1263

For broader historical context, see 13th century.

Events

War and politics

• October - King Alexander III of Scotland defeats the Viking armada of King Haakon IV of Norway in the Battle of Largs.
• King James I of Aragon conquers Crevillente, Spain from the Moors during the Reconquista.
• Mindaugas, the first and only Christian king of Lithuania, is assassinated by his cousin Treniota.
• The chieftains of the eastern part of Iceland become the last to pledge fealty to the Norwegian king, bringing a more complete end to the Icelandic Commonwealth and the Icelandic civil war .
• Genoa captures the city of Chania on Crete from the Venetians.
• Hulagu Khan is defeated in an attempted invasion north of the Caucasus.

Culture

• Nahmanides, chief rabbi of Catalonia, defends the Talmud in an important disputation against Pablo Christiani before King James I of Aragon.
• The doctrines of theologian Joachim of Fiore are condemned as heresy by the Roman Catholic Church at a synod in Arles.
• Balliol College, Oxford is founded by John de Balliol.
• The Savoy Palace is constructed in London by Count Peter II of Savoy.

Births

• Theobald II, Duke of Lorraine

Deaths

• March 19 - Hugh of St Cher, influential French cardinal
• November 14 - Alexander Nevsky, Grand Prince of Novgorod and Vladimir
• December 15 - Haakon IV of Norway
• Count Boniface of Savoy
• Hamo de Crevequer, Norman nobleman
• Hojo Tokiyori, fifth shikken of the Kamakura shogunate in Japan
• Mindaugas, Grand Duke (previously King) of Lithuania

See also

• List of state leaders in 1263