Historical Events in 1261
- Jul 25 Constantinople recaptured by Nicaean forces under Alexios Strategopoulos for Emperor Michael VIII, re-establishing Byzantine Empire
- Aug 29 Jacques Pantaleon elected as Pope Urban IV
- Dec 25 John IV Lascaris of the restored Eastern Roman Empire is deposed and blinded by orders of his co-ruler Michael VIII Palaeologus.
Famous People Born in 1261
- Feb 1 Walter de Stapledon, English bishop (1308-26), born in Annery, Devonshire, England (d. 1326)
- Feb 28 Margaret of Scotland, queen of Norway (d. 1283)
- Oct 9 Denis of Portugal, King of Portugal (1279-1325), born in Lisbon, Portugal (d. 1325)
World Leaders in 1261
Kublai Khan
Mongolian Emperor and Founder of the Yuan Dynasty
Kublai KhanFamous People Who Died in 1261
- Feb 28 Hendrik, duke of Brabant (1248-61), dies
- May 25 Alexander IV [Rinaldo dei conti di Segni], Pope (1254-61), dies
- Sep 18 Conrad van Hochstaden, archbishop of Cologne, dies