Major Events May 31 Battle of the Kalka River: Mongol force led by Jebei and Subedei defeat a Russian alliance, after feigning their retreat, leading to the death of 20,000 Russians Jul 14 Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father, Philip II Dec 25 St Francis of Assisi assembles 1st Nativity scene (Greccio, Italy) Who Died in 1223 Mar 8 Wincenty Kadłubek, Polish chronicler (b. 1161) Mar 25 Afonso II, 3rd King of Portugal (1211-23), dies at 36 Jul 14 King Philip II of France (1180-1223), dies at 57 1222 History by Year 1224 World Leaders in 1223 Genghis Khan