12th century

As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. In the history of European culture, this period is considered part of the High Middle Ages.

Significant people

• Genghis Khan, Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.
• Pierre Abélard, one of the first scholastic philosophers; author of "Historia calamitatum mearum", a description of his love affair with Héloïse.
• Bernard of Clairvaux, French abbot influential in church politics.
• Saladin, ruler of Egypt and Syria who resisted the Crusaders.
• Hugh of St. Victor, French scholar.
• Richard of St. Victor, theologian.
• Alfonso I Henriques, first King of Portugal.
• Maimonides, leading Jewish philosopher.
• Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury.
• Minamoto no Yoritomo, first shogun of Japan.
• Omar Khayyám, Persian poet and astronomer