1041
Year 1041 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Byzantine Empire
- December 10 - Emperor Michael IV the Paphlagonian dies after a 6-year reign. His wife, Empress Zoë, elevates her adoptive son to the throne of the Byzantine Empire, as Michael V Kalaphates. Shortly after, Michael comes into conflict with his uncle John, and banishes him to a monastery.
Europe
- March 17 - Battle of Olivento: Norman troops and their Lombard allies, led by William Iron Arm, are victorious against the Byzantines at the feet of the Monte Vulture, near the River Olivento in Apulia.
- May 4 - Battle of Montemaggiore: Lombard-Norman rebel forces, led by William, are again victorious, and defeat a Byzantine army on the hill of Montemaggiore, near the River Ofanto.
- September 3 - Battle of Montepeloso: Lombard-Norman rebel forces, led by William, defeat the Byzantines at Montepeloso. During the battle, Boioannes, governor of the Catepanate of Italy, is captured.
- Winter - Battle of Ostrovo: The Byzantines, with the help of the Varangian Guard, led by Harald Hardrada, defeat the Bulgarian troops, near Lake Ostrovo in Greece.
England
- King Harthacnut invites his half-brother Edward the Confessor to return to England from exile in Normandy as his heir as king of England, with the support of Godwin, Earl of Wessex.
- The city of Worcester rebels against the naval taxes of Harthacnut. He reduces the navy from 60 to 32 ships.
Africa
- The Zirid dynasty rejects Shi'ite obedience and Fatimid domination, and recognizes the Abbasids as their overlords.
Asia
- At about this time, the number of enlisted soldiers in the Song dynasty Chinese military reaches well over 1,250,000 troops, an increase since 1022, when there were a million soldiers.