What Happened in 1221

Major Events

  • Jun 20 Foundation stone laid for Burgos Cathedral in the presence of Ferdinand III of Castile (made a UNESCO World Heritage Site 1984)
  • Jul 29 Emperor Go-Horikawa aged only 10 years old ascends to the Chrysanthemum Throne of Japan
  • Nov 24 Battle of the Indus: Genghis Khan's Mongol force defeats Shah Jalal ad-Din's army, last battle in Mongolian conquest of Khwarezmian Empire

Born in 1221

  • Oct 9 Salimbene di Adam, Italian chronicler, born in Parma (now in Italy) (d. 1288)
  • Nov 23 Alfonso X 'the Wise', King of Castile & Leon, (1252-84), born in Toledo, Spain (d. 1284)

Who Died in 1221

  • Jan 10 Muhammad II of Khwarazm, Shah of the Khwarazmian Empire (1200-1221), dies on the run from Genghis Khan at 50 or 51
  • Aug 6 Saint Dominic, Castilian Catholic priest, founder of the Dominican Order, and patron saint of astronomers, dies at 50
  • Oct 4 William III Talvas, Count of Ponthieu (b. 1179)
  • Oct 21 Alix of Thouars, Duchess of Brittany (b. 1201)



World Leaders in 1221