Milan razed by Barbarossa
March 6, 1162
After a two-year siege, Frederick's army entered Milan and, on imperial orders, began systematically dismantling the city. The inhabitants were scattered to four unfortified villages. The destruction, meant as an object lesson to the Lombard cities, made Milan the symbol of civic resistance to empire. Within a decade the Milanese would return, rebuild their walls, and join the Lombard League that would humiliate Barbarossa at Legnano.
In context
Also in 1162 (3 other events on record)
- Genghis Khan born on the Onon River · Central Asia · Politics
- Thomas Becket consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury · Europe · Religion
- Death of Geoffrey of Monmouth · Europe · Culture
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in War
Era
High Middle Ages (1000–1300), one of 1,306 events from that era on Saeculum.