1215
Magna Carta sealed at Runnymede
Cornered by his rebellious barons in a Thames-side meadow, King John pressed his seal to a charter limiting royal power.
Mongols capture Zhongdu, Jin capital
After a lengthy siege, Genghis Khan's armies stormed the Jin capital on the site of modern Beijing.
Inuit Thule culture expands across Arctic
Thule whalers from the Bering Strait pushed east along the Arctic coast, displacing the earlier Dorset people as they went.
Fourth Lateran Council convenes in Rome
Innocent III summoned the largest church council of the Middle Ages.
Aquinas's father plans his religious career
The Count of Aquino sent his young son Thomas, destined for the abbey of Monte Cassino, to begin his education there under Benedictine tutelage.
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1215?
Saeculum lists 5 events from 1215. The most significant is Magna Carta sealed at Runnymede: Cornered by his rebellious barons in a Thames-side meadow, King John pressed his seal to a charter limiting royal power.
What era was 1215 part of?
1215 falls within the High Middle Ages (1000-1300). Crusades, cathedrals, and the slow waking of Europe.
Which regions saw notable events in 1215?
The events from 1215 span Europe, East Asia and North America.