1075 CE

Pope Gregory VII holds a council in the Lateran Palace at Rome. He publishes a decree against laymen investiture (an act which will later cause the Investiture Controversy). First Battle of Langensalza: Emperor Henry IV defeats the Saxon nobles on the River Unstrut near Langensalza in Thuringia (modern Germany). He subjugates Saxony, and immediately tries to reassert his rights as the sovereign of northern Italy. Council of London: Archbishop Lanfranc instigates the movement of English bishoprics. One of these is the bishopric of Sherborne and Wilton which is moved to Old Sarum.

In the 1070s, the 11th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Summer – Shen Kuo, Chinese polymath scientist and statesman, solves a border dispute with the Liao dynasty by dredging up old diplomatic records. He refutes Emperor Dao Zong's bluffs point for point during a meeting at Mt. Yongan (near modern-day Pingquan), reestablishing the rightful borders of the Song dynasty.source
  • The Kingdom of Mapungubwe is established, in modern-day South Africa.source
  • Anund Gårdske is deposed as king of Svealand (also called Sweden proper). King Håkan the Red of Götaland proclaims himself ruler of all Sweden.source

Conflict & Security

  • June 9 – First Battle of Langensalza: Emperor Henry IV defeats the Saxon nobles on the River Unstrut near Langensalza in Thuringia (modern Germany). He subjugates Saxony, and immediately tries to reassert his rights as the sovereign of northern Italy.source
  • The future Emperor Alexios Komnenos captures the Norman rebel Roussel de Bailleul in Amaseia. Roussel had established a principality in eastern Anatolia in 1073 after rebelling against Emperor Michael VII Doukas, basing his power on his western mercenaries and local support in exchange for protection against invading Turkmen.source
  • Revolt of the Earls: The Earls Ralph de Gael, Roger de Breteuil and Waltheof, begin a revolt against King William I (the Conqueror) in the last serious act of resistance to the Norman Conquest.source
  • Vietnamese forces under General Lý Thường Kiệt defend Vietnam against a Chinese invasion.source

Religion & Belief

  • February – Pope Gregory VII holds a council in the Lateran Palace at Rome. He publishes a decree against laymen investiture (an act which will later cause the Investiture Controversy).source
  • April – The Dictatus papae (a compilation of 27 statements of powers) are included in the registry of Gregory VII, in which he asserts papal authority over earthly as well as spiritual rulers.source
  • August 25 – Council of London: Archbishop Lanfranc instigates the movement of English bishoprics. One of these is the bishopric of Sherborne and Wilton which is moved to Old Sarum.source
  • December 8 – Gregory VII writes a letter of reprimand to Henry IV. He accuses him of breaching his word and continued support of excommunicated councilors.source
  • December 25 – Gregory VII is kidnapped in the church during Christmas night in Rome and briefly imprisoned by the Roman nobleman Cencio I Frangipane.source

Crime & Justice

  • Roger de Breteuil is brought before the Great Council. He is deprived of his lands and sentenced to perpetual imprisonment. Ralph de Gael and Waltheof are charged as co-conspirators.source

Culture & Society

  • The Liao dynasty version of the Buddhist Tripiṭaka is completed (approximate date).source

Births

  • March 18 – Al-Zamakhshari, Persian philosopher (died 1144)source
  • April 16 – Orderic Vitalis, English Benedictine chroniclersource
  • June 5 – Tianzuo (Yanning), last emperor of the Liao dynastysource
  • November 25 – Taizong, emperor of the Jin dynasty (died 1135)source
  • Gerald de Windsor, English nobleman (approximate date) (died 1135)source
  • Svatopluk "the Lion" of Olomouc, duke of Bohemia (died 1109)source
  • Lothair III (or II) of Supplinburg, Holy Roman Emperor (died 1137)source
  • Raymond Pilet d'Alès, French nobleman (died 1120)source
  • Tancred, Italo-Norman leader of the First Crusade (died 1112)source
  • Soběslav I (Sobeslaus), duke of Bohemia (died 1140)source
  • Conrad I, archbishop of Salzburg (approximate date)source
  • Kim Pusik, Korean statesman and general (died 1151)source
  • Norbert of Xanten, archbishop of Magdeburg (died 1134)source
  • Adelaide del Vasto, countess and regent of Sicily (died 1118)source

Deaths