Medieval Europe

By vscurr
  • The fall of the Roman Empire
    476

    The fall of the Roman Empire

    During the Fall of the Roman Empire the Germanic leader Odoacer laid siege to Rome. He overthrew the Western Roman Emperor and made himself King of Italy.
  • Period: 590 to 999

    Early Middle Ages

    The Early Middle Ages began with the fall of Rome.
  • Period: 781 to 806

    Emperor Kammu's Reign

    Emperor Kammu's reign from 781 to 806 was a period of significant reform and expansion, marked by the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyō (modern-day Kyoto) and a restructuring of the government to reduce costs and corruption.
  • Capital moves to Kyoto
    794

    Capital moves to Kyoto

    Japan's capital moved to Kyoto in 794 CE, when Emperor Kanmu relocated the imperial court from Nara to Heian-kyō (now Kyoto) to escape the influence of Buddhist monks. Kyoto served as the capital for over a thousand years, until 1868, when the imperial court moved to Tokyo, making it the new political capital.
  • Period: 794 to 1185

    Heian Period

    In 794 the Emperor Kammu moved the imperial capital from Nara to Heian-kyo, now known as Kyoto. This signified the beginning of the Heian period (794–1185CE). During this time, many of the foundations of Japan’s development were laid. Japanese society broke away from the strong influences of, and connections with China. Japanese art and culture began to flourish.
  • Charlemagne crowed as Holy Roman Emperor
    800

    Charlemagne crowed as Holy Roman Emperor

    Charlemagne was crowned the "Emperor of Romans" by Pope Leo III, restoring the Roman Empire in the West.
  • Period: 1000 to 1200

    High Middle Ages

    By about 1000 CE, Europe as we know it today had begun to take shape. Norman Conquest led by William the Conqueror in 1066 CE led to the creation of France, England and Germany. During the High Middle Ages there was also a lot of fighting between Christian armies and the Islamic Empire over holy places such as Jerusalem. These wars are known as the Crusades
  • The Battle of Hastings
    1066

    The Battle of Hastings

    The Battle of Hastings took place between the Norman Troops commanded by the Duke of Normandy and the Anglo-Saxon forces under King Harold Godwinson.
  • The Battle of Manzikert
    1071

    The Battle of Manzikert

    The Battle of Manzikert sees the Seljuk Turks defeating the Byzantine Empire, leading to the loss of significant Byzantine territories in Anatolia. This weakened Byzantine control in the region, impacting the stability of the Holy Land.
  • Period: 1095 to 1099

    First Crusade

    Pope Urban II delivers the speech at the Council of Clermont, calling for the First Crusade. This speech urged Christians to take up arms and reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control.
  • Period: 1147 to 1149

    Second Crusade

    The Second Crusade, led by European kings like Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany, ends in disappointment with failed attempts to recapture territories lost to the Muslims.
  • Period: 1180 to 1185

    The Geupei War

    The Genpei War (1180–1185) was a civil war in Japan between the Minamoto and Taira clans that concluded the Heian period. The conflict solidified the power of the samurai class and resulted in the establishment of Japan's first military government, the Kamakura Shogunate, under Minamoto no Yoritomo.
  • Period: 1185 to 1333

    Minamoto Shogunate

    The Minamoto Shogunate began with Minamoto no Yoritomo defeating the rival Taira clan in the Genpei War (1180-1185). Following his victory, Yoritomo established the bakufu (military government) in Kamakura and became the first shogun in 1192, marking the beginning of samurai rule in Japan.
  • Period: 1187 to 1192

    Third Crusade

    Philip II of France, Richard I of England (The Lionheart) and Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor lead the Third Crusade. They took back many territories from Saladin but failed to win back Jerusalem.
  • Period: 1200 to 1500

    Late Middle Ages

    End to growth and wealth. Famines and plagues killed millions of people such as the Black Death. The poor began revolt against unfair laws/conditions. This was a period of great civil unrest, but it was the beginning of strong interest in literature and the arts.
  • Period: 1202 to 1204

    Fourth Crusade

    Pope Innocent III declares the Fourth Crusade to take back Jerusalem.
  • Children's Crusade
    1212

    Children's Crusade

    Started by a French child named Stephen of Cloyes. Tens of thousands of children gathered to march to the Holy Land. This ended in total disaster. None of the children made it to the Holy Land
  • The Magna Carta was signed
    1215

    The Magna Carta was signed

    The Magna Carta was a special document that was sealed by King John after many negotiations with barons and their French and Scots allies at Surrey and Runnymede.
  • Period: 1217 to 1272

    Crusades Five through Nine

    Over the next several years there would be 5 more Crusades. None of them would be very successful in terms of gaining control of the Holy Land.
  • Attempted Mongol Invasions
    1274

    Attempted Mongol Invasions

    The major attempted Mongol invasions were in 1274 and 1281 against Japan, led by Kublai Khan.
  • Period: 1274 to 1281

    Attempted Mongol invasions

    The Mongol Empire attempted to invade Japan twice, in 1274 and 1281, under the command of Kublai Khan. Both invasions ultimately failed due to strong Japanese resistance, logistical issues, and devastating typhoons that decimated the Mongol fleets. These failed invasions are historically significant as they marked the limit of Mongol expansion and left a lasting impact on Japan's national identity and military policies.
  • Attempted Mongol Invasion
    1281

    Attempted Mongol Invasion

    The term "Attempted Mongol Invasions" typically refers to Kublai Khan's two failed invasion attempts on Japan in 1274 and 1281, which were thwarted by fierce Japanese resistance and powerful typhoons, known as kamikaze (divine winds).
  • Period: 1336 to 1573

    Ashikaya Shogunate

    The Ashikaga Shogunate ruled Japan from 1336 to 1573, a period known for both a flourishing culture and a decline in central authority, leading to the Sengoku period of civil war.
  • Gutenberg Invents Printing Press
    1444

    Gutenberg Invents Printing Press

    The printing press was invented by a German goldsmith called Johan Gutenberg. For the first time it made it possible for men, women and children to have access to books.
  • King Henry the VIII started the Church of England
    1534

    King Henry the VIII started the Church of England

    In 1534 King Henry VIII became head of the newly founded Church of England. At this time, it was a big shift in power dynamics of Europe as England being split from Rome was confirmed.
  • Period: to

    Tokugawa Shogunate/Edo Period

    The Tokugawa Shogunate, also known as the Edo period, was a period of rule in Japan from 1603 to 1867 characterized by over 250 years of peace, stability, and isolationist policies. During this time, the Tokugawa family, led by the shogun, held political power while the emperor remained a ceremonial figurehead