A.D. 421 (about) Venice founded by fugitives from Aquileia, Altinum, and Padua. (According to tradition on March 25, 421, at noon.) 697 Paulus Lucas Anafestus of Heraclea chosen as first Doge. 809 Pepin, son of Charlemagne, attempts to take Venice and is defeated. 828 (about) The body of Saint Mark is brought to Venice, and he is proclaimed protector of the Republic in place of Saint Theodore. 959 (about) The brides of Venice and their dowries are carried off by Istrian pirates. 975 The first basilica of Saint Mark is destroyed by fire. 998 Pietro Orseolo is acclaimed as Doge of Venice and Dalmatia. 998 The Emperor Otho III. visits Venice secretly. 1009 Venice is ravaged by the plague. 1099 Venetians defeat the Pisans off Rhodes. 1123 Defeat of the Turks at Jaffa. 1123 The Doge Domenico Michiel takes Tyre. 1167 Venice joins the Lombard League, with Verona, Padua, Milan, Bologna, and other cities. 1172 Institution of the Great Council, in which membership is open and elective. 1177 The Emperor Frederick Barbarossa makes submission to Pope Alexander III. at Venice. 1177 The ceremony of the Espousal of the Sea by the Doge instituted. 1202 (Oct. 8) The Venetian fleet sets out for the Fourth Crusade under the Doge Enrico Dandolo. 1204 (April 12) Constantinople taken by the Venetian and French forces. 1277 Membership in the Great Council limited to those of legitimate birth. 1297 Closure of the Great Council, in which membership becomes a privilege of the nobles. 1300 Conspiracy of Marino Bocconio. 1310 Conspiracy of Marco Quirini and Bajamonte Tiepolo. 1335 Permanent institution of the Council of Ten. 1348 Venice loses half her population by the plague. 1354 Conspiracy of Marino Faliero. 1379-80 War of Chioggia. 1404-54 During this time Venice possesses herself, on the mainland, of Padua, Ravenna, Verona, Treviso, Vicenza, Brescia, Bergamo, Feltre, Belluno, Crema, and Friuli. 1405 Carlo Zeno takes Padua from Carrara. 1426 League with Florence concluded. Brescia surrenders to the allied forces, the Venetian troops being commanded by Carmagnola. 1428 Bergamo surrenders to Carmagnola. 1432 (May 5) Carmagnola executed as a traitor to the Republic. 1437 Erasmo da Narni, nicknamed Gattamelata, is made commander of the Venetian army.