1352

Political Events

Sweden's Magnus II Eriksson curbs the economic power of the landed nobility and of the Church, provoking opposition that is soon led by his son Erik, who will gain support from Denmark's Valdemar IV Atterdag (see 1350; 1356).

Glarus joins the growing Helvetic Confederation of Swiss cantons.

Venetian admiral Niccolo Pisani engages a Genoese fleet at the mouth of the Bosphorus and defeats the Genoese admiral Paganino Doria; Marino Faliero commands one of Venice's squadrons and plays a major role in peace negotiations (see 1353).

A papal court of three cardinals hears charges against Cola di Rienzo at Avignon and sentences him to death (see 1350). The sentence is not carried out, Pope Clement VI dies at Avignon December 6 at age 61, the new pope Innocent VI wants to reduce the power of the Roman barons so he pardons Rienzo and releases him from prison (see 1354). Pope Innocent intervenes in behalf of Joanna of Naples, enabling her to return from her exile in Avignon, which she has sold to the papacy on condition that she be declared innocent of her first husband's assassination.

Japanese military leader Tadayoshi Ashikaga dies in confinement at Kamakura March 13 at age 45, possibly havng been poisoned by his older brother Takauji, who has founded the Ashikaga shōgunate with Tadayoshi's help but has shown little ability to govern.

Korea's Koryo dynasty king Kongmin begins a 22-year reign in which he will adopt a set of reforms intended to drive the Mongols out of his country and remove their influence from his court, but his efforts will be in vain.

Exploration, Colonization

Traveler Ibn Battutah crosses the Sahara Desert to West Africa at the request of the Marinid sultan Abu Inan (see 1349). He has not gone willingly, but is happy to remain for a year as a guest of the Mansa Suleiman, emperor of the Mandingo Empire of Mali (see 1353).

Medicine

The Black Death reaches Moscow and spreads eastward back to India and China.

Education

Corpus Christi College is founded as part of the University of Cambridge (see Trinity, 1350). Townsmen who belong to the Guilds of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary have started the new college, which will survive as one of Cambridge's two smallest.

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