Medieval Timeline

William the Conqueror Invades England

Sep 9, 1066

First Norman King of England, reigning from 1066 until his death in 1087. William built a large fleet and invaded England in September 1066, decisively defeating and killing Harold at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066.

Paper Produced in Spain

Jun 29, 1150

Muslim conquest of Spain brought paper making to Europe.
Both Spain and Italy claim to be the first to manufacture paper in Europe.
One of the first paper mills in Europe was in Xativa, Spain.
The first wire mold for making paper is identified in Spain dating to 1150.

Magna Carta

Aug 24, 1215

The 1215 charter required King John of England to proclaim certain liberties and accept that his will was not arbitrary, for example by explicitly accepting that no "freeman" could be punished except through the law of the land, a right which is still in existence today. Magna Carta was the first document forced onto an English King by a group of his subjects, the feudal barons, in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their privileges.

End of Crusades

Dec 4, 1270

The Crusades were originally launched in response to a call from the leaders of the Byzantine Empire for help to fight the expansion into Anatolia of Muslim Seljuk Turks who had cut off Christian access to Jerusalem, and were also sparked by the destruction of many Christian sacred sites and the persecution of Christians. After some early successes, the later crusades failed and the crusaders were defeated and forced to return home.

The Plague

Jan 23, 1348

The Plague was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. Thought to have started in China and traveled down the Silk Road, it eventually made it's way to Europe from being carried by rats on merchant ships going into the Meditteranean.

Robin Hood Appears In Literature

Jun 29, 1378

Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor." He became a popular folk figure in the medieval period continuing through to modern literature, films and television.

Chaucer Creates The Canterbury Tales

Nov 7, 1387

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer at the end of the 14th century. The tales are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The prize for this contest is a free meal at the Tabard Inn at Southwark on their return.

First Printing of Le Morte d' Authur

Apr 17, 1485

Le Morte d' Aurthur is a compilation by Sir Thomas Malory of romance tales about the legendary King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table. The first printing of Malory's work was made by Caxton in 1485; it proved popular, and was reprinted, with some additions and changes.

First Tudor King, Henry VII, Crowned

May 19, 1485

King Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor. Henry won the throne when he defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of England to win his throne on the field of battle.

War of the Roses

Aug 24, 1485

1455-1485
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic wars fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York for the throne of England. The final victory went to a relatively remote Lancastrian claimant, Henry Tudor, who defeated the last Yorkist king Richard III.