Explore the White Tower
Explore all four floors of the White Tower at the Tower of London using the Unity 3d game engine.
A Medieval Mystery
There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.
1: Location
Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.
2: Alignment
Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.
3: Size
Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?
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1226 .. 1250
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Timeline Navigation
Thirteenth Century
Historical events occurring between 1226 and 1250
Deaths
Louis (VIII, The Lion, King of France 1223-1226) (b.1187 - d.1226)
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York Minster South Transept
Building work on the South Transept of York Minster took place until 1241. It was directed by Archbishop Walter Grey and was executed in the Early English style with five lancet-shaped windows known as the Five Sisters. ¹
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Grace Dieu Abbey founded
Grace Dieu Abbey was founded in this year. It was a daughter house of the Cistercian abbey at Dore near Hereford. The foundation would have been earlier but the abbey was attacked and burnt by the Welsh in 1223. The abbey was situated near Monmouth, but no real remains can now be seen.
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Lady Chapel at Hereford
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Blanche of Castile rules France
When Louis IX became king of France he was too young to rule. His mother, Blanche of Castile, ruled France on his behalf.
Nov 8
Louis IX becomes King of France
Nov 8
At just twelve years old, upon the death of his father, Louis IX became king of France. Because Louis was too young to rule, France was governed by the queen-mother Blanche of Castile, the widow of Louis VIII. The English believed the time was right to regain lost ground in Normandy, but it would be several years before any expeditions would take place. ¹
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Balmerino Abbey founded
The Scottish Cistercian abbey is situated on the shores of the Firth of Tay. It was founded by the widow of William the Lion of Scotland and her son Alexander. It was built quickly and the monks from Melrose arrived before the end of 1229. The cloister is built on the north side of the church. ¹
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Gregory IX becomes Pope
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The Sixth Crusade (1228-9)
The Sixth Crusade was won with diplomacy by Frederick II, who had married the heiress of Jerusalem in 1225. He went to the East to claim his right to the throne, and taking advantage of internal disputes between the Sultan's family members, concluded the Treaty of Jaffa, which gave Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth back to the Christians. ¹
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Stephen Langton dies
On the death of Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Pope, attempting to raise as much money from the clergy in England filled senior posts in the clergy with anyone who bidded the highest. ¹
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Henry III visits Woodstock.
King Henry III spent time at the Palace of Woodstock. ¹
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Montgomery Castle Construction Completed
Hubert de Burgh took ownership of the old motte and bailey fort and finished its reconstruction as a stone castle.
Oct 13
Portsmouth fiasco
Oct 13
King Henry III called for an army to be assembled at Portsmouth to be transported to Normandy to regain lost territories. A large army of knights turned up ready to go but not enough ships had been provided. The King blamed Hubert de Burgh for the fiasco and in his rage would have killed him if Ranulf of Chester had not intervened. This marks the beginning of the rift between Henry and Hubert de Burgh. The expedition was postponed until the mid of 1230. ¹
Deaths
Berengaria (of Navarre, Queen of England) (b.1165 - d.1230)
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Wells Cathedral West Front Started
Building of the West Front of Wells Cathedral was begun.
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Wells Cathedral West Front
Work commenced on the West Front of Wells Cathedral. ¹
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Rievaulx Abbey rebuilding work
Rebuilding work commenced at Rievaulx Abbey.
See Also
3D Virtual Reconstructions
Click to explore
Births
Mortimer, Roger (1st Baron Mortimer) (b.1231 - d.1282)
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Tattershall Castle construction
Construction of the castle at Tattershall.
Qtr 1
Hubert de Burgh in Wales
Qtr 1
Hubert de Burgh had become a powerful Lord in the Welsh Marshes, controlling castles such as Cardigan and Carmarthen. He began to threaten the local Welsh leaders.
Aug 13
Simon de Montfort takes possession of his land
Aug 13
King Henry III ordered the sheriffs of Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire to give Simon de Montfort the possession of the lands of his father, the Earl of Leicester. ¹
Deaths
Ranulf (the Crusader) ( - d.1232)
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Henry III removes Hubert de Burgh
King Henry III was persuaded to remove Hubert de Burgh. Hubert escaped from prison and took refuge in a church at Devizes. After being dragged from the church Hubert was re-imprisoned. The bishop of Salisbury forced the Government to return Hubert to the church where his supporters rescued him.
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Peter des Rievaulx becomes treasurer
Peter des Rievaulx, the nephew of the Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, is made treasurer of the King Henry III's household and keeper of the king's wardrobe. This moved him into an extremely important position for controlling the king's affairs. ¹
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Oaks given to Gloucester
King Henry III donated one hundred and ten oaks from the forest of Dean to help in repair work at Gloucester church.
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Lacock Abbey founded
Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire was founded by Ela, Countess of Salisbury, the widow of William Longespee, the son of Henry II. ¹
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Hugh de Burgh loses the Three Castles
When Hugh de Burgh fell from grace, he lost control of the important Monmouthshire castles of White, Grosmont and Skenfrith.
Deaths
Beaumont, Ermengarde de ( - d.1233)
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Earl of Pembroke's revolt
Richard, Earl of Pembroke in alliance with Llywelyn of Wales join forces to fight King Henry III. (Details required). ¹
Qtr 1
Baronian rebellion
Qtr 1
With the introduction of Peter de Roches as justiciar and the removal of Hubert de Burgh, control of the Exchequer came under Poitevin control and possibly reversed the gains created by the Magna Carta in 1215. King Henry III was given control of central administration. This angered the Barons and a group led by Richard Marshall, Earl of Pembroke opposed the changes. ¹
Aug
Henry at Gloucester
Aug
King Henry III was at Gloucester where he summonsed Richard Marshall. When the Earl refused to attend Henry called for an army to be formed to deal with the rebellion.
Nov
Rout of Henry's army
Nov
King Henry III's army was camped at Grosmont Castle when they were attacked in the night by a force of Welsh and English rebels. Several of Henry's supporters were captured and the castle was returned to Hubert de Burgh, one of the rebels. ¹
Deaths
Philip (of Boulogne) ( - d.1235)
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Henry III at Woodstock
King Henry III spent time at the Palace of Woodstock. ¹
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Leopards at the Tower
The Tower of London was home to a menagerie of exotic animals given to the monarchs of England as gifts. In this year three leopards were given to King Henry III. ¹
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Louis IX rules France
Louis IX, being twenty-one years old, had the authority to rule France unaided. His mother, Blance of Castile, who had been acting as regent since the death of Louis VIII, still had influence over her son.
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Canterbury Cloister building work
Canterbury Cloister building work. ¹
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The Pope condemns links to the Assassins
Pope Gregory IX condemned the links that both the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller had with the Assassin fighters in the Middle East. He issued a Bull, a formal proclamation issued by the pope, preventing further contact with the Assassins. ¹
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Wisbech Castle damaged by storm
The town and castle at Wisbech were hit by a fierce storm. ¹
Jan 4
King Henry marries Eleanor of Provence
Jan 4
King Henry III married Eleanor, one of four daughters of Raymond count of Provence. Eleanor was 14 years old. Simon de Montfort, as Lord High Steward, took care of the banquet and kitchen arrangements. The ceremony took place at Canterbury Cathedral. ¹
Jan 20
Coronation of Eleanor of Provence
Jan 20
Queen Eleanor was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
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Beeston Castle claimed by Henry
With the death of the last male heir of the Earldom of Cheshire, the earldom and castle at Beeston are claimed by King Henry III. The castle was too important not to be in the hands of the crown.
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Transepts and Nave of Salisbury Cathedral
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Lincoln tower collapses
During a sermon by one of the canons of the cathedral, the newly finished central tower collapsed burying some of the congregation.
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Council of London
At the Council of London it was ordered that all places of worship must be consecrated and all of those yet to be consecrated must be done so within two years. It also states that a church must be consecrated within two years of its completion. ¹
Sep
Treaty of York
Sep
The Scottish king, Alexander agreed to peace with King Henry in exchange for 200 pounds to per paid per year from the northern counties.
Deaths
Joan (of England, Queen of Scotland) (b.1210 - d.1238)
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Foundation of Inchmahome Priory
Founded by Walter, Earl of Montieth and built on an island on the Lake of Monieth, this priory was populated by Augustinian canons. The Scottish priory later provided safe refuge for Mary, Queen of Scots after the Scots were defeated by the English.
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Peterborough Church consecrated
The buildings at Peterborough must have been complete enough for them to be consecrated. The ceremony was conducted by the Bishop of Lincoln.
Jan
Simon de Montfort marries the Kings's sister
Jan
Simon de Montfort married King Henry III's sister, Eleanor secretly. She had been married to William, Earl of Pembroke (son of William Marshal?), but he died at a young age and left her with his wealth. The Barons were not happy with this arrangement as they were not consulted. ¹
Births
Edward (I, King of England 1272-1307) (b.1239 - d.1307)
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Theobald of Champagne's Crusade
The Crusade of Theobald of Champagne and the King of Navarre was a French expedition that did little, except obtain concessions from Damascus in Galilee, and Ascalon from Egypt. Richard of Cornwall, the brother of King Henry III, arrived after Theobald had left, but managed to strengthen both concessions in Galilee, and the fortifications at Ascalon. ¹
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Wells Cathedral dedication of church
The church at Wells was dedicated in this year, but did not get its status as a Cathedral until 1244.
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Netley Abbey founded
Peter des Roches and Cistercian monks founded the abbey in 1239 which was late for a medieval foundation. The monks provided assistance to the many travellers who passed through the local port and required their help.
Jun
Edward (I) is born
Jun
Edward was the first son born to King Henry III and Eleanor of Provence and was born at the Palace of Westminster. Simon de Montfort was chosen as his godfather by Henry III. ¹
Births
Benedict (XI, Pope 1303-1304) (b.1240 - d.1304)
Deaths
Iorwerth, Llywelyn ap (The Great) (b.1172 - d.1240)
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North Transept of Rochester Cathedral
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Building work at St. Paul's complete
In London, the central tower and the choir of St. Paul's had been rebuilt during the first part of the thirteenth century and by 1240, building work was completed. Some changes were made at the end of this century, but then no major alterations occurred until after the Reformation.
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Chapter-house as Lichfield
The Chapter-house at Lichfield has two storeys, the lower one for the meetings and the upper one for the library. The building is roughly octagonal in shape, but two sides are double the length of the others.
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Jews arrested and expelled
Jews in England were arrested and expelled.
Apr 11
Death of Llywelyn the Great
Apr 11
Llywelyn the Great died in this year. This ended a reign in which enemies were tamed, the poor people were fed and boundaries were enlarged. He was buried at Aberconwy Abbey in north Wales.
Dec 6
Siege of Kiev
Dec 6
The week-long siege of Kiev by the Mongols ended at the beginning of December. This was an important victory by Batu Khan and the Mongols over the Rus state whose capital was Kiev. ¹
3D Virtual Reconstructions
Click to explore
Births
Alexander (III, King of Scotland 1249-1286) (b.1241 - d.1286)
Eleanor (of Castile) (b.1241 - d.1290)
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Henry entertains at Woodstock
Henry spent time at Woodstock and entertained Alexander. King of the Scots and the English nobility. ¹
Mar 24
Krakow falls to the Mongol army
Mar 24
The alarm had been raised and the citizens of the Polish city of Krakow had all but abandoned their homes when the Mongol army arrived. The city was put to the torch by the Mongols. ¹
Oct
Celestine IV becomes Pope
Oct
Celestine IV was elected as the Pope but only reigned for seventeen days before his death in November.
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Henry's finances are criticised
Simon de Montfort is one a twelve man council who met to work out Henry's finances. Henry was criticised for his excesses. ¹
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Henry tries to retake Poitou
Isabella, Henry's mother persuaded Henry to mount an expedition to retake Poitou. Unable to get money directly from the barons, Henry resorted to extort money from them individually instead (how?). The expedition failed, and after being rescued the Earls of Leicester, Salisbury and Norfolk, Henry retreated to Bordeaux where they spent the winter. ¹
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Chapel of the Nine Altars
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York Minster North Transept
Building work on the North Transept of York Minster took place until 1255. There a five slender windows in the north wall of the trancept that are known as the Five Sisters of York. ¹
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Death of Zizka
Zizka, the blind leader of the Hussites, died in this year.
Oct
Earl Richard's vow
Oct
During a violent storm at sea, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, vowed to build a Religious house if he survived. He did survive and as a result Hailes Abbey was built.
Births
Bruce, Robert (Earl of Carrick, 6th Lord of Annandale) (b.1243 - d.1304)
Philippe (III, King of France 1270-1285) (b.1243 - d.1285)
Deaths
Burgh, Hubert de (Earl of Kent) (b.1170 - d.1243)
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Innocent IV becomes Pope
Spring
Simon de Montfort gets custody of Kenilworth Castle
Spring
King Henry III bestowed the custody of Kenilworth Castle to Simon de Montfort. Simon's wife Eleanor, Henry's sister, already owned Odiham Castle so Simon had two of the strongest fortresses in England under his control. ¹
Deaths
Marjorie (Daughter of William I of Scotland) ( - d.1244)
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Bishop of Bath and Wells
The Pope decreed that Wells should be reinstated as a Cathedral and the Bishop became the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Aug
Jerusalem falls
Aug
With the fall of Jerusalem and the crushing defeat of the Christian armies at Gaza, Louis IX of France took the cross and prepared for a Crusade. It took him four years to set sail. ¹
Births
Edmund (Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster) (b.1245 - d.1296)
Deaths
Bruce, Robert de (Lord of Annandale) ( - d.1245)
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Carpini, the Christian envoy, travels to the Mongol Empire
Carpini, a Christian envoy travelled to the seat of the Mongol Emperor at Karakoram and another, Roubrouck followed in 1253. ¹
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Rebuilding of Westminster Abbey
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Carlisle Cathedral building work
Work on the choir, aisles and arcading began at Carlisle Cathedral and construction lasted until 1292 when a fire badly damaged the Cathedral. ¹
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Bigods take Chepstow Castle
When Maud, the last of the Marshal line, died in 1245 Chepstow Castle was passed to her son Roger Bigod II, Earl of Norfolk. ¹
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Katla Volcano Eruption
Eruption of the large Icelandic volcano. ¹
Deaths
Isabella (of Angouleme) (b.1186 - d.1246)
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Hailes Abbey begun
Twenty monks and ten lay brothers (monks who performed manual tasks) arrived at Hailes to start work on the new Abbey.
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Peter de Savoy granted Pevensey Castle
King Henry III granted Pevensey castle to the Queen's uncle, Peter de Savoy, Earl of Richmond.
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Beaulieu Abbey dedicated
The Cistercian abbey at Beaulieu, founded earlier by King John, was dedicated in the presence of King Henry III, Queen Eleanor and Prince Edward. ¹
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Henry receives a relic
Henry received a relic from the patriarch of Jerusalem consisting of a portion of the blood of Christ in a crystal vase. Henry walked with the vase in his hands clothed in a course robe from the treasury in St. Paul's to the church of Westminster where mass was said. He was assisted by attendants on both sides in case he slipped and dropped the vase.
Apr 30
Treaty of Woodstock
Apr 30
This treaty between King Henry of England and the Welsh princes brought peace under the condition that the princes paid homage to Henry and would supply a number of soldiers when asked.
Births
Blanche (of Artois) (b.1248 - d.1302)
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The Seventh Crusade (1248-54)
After the Christians were defeated at Gaza in 1244, King Louis IX of France took the cross. He only managed to set sail for Cyprus some four years later, landing at Damietta in June of 1249, Louis had to wait until the Nile floods had reduced before continuing for Cairo. Held up and cut off from Damietta, the French King's camp was struck with disease and most of his men were killed or captured. Louis was taken prisoner and had to pay a ransom to be freed. ¹
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Bath Lady Chapel
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Blance of Castile rules France
While her son, Louis IX of France, was away taking part in the Crusades Blance of Castile ruled France. She did so until her death in 1252. ¹
Births
Balliol, John (King of Scotland 1292-1296) (b.1249 - d.1313)
Deaths
Alexander (II, King of Scotland 1198-1249) (b.1198 - d.1249)
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Construction of Rye Castle
King Henry III ordered the construction of a castle at Rye to protect the River Rother from attack from the sea. ¹
Jul 8
Alexander II of Scotland dies
Jul 8
Alexander raised an army and sailed to the Hebrides to regain control of them from Norway, he wanted to end the agreement alliance between the Lord of Argyll and the Norwegians. Alexander became ill on the voyage and was unable to recover. He died on the island of Kerrera.
Jul 9
Alexander III became King of the Scots
Jul 9
Alexander was crowned at Scone.
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Henry III takes the Cross
King Henry began preparations to undertake a Crusade by taking the Cross. He never did travel to the Holy Land and so this may have been a tactic to raise much needed funds.
Jun 19
Body of Queen Margaret moved
Jun 19
After several years and many petitions to Rome, the body of Queen Margaret, the wife of Malcolm Canmore, was moved from its position in Dunfermline Abbey to a more prominent position nearer the altar. The Queen was canonised as a saint.
Qtr 4
Earthquake shakes St. Albans Abbey
Qtr 4
Matthew Paris, the medieval historian, reported that an earthquake shook and damaged the church at St. Albans. Earthquakes are unusual in this area. ¹
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