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.
Browse Historical Events by Month:
What Happened in June?
Deaths, raids, and battles. Examine landmark historical events that took place in June. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
We do our best to provide accurate information but would appreciate being notified if any incorrect information is found. You may do so by using our Feedback link.
Alfonso X inherits the throne on June 1, 1252, and becomes King of Castile, León, and Galicia, upon the death of his father, Ferdinand III. His reign, from 1252 to 1284, was marked by a focus on culture, law, and science.
Circa 1258, June
Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire, is born, circa 1258 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.
Edmund Crouchback, son of Henry III of England, is formally recognized as Earl of Lancaster around June 30, 1267, following the Second Barons' War.
The Treaty of Rheinfelden (or Rheinfelder Hausordnung) was signed on June 1, 1283, in the Imperial City of Rheinfelden. It established the Habsburg order of succession, confirming Duke Albert, son of Rudolph I as the sole ruler of the Austrian and Styrian duchies and removing his brother, Rudolf II, as co-ruler.
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.
Circa 1299, June
Ottoman Turks led by Osman I begin the Ottoman Empire's expansion around 1299, from their base in Anatolia, starting with the Byzantine lands in western Anatolia and later expanding into the Balkans and beyond.
This initial expansion was facilitated by the decline of the Byzantine Empire's frontier defenses and a growing number of people seeking new opportunities. Osman and his followers engaged in military campaigns, raids, and diplomacy to expand their territory.
1300, Circa June
Dante Alighieri becomes one of the six priors of Florence, Italy.
Pope Clement V succeeds Pope Benedict XI, becoming the 195th pope on June 5, 1305. His election came following an eleven-month conclave in Perugia after a lengthy delay caused by disputes between French and Italian factions within the cardinals and was heavily influenced by the French King Phillip IV.
His official coronation ceremony took place on November 14, 1305.
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.
This event marked a high point of Henry's campaign to assert imperial power in Italy. He died in 1313 while campaigning against Naples.
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.
It was a major turning point in the war, which ended 14 years later with the de jure restoration of Scottish independence under the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton, signed on March 17, 1328, and ratified by the English Parliament on May 1. Under the treaty, England formally acknowledged the Kingdom of Scotland as fully independent canceling all prior feudal claims and obligations imposed by English monarchs. More
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.
King Robert the Bruce of Scotland died on June 7, 1329, in Cardross, Dunbartonshire His body was buried at Dunfermline Abbey. He was succeeded by his son, David II, who was only five at the time. David was crowned in November 24,1331 at age seven. Because he was a child, Scotland was governed by a series of guardians during his minority.
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.
His early reign was marked by the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, during which he personally confronted rebel leaders. and with tensions with the nobility, resulting in the "Merciless Parliament" of 1388, which executed several of his favorites.
His later reign (1397–1399) was described as "tyrannical" leading to his deposition by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke (Henry IV), in 1399. He died in captivity in early 1400, likely starved to death.
Saint John of Capestrano, a Franciscan friar and Catholic saint, is born on June 24, 1386 in Capestrano, Abruzzo, within the Kingdom of Naples, Italy.
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.
Forces loyal to Owain Glyndŵr of Wales defeat the English at the battle of Bryn Glas, on June, 22 June 1402, at Pumlumon in Powys.
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.
The Western Schism was not resolved until the Council of Constance in 1417, which deposed the three claimants and elected Martin V, finally reuniting the papacy.