Year 1284 (MCCLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe Aragonese Crusade: The first French armies under King Philip III ( the Bold) and his 14-year-old son Charles of Valois enter Roussillon. They include 16,000 cavalry, 17,000 crossbowmen, and 100,000 infantry, along with 100 ships in south French ports. Though they have the support of James II, ruler of Majorca, the local populace rises against them. Elne is valiantly defended by Aragonese troops, but the French occupy the city, and burn the cathedral, while the population is massacred. April 4 – King Alfonso X (the Wise) falls ill and dies after a 32-year reign at Seville. He is succeeded by his 25-year-old son Sancho IV ( the Brave) who becomes ruler of Castile and León. Meanwhile, his nephew, Alfonso de la Cerda, challenges his right to the Castilian throne. Pope Martin IV excommunicates Sancho, he placed an interdict on his kingdom and refuses to acknowledge the marriage to his cousin, Queen María de Molina. June 5 – Battle of the Gulf of Naples: An Aragonese-Sicilian fleet (some 30 galleys) led by Admiral Roger of Lauria surrounds and defeats the Neapolitan ships in the Gulf of Naples. King Charles II (the Lame) is captured during the battle, disorganized, the remnants of the Neapolitan fleet (between 15 and 18 galleys) flees back to Naples. August 5–6 – Battle of Meloria: A Genoese fleet (some 90 galleys) led by Admiral Oberto D'Oria defeats the Pisan ships in the Ligurian Sea. This marks the decline of the maritime power of Pisa in the Mediterranean. King Rudolf I imposes a trade embargo on Norway, due to the latter pillaging a German ship. The embargo cuts off vital supplies of grain, flour, vegetables and beer, causing a general famine in Norway. The events giving rise to the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin take place in Lower Saxony. England March 3 – Statute of Rhuddlan: King Edward I (Longshanks) brings Wales under direct rule after the Welsh Wars (1277–1283). He appoints sheriffs and bailiffs for the northern territories while the southern areas are left under the control of the Marcher Lords. English law is introduced in criminal cases, though the Welsh are allowed to maintain their customary laws in some cases of property disputes.Carpenter, David (2004). The Struggle for Mastery: Britain,