Editing 1194 (section)

==== Europe ====
* Spring &ndash; [[Casimir II the Just]], High Duke of [[Lesser Poland|Poland]], organizes an expedition against the Baltic [[Yotvingians]]. The expedition ends with full success, and Casimir has a triumphant return in [[Kraków]]. On [[May 5]], after a banquet, which is held to celebrate his return, Casimir dies unexpectedly (possibly poisoned). He is succeeded by his eldest surviving son [[Leszek the White]], who has to face strong opposition from his uncle [[Mieszko III the Old]]. 
* [[July 3]] &ndash; [[Battle of Fréteval]]: English forces under Richard I defeat Philip II, and capture the French [[Wagon train|baggage train]]. It contains the royal archives – including a list of the treasure of the French kingdom (transported in a wagon behind the army). Philip withdraws across the [[Epte|River Epte]], where the bridge collapses under the weight of the retreating army. Meanwhile, Richard sacks the town of [[Évreux]], which is a possession of Philip's ally, John.<ref>John Gillingham (2002). ''Richard I'', p. 285. Yale University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-300-09404-6}}.</ref>
* [[November 20]] &ndash; Emperor [[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VI]] enforces the inheritance claims by his wife, [[Constance I of Sicily|Constance I]], against her illegitimate nephew, King [[Tancred, King of Sicily|Tancred of Lecce]] (who died on [[February 20]]). He takes [[Palermo]] (supported by the navy of [[Republic of Pisa|Pisa]] and [[Republic of Genoa|Genoa]]) and gains control of all of [[Kingdom of Sicily|Sicily]] – ending Norman rule in [[Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire)|Italy]] after 90 years.<ref name="auto">Williams, Hywel (2005). ''Cassell's Chronology of World History'', p. 131. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. {{ISBN|0-304-35730-8}}.</ref>
* [[December 25]] &ndash; Henry VI deposes the 8-year-old [[William III of Sicily|William III]] (son of Tancred de Lecce) and is crowned king of Sicily. The next day, Constance I, who stays in the town of [[Iesi]], gives birth to [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]], the future emperor of the [[Holy Roman Empire]].<ref>Horst Fuhrmann (1986). ''Germany in the High Middle Ages: c. 1050–1200'', p. 181. Cambridge University Press.{{ISBN|978-0-521-31980-5}}.</ref>