• Christianity is proclaimed the official religion of the Roman Empire
Period: 395 to 395
• Roman Empire splits into Eastern (or Byzantine) and Western Empires
Period: 451 to 451
Papacy is set up in Rome
Period: 476 to 476
• Western Roman Empire falls to Germanic invaders
Period: 500 to 1000
• Early Middle Ages; feudalism develops; the Christian church becomes the dominant power in Europe
Period: 711 to 718
• Moors invade and conquer Spain
Period: 800 to 814
• Charlemagne reigns as first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
Period: 1000 to 1300
• High Middle Ages; feudalism is the main system of economy and authority; classical Greek and Roman texts are rediscovered; cathedrals are built as cities grow
Period: 1066 to 1066
• Norman Conquest of England
Period: 1096 to 1270
• Crusades • Crusades
Period: 1270 to 1270
• Work of Roger Bacon lays foundations for modern scientific method
Period: 1270 to 1270
•• Thomas Aquinas (c.1225-1274), theologian and philosopher, revolutionizes medieval thought
Period: 1300 to 1500
• Late Middle Ages; feudal system begins to weaken; Church has internal divisions
Period: 1305 to 1376
• Popes live in Avignon, France, during the Babylonian Captivity
Period: 1374 to 1374
• Black Death begins to ravage Europe, 1374
Period: 1376 to 1376
• John Wycliffe (c. 1330-1384) urges Church reforms in England
Period: 1378 to 1417
• Rival popes feud over the papacy during the Great Schism