Events

• May 20 – An earthquake occurs in Syria.

• July 27 – Georgians defeat the Seljuqids of Rüm at the Battle of Basian.

• August 1 – Arthur of Brittany is captured in Mirabeau, north of Poitiers, during a battle with John of England.

• November 10–November 23 – Fourth Crusade – Siege of Zara: The Crusaders besiege and conquer Zara, Croatia.

• The chronicle of Roger of Wendover is of original value as of this year.

• The Livonian Brothers of the Sword is founded.

• The Real Monasterio de Nuestra Senora de Rueda is founded in Aragon Province, Spain.

• Leonardo Fibonacci publishes Liber Abaci, introducing the Arabian zero to Europe.

• The first jesters are hired in European courts.

• The village of Schallodenbach is established.

• Genghis Khan crushes the Tartars.

• Pope Innocent III reasserts his right to evaluate and crown the Holy Roman Emperor, in a letter to the duke of Zahringen.

Births

• Matilda II of Boulogne, Queen of Portugal, spouse of King Afonso III of Portugal (d. 1262)

• Margaret II of Flanders (d. 1278)

• Qin Jiushao, Chinese mathematician of the Song Dynasty (d. 1261)

Deaths

• March 8 – Sverre Sigurdsson, King of Norway

• May 7 – Hamelin de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey

• Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht

• Canute VI of Denmark (b. 1163)

• Alain de Lille, French theologian and poet (b. c. 1128)

• Mieszko III, king of Poland (b. c. 1121)

Heads of states

• England – John, King of England (reigned 1199 – 1216).

• France – Philippe II, Auguste King of France (reigned from 1180 to 1223).