1081

Events 
 Corfu taken from Byzantine Empire by Robert Guiscard, Norman King of Southern Italy
 Byzantine emperor Nicephorus III is overthrown by Alexius I Comnenus, ending the Middle Byzantine period and beginning the Comnenan dynasty
 Alexius I helps defend Albania from the Normans (the first recorded mention of Albania), but is defeated at the Battle of Dyrrhachium.
 Beginning of the construction of Saint Canute's Cathedral in Odense.
 May 8 – Alfonso VI of Castile marries Constance of Burgundy.
 Births 
 December 1 – King Louis VI of France, French royal (died 1137)