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529
Benedict and the creation of Benedictines
In 476 AD the Roman Empire fell, propelling Europe into the Dark Ages. During this time there was virtually no advancement, studies, or growth- except for Benedict. He was a Monk that believed that people must “pray and work” and he created the Order of the Benedictine. Because he and his followers knew how to read, cultivate land, and write- they became a very powerful body in Europe that had a lot of political influence, land and control. -
670
Arab Conquest of Constantinople... and then Europe
In 670 the Arabs try to conquer the old capital of the Roman Empire: Constantinople. After a seven year siege they pack their bags and move on to conquer Africa and then Spain. They are victorious until they counter the Franks, who under Charles Martel defeat the Arabs at the battles at Tours -
768
Charlemagne Becomes King
Charlemagne became king in 768. He was a incredible leader of the Franks and was even called the great, or "magnus"! He conquered France, Italy, Austria and most importantly united the scatter Germanic tribes that beefed and spoke different dialects. He unified what we now know as Germany. -
800
Charlemagne Becomes the Holy Roman Emperor
Charlemagne was crowned the emperor of the Holy Roman empire without even asking or taking it! The pope called him the defender of all Christians- a huge honor. Even the Arab prince, Caliph Harun al-Rashid, kissed his ring sending Charlemagne an elephant, rare spices and other treasures. -
955
King Otto Defeats Magyars
King Otto, the successor to the Duke of Saxony- Henry, crushes the Magyars and sends them back to Hungary. He takes Austria and gives it to someone in the Babenberg family. He later takes Italy and also become crowned emperor by the pope for putting the Lombard nobility back into power. -
1066
Normandy Defeats the British
William, the duke of Normandy crushes King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. With just 7 thousand troops, Williams battled and killed Harold putting an arrow into his eye. Later, Williams returned to London and he became the legitimate ruler. -
1096
The First Crusade
The leaders recognized the value of having a base in the East, they wouldn't have to pay taxes when they moved goods that way Moreover, there was a lot of religious significance (Jerusalem was where Christ was buried) so, the Europeans launched their first crusade into Jerusalem and killed thousands. However, the crusade did have some positive affects, it opened Europe's eyes to new innovation, ideas and cultures, which arguably brought them out of the Dark Ages. -
1215
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta which means "great charters" was a document that protected every British citizens right wether they were a peasant or a noble. This document was the first of its kind to limit a monarchy's power and even set the stone to our constitution. The only reason why King John signed was to quell and uprising and civil war as the barons would have stages a coup. -
1337
The Hundred Years War
The hundreds years war was a war fought between France and England against each other from 1337 to 1453. In 1328, Charles IV of France died without a successor. As a result a power struggle occurred as to who would be the heir to the throne. -
1492
In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue
In 1492, finances by Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Columbus set sail on the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria looking for a new trade route to India. Instead he discovered the Americas's marking the start to the Age of Exploration.
