1117

Events

January 3 - 1117 Verona earthquake. The earthquake is rated at VII on the Mercalli intensity scale, and strikes northern Italy and Germany. The epicentre of the first shock is near Verona, the city which suffers the most damage. The outer wall of the amphitheatre is partially felled, and the standing portion is damaged in a later earthquake of 1183. Many other churches, monasteries, and ancient monuments are destroyed or seriously damaged, eliminating much of Verona's early medieval architecture and providing space for a massive Romanesque rebuilding.
King Stephen II of Hungary regains Dalmatia from the Republic of Venice while the Venetians are on a naval expedition. Doge Ordelafo Faliero dies in battle against the Hungarians. Faliero is succeeded by Domenico Michiel, who reconquers more territory and agrees to a 5-year truce with Hungary.
Ramon Berenguer III, count of Barcelona, inherits Cerdanya which becomes part of the Principality of Catalonia.
Vladislaus I, duke of Bohemia, abdicates in favor of his brother Bořivoj II, but retains much of the actual power.
The Almoravids briefly reconquer Coimbra.

Battle of Ghazni: Seljuk forces under Ahmad Sanjar invade Afghanistan and defeat the ruling Sultan Arslan-Shah. Bahram succeeds his brother as ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire.

Conflict between the de facto independent Muslim republics of Gabès and Mahdia in Ifriqiya. Madhia is supported by the Zirid Dynasty while Gabes receives the aid of Roger II, count of Sicily.

The Crusaders led by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem raid Pelusium in Egypt and burn the city to the ground. Baldwin marches back to Palestine and strengthens the fortifications of the southern frontier.

King Mahaabarana Adeettiya from the Theemuge Dynasty becomes the first king to rule over the whole Maldives. He reclaims the northern atolls from the Indian invaders.
The sōhei or warrior monks of Mii-dera and Enryaku-ji unite their forces to attack Nara in Japan.

May 3 - Merton Priory is consecrated at a site near London. The priory becomes an important centre of learning and diplomacy in England.

The magnetic compass is first used for maritime navigation purposes during the Song dynasty in China.