1130

And we are back to papal shenanigans! And another coronation on Christmas Day!

After the death of Pope Honorius II on February 13 the 164th pope named on February 14 is Pope Innocent II. Thought this name sounded familiar, but the date is too early - it is Innocent III who was involved in some fascinating dramas in another hundred years or so. We'll see if he comes into these posts later! Back to the current papal drama: objections over the election of Innocent II sees the rise of an antipope, Anacletus II, who has enough powerful support that Innocent II flees to France. Anacletus names his main supporter Roger II King of Sicily, who is crowned on Christmas Day.

Royal drama in Norway this year too. With the death of Sigurd the Crusader both his illegitimate son Magnus the Blind and his illegitimate brother Harald Gille claimed the throne. Joint kingship didn't last long before civil war started - the beginning of more than a hundred years of upheaval and rival claimants. Magnus became 'the Blind' after being captured by Harald, who had him blinded, castrated, mutilated (because these two injuries weren't bad enough?!) and imprisoned in a monastery! (See this page for more information about the two kings and the civil war.)

It doesn't seem to be a good time to be called Magnus, as Magnus the Strong is deposed in 1130 when Sverker the Elder proclaims himself King of Sweden.

Other deaths in 1130: Princess Teresa of Leon; Maud, the Second Countess of Huntingdon; Brahmadeva, an Indian mathemetician; and Robert Belleme, the Third Earl of Shrewsbury. Maud seems to have been a most interesting woman, the great niece of William the Conqueror, the wife and queen consort of David I of Scotland, and a character in three novels! (Read more here.)

(Once again resorted to citing Wikipedia)