1258

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The central world political event of 1258 is the conquest of Baghdad by the Mongol Empire under the aegis of Möngke Khan. The Mongol army is led by Khan Hülegü, who is also blamed for the subsequent destruction in the city. The event that marks the end of the Abbasid dynasty in Baghdad is a serious blow to Islam, whose so-called Golden Age ends with the city itself being depopulated for years to come.

Events

Politics and world affairs

Mongol Storm in Asia

January 22: The main army of the Mongols, led by Hülegü, arrives from the west in front of Baghdad during the Mongol storm. The attack on the capital of the Islamic caliphate state and at this time one of the most important world metropolises, which was personally commissioned by the Grand Khan Möngke Khan, begins on January 29.
February 10: The Mongols succeed in conquering Baghdad after less than three weeks. In the ensuing massacre, between 100,000 and one million people are killed or enslaved. The House of Wisdom and all the other libraries of the city are destroyed. A few days later, probably on the 20th. In February, Caliph al-Musta'sim bi-'llah, who refused to surrender the city, is executed. This ends the rule of the Abbasid caliph family in Baghdad, which has been depopulated for several years, and the so-called heyday of Islam.
The Trần dynasty in Vietnam can fend off a first attempt at conquest by the Mongols. The victory is mainly due to the military capabilities of General Trần Hưng Đạo.

Crusader States
February: In the war of Saint-Sabas between the Republic of Venice and the Republic of Genoa and their respective allies, a partial peace is concluded in anticipation of further fighting against the Muslims.
Although Hugo II. from Cyprus has no legal claim to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which is nominally ruled by Konradin von Hohenstaufen, who is also a child and moreover still in Europe, the six-year-old and his mother Plaisance of Antioch are brought to Acre by Plaisance's brother Bohemund VI and made "Lord of Jerusalem" or regent.

North Africa
After the death of Sultan Abu Yahya Abu Bakr, there is a power struggle within the Merinid clan in Morocco. In these, the governor of Fes, Abu Yusuf Yaqub, prevails as the new ruler.

British Islands
The English King Henry III convened for the second time after 1257 a "Grand Council", in which the barons participate. He must agree to the establishment of a reform commission.
Henry III. grants protection and duty-free treatment to merchants from Lübeck as they bring urgently needed goods from Novgorod. He set up an office of the Hanseatic League in London.
June: Provisions of Oxford adopts a comprehensive programme of reform that gives the barons greater control