May – A Norman fleet of 150 ships (including 60
horse transports), led by Duke
Robert Guiscard, sets off towards the
Dalmatian coast. An army of 15,000 men (including about 1,300 Norman knights) sails to the city of
Avalona (modern
Albania); they are joined by several ships from
Ragusa, a republic in the
Balkans who are enemies of the Byzantines.[2]
October 18 –
Battle of Dyrrhachium: After taking the island of
Corfu, Robert Guiscard advances to Dyrrhachium (modern-day
Durrës), and lays siege to the city. Alexios I Komnenos attempts to defend
Illyria from the
Normans (the first recorded mention of Albania), but is defeated by Guiscard, outside Dyrrhachium, the Byzantine capital city of Illyria.
King
William I (the Conqueror) orders the creation of a castle at
Cardiff during his tour of southern Wales. The first castle on the site would be a
motte and bailey type and is built on existing Roman fortifications.
Seljuk Empire
Seljuk emir
Tzachas (or Chaka Bey) conquers
Smyrna (modern-day
İzmir) and founds a short-lived independent state, which emerges as the first sea power in
Turkish history.
By topic
Religion
Pope Gregory VII writes a letter to Hermann, bishop of
Metz, about the behavior of Emperor
Henry IV (approximate date).