What Happened in June?

According to Danish legend, in the early 13th century, the Danish king Valdemar Sejr (Valdemar the Victorious) led his army on a crusade in present-day Estonia. During a battle on June 15, 1219, the Danes were on the defensive when suddenly a red banner with a white cross fell from the sky. As a result, the luck changed, the Danish army won, and Denmark got its flag. It is considered to be the world's oldest national flag still in use, by now over 800 years. The name of the Danish flag is Dannebrog. The word itself translates to "Danish cloth" or "well-made cloth". More

The University of Oxford receives its royal charter from King Henry III of England on June 20, 1248. This charter officially established the university as a formal educational institution, although  it had existed in some form since at least 1096. The charter provided the legal basis for the university as an organized institution.

Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire, is born in the town of Söğüt, northwestern Anatolia. He was the son of Ertuğrul and the founder of the Ottoman dynasty and empire, which began as a small principality in the region and grew into a world power over the following centuries.

The Parliament of Ireland meets at Castledermot in County Kildare, the first Irish parliament on record.

The Treaty of Rheinfelden is signed, ending the conflict between the House of Habsburg and the Swiss Confederation. It formalized the succession of the Duchies of Austria and Styria to Albert I, King of the Romans, and removed his younger brother, Rudolf II, as co-ruler. This treaty established a form of primogeniture within the Habsburg dynasty. More

Ghazan, the Mongol ruler of the Ilkhanate, converts to Islam, publicly proclaiming it  on June 19, 1295. He adopted the Muslim name of Maḥmūd, adding it to his Mongol name. The action marked a significant shift in the Mongol Empire. 

Ottoman Turks led by Osman I begin the Ottoman Empire's expansion from their base in Anatolia. Under Osman and his successors, the Ottomans gradually conquered neighboring territories, starting with the Byzantine lands in western Anatolia and later expanding into the Balkans and beyond.  Expand +

Dante Alighieri becomes one of the six priors of Florence, Italy.

Pope Clement V succeeds Pope Benedict XI, becoming the 195th pope. His election came following an eleven-month conclave after the death of Pope Benedict XI.  Expand +

Emperor Henry VII is crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome on June 29, 1312, by cardinals appointed by Pope Clement V, as Clement was in Avignon and influenced by French politics. The coronation was a tumultuous event amidst the conflict between the factions supporting the pope (Guelphs) and the Holy Roman emperor (Ghibelline) in the city. Expand +

The Battle of Bannockburn begins on June 23, 1314, between the army of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, and the army of King Edward II of England in the First War of Scottish Independence. The Scots defeated the English, regained their independence and established Robert the Bruce as Robert I. Expand +

Louis X of France dies, while his wife, Queen Clémence, is pregnant at the time of his death. His newborn son, John I, died shortly after birth, and then Louis's brother, Philip, claimed the throne, arguing that a woman could not inherit the crown setting a precedent for the Salic Law, which prevented women from inheriting the French throne for centuries to come.

Emperor Frederick III of Sicily dies, leading to a succession crisis.

Richard II of England begins his reign as king at the age of 10, on June 22, 1377 following the death of his grandfather, Edward III. Richard was crowned in the Westminster Abbey on July 16, 1377. His reign was initially governed by councils and his uncles, most notably John of Gaunt. Expand +

Peasants' Revolt begins in England. More

The Battle of Kosovo takes place between the Ottoman Empire led by Sultan Murad I, and a coalition of Balkan states led by Serbian Prince Lazar. Both leaders were killed during the battle. Ultimately, the Ottomans were able to regroup under Murad's son, Bayezid I. The battle was costly on both sides and it ultimately led to Serbia becoming an Ottoman vassal state.

The Council of Pisa elects Alexander V as the new pope on June 26,1409 further deepening the Western Schism, since the two existing popes refused to abdicate resulting in three competing claims to the papacy, further weakening the authority of the Church. Expand +

The Battle of San Romano takes place between the Republic of Florence, led by Niccolò da Tolentino, and the Republic of Siena, under Francesco Piccinino. It took place near San Romano, a town approximately 30 miles outside Florence, Italy. The battle lasted for several hours and is generally considered a Florentine victory.  The battle was part of a broader conflict in the 1430s involving Florence, its rival Lucca, and allies Siena and Milan.

 Alfonso V of Aragon formally conquers Naples on June 2, 1442, from the Angevins; establishing Aragonese rule in southern Italy and reunifying the kingdoms of Sicily and Naples under one crown.

Charles VII's French armies successfully capture Bordeaux and most of Gascony from the English on June 30, 1451 a major blow to English holdings in France making it seem to bring an end to the protracted Hundred Years' War. Expand +