1268

For broader historical context, see 1260s and 13th century.

Years: 1265 1266 1267 – 1268 – 1269 1270 1271
Decades: 1230s 1240s 1250s – 1260s – 1270s 1280s 1290s
Centuries: 12th century – 13th century – 14th century 1268 state leaders

Events

Conradin (right) is executed by Charles I of Sicily, thus extinguishing the Hohenstaufen dynasty, in 1268.

October 29 – Conradin, the last legitimate male heir of the Hohenstaufen dynasty of Kings of Germany and Holy Roman Emperors, is executed along with his companion Frederick I, Margrave of Baden by Charles I of Sicily, a political rival and ally to the hostile Catholic church.
King Stephen V of Hungary launches a war against Bulgaria.
The county of Wernigerode become a vassal state of the margrave of Brandenburg.
The House of Bourbon first rises to prominence with the marriage of Robert, Count of Clermont to King Louis IX of France's daughter, Beatrice of Burgundy, heiress to the lordship of Bourbon.
New election procedures for the election of the doge are established in Venice in order to reduce the influence of powerful individual families.
Pope Clement IV dies; the following papal election fails to choose a new pope for almost three years, precipitating the later creation of stringent rules governing the electoral procedures.

Nicola Pisano completes the famous octagonal Gothic-style pulpit at the Duomo di Siena.
The carnival in Venice is first recorded.
In France, the use of hops as the exclusive flavoring agent used in the manufacture of beer is made compulsory.

May 18 – The Principality of Antioch, a crusader state, falls to the Mamluk Sultan Baibars in the Battle of Antioch; Baibars' destruction of the city of Antioch was so great as to permanently negate the city's importance.
The Battle of Xiangyang, a six-year battle between the Chinese Song Dynasty and the Mongol forces of Kublai Khan, begins in what is today Hubei.
Kublai Khan sends an emissary to the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan demanding an acknowledgment of souzerainty and payment of tribute; the Japanese refuse, starting a diplomatic back-and-forth lasting until the Mongols attempt to invade in 1274.
An earthquake in Cilicia kills an estimated 60,000 people.

Gwenyth Hood's alternative history novel The Coming of the Demons explores an alternative history in which Conradin's execution is averted by wandering extraterrestrials.

Categories: 1268