ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

1220: A Year of Conquest and Conflict

1220 was a pivotal year marked by significant events in various parts of the world. It began on a Wednesday, as per the Julian calendar, which is a leap year.

In Egypt, the Fifth Crusade led by the Knights Hospitaller resulted in the raiding of Burlus, located in the Nile Delta. The Crusaders were thwarted when their fleet was destroyed off the coast of Cyprus by an Egyptian squadron sent by Sultan Al-Kamil. Meanwhile, Cardinal Pelagius attempted to intercept this fleet but had no effect.

In Central Asia, Genghis Khan led a massive Mongol army that crossed the Kyzylkum Desert towards Bukhara. The city, defended by approximately 40,000 men including 20 war elephants, was besieged and eventually breached after three days of fighting. The defenders launched a counterattack but were repelled, leading to their defeat.

As the Mongols advanced, Muhammad II fled westward across northern Iran in search of safety in the rugged region of Mazandaran on the Caspian Sea's south coast. He sought shelter on a small island near Astara after being abandoned by his panicked troops.

In the Caucasus, Jochi, Genghis Khan's eldest son, led an attack on the wealthy city of Urgench (Urgench). However, instead of pillaging the city, he negotiated with the locals to avoid property damage. This marked a rare instance of restraint from the Mongols during their conquests.

Genghis Khan then dispatched his youngest son Tolui at the head of approximately 50,000 men into the Khwarazmian province in Khorasan. The Mongol army's military campaigns were relentless, with Bukhara and Samarkand being conquered and destroyed by February-March.

In Europe, Frederick II de Hohenstaufen granted wide privileges to ecclesiastic principles in Germany through Confoederatio cum princibus ecclesiasticis issued in Frankfurt am Main on April 26. The same month saw the Battle of Lihula, where Estonians rejected an invasion by the Swedes.

The year also witnessed significant events in other regions. Al-Kamil built a fleet that destroyed the Crusaders' fleet off Cyprus, while St. Francis of Assisi renounced his leadership of the Franciscan Order in May. The Ayyubid ruler renewed peace offerings but was refused by Papal