European Dark Ages

Fall of Roman Empire

476

The Roman Empire falls, causing chaos and confusion, and marking the beginning of the European Dark Ages.

St. Benedict

480

A monk who established monasticism, which came to dominate Christianity in Western Europe.

Clovis I Becomes King

481

Clovis I becomes king of the Franks by defeating rival tribal leaders, where he would go on to unite the Frankish tribes and spread Christianity by the sword.

Emperor Justinian

527

Justinian ruled over the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565, reclaiming lost lands in the West, rebuilt the Hagia Sophia, and established the Code of Justinian.

Italian Campaign

535

Under Justinian's rule, the Byzantine Empire fought the Ostrogoths, taking back Italy and reuniting the old empire.

Plague of Justinian

541

Ships carrying rats with plague ridden fleas enter Constantinople, and within 4 months, 25% to 50% of the population had died.

St. Gregory

590

A monk who became a Pope and helped establish the responsibilities and power of the Papacy.

Death of Muhammad

Jan 1, 632

Muhammad dies, triggering the spread of Islam by the sword.

Moors Cross Straight of Gibraltar

Jan 1, 711

The Muslim Moors cross the Straight of Gibraltar into Spain and defeat the Visigoths.

Battle of Tours

Jan 1, 732

The Frankish king, Charles the Hammer, leads the Christian Franks to victory over the Moors, ending European Islamic expansion.

Charlemagne

Jan 1, 814

Charlemagne was a Frankish ruler, who expanded the Frankish Kingdom into the Carolingian Empire, encouraged education, helped in the conversion of Europe to Christianity by making conquered peoples convert or die, and became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 814 A.D.

Vikings

Jan 1, 835

People from the Scandinavian lands begin to raid Europe, and continued to do so for about 250 years.

Otto I

Jan 1, 962

Became the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire after helping the Church in Italy.

Emperor Henry IV

Jan 1, 1056

Henry IV was excommunicated from the Church for challenging the Pope's authority

Harold II

Jan 6, 1066

Harold took the throne of England after the previous king dies childless.

Norman Invasions

Oct 1, 1066

William invades south England to take the English throne by hereditary right, claiming that he was the previous king's cousin.

Battle of Hastings

Oct 14, 1066

The decisive battle between Harold II and William, in which William is victorious and becomes the first Norman king of England, becoming known as William the Conqueror.

Henry II

Jan 1, 1154

Expanded England into parts of France, Ireland, and Scotland, and even attempted to expand his control into the Church.

Philip II

Jan 1, 1180

French king who expanded the kings power and established Paris as the center of political power.

Richard I

Jan 1, 1189

Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart, revolted against Henry II for his cruelty and became a great military leader, and went on the 3rd Crusade leaving his brother John I in charge.

John I

Jan 1, 1199

Failed to retake Normandy and revolted against by English barons due to high taxes, and was forced to sign the Magna Carta.

Battle of Bouvines

Jul 27, 1214

Battle between France and England, ending in French victory and helped unite nobility around the French king.

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

A document that strengthened the rights of the people while limiting the power of the king, becoming the foundation of English law.