King Edward III of England proclaims himself rightful heir to the French throne, initiating the Hundred Years' War.
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What Happened in January?
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The English Parliament grants funds for King Edward III's war against France.
The Truce of Malestroit is signed on January 19, 1343 between King Edward III of England and King Philip VI of France, in the chapel de la Madeleine; temporarily halting hostilities.
Henry, Duke of Lancaster, arrives in Calais to aid King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War.
Pope Clement VI issued a papal bull on January 26, 1347, that confirmed the privileges for the establishment of a university in Prague. This act was a crucial step in the founding of what would later become Charles University.
Charles IV of Luxembourg is crowned King of the Romans in Bonn.
The Cortes of Leiria in Portugal is convened by King Afonso IV to address various issues in the kingdom.
The Golden Bull of Emperor Charles IV establishes the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire.
A peace treaty is signed between Sweden and Denmark, known as the Treaty of Gottorp.
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, issues the Golden Bull of 1356, formalizing the electoral college that selected the King of the Romans, who would later become Holy Roman Emperor and also defined a process to end disputes over imperial elections.
It was issued in two parts, the first one on January 10, 1356: and the second one on December 25, 1356. The Golden Bull remained a central part of the Holy Roman Empire's constitution until its dissolution in 1806.
King Edward III of England establishes the Order of the Garter, England's highest chivalric order.
The Battle of Saintes takes place during the Hundred Years' War between England and France, resulting in an English victory.
King Henry of Trastámara becomes King Henry II of Castile after defeating his half-brother, King Peter, at the Battle of Campo de Montiel.
A truce is agreed upon between England and Scotland, temporarily halting hostilities during the Hundred Years' War.
King Charles V of France creates the first franc coin, a new currency for France.
The Parliament of Ireland meets in Dublin, strengthening English control over Ireland.
The Ming Dynasty officially begins in China with the ascension of Zhu Yuanzhang as the Hongwu Emperor. marking the end of the Yuan dynasty and the beginning of a new era of Chinese rule.
King Peter I of Portugal dies, succeeded by his daughter, Beatrice, and her husband, John I of Castile.
The Parliament of England convenes in Westminster, focusing on financial matters and reforms.
Pope Gregory XI moves the Papal See back to Rome from Avignon, ending the Avignon Papacy.