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511
Clovis
The first king of what was to become France, Clovis united the separate Frankish tribes into one union, with himself as their leader. His conversion to Catholicism inspired many to do the same, which in turn allowed religious unity across much of newly-formed France. -
565
Justinian
During his reign as ruler of the Byzantine Empire, he began a project known as renovatio imperii, or “restoration of the Empire”. He also overhauled Roman law, turning it into the Corpus Juris Civilis, which still forms the basis for modern law. -
Jan 2, 732
Battle of Tours
A battle near the city of Tours in France, Frankish forces commanded by Charles Martel defended against a larger Muslim army. The Frankish victory was a key factor in the preservation of European Christianity, as it helped stop the Islamic expansion of the time. -
Jan 1, 786
Viking Invasions
Throughout this period, Viking raiders sailed from their native land to England and conducted raids, pillaged, looted, and took slaves. Several English rulers attempted to establish treaties, and some were at least partially successful, but low-level hostilities continued until 1085. -
Jan 2, 814
Charlemagne
Also known as Charles the Great, he was king of the Franks, and laid the foundations for France and Germany. In 800, he became the first Holy Roman Emperor with approval from the pope, which gave his reign more legitimacy. -
Jan 1, 1054
East-West Schism
A religious division between the Eastern Orthodox Church in the Greek East, and the Roman Catholic Church in the Latin West. This divide was caused by disagreement between the two churches on certain fundamental aspects of the Christian religion, and still exists today, more than 900 years later. -
Jan 1, 1066
Norman Conquest of England
In an attempt to take control of the English throne (which he believed he had a rightful claim to because of his relation to the current king), Duke William II of Normandy, or William the Conqueror, led on army of Norman, Breton, and French soldiers in an invasion and occupation of England, and took the throne for himself. -
Jan 1, 1088
University of Bologna founded
The University of Bologna is the first and oldest university in the world, and still operates today. Formed from the union of several groups of foreign students, the university was originally controlled by the students themselves, but control was eventually shifted to the city of Bologna. The university taught law, and was instrumental in the development of medieval Roman law. -
Jan 1, 1204
Eleanor of Aquitaine
One of the most powerful and influential women in the medieval ages, she was the Duchess of Aquitaine, and was married to both King Louis VII of France and King Henry II of England. -
Jan 2, 1215
Magna Carta
Created by the Archbishop of Canterbury to ease tensions between King John of England and groups of rebel barons. Designed to protect the general population from overreaching kings and other powerful nobles, it morphed over the years, and formed some of the basis of modern legal systems. -
Jan 1, 1324
Marco Polo
Was a merchant and traveller who journeyed to Asia with his father and uncle, and wrote The Book of the Marvels of the World. He was the first to give a detailed account of his experiences in China, and inspired many other explorers and travellers, including Christopher Columbus. -
Jan 1, 1431
Joan of Arc
A young French woman who, during the later years of the Hundred Year’s War, claimed to have had visions instructing her to free France from English control. After several French victories, she was captured by the English, tried, and executed. 25 years later, her trial was re-examined, she was declared innocent, and proclaimed a martyr. -
Jan 2, 1453
Hundred Year's War
Beginning in 1337, the Hundred Year’s War was a series of conflicts between England and France over control of France. It was especially significant as it marked the shift from feudal, part-time fighters to professional, full-time soldiers. -
Jan 2, 1453
Fall of Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and was captured by an army of the Ottoman Empire led by Mehmed II, after a 53-day siege. The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, and is considered by some to be the end of the Middle Ages. -
Jan 2, 1468
Johann Gutenberg
Revolutionized the printing process by creating a mechanical system with movable type. This speed up the process of printing and allowed ordinary people to purchase books, especially his printed version of the Bible.