1108 CE

Battle of Uclés: Almoravid forces defeat the armies of Castile and León. The advance of the Reconquista is halted, and the Berbers re-capture the towns of Uclés, Cuenca, Huete and Ocaña. The Christians, many of nobility, are beheaded. King Philip I dies at Melun, after a 48-year reign. He is succeeded by his son Louis VI, who, at the start of his rule, faces insurrections from feudal brigands and rebellious robber barons. Siege of Dyrrhachium: Italo-Norman forces under Bohemond I lift the siege due to illness and lack of supplies. Bohemond becomes a vassal of the Byzantine Empire by signing the Treaty of Devol.

In the 1100s, the 12th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • The consuls of Bergamo are first mentioned, indicating that the city has become an independent commune in Lombardy (Northern Italy).source
  • Autumn – The Principality of Nitra ceases to exist, after King Coloman of Hungary, deposes its last ruler, Álmos, duke of Croatia.source
  • Bergamo is first mentioned as an independent republic.Italysource

Conflict & Security

  • May 29 – Battle of Uclés: Almoravid forces defeat the armies of Castile and León. The advance of the Reconquista is halted, and the Berbers re-capture the towns of Uclés, Cuenca, Huete and Ocaña. The Christians, many of nobility, are beheaded.source
  • September – Siege of Dyrrhachium: Italo-Norman forces under Bohemond I lift the siege due to illness and lack of supplies. Bohemond becomes a vassal of the Byzantine Empire by signing the Treaty of Devol.source
  • The Taira and Minamoto clans join forces to rule Japan, after defeating the warrior monks of the Enryaku-ji temple near Kyoto. The Taira replace many Fujiwara nobles in important offices – while the Minamoto gain more military experience by bringing parts of Northern Honshu under Japanese control (approximate date).source
  • Baldwin I marches out against Sidon, with the support of a squadron of sailor-adventurers from various Italian cities. A Fatimid fleet from Egypt defeats the Italians in a sea-battle outside the harbour.source
  • Spring – King Sigurd I sails from England, on the Norwegian Crusade to Palestine. He repels a Muslim fleet near the Tagus River, then attacks Sintra, Lisbon and Alcácer do Sal, and finally defeats a second Muslim fleet further south.source
  • Muirchertach Ua Briain, King of Munster (and de facto High King), made a major military campaign into Mide (Meath) in 1108.Irelandsource

Religion & Belief

  • June 13 – Restored Ferentino Cathedral in Italy is consecrated.source
  • Pistoia Cathedral in Italy is damaged by a severe fire.source
  • Construction begins on the tower of Winchester Cathedral, building continues until 1120.source
  • Chichester Cathedral is consecrated under Ralph de Luffa, bishop of Chichester, in England.source

Crime & Justice

  • Summer – Jawali Saqawa, Turkish ruler of Mosul, accepts a ransom of 30,000 dinar by Count Joscelin I and releases his cousin Baldwin II, count of Edessa, who is held as prisoner (see 1104).source

Culture & Society

  • A substantial amount of Luimneach (Limerick) was burned on the night of the festival of Patrick.Irelandsource

Births

  • Henry the Proud, duke of Bavaria (died 1139) (approximate date)source
  • Bohemond II, Italo-Norman prince of Antioch (died 1130) (approximate date)source
  • Baldwin IV, count of Hainaut (died 1171)source
  • Andronikos Komnenos, Byzantine prince (died 1142) (approximate date)source
  • Leopold the Generous, duke of Bavaria (died 1141) (approximate date)source
  • Derbforgaill, Irish princess (died 1193)source

Deaths

  • January 4 – Gertrude, Grand Princess of Kievsource
  • March 7 – Gundulf, Norman bishop of Rochester (born c.1024)source
  • March 18 – Abe no Munetō, Japanese samurai (born 1032)source
  • May 21 – Gerard, Norman archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor of Englandsource
  • May 29 – García Ordóñez, Castilian noblemansource
  • July 5 – Guy of Hauteville, Italo-Norman diplomatsource
  • July 29 – King Philip I dies at Melun, after a 48-year reign. He is succeeded by his son Louis VI, who, at the start of his rule, faces insurrections from feudal brigands and rebellious robber barons.source
  • July 29 – Philip I, king of Francesource
  • November 15 – Enrico Contarini, bishop of Castellosource
  • García Álvarez, Castilian official and military leadersource
  • Wang, Chinese empress consort of the Song dynasty (born 1084)source
  • Gonzalo, bishop of Mondoñedo (approximate date)source
  • Guy II the Red of Rochefort, French nobleman and crusadersource
  • Summer – Urse d'Abetot, Norman sheriff of Worcestershiresource
  • Donnchad Ua Maeleachlainn a kingsman from the midlands, killed by an Ua Ruairc and others during the hostilities involving Ua Briain’s campaign.Irelandsource
  • Gregory III, Count of TusculumItalysource