Medieval Overview

  • 476

    FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

    The barbarians invaded, leaving the romans defeated
  • 715

    MUSLIM CONQUEST OF SPAIN

    As an result of the invasion, the Muslims destroyed the Visigothic Kingdom
  • 800

    CHARLEMAGNE CROWNED POPE

    Charlemagne being crowned pope lead to a restoration of the Roman Empire in the west
  • 1066

    WILLIAM OF NORMANDY INVADES ENGLAND

    William was also crowned King William I of England
  • 1096

    START OF THE CRUSADES

    Crusades were formed as a result of the centuries of Muslim wars won
  • 1271

    MARCO POLO EXPLORES EAST

    He first set out at age 17 with his father and uncle, traveling overland along what later became known as the Silk Road
  • 1291

    END OF THE CRUSADES

    In 1291, the Muslim forces carried out a siege against Acre, the last remaining Crusader State
  • 1337

    START OF THE 100 YEARS WAR

    The war was a series of conflict between the kingdoms of England and France. It lasted for 116 years
  • 1347

    BLACK PLAGUE ARRIVES IN SICILY

    The plague caused the death of 75–200 million people in Eurasia and North Africa, peaking in Europe from 1347 to 1351.
  • 1381

    PEASANTS REVOLT IN ENGLAND

    The Peasant Revolt was the first great popular rebellion in English history. Its cause was the imposition of the unpopular poll tax
  • 1389

    MEDICI FAMILY RISE

    The rise of the Medici Family in Florence allowed banking and politics to flourish
  • 1400

    GUTENBURG PRINTING PRESS

    In Germany, goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, which started the Printing Revolution
  • 1452

    BIRTH OF LEONARDO DA VINCI

    Born in Italy, grew to be a polymath and painter
  • 1491

    HENRY VII CROWNED KING OF ENGLAND

    Henry got married six times and weighed close to 400 pounds