King John Loses the Crown Jewels in The Wash
King John lost the English Crown Jewels in The Wash in 1216 when his baggage train tried to cross the estuary at low tide and misjudged the timing. The tide came in. Horses, wagons, and treasure sank into quicksand and water. John was traveling separately and survived. He died of dysentery a week later, possibly from grief, possibly from overeating peaches. The jewels included coronation regalia, gold, gems, and relics. None of it was ever recovered. England had to make new Crown Jewels. John's incompetence outlasted him.
October 12, 1216
810 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on October 12
Cyrus the Great's forces marched into Babylon on October 12, 539 BC, toppling a millennia-old empire without a battle. This conquest immediately freed Jewish ca…
Cyrus the Great marched his Persian forces into Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire without a major battle. By allowing the city’s captive populations, in…
Der römische Kaiser Lucius Verus feiert in Rom einen Triumphzug zum Ende der Partherkriege.
Edwin of Northumbria died at Hatfield Chase with most of his army. He'd united northern England and converted to Christianity. Penda of Mercia and Cadwallon of …
نهاية معركة كربلاء بمقتل الإمام الحسين بن علي بن أبي طالب وأهل بيته وأصحابه.
couronnement de Louis III l'Aveugle comme roi d'Italie.
Talk to History
Have a conversation with historical figures who witnessed this era. Ask questions, explore perspectives, and bring history to life.