What Happened in April?

The Second Council of the Lateran, presided over by Pope Innocent II, begins.

The Battle of Lincoln sees King Stephen of England captured by forces loyal to Empress Matilda.

The Second Crusade is formally announced by Pope Eugene III in Vézelay, France.

Eleanor of Aquitaine marries Henry Plantagenet, who later becomes King Henry II of England.

Malcolm IV becomes King of Scotland at the age of 12 after the death of his grandfather David I.

Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, escapes from Northampton and flees to France.

Saladin becomes the emir of Egypt.

Construction begins on the Campanile (Leaning Tower of Pisa).

The Battle of Myriokephalon: The Byzantine Empire suffers a decisive defeat by the Seljuk Turks.

The Treaty of Łęczyca is signed, ending a war between Casimir II the Just of Poland and Mieszko III the Old.

Richard the Lionheart officially ascends to the throne of England.

Emperor Henry VI is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Celestine III in Rome.

Siege of Acre: Crusaders under King Richard I capture Acre from the Muslims after a prolonged siege.

Richard the Lionheart is released from captivity in Germany after paying a ransom.

King Richard I (the Lionheart) dies shortly after being wounded while besieging the castle of Châlus-Chabrol in France. His brother, John, becomes King of England with his coronation taking place on May 27, 1199. He was King of England until his death in 1216.

During the Fourth Crusade, crusaders launch a second, successful assault on Constantinople. They sack the city, looting its wealth and treasures and dividing the Byzantine Empire between themselves and the Venetians.

Pope Innocent III excommunicates Count Raymond VI of Toulouse due to his failure to suppress the Cathar heresy.

King Alexander II of Scotland is born.

The Second Battle of Lincoln takes place during the First Barons' War in England.

Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, grants the Golden Bull of Sicily, establishing constitutional reforms in Sicily.