1216 was a leap year starting on a Friday in the Julian calendar.
Events
April 10 – Eric X of Sweden dies. He is succeeded by Johan Sverkersson. April – Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, invades England in the First Barons' War July 24 – Ascension of Pope Honorius III; in the same year, he officially recognises the Order of Preachers (the Dominican Order) October 19 – Henry III becomes King of England, after the death of King John of England. Dresden, Germany becomes a city Ballintubber Abbey is founded by King Cathal Crovdearg O'Connor of Connaught in Ireland.
Births
Eric IV of Denmark (d. 1250) September 17 – Robert I, Count of Artois (d. 1250)
Deaths
Shota Rustaveli, Georgian poet (b. 1172) April 10 – King Eric X of Sweden (b. 1180) June 11 – Henry of Flanders, Emperor of the Latin Empire (b. 1174) July 16 – Pope Innocent III (b. 1161) October 19 – King John of England (b. 1167)