Timeline: Medieval Europe

476

The fall of the Roman Empire

the roman empire fell

508

Clovis is baptized as a Christian

Clovis is baptized as a Christian - starting the influence of the church on European politics

Period: 590 to 1500

TheMiddleAges

The Middle Ages, the rise of the Islamic Empire, and the Holy Roman Empire. Farming and towns grew, but the Crusades caused conflict. Later, famine, plague, and revolts led to unrest, while interest in literature and the arts flourished.

752

Frankish King Pepin helps Pope Stephen II

Frankish King Pepin helps Pope Stephen II by defeating the Lombards. The Frankish king is now the military authority of the church

756

establishment of the papal states

establishment of the papal states, the church governs small countries in Italy

800

Charlemagne becomes the Holy Roman Emperor

Charlemagne was made the Holy Roman Emperor

871

Alfred the Great unites the Saxon kingdoms

Alfred the Great unites the Saxon kingdoms and becomes King of England

Period: 1000 to 1200

Norman Conquest

Norman Conquest, forming France, England, and Germany. Farming prospered, towns grew rich, and church disputes deepened. The Crusades erupted, as Christian armies clashed with the Islamic Empire over control of holy sites such as Jerusalem.

1066

Battle of Hastings

Battle of Hastings Norman king William the Conqueror becomes King of England ○ Normans were a group of Franks and Vikings in northern France

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.

1095

Pope Urban II delivers the speech at the Council of Clermont

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.

1099

The Crusaders capture Jerusalem during the First Crusade

The Crusaders, after a long and bloody siege, capture Jerusalem during the First Crusade. This leads to the establishment of Crusader states in the Levant.

Period: 1147 to 1149

The 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.

1187

The pivotal Battle of Hattin takes place

The pivotal Battle of Hattin takes place where Saladin's forces defeat the Crusaders, leading to the recapture of Jerusalem. This prompts Pope Gregory VIII to call for the Third Crusade to reclaim the city.

Period: 1198 to 1499

The Early Middle Ages began after Rome’s fall

The Early Middle Ages began after Rome’s fall, with Germanic invasions and the rise of the Islamic Empire. Charlemagne and the Catholic Church formed the Holy Roman Empire. The Western Empire declined while the Byzantine Empire grew.

Period: 1202 to 1204

Pope Innocent III declares the Forth Crusade to take back Jerusalem

Pope Innocent III declared the Forth Crusade to take back Jerusalem

1204

During the Fourth Crusade

During the Fourth Crusade, instead of reaching the Holy Land, the Crusaders sack Constantinople, weakening the Byzantine Empire and causing divisions among Christians.

1215