1398

1391 1392 1393 1394 1395 1396 1397 1398 1399 1400

political events

England's Richard II moves his country toward totalitarian government after executing three dissident lords for treason and packing the House of Commons with his adherents (see 1397). Richard exiles his cousin Henry of Bolingbroke, 31, son of John of Gaunt; has himself voted a lifetime income by Parliament; delegates Parliament's powers to a committee friendly to his own interests; imposes heavy taxes; and pursues a reign of terror designed to make him absolute monarch (see 1399).

Scotland's Robert III establishes the dukedom of Albany and appoints his 56-year-old brother Robert Stuart of Fife 1st duke of Albany April 28.

Roger de Mortimer, 4th earl of March, falls in battle July 20 at age 24 while fighting rebellious Irish earls at Kenlis. Like his late father, Edmund, he has been lord lieutenant of Ireland.

China's Ming dynasty emperor Hongwu (Hung-wu) dies June 24 at age 69 after a 30-year reign that has established the dynasty that will rule for nearly 3 centuries. He has instituted administrative, military, and educational reforms that concentrate power in the person of the emperor. Although he favored his 38-year-old illegitimate son Zhu Di (Chu Ti), he is succeeded by his 20-year-old legitimate grandson Hsing-ming, who will reign until 1402 as Jianwen (Chu Yün-wen) (but see 1399).

Tamerlane leads his Tatar horsemen and archers through the Hindu Kush into northern India, having conquered Persia, Mesopotamia, and Afghanistan. Crossing the Indus September 24 he advances 160 miles in just 2 days in early November, overtaking thousands who have fled his approach at Bhatnair. The Tatars massacre 100,000 Hindu prisoners at Delhi December 12, sack Delhi December 17, reduce it to rubble, and move on to Meerut, but Tamerlane spares skilled artisans and has them sent back to Samarkand (see 1399).

religion

French princes ask the antipope Benedict XIII to abdicate in an effort to end the schism in the Catholic Church (see 1394). Benedict refuses, 18 of his 23 cardinals desert him, and French troops surround the papal palace at Avignon (see 1403).

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