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Oct 14, 1066
The Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings took place near Hastings (current day East Sussex, England). After the King of England, Edward the Confessor died childless, the crown went to Harold Godwinson. But, William, the Duke of Normandy believed that he should get the thrown because, he was Edward the Confessor's cousin once removed. -
Jan 1, 1086
William the Conqueror published the Domesday Book
William, the Duke of Normandy, conquered England from Harold. This is where his got his nickname "William the Conqueror". In his rule, he made England feudalistic. William created the Domesday Book. It was a record of how much land citizen's owned in England. This book was suppose to show how much a citizen could afford to pay in tax. -
May 18, 1152
Henry the Second married Eleanor of Aquitaine
Henry the Second was William the Conqueror's great grandson. They ruled England and part of France together. With this much land, came too much power. There empire was too controlling on the citizens. -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta was Published
This document was published to limit King John's power. It stated that the king is not above the law. The Magna Carta was one of the first steps to a new type of government. -
Jan 1, 1291
The Crusades Ended
The end of the Crusades lead to more power for the Kings. With newly open land from the knights and nobles that did not return, Kings had more space to rule. -
Ideas of a Social Contract Emerged in the Enlightenment
During the Enlightenment, philosophers started questioning the ways their governments ran. Many believe that the government's job is to help it's citizens. -
Two Treatises of Government was Published
This essay was written during the Enlightenment by John Locke. It said that a government's job is to protect citizen's natural rights. And, if a government wasn't doing this, the people have the right to change the overthrow it. -
John Locke Died
John Locke was a philosopher in the Enlightenment. His idea's of "natural rights" inspired many people in this time period. It helped citizen's realize that their government was not working. His work also helped spark many revolutions.
