Autumn –
Battle of Philomelion: Emperor
Alexios I (Komnenos) leads an expedition into
Anatolia and meets the
Seljuk army under Sultan
Malik Shah (near
Philomelium). The Byzantines introduce a new battle formation of Alexios' devising, the parataxis (a defensive formation, consisting of a hollow square, with the baggage in the centre). During the battle, the Seljuk Turks mount several attacks on the formations, but all are repulsed. The Byzantine cavalry makes two counterattacks; the first is unsuccessful. But a second attack, led by
Nikephoros Bryennios (the Younger), breaks the Seljuk forces, who then turn to flight. The following day Malik Shah again attacks, his army completely surrounding the Byzantines from all sides. The Seljuk Turks are once more repulsed, with many losses. Alexios claims the victory, and Malik Shah is forced to accept a peace treaty, in which he promises to respect the frontiers of the
Byzantine Empire.[1][2]
Levant
Summer – The Crusaders under King
Baldwin I of Jerusalem undertake an expedition to
Egypt and march as far as
Akaba on the
Red Sea. After the local inhabitants flee from the town, Baldwin constructs castles in Akaba and on a nearby island. He leaves a garrison in both fortresses. The three Crusader strongholds –
Montréal,
Eilat and
Graye – secure the control of the caravan routes between
Syria and Egypt.[3]
Autumn – Baldwin I hastens to
Tyre (modern
Lebanon) and begins the construction of a new fortress, known as
Scandelion Castle, at the
Ladder of Tyre, which completes the blockade of the town from the mainland.[4]
Europe
February 3 – King
Coloman (the Learned) dies after a 21-year reign in which he has consolidated the feudal system in
Hungary and expanded the frontier (partly by overthrowing King
Peter II of
Croatia).
Portuguese forces under Countess
Theresa take two
Galician cities,
Tui and
Ourense. In reply, the sister of Theresa, Queen
Urraca (the Reckless), attacks
Portugal.
Aak music is introduced to the
Korean court, through a large gift of 428 musical instruments as well as 572 costumes and ritual dance objects from
China, by Emperor
Hui Zong of the
Song Dynasty.
^ "Fires, Great", in The Insurance Cyclopeadia: Being an Historical Treasury of Events and Circumstances Connected with the Origin and Progress of Insurance, p. 25. Cornelius Walford, ed. (C. and E. Layton, 1876)