagenet family.

The Downfall of Henry the Young King (1182–1183)

By 1182, Henry the Young King’s fortunes had declined significantly:

• He fell out with William Marshal, the leader of his tournament mesnée (retinue of knights).

  • L’Histoire de Guillaume le Maréchal suggests that Marshal was disgraced due to an alleged affair with Queen Margaret, though modern scholars such as David Crouch argue that the charge was likely lèse-majesté (offense against the king).
  • Marshal may have been guilty of arrogance and greed, and the adultery claim was a later invention to distract from the real charges.

• Margaret of France, his wife, was sent to the French court in early 1183.

  • Likely to ensure her safety during Henry’s impending war with Richard, rather than due to scandal.
  • Their only child, William of England, had been born prematurely on June 19, 1177, but died three days later.
  • Margaret never bore another child, possibly due to complications from this difficult delivery.

• By early 1183, Henry, desperate for funds, pillaged monasteries to pay his mercenaries, further alienating both secular and religious leaders.

Henry’s Final Days and Death (June 1183)

• In June 1183, Henry contracted dysentery after his campaign in the Limousin.

• As his condition rapidly deteriorated, he was taken to Martel, near Limoges.

• On June 7, realizing he was dying, he:

  • Received the last rites.
  • Prostrated himself naked before a crucifix as an act of penitence for his war against his father.
  • Made a testament, entrusting his crusader’s cloak to William Marshal, asking him to carry it to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

• On his deathbed, Henry sought reconciliation with his father, but Henry II, fearing a trick, refused to see him.

• Instead, Henry II sent a ring as a token of forgiveness, which the Young King clasped as he died on June 11, 1183.

Aftermath and Legacy

• Henry II reportedly lamented:

  "He cost me much, but I wish he had lived to cost me more."

• His death left Richard as the primary heir, though tensions between Richard, Geoffrey, and their father remained high.
• Margaret of France remained a widow until she was later married to Bela III of Hungary in 1186.

Henry the Young King’s rebellion and early death exemplified the deep fractures within the Plantagenet dynasty, setting the stage for continued power struggles between Henry II and his surviving sons.

Attempts to Promote the Sainthood of Henry the Young King and His Funeral Procession (1183 CE)

Following the death of Henry the Young King on June 11, 1183, his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and a faction of his friends attempted to promote his sainthood, portraying him as a penitent prince cut down in his youth. Despite his rebellion against his father, Henry II, they emphasized his acts of repentance, including his prostration before the crucifix and his request for his crusader’s cloak to be taken to the Holy Sepulchre.

A notable advocate for Henry’s sanctity was Thomas of Earley, Archdeacon of Wells, who soon after Henry’s death published a sermon describing miraculous events that supposedly occurred during the transport of his body to Normandy.

The Funeral Procession and Miraculous Accounts

Henry had left specific burial instructions:

• His entrails and other body parts were to be buried at the Abbey of Charroux.
• The rest of his body was to be laid to rest in Rouen Cathedral, the capital of Normandy.

However, his funeral did not proceed smoothly.

Difficulties During the Procession

• His mercenary captains seized a member of his household, demanding payment for debts the late prince had owed them.
• The knights accompanying his corpse were so impoverished that they had to rely on charity for food at the monastery of Vigeois.
• Wherever the procession stopped, large and emotional gatherings formed, demonstrating the people’s deep reaction to Henry’s death.

Burial at Le Mans Instead of Rouen

• Upon reaching Le Mans, the local bishop halted the procession and ordered Henry’s body buried in Le Mans Cathedral.
• This was likely a political decision, as Henry’s death had caused civil unrest, and keeping his remains in Le Mans may have been an attempt to defuse tensions in the region.

Legacy and Abandoned Efforts at Canonization

• Despite attempts to promote Henry as a saint, his reputation as a rebellious son and failed ruler prevented his canonization.
• Nevertheless, his funeral procession and reported miracles fueled legends about his piety in death, reinforcing his tragic image as a young king who never ruled.

Henry the Young King’s tumultuous life was mirrored in his death, as unpaid debts, political unrest, and miraculous tales ensured that his legacy was contested even in burial.