1291
Mamluks capture Acre
The last great crusader stronghold fell after a six-week siege by Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil.
Swiss Confederacy founded at Rutli
Representatives of the Alpine cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden swore a perpetual defensive league on a meadow above Lake Lucerne.
Vivaldi brothers vanish seeking a sea route to India
Two Genoese merchants, Ugolino and Vadino Vivaldi, sailed out through the Strait of Gibraltar with two galleys intending to reach India by the Atlantic.
Mamluks finish off Tyre, Sidon, and Beirut
Following the fall of Acre, the remaining Frankish coastal cities were evacuated within months.
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1291?
Saeculum lists 4 events from 1291. The most significant is Mamluks capture Acre: The last great crusader stronghold fell after a six-week siege by Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil.
What era was 1291 part of?
1291 falls within the High Middle Ages (1000-1300). Crusades, cathedrals, and the slow waking of Europe.
Which regions saw notable events in 1291?
The events from 1291 span Middle East, Europe and Africa.