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449
Angeo-Saxon Invasion
Sources say that they don't know why Angelo-Saxons invaded Britain, but they think it was to keep out other invaders from coming in. Other reasons have said it was because their old land had been flooded, and it was more difficult to grow crops. They were just looking for a new place to farm. -
597
Christianity begins to spread among Angelo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon literature such as Beowulf began to have an impact on them and started to consider Christian traditions. It is believed that Christian monks were the first to translate Anglo-Saxon poetry, explaining why Christian tradition had such a powerful effect on Anglo-Saxons. -
750
Version of Beowulf composed
Beowulf is an epic poem composed in Old English. The reason why this book is so famous, is because it is considered one of the oldest surviving English books. The book talks about them fighting monsters and conquering land. -
793
Vikings begin first raid on Angelo-Saxon Kingdom
In Viking times, a king had to be strong to fight and keep his land. Around the end of the 8th century, Anglo-Saxon history tells of many Viking raids. This is the start of a long struggle between the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings for control of Britain. The Anglo-Saxons and Vikings became neighbors in Britain after a lot of raids, but they didn’t always get along. -
871
Alfred the great becomes king of Wessex
In 870 the Danes attacked the only remaining independent Anglo-Saxon kingdom Wessex. Their forces were commanded by King Aethelred and his younger brother Alfred. Further defeats followed for Wessex and Alfred's brother died. Alfred became the king of Wessex from his brother dying, and all Alfred wanted was to have peace. -
1095
Holy Wars crusades begins
The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims. It started to secure control of holy sites considered sacred by both groups. These were bloody, and violent times. After the wars, this created statues of christian Europeans. This made more fights to take control of the places where the statues are placed. -
1170
Thomas Becket murdered
Thomas Becket life came to a violent end when he was murdered at the altar of Canterbury Cathedral. Henry II had a lot of power and wanted more. Henry wanted Becket to work with him and bring the church under control, but later Becket died from a sword, and was murdered. -
1215
King john signs Magna Carta
King John of England was forced to sign the Manga Carta saying that the king was not above the law of the land and protecting the rights of the people. Today, the Manga Carta is considered one of the most important documents in the history of democracy. -
1337
Hundred Years War begins with France
The Hundred Years War was a long struggle between England and France over succession to the French throne. This war lasted 116 years, and it the longest European war ever. The war started because Charles IV of France died in 1328. Edward III of England then believed he had the right to become the new king of France through his mother. Then the war started between France and England -
1347
Black death reaches Europe
The Black Death was an epidemic of bubonic plague, a disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis that circulates among wild rodents where they live in great numbers. This plague killed millions of people, and was most likely spread from ships that came to Europe. -
1375
Sir Gawain and the green knight composed
The anonymous poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is considered one of the masterpieces of Middle English literature. Gawain is a story of knightly deeds, sexual enticement and wild landscapes. It tells the story of the young Gawain, who is a knight at the legendary court of King Arthur. -
1431
Joan of art burned
According to historians, Joan of Arc was 19 when she was burnt at the stake. This was during the hundreds year war. Joan died from the smoke, and people say she was supposed to be burned not only once but twice. -
1476
Caxton makes first print press and makes first English book
Caxton seems to have learnt how to print in Cologne, in what is now Germany. The first evidence of his interest in this new technology was his involvement in the printing there of a massive Latin encyclopedic work. Around 1476 Caxton returned to England and set up the first printing shop in the country near Westminster Cathedral. From here he issued over a hundred books. -
1485
William Caxton prints Sir Thomas Malory's Le Monte d' Arthur
Malory was a knight prisoner who implored his readers to pray for his deliverance in life and his soul in death. Malory wrote The Malory's Le Monte d' Arthur during 1485 while imprisoned for a series of violent crimes. It tells the famous legend of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, the knights of the Round Table and their quest for the mystical Holy Grail.
