For broader historical context, see 1260s and 13th century. 1266 - Events. 1266 - Europe. February 26 - In the Battle of Benevento, an army led by Charles, Count of Anjou, defeats a combined German and Sicilian force led by King Manfred of Sicily. Manfred is killed in the battle and Pope Clement IV invests Charles as king of Sicily and Naples. October - In England, the Second Barons' War winds down as supporters of the slain rebel leader Simon de Montfort make an ...

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On their return from China in 1295, the family settled in Venice where they became a sensation and attracted crowds of listeners who had difficulties in believing their reports of distant China. According to a late tradition, since they did not believe him, Marco Polo invited them all to dinner one night during which the Polos dressed in the simple clothes of a peasant in China. Shortly before the crowds ate, the Polos opened their pockets to reveal hundreds of rubies and other jewels ...

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Marco Polo, Marco Polo - The voyage of Niccolò and Maffeo Polo, Marco Polo - The voyages of Marco, Marco Polo - The journey to Cathay, Marco Polo - The service to the Khan, Marco Polo - The return to Europe, Marco Polo - Il Milione, Marco Polo - Later life, Marco Polo - Did the trip really take place?, Marco Polo - Historical impact

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Castles were built not only as a defensive measure from hostile enemies, but as an offensive weapon. This article in general discusses castles as a defensive fortress, while this section examines the role of castles as an offensive weapon during the middle ages. During the Middle Ages, in particular the High Middle Ages (the height of castle building in Europe), lords and kings often built castles for offensive reasons: territorial expansion and control of a region. A castle was a stronghold from which a lord or baron could control su ...

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Castle, Castle - Medieval European castles, Castle - Influence of Castles in British History, Castle - Purpose of castles, Castle - Castle building, Castle - Bibliography

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From 1580 to 1640, the throne of Portugal was held by the Habsburg kings of Spain resulting in the biggest colonial empire until then (see Iberian Union). In 1583 Philip II of Spain as king of Portugal sent his combined Iberian fleet to clear the French traders from the Azores, decisively hanging his prisoners-of-war from the yardarms and contributing to the "Black Legend". The Azores were the last part of Portugal to resist Philip's reign over Portugal. In the Americas, the Portuguese expansion continue beyond the west side by the To ...

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Portuguese Empire, Portuguese Empire - The beginnings of the empire 1415-1580, Portuguese Empire - The Habsburg kings 1580-1640, Portuguese Empire - The Empire of Brazil 1640-1822, Portuguese Empire - The African Empire 1822-1945, Portuguese Empire - Decline and Fall 1945-1999, Portuguese Empire - Territories of the Portuguese empire, Portuguese Empire - in Africa, Portuguese Empire - in the Americas & North Atlantic, Portuguese Empire - in Asia

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1266 - Europe. February 26 - In the Battle of Benevento, an army led by Charles, Count of Anjou, defeats a combined German and Sicilian force led by King Manfred of Sicily. Manfred is killed in the battle and Pope Clement IV invests Charles as king of Sicily and Naples. October - In England, the Second Barons' War winds down as supporters of the slain rebel leader Simon de Montfort make an offer of peace to the king in the Dictum of Kenilworth; after slight modifications to the peace settlement, it ...

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1266, 1266 - Events, 1266 - Europe, 1266 - Asia, 1266 - Births, 1266 - Deaths

Read more here: » 1266: Encyclopedia II - 1266 - Events