1102 CE
Battle of Ramla: The Crusaders (500 knights) under King Baldwin I are defeated by the Fatimid army at Ramla (modern Israel). Baldwin and his companions escape through the enemy lines to Arsuf. Władysław I Herman, duke of Poland, dies at Płock (possibly poisoned by his enemies) after a 23-year reign. He leaves the succession to be disputed between his sons Zbigniew and Bolesław III Wrymouth. King Henry I captures Arundel Castle after having besieged Earl Robert of Bellême. Robert loses his English lands (as did his brothers Roger the Poitevin and Arnulf de Montgomery) and is banished to Normandy.
In the 1100s, the 12th century.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
Conflict & Security
- May 5 – The short-lived principality created by Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar ends: Valencia is captured by Almoravid forces under Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin. It is later recaptured, evacuated and burned by King Alfonso VI.source
- May 17 – Battle of Ramla: The Crusaders (500 knights) under King Baldwin I are defeated by the Fatimid army at Ramla (modern Israel). Baldwin and his companions escape through the enemy lines to Arsuf.source
- May 27 – The Crusaders under Baldwin I break their way out of Jaffa, which is encircled by the Fatimid Army. A charge of the French cavalry breaks the enemy's ranks, and forces them to retreat to Ascalon.source
- King Henry I captures Arundel Castle after having besieged Earl Robert of Bellême. Robert loses his English lands (as did his brothers Roger the Poitevin and Arnulf de Montgomery) and is banished to Normandy.source
- Siege of Tripoli: The Crusaders under Raymond IV begin the siege of Tripoli (modern Lebanon). The garrison calls for assistance, but a Seljuk relief army from Damascus and Homs is defeated by Raymond.source
- Spring – A Fatimid expeditionary force (some 20,000 men) invades Palestine and launches attacks into the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Crusaders defeat a Fatimid rearguard near Ascalon, and capture the city after a 3-year siege. The Crusaders capture Caesarea Maritima with support of the Genoese fleet. A number of Genoese trading colonies are established along the Mediterranean coast.source
- Arnulf de Montgomery, Lord of Pembroke, being banished from England and Wales for joining with his brother in rebellion against Henry I of England, serves his father-in-law, Muirchertach Ua Briain, High King of Ireland; Henry imposes a trade embargo against Ireland.Irelandsource
Exploration & Expansion
- The Venetians establish a new trade emporium in Sidon (modern Lebanon).source
Religion & Belief
- Council of London: A church council convened by Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, bans sodomy and the sale of Christian slaves to non-Christian countries, and reforms the clergy.source
- Dagobert of Pisa is briefly deposed as Patriarch of Jerusalem (he is restored later in the year).source
- Henry I orders the tomb of Edward the Confessor be opened; the body of the former king is supposedly found undecayed. The Westminster monks start to claim Edward as a saint.source
- Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury writes to Muirchertach Ua Briain urging ecclesiastical reform and restoring good relations between him and Henry I of England.Irelandsource
Crime & Justice
- Raymond IV is imprisoned by Tancred, nephew of Bohemond I, and regent of the Principality of Antioch (he is later released after promising to denounce any claims).source
- Betrothal of Muirchertach Ua Briain's daughters: Lafracoth to Arnulf de Montgomery and Bjaðmunjo to Sigurd (son of Magnus Barefoot).Irelandsource
Births
- February 7 – Matilda, Holy Roman Empress (died 1167)source
- October 25 – William Clito, count of Flanders (died 1128)source
- Henry II, margrave of the Northern March (died 1128)source
- Eleanor of Champagne, French noblewoman (died 1147)source
- Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick (died 1153)source
- Liang Hongyu, Chinese general (died 1135)source
- Nerses IV, Catholicos of Armenia (died 1173)source
- Klængur Þorsteinsson, bishop of Skálholt (died 1176)source
- Peter of Tarentaise, French abbot and bishop (died 1174)source
- Chekawa Yeshe Dorje, Tibetan Buddhist monk (died 1176)source
- Zhu, Chinese empress of the Song Dynasty (died 1127)source
- Gilla na Naemh Ua Duinn, Irish poet and writer (died 1160)source
- Gilla na Naemh Ua Duinn, poet, historian and cleric (died 1160).Irelandsource
- Approximate date and probable location – Harald IV Gille of Norway (killed 1136).Irelandsource
Deaths
- April 9 – Raoul II, Norman nobleman (House of Tosny)source
- May 19 – Stephen II, French nobleman and crusadersource
- June 4 – Władysław I Herman, duke of Polandsource
- June 4 – Władysław I Herman, duke of Poland, dies at Płock (possibly poisoned by his enemies) after a 23-year reign. He leaves the succession to be disputed between his sons Zbigniew and Bolesław III Wrymouth.source
- July 15 – Walter Giffard, 1st Earl of Buckingham, Anglo-Norman magnatesource
- July 29 – Albert III, count of Namur (House of Namur)source
- November 1 – Anna Dalassena, Byzantine noblewomansource
- Felicia of Sicily, queen of Hungary (approximate date)source
- Hugh VI, French nobleman and crusadersource
- Guglielmo Embriaco, Genoese merchant (born 1040)source
- Odo I, duke of Burgundy (born 1060)source
- Xiang, Chinese empress and regent (born 1047)source
- Mahmud al-Kashgari, Turkish lexicographer (born 1005)source
- Fujiwara no Kanshi, Japanese empress (born 1021)source
- Domnall Ua Ruairc, King of Connacht and Breifne.Irelandsource
- Mugrón Ua Morgair, archlector of Armagh.Irelandsource
- Henry, Count of Monte Sant'AngeloItalysource