Editing 1249 (section)

==== Europe ====
* [[February 16]] &ndash; Louis IX sends [[Andrew of Longjumeau]] on a diplomatic mission to meet the "Great Khan" of the [[Mongol Empire]]. He carries letters from Louis and the [[Papal States]], and rich presents, including a chapel-tent lined with scarlet cloth and embroidered with sacred pictures. From [[Kingdom of Cyprus|Cyprus]] he goes to the port of [[Antioch]] in [[Syria]] and travels for a year to the khan's court at [[Karakorum]].<ref>Beazley, Charles Raymond (1911). "Andrew of Longjumeau". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 972–973.</ref>
* May &ndash; [[Nicaean–Latin wars|Nicaean–Latin Wars]]: Latin forces led by [[William of Villehardouin]], arrive on the island of [[Rhodes]] on their way to join the [[Seventh Crusade]]. This causes the Nicaeans to raise the siege of [[Rhodes (city)|Rhodes]]. William concludes an agreement with the Genoese and leaves behind some 100 knights before departing for the [[Holy Land]].<ref>Macrides, Ruth (2007). ''George Akropolites: The History – Introduction, Translation and Commentary'', pp. 246–248. Oxford: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-19-921067-1}}.</ref>
* [[May 26]] &ndash; [[Battle of Fossalta]]: King [[Enzo of Sardinia]], an illegitimate son of Emperor [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]], is captured and imprisoned by Lombard forces, in a clash between the [[Guelphs and Ghibellines]]. Enzo is put in golden chains and paraded around [[Bologna]] on a horse. He becomes a prisoner in a palace, named [[Palazzo Re Enzo]].
* [[July 6]] &ndash; King [[Alexander II of Scotland]] dies of a fever at the island of [[Kerrera]] in the [[Inner Hebrides]]. He is succeeded by his 7-year-old son, [[Alexander III of Scotland|Alexander III]], who is crowned as ruler of [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] at [[Scone, Scotland|Scone]] on [[July 13]]. Alexander's minority causes a struggle for control of affairs between [[Walter Comyn, Lord of Badenoch|Walter Comyn]] and [[Alan Durward]], [[Justiciar of Scotia]].
* Summer &ndash; [[Second Swedish Crusade]]: A Swedish expedition led by [[Birger Jarl]] subjugates the province of [[Tavastia (historical province)|Tavastia]] – securing Swedish power in [[Finland]]. As a part of the [[Treaty of Lödöse]] Birger marries off his 11-year-old daughter [[Rikissa Birgersdotter|Rikissa]] to [[Haakon the Young]], ruler and eldest son of King [[Haakon IV of Norway|Haakon IV]] of [[Kingdom of Norway (872–1397)|Norway]].
* King [[Afonso III of Portugal]] ("the Boulonnais") recaptures [[Faro, Portugal|Faro]] and [[Silves, Portugal|Silves]] in the [[Algarve]] from the Almohads, thus ending the Portuguese [[Reconquista]]. The Almohads lose possession of [[Alicante]] in [[Al-Andalus]] (modern [[Spain]]).<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>
* [[August 15]] &ndash; [[First Battle of Athenry]]: Gaelic forces of [[Connacht]] besiege [[Athenry Castle]] in [[County Galway]] in [[Lordship of Ireland|Ireland]], but are repelled by the Normans under [[Jordan de Exeter]], Sheriff of Connacht.
* Winter &ndash; William of Villehardouin tours the [[Peloponnese]] and selects sites for new fortifications such as [[Grand Magne]] and [[Leuctra (Laconia)|Leuktron]]. At [[Mystras]] (ancient [[Sparta]]), he builds a fortress and a palace.