The world in
What happened in 1220?
12 events across 4 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
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Amiens Cathedral inscribed as World Heritage SiteThe Cathedral of Our Lady of Amiens in France was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the late 20th century. A Catholic cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of Amiens, it is situated in the Somme department and is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and the largest cathedral in France.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY 3.0 ↗
Construction of the Zytglogge in BernThe Zytglogge, a landmark medieval tower in Bern, Switzerland, was built around the early 13th century. Initially serving as a guard tower, it later functioned as a prison and clock tower, eventually becoming a centre of urban life and civic memorial, famed for its later astronomical clock and carillon.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Mike Lehmann, Mike Switzerland 13:37, 2 July 2006 (UTC) / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
Foundation of Salisbury CathedralConstruction of Salisbury Cathedral (formally the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary) began in 1220 and the main body was completed in 1258, a notably short period of 38 years. It is a leading example of Early English Gothic design, admired for its unity and coherence. The cathedral's spire, at 123 metres, is the tallest in England; it also boasts Britain's largest cloister and one of the world's oldest working clocks.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Andrew Dunn (Website: http://www.andrewdunnphoto.com/ ) / CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗
Construction of York Minster BeginsIn the 13th century, a large Gothic cathedral was built in the city of York in northern England, later known as York Minster. It is now the seat of the Archbishop of York and one of the largest Gothic churches in Northern Europe, listed as a Grade I building.
Founding of the Church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois in ParisAround the 13th century, a medieval Catholic church was founded across from the Louvre Palace in Paris, later known as the Church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois. It was named after Saint Germanus of Auxerre, who met Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. The church later became known as the 'parish of artists'.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Saint-Germain_l'Auxerrois.jpg : Pline derivative work: Mae din\ talk / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
Central Asian steppe
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Mongol invasions and conquestsAfter the founding of the Mongol Empire in the early 13th century, Genghis Khan and his descendants launched a series of expansion wars across Eurasia, creating the largest contiguous land empire in history within a century and profoundly reshaping the political landscape of Eurasia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Sayf al-Vâhidî. Hérât. Afghanistan / Public domain ↗
- Siege of Bukhara (1220)
In February 1220, during the first Mongol invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire, Genghis Khan's forces captured the city of Bukhara. This siege was a key operation in the conquest of Transoxiana. While Shah Muhammad II planned to defend his major cities individually, the Mongols laid siege to the border town of Otrar and then struck deeper into Khwarazmia, seizing Bukhara. The fall of the city crippled the Khwarazmian defense and opened the way for further Mongol conquests in Central Asia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
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Mongol invasion of Khwarazmian EmpireBetween 1219 and 1221, Genghis Khan led the Mongol forces in the invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire in Central Asia. The campaign, triggered by failed diplomacy and trade, resulted in widespread devastation and atrocities. It marked the completion of the Mongol conquest of Central Asia and began the Mongol conquest of Persia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Arab League at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
- Mongol Conquest of Central Asia
In the early 13th century, the Mongol Empire began its conquest of Central Asia after Genghis Khan pursued rival tribes into the region. The Uyghur kingdom and Karluk leaders submitted voluntarily, and Qara Khitai was destroyed by 1218. A major campaign against the Khwarazmian Empire resulted in the conquest of all its territories by 1221.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
East Asia
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Mongol conquest of China beginsIn the early 13th century, the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan initiated small-scale raids into Western Xia in 1205 and 1207, marking the beginning of a decades-long conquest of China. The conflict later escalated into full-scale campaigns against various Chinese dynasties.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Sayf al-Vâhidî. Hérât. Afghanistan / Public domain ↗
- Outbreak of the Mongol–Jin War
In 1211, Genghis Khan's Mongol Empire launched a war against the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty. The conflict lasted more than twenty years, involving several Mongol commanders, and ended in 1234 with the Mongol conquest of the Jin dynasty, achieved with the assistance of the Southern Song. This completed the Mongol conquest of northern China.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Sayf al-Vâhidî. Hérât. Afghanistan / Public domain ↗
West Asia
Launch of the First CrusadeIn November 1095, Pope Urban II officially called for Christians to take up arms and reconquer Jerusalem at the Council of Clermont, launching the First Crusade and inaugurating a series of crusades that continued until 1291. The call promised spiritual rewards, and the success led to the establishment of four Crusader states in the Levant.
Around 1220
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Carving of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
- Founding of Konark Sun Temple
- Founding of Roskilde Cathedral
- Construction of Naumburg Cathedral begins
- Construction of the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
- Founding of the Royal Abbey of Saint-Remi
- Jurchen invasion of Song and Jin–Song Wars
- Foundation of Buda Castle