Editing 1242 (section)

==== Europe ====
* Spring &ndash; Prince [[Alexander Nevsky]] is joined by his brother [[Andrey II of Vladimir|Andrey II]] (Yaroslavich) at [[Veliky Novgorod|Novgorod]], supported with his elite ''[[druzhina]]'' (or 'household') from [[Suzdal]]. They head southwest across the frozen marshes, which cover much of the land between Novgorod and [[Pskov]]. On [[March 5]], Alexander retakes the city almost without a struggle, before the larger Crusader garrison in nearby [[Izborsk]] can intervene.<ref>[[David Nicolle]] (2005). Osprey: ''Lake Peipus 1242 – Battle on the Ice'', p. 60. {{ISBN|1-85532-553-5}}.</ref>
* [[April]] &ndash; A Russian force led by Alexander Nevsky crosses the frontier between Novgorod and Livonian Crusader territory, to raid into Catholic [[Estonia]]. After that, Alexander breaks his army off into contingents to ravage the countryside. He is forced to turn back, when a local Crusader force under Bishop [[Hermann of Dorpat|Hermann von Buxhövden]] defeats Alexander's advance guard at [[Mooste]] bridge south of [[Tartu]].<ref>David Nicolle (2005). Osprey: ''Lake Peipus 1242 – Battle on the Ice'', pp. 62–63. {{ISBN|1-85532-553-5}}.</ref>
* [[April 5]] &ndash; [[Battle on the Ice|Battle of Lake Peipus]] (or Battle on the Ice): Russian forces led by Alexander Nevsky, rebuff an invasion attempt by a Crusader army (some 2,600 men), including German [[Teutonic Order|Teutonic Knights]]. The opposing armies meet upon the frozen surface of [[Lake Peipus]]. The outnumbered Teutonic Knights are defeated on the slippery surface, by Alexander's elite ''druzhina'' and the Novgorod forces.<ref>David Nicolle (2005). Osprey: ''Lake Peipus 1242 – Battle on the Ice'', pp. 72–73. {{ISBN|1-85532-553-5}}.</ref>
* [[May 28]] &ndash; [[Avignonet massacre]]: A group of [[Cathars]], with the probable connivance of Count [[Raymond VII of Toulouse]], murder the inquisitor [[William Arnaud (inquisitor)|William Arnaud]] and eleven of his companions.<ref>{{citation |page=394 |author-link=Zoé Oldenbourg |author=Zoé Oldenbourg |title=Massacre at Montségur: A History of the Albiegensian Crusade |publisher=Pantheon Books |year=1961 |translator=Peter Green}}.</ref>
* [[July 21]]&ndash;[[July 22|22]] &ndash; [[Battle of Taillebourg]]: French forces (some 25,000 men) under King [[Louis IX of France|Louis IX]] (the Saint) defeat King [[Henry III of England|Henry III]] at the bridge over the [[Charente (river)|Charente River]] near [[Taillebourg, Charente-Maritime|Taillebourg]]. After the battle, Louis continues to pursue the English troops, capturing many prisoners. Henry retreats with the remnants of his army to [[Bordeaux]], where he spends the winter.
* Summer &ndash; Alexander Nevsky sends envoys to [[Batu Khan]], preemptively capitulating before the Mongols even though they have not reached Novgorod, and accepts his rule as Mongol overlord.
* [[November 16]] &ndash; King [[Béla IV of Hungary|Béla IV]] issues the [[Golden Bull of 1242|Golden Bull]] to the inhabitants of [[Gradec, Zagreb|Gradec]] (modern-day [[Zagreb]]) and [[Samobor]] in [[Croatia]]. By this golden bull, Béla proclaimes Gradec a [[royal free city]].
* [[Siegfried III (archbishop of Mainz)|Siegfried III]], archbishop of [[Mainz]], conquers [[Wiesbaden]] (a [[free imperial city]]) and orders the city's destruction, during the war of Emperor [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] against the [[Papal States]].
* King [[Sancho II of Portugal|Sancho II]] (the Pious) conquers the cities of [[Tavira]], [[Alvor (Portimão)|Alvor]] and [[Paderne, Albufeira|Paderne]], in his continuing expansion against the Muslims, known as the [[Reconquista]].<ref name=picard2000>{{cite book|last=Picard|first=Christophe|title=Le Portugal musulman (VIIIe-XIIIe siècle. L'Occident d'al-Andalus sous domination islamique|year=2000|publisher=Maisonneuve & Larose|location=Paris|isbn=2-7068-1398-9|page=110}}</ref>