King Albert I of Germany is assassinated by his nephew John Parricida.
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What Happened in April?
Sieges, raids, and monumental deaths. Discover key historical events from April that influenced the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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The Battle of the Golden Spurs occurs in Flanders, resulting in a victory for the Flemish militia against the French army.
The Battle of Montecatini takes place between the forces of Florence and Siena, ending in a Florentine victory.
Louis X becomes King of France after the death of his father, Philip IV.
The Scots reaffirm their independence by signing the Declaration of Arbroath, asserting their right to self-determination.
The Declaration of Arbroath, a Scottish declaration of independence, is sent to Pope John XXII, asserting Scotland's sovereignty and independence from England on April 6, 1320.
The letter, written in Latin, asked the Pope to recognize Robert the Bruce as the rightful king and to use his influence to persuade England to make peace, while also emphasizing Scotland's long history of freedom. The request did not lead to the Pope recognizing Robert as King of Scots, and the following year the Pope was persuaded by the English to take their side, issuing six bulls in support of the English. More
King Casimir III of Poland is crowned on April 25, 1333, focusing on domestic reforms and strengthening the kingdom through domestic reforms, legal codification, economic growth, and peaceful diplomacy. Poland was a major European power by his death in 1370.
Francesco Petrarca, commonly known as Petrarch, is crowned poet laureate in Rome, marking the revival of the Roman tradition.
King Edward III of England established the Order of the Garter, England's highest chivalric order on April 23, 1348, intended to foster camaraderie among top knights and secure their loyalty for his military campaigns. It is the most senior British order of chivalry, outranked only by the Victoria Cross and George Cross.
King Edward III of England creates the Knights of the Garter, an elite chivalric order., in the aftermath of his victory over the French at the Battle of Crécy on St. George's Day. it is the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in Britain.
The Order of the Garter, the most prestigious chivalric order in England, is founded by King Edward III.
Saint John of Capistrano, a Franciscan friar and Catholic saint, is born in Italy.
John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III of England, becomes the Duke of Lancaster.
King Charles IV of France issues the Ordonnance Cabochienne, which aims to restrict the powers of the French monarchy.
Building of the Bastille fortress in Paris begins under the reign of King Charles V of France.
Cola di Rienzo, an Italian populist and later self-proclaimed "Tribune of the People," is killed by a Roman mob.
Battle of the Vikhra River: The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Golden Horde, gaining territorial expansion.
The Peasants' Revolt in England begins as rebels march on London, demanding an end to serfdom and unfair taxation.
John, Master of Aviz, is declared King John I of Portugal after defeating the Castilian forces in the Battle of Aljubarrota.
Geoffrey Chaucer first read from The Canterbury Tales at the court of King Richard II. This event was a major turning point for English literature, as it was one of the first times a major work of this stature was presented in English, the common vernacular, rather than the traditional Norman French or Latin used at court.