1124

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political events

Hungary's Stefan II is defeated in battle by the Byzantine emperor John II Comnenus, who supports claims to the throne by Belá, blinded by the late Hungarian king Coloman. John acts to oust the Hungarians from Dalmatia, which will be recovered by Venice, and prevent them from gaining control of Croatia and Serbia (see Dalmatia, 1181).

Scotland's Alexander I dies at Stirling, Stirlingshire, April 23 at age 46 after a 17-year reign and is succeeded by his brother David, 40, who has ruled in the south since the death of their father, Edgar, in 1107. The new king will reign until 1153 as David I and be called "the Scotch Justinian."

Galway has its beginings in a castle completed for Turlough O'Connor, king of Connacht, at the mouth of Ireland's easily forded Corrib River, but the lands through which the river flows are mostly barren and Galway will depend on ocean fishing and trade for its prosperity.

commerce

The first Scottish coins are struck.

England improves the quality of her silver coins after imposing a measure that punishes mint masters caught adulterating coins by having their right hands cut off.

religion

Pope Callistus (or Calixtus) IV is consecrated February 2 but dies December 14 after a 2-year reign, precipitating a struggle for the papal throne between Rome's rival Frangipani and Pierleoni families. Callistus is succeeded briefly by the Pierleoni candidate Teobaldo Buccapeco, who becomes Celestine II but resigns a few days later and will not be counted in the official list of popes. Celestine is succeeded December 21 by the Frangipani candidate Lambert, who will reign until 1130 as Honorius II.

art

Painting: Whispering Pines in the Mountains by Chinese painter Li Tang (Li T'ang), 44.

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