A great inundation of the sea forms the Zuyder Zee, a large gulf in the Netherlands, formerly covered with forests and towns; thousands of lives are lost and all the towns and villages submerged.
Massacre of the French in Sicily. See "THE SICILIAN VESPERS," vi, 340,
1283. After a struggle of fifty years the Teutonic Knights complete their power over the Prussians.
1284. Naval battle of Meloria; the Genoese crush the power of the Pisans.
Queen Eleanora gives birth to a son at Carnarvon castle, Wales, afterward Edward II, from whom the eldest son of the King of England takes the title of Prince of Wales. See "EDWARD I CONQUERS WALES," vi, 316.
1285. Death of Philip III of France; his son, Philip IV, succeeds. Florence is appealed to for protection by the citizens of Pisa.
1286. First introduction of the gabelle, or salt duty, in France.
1287. Destruction of the shipping and magazines in the harbor of Pisa by the Genoese.
1288. Othman, from whose name are derived the terms Ottoman and Osmanli, lays the foundation of the Turkish empire in Asia Minor.
1289. The Ghibellines of Arezzo and their allies are defeated by the Florentines at Campaldino.