On This Day

Jacques Pantaleon is elected as Pope Urban IV

Pope Urban IV (Latin: Urbanus; c. 1195 – 2 October 1264), born James Pantaleon (French: Jacques Pantaléon), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 August 1261 to his...

Pope Urban IV (Latin: Urbanus; c. 1195 – 2 October 1264), born James Pantaleon (French: Jacques Pantaléon), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 August 1261 to his death three years later. He was elected pope without being a cardinal; he was the first to be elected in such a way, and this would occur for only 5 more popes afterwards (Gregory X, Celestine V, Urban V, Clement V, and Urban VI).

Historical Significance

Pope Urban IV (Latin: Urbanus; c.

Events Before

  1. Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, becomes ruler of the Mongol Empire

    The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous empire in history. Originating in present-day Mongolia in East Asia, the empire at its height stretched from the Sea of Japan to Eastern Europe, extending…

  2. Qutuz, Mamluk Sultan of Egypt (1259-60), is assassinated by Baibars, a fellow Mamluk leader, who seizes power for himsel

    Qutuz, Mamluk Sultan of Egypt (1259-60), is assassinated by Baibars, a fellow Mamluk leader, who seizes power for himself

  3. Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis, conquers Damascus

    Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis, conquers Damascus

  4. Battle of Ain Jalut: Mamluks of Egypt defeat the Mongol army led by Kitbuqa in the Levant, often labeled a turning point

    Battle of Ain Jalut: Mamluks of Egypt defeat the Mongol army led by Kitbuqa in the Levant, often labeled a turning point in world history, saving the Arabic-Islamic civilization from destruction

  5. Battle at Montaperti, Tuscany, between rival factions the Guelphs and Ghibellines

    The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting the pope (Guelphs) and the Holy Roman emperor (Ghibellines) in the Italian city-states of Central and Northern Italy during the Middle Ages.

Events After

  1. Flemish Dutch coast ravaged by north westerly storm

    Flemish Dutch coast ravaged by north westerly storm

  2. Arthur II is born

    Arthur II is born

  3. King James I of Aragon censors Hebrew writing

    King James I of Aragon censors Hebrew writing

  4. The battle of Largs: Scots defeat the Norwegians on the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, returning the Western Isles to Scotlan

    The battle of Largs: Scots defeat the Norwegians on the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, returning the Western Isles to Scotland and ending 500 years of Viking invasions

  5. The Parliament of Ireland meets at Castledermot in County Kildare, the first definitively known meeting of this Irish le

    The Parliament of Ireland meets at Castledermot in County Kildare, the first definitively known meeting of this Irish legislature

More from the 1260s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 29, 1261?
Pope Urban IV (Latin: Urbanus; c. 1195 – 2 October 1264), born James Pantaleon (French: Jacques Pantaléon), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 August 1261 to his death three years later. He was elected pope without being a cardinal; he was the first to be elected in such a way, and this would occur for only 5 more popes afterwards (Gregory X, Celestine V, Urban V, Clement V, and Urban VI).
Why is Jacques Pantaleon is elected as Pope Urban IV significant?
Pope Urban IV (Latin: Urbanus; c.

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