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What Happened in January?

Tragic deaths, ravaged cities, and great acts of heroism. Discover what happened this month in history and the defining moments that shaped the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.

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1066 CE, January 6

Harold Godwineson, head of the most powerful noble family in England, is crowned King Harold II on January 6, 1066, following the death of Edward the Confessor, leading to a war of succession involving Tostig, brother of Harold, King Harald III Hardraade of Norway and William, duke of Normandy.

1072 CE, January 10

Norman forces under Hauteville (Roger I) of Sicily capture the city of Palermo, a major Arab cultural and economic hub, on January 10, 1072 after a five-month siege. The victory severely weakened the Muslim power in Western Sicily and it went on to become the capital of the emerging County of Sicily, paving the way for the later Kingdom of Sicily.

1077 CE, January 25

Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV arrives at the fortress of Canossa, on January 25, 1077 beginning the famous Walk to Canossa to seek forgiveness from Pope Gregory VII after being excommunicated.

1107 CE, January 8

Edgar, King of Scots dies on January 8, 1107, he was buried at Dunfermline Abbey and was succeeded by his brother, Alexander I.

1114 CE, January 7

Henry I of England's daughter, Matilda (Maud), marries Holy Roman Emperor Henry V on January 7, 1114, strengthening Anglo-German relations. The marriage took place in Worms, Germany, when she was 12 years old.

1118 CE, January 24

Pope Gelasius II (Giovanni da Gaeta) succeeds Pope Paschal II as the 161st pope on January 24, 1118. His short pontificate was defined by the ongoing Investiture Controversy with Holy Roman Emperor Henry V, which forced him into exile shortly after his election.

1129 CE, January 13

The Council of Troyes, meets on January 13, 1129 and grants official sanction from the papacy to the Templar Order (Knights Templar) officially recognizing the military order as an "army of God". The order had been founded in 1119 by some French noblemen.

1152 CE, January 29

King Stephen of England and Empress Matilda sign the Treaty of Wallingford, recognizing Stephen as king while allowing Matilda's son to inherit the throne.

1198 CE, January 8

Lotario dei Conti di Segni is elected Pope Innocent III on January 8, 1198, He was elected at age 37, shortly after the death of Pope Celestine III at the age of 37 and became one of the most influential popes of the Middle Ages. His papacy is considered by many historians to be the peak of medieval papal power.

1203 CE, January 21

The Fourth Crusade, in route to Jerusalem, enters into an agreement with the Byzantine prince Alexios Angelos on January 21, 1203, to divert their main force to Constantinople to restore his deposed father, Isaac II Angelos, as emperor.

1254, c. January 18

The Cortes of Leiria in Portugal is convened by King Afonso III to address various issues in the kingdom. It was the first Portuguese assembly to broadened representation and include representatives (burghers) from the municipalities, alongside the nobles and clergy, to discuss taxes and trade laws, establishing an important precedent for royal power and consent.

1259 CE, January 1

Michael VIII Palaiologos was proclaimed co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire on January 1, 1259 through a coup, becoming the senior co-ruler to the young John IV Laskaris. He later became the sole emperor in 1261 after overthrowing and blinding John IV.

1265 CE, January 20

Simon de Montfort summons the first English Parliament on January 20, 1265 to include knights from counties and burgesses (representatives from towns) alongside nobles and clergy. The action was a way to consolidate power after capturing King Henry III, and his heir, Prince Edward, at the Battle of Lewes.

1276 CE, January 21

Pope Innocent V becomes the head of the Catholic Church on January 21, 1276. A Dominican Pope, born Pierre de Tarentaise. He only ruled for 5 months, dying on June 22, 1276. He was later beatified in 1898

1297 CE, January 8

François Grimaldi, known as "Malizia" (the Cunning), captures the fortress of Monaco on January 8, 1297, by gaining entry by deception disguised as a Franciscan monk and establishing the Grimaldi family's rule.