1274, March 13 - The Second Council of Lyon opens under Pope Gregory X.
Browse Historical Events by Month:
What Happened in March?
The first Olympic games, the founding of dynasties, and legendary battles. Explore historic milestones from March that influenced today's world. 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Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material.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.
The Reign of the Song Dynasty which ruled parts of China ends after ruling for more than three centuries when a Mongol fleet defeated a Song fleet in the Battle of Yamen and completed its conquest of China. More
The Sicilian Vespers: A rebellion breaks out against the rule of Charles I of Naples in Sicily.
King Alexander III of Scotland dies, leading to a succession crisis.
Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I of England, dies.
Edward I of England captures and sacks Berwick-upon-Tweed on March 30, 1296 during the First War of Scottish Independence. Berwick was Scotland's most important trading port at the time, second only to London in economic importance.
Contemporary accounts of the number of people slain estimated that in in less than two days no fewer than fifteen thousand of both sexes perished, some by the sword, others by fire. Much booty was seized from the city. The town was then repopulated with English people from Northumbria. it wasn't until 1318 when Berwick was recaptured by King Robert and the English burgesses was expelled. However, Berwick would change hands several more times in the years to come, before permanently becoming part of England in 1482 when the town was captured by the English.
Robert the Bruce resigns as Guardian of Scotland.
Edward I of England issues the Edict of Expulsion, expelling Jews from England.
Edmund Crouchback, son of Henry III of England, is created Earl of Lancaster.
Battle of the Golden Spurs: Flemish militia decisively defeat the French knights near Kortrijk, Belgium.
Battle of Roslin: Scots under Sir Simon Fraser ambush and defeat an English force.
William Wallace, Scottish knight and leader of the resistance against England, is captured near Glasgow.
Robert the Bruce murders John Comyn, a rival claimant to the Scottish throne, at Greyfriars Church in Dumfries.
Robert the Bruce is crowned King of Scotland at Scone.
Pope Clement V, accedes to the demands of French King Philip IV and moves the papal seat from Rome to Avignon on March 9, 1309; beginning the period known as the "Avignon Papacy" between 1309–1377, when seven successive popes resided in Avignon, all under the influence of the French Crown.
Pope Clement V issued the papal bull "Vox in Excelso" on March 22, 1312, during the Council of Vienne, which officially dissolved the Knights Templar.
The dissolution was the culmination of charges of heresy and immorality brought against the order, largely at the instigation of King Philip IV of France who had arrested many Templars in 1307.
The bull formally removed papal support for the order, leading to their official end and the transfer of their assets to the Knights Hospitaller.
The bull was issued under significant pressure from King Philip IV of France, who had a substantial debt to the Templars and used false confessions obtained through torture to eliminate the powerful order.
n May 1312, Pope Clement V issued another bull, "Ad Providam," which transferred the Templars' assets to the Knights Hospitaller. Some Templar leaders were not found guilty of crimes and were reconciled with the Church. Grand Master Jacques de Molay and other leaders, who initially confessed under tortured were burned at the stake in 1314.
Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, is burned at the stake.
1316, circa March
Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, confirms the city rights of Bern, Switzerland.
Louis X becomes King of France upon the death of his father, King Philip IV.
The Battle of Burton Bridge takes place during the Despenser War in England between Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and his cousin King Edward II of England during the Despenser War, from 7 to 10 March 1322. Lancaster attempted to scape but was eventually captured at the battle of Boroughbridge on March 16, 1322 and later executed on the King's orders.
Lancaster's defeat temporarily removed the threat to Edward's rule, but the King's unpopularity with his barons led to his forced abdication to the throne in favor of his son Edward III.