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Jan 1, 610
Islam Founded
Islam was founded by the prophet Muhammed. -
Jan 1, 712
Reconquista
Lasted from 712-1492. An exreme effort by the Christians to run the Muslims out of Spain. This is the reason there is primarily Christians in Spain today. -
Jan 1, 732
Battle of Tours
The Franks army lead by Charles Martel defeated the Muslims of Spain and stopped the Muslim spread. If the Muslims had won the battle, the Muslim empire would have spread into Western Europe. -
Jan 1, 751
Pepin
Charles Martel’s son and successor. He was named king by the Pope because he agreed to battle the Lombards in 751. He was the first king to ever be anointed by the Pope. -
Jan 1, 771
Charlemagne
Gained control of the kingdom in 771 after the death of Pepin’s son, Charles. He built the largest empire since the ancient Romans, he conquered land to the south and the east. He spread Christianity and encouraged education. Pope Leo III eventually crowned him emperor. -
Jan 1, 1000
Guild
An association of people who worked in the same occupation. These people were the reason the great fairs were possible; they also controlled the trade. They controlled all prices of their craft. -
Jan 1, 1000
Simony
Buying your position in the church. This made the church corrupt; you didn’t have to be a good person to “earn” your spot, you could just buy it. -
Period: Jan 1, 1025 to Jan 1, 1291
The Crusades
Set of religious wars between the Christian and Muslim states. This was an attempt by the Christians to reclaim the “holy land,” but ultimately it failed. There were multiple Crusades, but none accomplished anything. -
Jan 1, 1049
Pope Leo IX
When he became pope, he enforced laws against simony and the marriage of priests. This is what he is known for. -
Jan 1, 1066
William the Conqueror
The first English monarch. Three men had been promised they would be the successor of King Edward; William was one of these men. William ended up winning the throne after the Battle of Hastings. -
Jan 1, 1073
Pope Gregory VII
He is known as one of the greatest popes of all time. The Gregorian Reform (or Investiture Controversy) is named after him. -
Jan 1, 1077
Canossa
Henry IV journeyed through the Alps in search of forgiveness from Pope Gregory. After the three day journey through the Alps, he recieved absolution. -
Jan 1, 1088
Urban II
One of the most active and relevant supporters of the Gregorian reforms. -
Jan 1, 1100
Chivalry
A set of specific rules for knights. Ensured that they were courageous, loyal, and devoted people. This made the English army that much stronger, since they had the best people. -
Jan 1, 1122
Concordat of Worms
This agreement between Henry V and the pope settled the Investiture Controversy. -
Jan 1, 1147
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Accompanied King Henry II to the holy land. She later became the King's wife. -
Jan 1, 1150
Universities
In the late 1100's, people made the Medieval University. Universities arose all around Europe by the end of the 1100's. -
Jan 1, 1187
Saladin
Ruler of the Muslim people during this time period. He was famous for recapturing Jerusalem from the Crusaders. -
Jan 1, 1189
Richard the Lionheart
Also known as King Richard, who ruled from 1189-1199. He came into the 3rd Crusade and fought Saladin. He was called Lionheart because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior. -
Jan 1, 1190
Manors
The Lord’s estate. In the manor system, serfs were a part of the manor; being provided protection and housing in return for labor. This system was relevant until around the 1800's. -
Jan 1, 1200
St. Francis of Assisi
He was an Italian Catholic preacher and friar. Catholics view him as one of the most beloved saints of all time. -
Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
Document that restricted the king’s power. It gave him less authority and rule over the people of the country. -
Jan 1, 1231
Inquisition
This concept was created by Pope Gregory IX, and it was a form of "getting answers" from people. It is a torture process in which the pope sends out inquisitors to investigate, and they take it from there. -
Jan 1, 1250
Thomas Aquinas
In the mid-1200's, he argued that most basic religious truths could be proven by argument. He wrote the Summae Theoligica. This work influenced by Aristotle combined ancient Greek thought with the Christian thought of this time. -
Jan 1, 1267
Scholasticism
Scholars used their knowledge of Aristotle to debate many issues of their time. Their teachings on law and government influenced the thinking of many western Europeans. -
Jan 1, 1295
Parliament
Edward needed to raise taxes for a war against the French, so he summoned two representatives from each area & two knights from each country to form a legislative group. -
Jan 1, 1300
Bubonic Plague
The most devastating disease that killed nearly 1/3 of Europe's total population. Due to the lack of medical advances, the disease infected and killed millions. -
Jan 1, 1300
John Wycliffe
He preached that Jesus was the true head of the church, not the pope. He believed that the clergy should own no land or wealth. He alto taught that the bible alone was the authority for Christian life. -
Jan 1, 1337
Hundred Years War
Lasted from 1337-1453. Consistent war between England and France over who would be the successor of the French throne. The French ended up winning the war, since William the Conqueror became king. -
Oct 31, 1347
Plague
Widespread disease, such as the Bubonic Plague. This disease killed around 1/3 of the European population. -
Jan 1, 1412
Jan Hus
A professor who was influenced by Wycliffe's teachings. He taught that the bible was higher than the authority of people. He was excommunicated in 1412. -
Jan 1, 1415
Agincourt
The French army was four times bigger than the English, but the English won. They had a more skilled army under the lead of Henry V. The invention of the longbow was a big factor in the outcome as well. -
Jan 1, 1492
Joan of Arc
She was a peasant who had visions from God telling her that she could be a great military leader. This was a huge achievement because peasants, as well as women, had no rights. And despite this, the people loved her. -
Key
Blue - Political events
Pink - Religious events
Yellow - Economic events
Purple - Social/intellectual events -
Charles Martel
He was also known as Charles the Hammer. By 719, he held more power than the king. He defeated Spanish Muslims in 732 at the Battle of Tours, which is a huge victory because Europe could have been primarily Muslim if it weren’t for him. -
Pope Leo III
Crowned Charlamagne emperor, which was historic. This signified the joining of Germanic power, the church, and the Roman Empire. -
Clovis
Leader of the Franks, who brought Christianity to Gaul. Clovis was a non-Christian until his wife converted him. In 496, he prayed to God that he would win a war; which he ended up winning. He then mass converted his army of 3,000 men. By 511, all the Franks were united under him. -
Three Field System
System which made agriculture more efficient. This divided the land into three parts, whereas in the two field system it was only divided into two. That way if one section isn't in use, only 1/3 of the land is inefficient rather than 1/2. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1500
Middle Ages
