Emperor Xuanzong of Jin

Reign: 1213 – 1224
Life: 1163–1224

He was the second Jin emperor to be defeated by the Mongol Empire, and the first after they crossed the Great Wall in 1211 during the Jin campaign. In the Autumn of 1213, the Mongols , under the leadership of Genghis Khan , split their forces into three groups to attack the Jin dynasty . They conquered nearly all the prefectures and counties in Hebei ; only 11 cities, including Zhongdu, Zhending Prefecture (眞定府; around present-day Zhengding County , Hebei Province), Daming Prefecture (大名府; around present-day Daming County , Hebei Province) did not fall to the Mongols. In the third month of 1214, the Jin dynasty succeeded in negotiating for peace with the Mongols.

During Emperor Xuanzong of Jin's reign, James I of Aragon ruled Spain, Afonso II of Portugal ruled Portugal, and Johan Sverkersson ruled Sweden.

Want to learn more? Further reading

China: A History by John Keay

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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