1280
Chinese astronomers complete the Shoushi calendar
Under Yuan patronage, the astronomer Guo Shoujing completed the Shoushi li…
Eyeglasses invented in northern Italy
An unknown craftsman in the Veneto or Tuscany ground the first convex lenses and mounted them in frames that could be balanced on the nose.
Kubilai dispatches Guo Shoujing on survey
The Yuan emperor sent his chief astronomer across the empire to build twenty-seven observatories and measure latitudes from Siberia to the South China Sea.
Nicholas III reorganizes the papal states
A Roman-born pope set about strengthening the papacy's temporal power in central Italy through diplomacy and nepotism.
Moscow rises quietly under tribute to the Horde
The small wooden town of Moscow, a tributary of the Golden Horde like every Rus principality, began its rise under princes clever enough to collect tribute…
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1280?
Saeculum lists 5 events from 1280. The most significant is Chinese astronomers complete the Shoushi calendar: Under Yuan patronage, the astronomer Guo Shoujing completed the Shoushi li.
What era was 1280 part of?
1280 falls within the High Middle Ages (1000-1300). Crusades, cathedrals, and the slow waking of Europe.
Which regions saw notable events in 1280?
The events from 1280 span East Asia and Europe.