ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

1309: A Year of Power Shifts and Conquests

In the year 1309, a multitude of events unfolded across Europe, marking significant shifts in power dynamics and territorial conquests. The coronation of Henry of Luxembourg as "King of the Romans" took place on January 6th at Aachen, Germany, setting him up to succeed the Holy Roman Emperor upon his death.

Meanwhile, in France, Pope Clement V began an investigation into the posthumous trial of Pope Boniface VIII, who had been accused of heresy and sodomy after his death in 1303. This inquiry was sparked by Guillaume de Nogaret's release of documents that implicated the deceased pope in these allegations.

In Spain, King Ferdinand IV of Castile accepted an offer to aid the neighboring Aragonese crown, led by King James II, in their war against the Islamic Emirate of Grenade. The following month, Pope Clement V officially transferred the papal seat from Rome to Avignon, marking a significant shift in power and influence.

In Portugal, the University of Coimbra was established during this period, with its roots tracing back to 1290 when King Dinis I founded the first institution of higher learning. The university's early documents were later compiled by Hermans and Marc Nelissen in their book "Charters of Foundation and Early Documents of the Universities of the Coimbra Group."

In April, Pope Clement V granted a papal bull authorizing Spanish kings James II of Aragon and Ferdinand IV of Castile to lead a crusade against Islam in Iberia. This move was seen as an attempt to counterbalance French influence over the Catholic Church.

The following month, Pope Clement V issued another decree granting King Ferdinand IV the power to rule over the Empire of Marinides. In Naples, Robert the Wise succeeded his father Charles the Boiteux as king upon his death.

In June, Sultan Muhammad III was ousted from power in Granada after a palace coup, and he was replaced by his half-brother Abu al-Juyush Nasr. The same month saw the second coronation of Charles I as King of Hungary at an unspecified location.

The year also witnessed significant events in the Holy Roman Empire. In January, Henry VII of Luxembourg was crowned king after a six-year reign marked by conflict with other electors. This event took place under the watchful eye of Archbishop Heinrich II of Virneburg.

In March,