Editing 1215 (section)

==== Europe ====
* [[January 8]] &ndash; [[Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester]], is elected lord of [[Languedoc]] in a council at [[Montpellier]] ([[Southern France]]), after his campaign against the [[Catharism|Cathar]] heretics during the [[Albigensian Crusade]]. The Crusaders capture [[Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle]] and enter [[Toulouse]]; the town pays an indemnity of 30,000 marks and is gifted to Montfort.<ref>Peter of les Vaux de Cernay (1998). ''The History of the Albigensian Crusade'', pp. 554–559. Suffolk, UK: Boydell & Brewer. {{ISBN|0-85115-807-2}}.</ref>
* [[March 4]] &ndash; King [[John of England]] ("Lackland"), hoping to gain the support of Pope [[Pope Innocent III|Innocent III]] against the Barons, takes the oath to go on Crusade. By doing so, Innocent declares John to be his vassal and claims ownership of the whole kingdom (with political protection under church law).<ref>Warren, W. Lewis. (1991). ''King John'', p. 233. London: Methuen. {{ISBN|0-413-45520-3}}.</ref>  On [[April 1]], Innocent sends a letter to the Barons, asking them to halt their actions against John.
* [[May 5]] &ndash; [[Robert Fitzwalter]] is elected by the Barons as their general, with the title of "[[Marshal of the Army of God and Holy Church]]". He solemnly renounces his homage to John of England and begins to siege [[Northampton Castle]]. While this fails, Robert consolidates his forces. He turns to Prince [[Louis VIII of France|Louis of France]], son and heir apparent of King [[Philip II of France|Philip II]] for support.<ref>[[Thomas Tout|Tout, T. F.]](1889). "Fitzwalter, Robert". In [[Leslie Stephen|Stephen, Leslie]] (ed.) ''Dictionary of National Biography''. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 225–229.</ref>
* [[May 17]] &ndash; The gates to [[London]] are opened by supporters of the rebellious Barons. The houses of [[Jews]] are targeted for ransacking and burning. The rebels, under Robert Fitzwalter, call for the English nobles still on the side of King John to join them, and repair the walls. The [[Tower of London]], held by John's supporters, is too well defended to fall into the hands of the rebels.
* [[June 15]] &ndash; A large number of barons, led by [[Stephen Langton]], archbishop of [[Diocese of Canterbury|Canterbury]], meet King John of England on an island in the [[River Thames|Thames]] at [[Runnymede]]. They force John to sign [[Magna Carta]], a document that grants liberties to the "free men" – the Barons, the church and the towns. He is subjected to the [[Rule of law in the United Kingdom|rule of law]], by confirming the status of [[Trial by jury in the United Kingdom|trial by jury]], on [[June 19]].<ref name="Cassell's Chronology">{{cite book|last=Williams|first=Hywel|title=Cassell's Chronology of World History|url=https://archive.org/details/cassellschronolo0000will/page/133|url-access=registration|location=London|publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson|year=2005|isbn=0-304-35730-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/cassellschronolo0000will/page/133 133–135]}}</ref>
* Summer &ndash; Emperor [[Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto IV]] is excommunicated and forced to abdicate as ruler of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. The German nobles, supported by Innocent III, again elect the 20-year-old [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] as [[King of the Romans]] who is crowned in [[Aachen]], on [[July 25]]. The same day, Frederick takes the [[True Cross|Cross]] and promises to go on Crusade.
* August &ndash; King John of England rejects Magna Carta and writes to Innocent III – asking him to cancel the charter on grounds that he signed it against his will. At the same time, John continues to build up his mercenary army.
* [[August 24]] &ndash; [[Pope Innocent III]] annuls Magna Carta, freeing King John from its limitations. He annuls the charter on the grounds that John signed it because he is forced and that the document is illegal.
* [[November 11]]&ndash;[[November 30|30]] &ndash; The [[Fourth Council of the Lateran]] (or "Great Council") convened by Innocent III ends at [[Rome]] and approves the papal proposal for a [[Fifth Crusade]] in [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]].<ref>Hywel, Williams (2005). ''Cassell's Chronology of World History'', p. 134. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. {{ISBN|0-304-35730-8}}.</ref> The Pope promulgates a canon against clerical participation in [[trial by ordeal]], replacing it by [[compurgation]].<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Ordeals}}</ref>
* [[September 13]] &ndash; King John of England seeks help from Innocent III in his fight against the Barons. In a letter, written while staying at [[Dover Castle]], he states that the defense of [[Kingdom of England|England]] is the responsibility of God and the Pope.
* October &ndash; The Barons offer the English crown to Louis of France and invite him to England. King John England confiscates the Barons' land and besieges [[Rochester Castle]]; the garrison is starved out and surrenders to him.
* December &ndash; [[First Barons' War]]: King John of England campaigns successfully in the [[Midlands]] and captures [[Nottingham Castle]], on [[December 24]]. King [[Alexander II of Scotland|Alexander II]] of [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] joins the Barons and invades [[Northern England]].<ref name=CBH>{{cite book|last=Palmer|first=Alan|last2=Palmer |first2=Veronica|year=1992|title=The Chronology of British History|publisher=Century Ltd|location=London|pages=77–79|isbn=0-7126-5616-2}}</ref>