1139
Second Lateran Council
Innocent II convened about a thousand prelates to patch the wounds of the eight-year papal schism, declare Anacletus's ordinations void, and forbid crossbows…
Ghurid dynasty consolidates in Afghanistan
In the rugged mountain valleys of Ghor in central Afghanistan, the chieftains of the Shansabani clan consolidated a growing kingdom wedged…
Song artisans perfect qingbai porcelain
Master potters at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province perfected the luminous qingbai glaze - a translucent bluish-white finish on porcelain so delicately thin…
Battle of Ourique
Afonso Henriques of Portugal defeated a Muslim coalition in the Alentejo and, according to later tradition, was acclaimed king on the battlefield…
Omne datum optimum grants Templars autonomy
Innocent II issued a bull exempting the Templars from every authority except the pope himself, allowing them to keep spoils of war, build chapels, and bury…
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1139?
Saeculum lists 5 events from 1139. The most significant is Second Lateran Council.
What era was 1139 part of?
1139 falls within the High Middle Ages (1000-1300). Crusades, cathedrals, and the slow waking of Europe.
Which regions saw notable events in 1139?
The events from 1139 span Europe, Central Asia and East Asia.