1074

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Spring - Norman mercenaries led by Roussel de Bailleul proclaim John Doukas emperor of the Byzantine Empire. His nephew, Emperor Michael VII, forms an alliance with Seljuk chieftain Suleiman ibn Qutulmish, who is raiding in the eastern regions of Anatolia. The Seljuk Turks ambush the Norman forces, Roussel and John are defeated and captured. But a ransom, raised by Roussel's wife, allows him to return to Amaseia.

  Europe

• February 2 - Treaty of Gerstungen: Emperor Henry IV is forced to restore the peace with Duke Otto of Nordheim. He signs a treaty in Gerstungen castle on the River Werra in Thuringia.
• February 7 - Battle of Montesarchio: Prince Pandulf IV, co-ruler of Benevento, is killed while fighting the Normans in southern Italy.
• March 14 - Battle of Mogyoród: King Solomon is defeated by his cousins, Duke Géza I and Ladislaus I. He is dethroned and Géza becomes the new ruler of Hungary.

  Africa

• Spring - Badr al-Jamali becomes Chief Wazir and effectively military dictator of the Fatimid Caliphate under Caliph Al-Mustansir Billah in Egypt.

  China

• Emperor Shen Zong of the Song Dynasty establishes a Marine Office and a Goods Control Bureau north-west of Shanghai, allowing for the loading and unloading of freight.

  By topic

Religion

• Pope Gregory VII temporarily excommunicates the Norman nobleman Robert Guiscard.