13th century

The 13th century was the time from January 1, 1201 to December 31, 1300. It was a period of big changes all around the world.

In Asia, the huge Mongol Empire began under Genghis Khan. It stretched from Eastern Asia to Eastern Europe and changed many places. In Europe, this was the height of the High Middle Ages. Important events included the signing of the Magna Carta in England, which helped create ideas about fairness under the law.

Many new kingdoms and empires grew in different parts of the world. In Africa, the Mali Empire became powerful. In Southeast Asia, new Islamic states formed. In Japan, the Kamakura Shogunate successfully defended against attacks from the Mongols. Even in places like North America, big cities such as Cahokia were growing.

Events

1201–1209

The early 1200s brought many important changes. Fibonacci introduced his book Liber Abaci, which helped change how people did math. There were several battles, such as the Battle of Basian and the Battle of Mirebeau. The Islamic leader Bakhtiyar Khalji took control of Bengal and suppressed Buddhist practices in East India. The Fourth Crusade captured the city of Zadar and then attacked Constantinople, leading to the creation of the Latin Empire. The Kingdom of France took over Normandy from England. Genghis Khan became the Great Khan of the Mongols, and the Delhi Sultanate was founded in Northern India. Francis of Assisi started the Franciscan Order, and the Albigensian Crusade began under Pope Innocent III.

1210s

In the 1210s, Qutb-ud-Din Aibak, the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, died after falling from his horse while playing a game. The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa marked the start of Christian forces taking back land in Iberia from Moorish rulers. Frederick of Sicily became King of the Romans. France won battles against the Kingdom of Aragon and English and German forces. King John signed the Magna Carta, a important document that limited the king’s power. Battles continued between Russian principalities, and the Pandya Dynasty was reestablished in Southern India. The Fifth Crusade took place but did not achieve its goals.

1220s

The Kingdom of Mapungubwe was established around this time. Frederick II became Holy Roman Emperor. The Mongols destroyed several cities in their invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire. Andrew II of Hungary signed a document that protected the rights of Hungarian nobles. The leaders of the Republic of Venice formed a new government. The Mongols defeated Russian principalities at the Battle of the Kalka River, but Volga Bulgaria won against them at the Battle of Samara Bend. The Trần Dynasty began in Vietnam. Disputes grew between Emperor Frederick II and the Lombard League. The Estonians were finally brought under German rule, and Genghis Khan passed away. The Sixth Crusade took place, and Jerusalem was returned to Crusader States through a peace agreement.

1230s

Emperor Frederick II created a major set of laws called the Constitutions of Melfi. The Mongols attacked and captured the capital of the Jin Dynasty in China. Battles took place in Java, ending the rule of the Kediri kingdom. The Mandinka kingdoms joined to form the Mali Empire. Emperor Frederick II defeated the Lombard League at the Battle of Cortenuova. Conflicts continued between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy. The Mongol Empire took over Kievan Rus. Sukhothai became the first capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

1240s

Russia fought off Swedish forces at the Battle of the Neva. The Mongols defeated Hungary and Poland, causing great destruction. They also attacked Lahore. Russian forces defeated the Teutonic Knights at the Battle of Lake Peipus. Conflicts continued between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy. The Ayyubids and Khwarezmians defeated the Crusaders at the Battle of La Forbie. The Portuguese Reconquista ended when King Afonso III took over the Algarve. The Seventh Crusade took place but ended with the capture of King Louis IX and the withdrawal of Crusader forces.

1250s

By 1250, the Pensacola culture began influencing the Coastal Coles Creek culture through trade. The Mamluk dynasty began in Egypt. Emperor Frederick II died in December. The Sultanate of Ternate was founded in Maluku. Baghdad was captured and destroyed by the Mongols, ending the Abbasid Caliphate. The Pandyan Emperor Jatavarman Sundara I invaded Eastern India and northern Sri Lanka. The Treaty of Paris was signed between Louis IX and Henry III.

1260s

The Mongols suffered their first major defeat at the Battle of Ain Jalut against Egyptian forces. The Toluid Civil War began between Kublai Khan and Ariq Böke for control of the Mongol Empire. The Byzantines recaptured Constantinople from the Crusaders and Venice. Iceland came under Norwegian rule. Thomas Aquinas began writing his important work, the Summa Theologiae. The Crusader State of Antioch fell to Egyptian forces.

1270s

The Goryeo dynasty in Korea swore loyalty to the Yuan dynasty. The Zagwe dynasty in Ethiopia was replaced by the Solomonic dynasty. Edward I of England and Charles of Anjou began the Ninth Crusade. The Second Council of Lyon tried to unite the Eastern Roman Empire and the Church of Rome. The Mongols invaded Japan but were driven back by samurai warriors and strong winds. The Tepanec people allowed the Mexica to settle in a new place. Sant Dnyaneshwar, who wrote important religious texts, was born. King Kertanegara of Singhasari attacked the Melayu Kingdom. The Mamluk-Makurian War ended with a Mamluk victory. The last important group of ideas from Aristotle was banned in Paris. The Song dynasty in China ended after losing a battle to the Mongols. The Chola Dynasty in Southern India came to an end.

1280s

The Mongols tried to invade Japan a second time but were again driven back by samurai warriors and strong winds. Aragon took control of Sicily. Peterhouse, Cambridge was founded. King Kertanegara expanded Singhasari’s control by taking over Bali. The Mongols raided Hungary again. The County of Tripoli fell to the Mamluks. Kertanegara insulted an envoy from Kublai Khan, leading to tension.

1290–1300

The Mamluk Dynasty ended and was replaced by the Khalji dynasty. King Edward I of England ordered all Jews to leave the Kingdom of England. The Swiss Confederation was formed by Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. The Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil captured Acre, ending the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Jayakatwang, a duke from Kediri, rebelled and killed Kertanegara, ending the Singhasari kingdom. Marco Polo visited Sumatra and reported on trading ports there. King Mangrai founded the Lanna kingdom. The Mongol invasion of Java took place, but the forces were repelled. The Hindu Majapahit kingdom was founded in eastern Java. The First War of Scottish Independence began. The Great Council of Venice was established. The Ottoman Empire was founded under Osman I. Islam likely began in the Aceh region. The Kingdom of Kutai Kartanegara was founded. The city of Bilbao was established. The Turku Cathedral was consecrated. Sri Lumay founded the Rajahnate of Cebu in the Philippines.

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

Some interesting things were invented and created during the 13th century. Painters in China created beautiful art, like Twelve Views from a Thatched Hut by Xia Gui. In Europe, a new style of music called the motet began. Books started to be made in cities instead of just in monasteries. A system for copying books called the Pecia system was used in places like Paris.

In China, important inventions like wooden movable type printing, the earliest rockets, landmines, and handguns were made for use in wars. They also began using windmills, which they learned about from the Islamic world. In Italy during the 1280s, eyeglasses were invented. Amazing buildings like Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde reached their peak around the year 1250. Artists in Japan also created wonderful paintings during this time.