On This Day

Second Council of Lyon (14th ecumenical council) opens, convened by Pope Gregory X

The Second Council of Lyon was the fourteenth ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convoked on 31 March 1272 and convened in Lyon, Kingdom of Arles (in modern France), in 1274.

The Second Council of Lyon was the fourteenth ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convoked on 31 March 1272 and convened in Lyon, Kingdom of Arles (in modern France), in 1274. Pope Gregory X presided over the council, called to act on a pledge by Byzantine emperor Michael VIII to reunite the Eastern church with the West. The council was attended by about 300 bishops, 60 abbots and more than a thousand prelates or their procurators, among whom were the representatives of the universities. Due to the great number of attendees, those who had come to Lyon without being specifically summoned were given "leave to depart with the blessing of God" and of the Pope.

Historical Significance

The Second Council of Lyon was the fourteenth ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convoked on 31 March 1272 and convened in Lyon, Kingdom of Arles (in modern France), in 1274.

Events Before

  1. The Eighth Crusade and siege of Tunis ends by agreement between Charles I of Sicily, brother to King Louis IX of France,

    The Eighth Crusade and siege of Tunis ends by agreement between Charles I of Sicily, brother to King Louis IX of France, who had died months earlier, and the sultan of Tunis

  2. Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan renames his empire "Yuan" (元 yuán), marking the start of the Yuan Dynasty of China

    The Yuan dynasty, officially the Great Yuan, was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division.

  3. Krak des Chevaliers, the greatest fortress built by medieval crusaders in the Levant, is finally taken by the forces of

    Krak des Chevaliers, the greatest fortress built by medieval crusaders in the Levant, is finally taken by the forces of Mamlūk sultan Baybars I

  4. Beauvais Cathedral's choir and transept, designed to be the largest French Gothic cathedral ever built, is completed

    Beauvais Cathedral's choir and transept, designed to be the largest French Gothic cathedral ever built, is completed

  5. Count Rudolf van Habsburg becomes the first King of the Germans

    The House of Habsburg, also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of Europe and European influenced polities.

Events After

  1. Traditional founding of the city of Amsterdam

    Amsterdam has a long and eventful history. The origins of the city lie around 1000 CE, when inhabitants settled at the mouth of the Amstel and began peatland reclamation.

  2. French Cardinal Pierre de Tarantaise elected head of the Catholic Church, takes the name of Pope Innocent V

    Pope Innocent V (Latin: Innocentius V; c. 1225 – 22 June 1276), born Pierre de Tarentaise, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 21 January to 22 June 1276.

  3. Augsburg becomes an Imperial Free City

    Augsburg becomes an Imperial Free City

  4. Magnus Ladulås is crowned King of Sweden in Uppsala Cathedral

    Magnus Ladulås is crowned King of Sweden in Uppsala Cathedral

  5. While taking exile in Fuzhou, southern China, from advancing Mongol invaders, remnants of the Song Dynasty court hold co

    While taking exile in Fuzhou, southern China, from advancing Mongol invaders, remnants of the Song Dynasty court hold coronation ceremony for young prince Zhao Shi, making him Emperor Duanzong of Song

More from the 1270s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 7, 1274?
The Second Council of Lyon was the fourteenth ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convoked on 31 March 1272 and convened in Lyon, Kingdom of Arles (in modern France), in 1274. Pope Gregory X presided over the council, called to act on a pledge by Byzantine emperor Michael VIII to reunite the Eastern church with the West. The council was attended by about 300 bishops, 60 abbots and more than a thousand prelates or their procurators, among whom were the representatives of the universities.
Why is Second Council of Lyon (14th ecumenical council) opens, convened by Pope Greg... significant?
The Second Council of Lyon was the fourteenth ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convoked on 31 March 1272 and convened in Lyon, Kingdom of Arles (in modern France), in 1274.

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