Editing 1188 (section)

==== Europe ====
* [[January 22]] &ndash; King [[Ferdinand II of León|Ferdinand II]] dies after returning from a [[pilgrimage]] to [[Santiago de Compostela]]. He is succeeded by his 16-year-old son [[Alfonso IX of León|Alfonso IX]], who becomes ruler of [[Kingdom of León|León]] and [[Kingdom of Galicia|Galicia]]. He convenes representatives of the nobility, clergy and towns at the [[Basilica of San Isidoro]] the Cortes of León. These Corteses are considered to be the first parliament in [[Europe]].
* Spring &ndash; King [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] and [[Philip II of France|Philip II]]  ('''Augustus''') meet at [[Le Mans]], with Archbishop [[Joscius, Archbishop of Tyre|Josias]] (or '''Joscius''') in attendance. Both kings agree to peace terms, and to contribute to a joint Crusade. It is decided to raise a new tax to pay for the expedition. This tax, known as the [[Saladin tithe|Saladin Tithe]], is imposed on the people of [[Kingdom of England|England]] and [[France in the Middle Ages|France]] to raise funds for the [[Third Crusade]].
* [[March 27]] &ndash; Emperor [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I]] ('''Barbarossa''') holds a [[Curia Christi|Diet at Mainz]] and takes the Cross, followed by his 21-year-old son, [[Frederick IV, Duke of Swabia|Frederick IV]], and other German nobles. He sends a delegation to present an ultimatum to [[Saladin]] in [[Syria]] on [[May 26]]. With demands to withdraw his Muslim forces from [[Palestina (region)|Palestina]] and to return the [[True Cross]] to the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre]].
* [[November]] &ndash; [[Richard I of England|Richard of Poitou]], son of Henry II, allies himself with Philip II and pays him homage. He promises to concede his rights to both [[Duchy of Normandy|Normandy]] and [[County of Anjou|Anjou]]. Henry is overpowered by Richard's supporters, who chase him from Le Mans to [[Angers]]. They force him to accept peace by conceding to all demands, including the recognition of Richard as his successor.<ref>Warren, W. L. (2000). ''Henry II'' (Yale ed.), pp. 621–622. New Haven, U.S.: Yale University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-300-08474-0}}.</ref>
* The [[Cutting of the elm|Cutting of the Elm]]: A meeting of Henry II and Philip II in the field at [[Gisors]], in Normandy. It marks the Franco-Norman peace negotiations, following the [[Siege of Jerusalem (1187)|Fall of Jerusalem]] (see [[1187]]).