1134

Political Events

The German House of Brandenburg has its beginnings as the emperor Lothair II makes Albrecht der Bär (the Bear), 34, head of the Nordmark; Albrecht founds the ruling house of Anhalt (see 1150).

Denmark's former king Magnus the Strong Nielsson is killed in battle at Fostwik June 4 at age 27 (approximate); his father Niels Magnusson escapes to Schleswig but is assassinated there June 25 at age 70 (approximate) after a 30-year reign. An illegitimate 44-year-old son of the late Erik I Evergood takes revenge for the killing of his brother Knud Lavard by Magnus 3 years ago, and he will rule until 1137 as Erik II Emune.

Ostergötland becomes the political center of Sweden as a 34-year-old Ostergötland landowner gains recognition as king. Svealand and Götaland have been united into a single kingdom, the provinces of Skane, Halland, and Blekinge in the south belong to Denmark, while Bohuslän in the west belong to Norway, as do Jämtland and Harjedalen in the north. The new king Sverker I Kolsson was married 2 years ago to the widow of the last Stenkil king and will reign until 1150, siding with the Church and establishing several monasteries staffed by French monks.

Norway's Harald IV flees to Denmark after being defeated at Fyrileif by forces of his rival king Magnus IV Sigurdsson (see 1130; 1135).

Alfonso I of Aragon and Navarre dies, the Aragonese proclaim Alfonso's brother their king, he ascends the Aragonese throne as Ramiro II, but the Navarrese restore their own dynasty in the person of García Ramirez, who ascends the Navarrese throne as García IV (or V) and breaks the union between Aragon and Navarre, declaring allegiance to Castile and León's Alfonso VII (see 1135).

Almoravid forces gain a great victory over the Aragonese at the Battle of Ifragah (Fraga) but are unable to exploit their triumph for lack of resources.

Science

Normans in Sicily issue a coin dated "1134 Annoy Domini" that will survive as the first known example of what has become known as Arabic numbering. Adopted by the Arabs in about 800 and brought to Spain about a century later, the numbering system was developed by Hindus in India as early as 200 B.C.

Education

The Pontifical University of Salamanca has its beginnings in Castile.

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