1309 CE
A year defined by the relocation of the papal court to Avignon in southern France, beginning a seven-decade period of French-dominated papacy, and the continued consolidation of Robert the Bruce's power in Scotland.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
- Pope Clement V established the papal court at Avignon in southern France, beginning the period known as the Avignon Papacy or the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, which would last until 1377.
- The relocation of the papacy to Avignon placed the institution firmly under the influence of the French crown, provoking criticism from Italian churchmen and political leaders.
- The Teutonic Knights seized control of Pomerelia from the Kingdom of Poland, establishing their dominance over the eastern Baltic coast and the strategically vital city of Danzig.
Conflict & Security
- Robert the Bruce continued his campaign to expel English forces from Scotland, raiding northern England and gradually reducing English-held castles in the Scottish lowlands.
- The Teutonic Order's seizure of Pomerelia provoked a long-lasting territorial dispute with Poland that would define Baltic geopolitics for over a century.
Climate & Environment
- Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was approximately 272 parts per million, as later confirmed by ice core analysis.
Culture & Society
- The estimated world population was approximately 390 million.