1202

Events

* May 20 - An earthquake occurs in Syria.
* July 27 - Georgians defeat the Seljuqids of Rüm at the Battle of Basian.
* August 1 - Arthur of Brittany is captured in Mirabeau, north of Poitiers, during a battle with John of England.
* November 10-November 23 - Fourth Crusade - Siege of Zara: The Crusaders besiege and conquer Zara, Croatia.
* The chronicle of Roger of Wendover is of original value as of this year.
* The Livonian Brothers of the Sword is founded.
* The Real Monasterio de Nuestra Senora de Rueda is founded in Aragon Province, Spain.
* Leonardo Fibonacci publishes Liber Abaci, introducing the Arabian zero to Europe.
* The first jesters are hired in European courts.
* The village of Schallodenbach is established.
* Genghis Khan crushes the Tartars.
* Pope Innocent III reasserts his right to evaluate and crown the Holy Roman Emperor, in a letter to the duke of Zahringen.

Births

* Matilda II of Boulogne, Queen of Portugal, spouse of King Afonso III of Portugal (d. 1262)
* Margaret II of Flanders (d. 1278)
* Qin Jiushao, Chinese mathematician of the Song Dynasty (d. 1261)

Deaths

* March 8 - Sverre Sigurdsson, King of Norway
* May 7 - Hamelin de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey
* Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht
* Canute VI of Denmark (b. 1163)
* Alain de Lille, French theologian and poet (b. c. 1128)
* Mieszko III, king of Poland (b. c. 1121)

Heads of states

* England - John, King of England (reigned 1199 - 1216).
* France - Philippe II, Auguste King of France (reigned from 1180 to 1223).