Editing 1189 (section)

==== Continental Europe ====
* [[May 11]] &ndash; Emperor [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I]] (Barbarossa) sets out from [[Regensburg]], at the head of a German expeditionary force (some 15,000 men, including 4,000 knights). He has ensured that his lands are safe while he is away on crusade and leaves his son [[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VI]] in charge of the country. After leaving [[Kingdom of Germany|Germany]], Frederick's army is increased by a contingent of 2,000 men led by Prince [[Géza, son of Géza II of Hungary|Géza]], younger brother of King [[Béla III of Hungary]]. On [[July 27]], he arrives at [[Niš]] and is welcomed by [[Stefan Nemanja]], Grand Prince of [[Grand Principality of Serbia|Serbia]]. In order to ease his passage, Frederick makes diplomatic contacts with [[Kingdom of Hungary (1000–1301)|Hungary]], the [[Byzantine Empire]] and the Seljuk [[Sultanate of Rum]].<ref>Freed, John (2016). ''Frederick Barbarossa: The Prince and the Myth'', pp. 491–492. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-300-122763}}.</ref>
* [[July 6]] &ndash; King [[Henry II of England]] ("Curtmantle") dies at the [[Château de Chinon]], near [[Tours]], after doing homage to [[Philip II of France|Philip II]] (Augustus), and surrendering the territories around [[Issoudun]] in the [[Centre-Val de Loire]]. He ends the hostilities against Philip, by agreeing to the peace terms and pays him 20,000 marks in [[tribute]]. Henry is succeeded by his son, [[Richard I of England|Richard I]] ("the Lionheart"), as ruler of [[Kingdom of England|England]] and his remaining territories in France.<ref name="King John' 1961. p. 38">{{cite book|title=King John|first=W. Lewis|last=Warren|publisher=University of California Press|year=1961|pages=38–40}}</ref>
* August &ndash; Byzantine Emperor [[Isaac II Angelos]] denies any crusader access and begins to hinder the German forces who try to cross his frontier. Frederick I progresses with force, by capturing [[Philippopolis (Thrace)|Philippopolis]] and defeats a Byzantine army (some 3,000 men) that attempts to recapture the city. The Germans are delayed for six months in [[Thrace]].<ref>Treadgold, Warren (1997). ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', p. 658. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. {{ISBN|0-8047-2630-2}}.</ref>
* [[August 29]] &ndash; [[Ban Kulin]], Bosnian ruler, writes the [[Charter of Ban Kulin]], which becomes a symbolic "birth certificate" of [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnian]] language and statehood.
* [[Reconquista]]: King [[Sancho I of Portugal]] ("the Populator") turns his attention towards the Moorish small kingdoms (called [[taifa]]s) and begins a campaign in  the south of [[Kingdom of Portugal|his kingdom]]. With the help of crusader forces he conquers the town of [[Silves, Portugal|Silves]]. He orders the fortification of the city, builds a castle and styles himself "King of Silves".<ref>Charles Wendell David, ed. ''[[De itinere navali|Narratio de Itinere Navali Peregrinorum Hierosolymam Tendentium et Silviam Capientium, A.D. 1189]]''. In ''Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society'', p. 81. (Dec., 1939): 591–676.</ref>
* [[November 11]] &ndash; King [[William II of Sicily]] ("the Good"), having made peace with Emperor Isaac II and abandoned [[Thessalonika]] and other conquests, dies childless at [[Palermo]]. The Sicilian nobles elect [[Tancred, King of Sicily|Tancred of Lecce]] (illegitimate son of [[Roger II of Sicily|Roger II]]) as the new ruler of [[Kingdom of Sicily|Sicily]], instead of Princess [[Constance I of Sicily|Constance]] and her husband Henry VI, to avoid German rule.<ref>Steven Runciman (1990). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Frankish East 1100–1187'', p. 403. Penguin Books.</ref>
* Frederick I grants [[Hamburg]] the status of a [[free imperial city]] and tax-free access (or [[free-trade zone]]) up the [[Unterelbe|Lower Elbe]] into the [[North Sea]]. He also grants the right to fish, to cut trees and the freedom of military service.<ref>Verg, Erich; Verg, Martin (2007), Das Abenteuer das Hamburg heißt (in German) (4th ed.), Hamburg: Ellert&Richter, ISBN 978-3-8319-0137-1</ref>