Editing 1201 (section)

== Events ==
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=== By place ===

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* [[July 31]] &ndash; [[John Komnenos the Fat]], a Byzantine aristocrat, attempts to usurp the imperial throne; he is proclaimed emperor and crowned by Patriarch [[John X of Constantinople|John X Kamateros]], at [[Constantinople]]. Meanwhile, Emperor [[Alexios III Angelos]], who resides in the [[Palace of Blachernae]], dispatches a small force under [[Alexios Palaiologos (despot)|Alexios Palaiologos]], Alexios' son-in-law, who is regarded as his heir-apparent. With support of the [[Varangian Guard]], John is overthrown and decapitated by the end of the day. His head is displayed at the [[Forum of Constantine]], while John's supporters are captured and tortured to extract the names of all the conspirators.<ref>Angold, Michael (2005). "Byzantine politics vis-à-vis the Fourth Crusade", in [[Angeliki Laiou|Laiou, Angeliki E]]. (ed.), ''Urbs capta: the Fourth Crusade and its consequences'', Paris: Lethielleux, pp. 55–68. {{ISBN|2-283-60464-8}}.</ref><ref>Brand, Charles M. (1968). ''Byzantium confronts the West, 1180–1204'', pp. 123–124. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.</ref>
* Autumn &ndash; Prince [[Alexios IV Angelos|Alexios Angelos]], son of the deposed, blinded and imprisoned late Emperor [[Isaac II Angelos]], escapes from Constantinople. He makes his way to [[Kingdom of Sicily|Sicily]] and then [[Rome]] where he is turned away by Pope [[Pope Innocent III|Innocent III]]. Next, Alexios travels to the court of his brother-in-law, [[Philip of Swabia]], the King of [[Kingdom of Germany|Germany]], who receives him well.<ref>David Nicolle (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. ''The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', p. 43. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref>

==== Europe ====
* Spring &ndash; A treaty is signed between the Crusade leaders and [[Republic of Venice|Venice]]. Doge [[Enrico Dandolo]] agrees to manufacture a fleet capable of transporting the Crusader army to the [[Levant]], and to provide provisions for 33,500 men and 4,500 horses, for the price of 85,000 silver marks while Venice will also take half of whatever the expedition conquers. As part of this deal the Venetians will provide – at their own expense – sufficient ships to carry the Crusader forces, plus 50 galleys to defend it.<ref>David Nicolle (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. ''The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', p. 42. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref> 
* [[May 24]] &ndash; Count [[Theobald III, Count of Champagne|Theobald III of Champagne]] suddenly dies and is replaced by [[Boniface I, Marquis of Montferrat|Boniface I]], marquis of [[Montferrat]], as leader of the [[Fourth Crusade]]. He travels to France, where he meets his chief colleagues at [[Soissons]].<ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', p. 94. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>
* [[Battle of Stellau]]: Count [[Adolf III of Holstein]] is defeated by the Danish army under King [[Canute VI of Denmark|Canute VI]]. Adolf retreats with his forces to [[Hamburg]], where he is besieged and later captured by Duke [[Valdemar II of Denmark|Valdemar of Schleswig]].
* [[Northern Crusades]]: The town of [[Riga]] is chartered as a city by [[Albert of Riga|Albert of Buxhoeveden]], bishop of [[Livonia]], who has landed on the site with some 1,500 Crusaders earlier in the year.

==== British Isles ====
* [[July 11]] &ndash; [[Llywelyn the Great]] pays [[Homage (feudal)|homage]] to [[John, King of England]] after Llywelyn has added [[Eifionydd]] and [[Llŷn Peninsula|Llŷn]] to his kingdom of [[Gwynedd]] in north [[Wales]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Palmer|first1=Alan|last2=Palmer|first2=Veronica|year=1992|title=The Chronology of British History|publisher=Century Ltd|location=London|page=75|isbn=0-7126-5616-2}}</ref>
* King John puts an embargo on wheat exported to [[Flanders]], in an attempt to force an allegiance between the states. He also puts a levy of a fifteenth on the value of cargo exported to [[France in the Middle Ages|France]] and disallows the export of wool to France without a special license. The levies are enforced in each port by at least six men – including one churchman and one knight. John affirms that judgments made by the court of [[Westminster]] are as valid as those made "before the king himself or his chief justice".<ref>{{cite book|title=King John|first=W. L.|last=Warren|publisher=University of California Press|year=1961|pages=122–31}}</ref>

=== By topic ===

==== Religion ====
* [[March 25]] &ndash; [[Constance, Duchess of Brittany|Constance]], duchess of [[Duchy of Brittany|Brittany]], founds [[Villeneuve Abbey]] and gives it a [[charter]].
* [[April 10]] &ndash; [[John, King of England]], permits Jews to live freely in England and [[Normandy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/kingjohn-jews.html|title=Medieval Sourcebook: King John of England and the Jews|access-date=2007-12-11}}</ref>
* [[Pope Innocent III]] recognizes [[Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto IV]] as the only legitimate ruler of the [[Holy Roman Empire]], against his rival King, [[Philip of Swabia]]. In return, Otto promises to support the pope's interests in [[Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire)|Italy]].</onlyinclude>