10 significant events of the Middle Ages

  • 525

    Anno Domini calendar invented

    Dionysius Exiguus, a monk, created a new dating system. It used the year 1 AD to be when Jesus was born. Now, it is the most used calendar and dating system in the world.
  • 590

    Pope Gregory is elected

    Gregorius Anicius is elected Pope. He became "Gregory I" and reigned until 604. He strengthed the Christian religion and helped spread it.
  • 1054

    Creation of the Orthodox Church

    A break between the Roman Catholic Chruch and the Eastern Orthodox church known as "The Great Schism". It has lasted even today.
  • 1066

    The Battle of Hastings

    Led by the Duke of Normandy (later known as Wiliam the Conqueror) the Battle of Hastings was a war against King Harold the take over the throne that was rightfully William's. This is what was recorded on the Bayeux Tapestry.
  • 1096

    First Crusade

    The first of many religious wars that were initiated to conquer the Holy Land from Islamic hands. The Crusades were directed by the church.
  • 1206

    Mongol Empire is founded

    This was a uniting of loads of nomadic tribes around Mongolia. This was also the beginning of conquests that would be evident in Europe and Asia.
  • 1215

    Magna Carter was signed

    It was a legal document signed by King John. This document was mainly saying the King was not above the law and it gave the people more rights.
  • 1347

    The Black Death

    The Black Death, also known as the plague, was a terrible pandemic. It was one of the biggest in the history of the world. Across Eurasia, it killed over 200 million people.
  • 1381

    The Peasant's Revolt

    The peasant's revolt was the first proper uprising in English history. It was created to threaten the elite and destroy the social structure of the time.
  • 1492

    Columbus "discovers" the Americas

    Christopher Columbus was hoping to reach Asia, but instead found him and his crew in the Caribbean. This was the start of European settlement in the Americas.