Middle Ages

  • Islam Founded
    Jan 1, 610

    Islam Founded

    Islam was founded by the prophet Muhammed.
  • Reconquista
    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.
  • Battle of Tours
    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.
  • Pepin
    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.
  • Charlemagne
    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.
  • Guild
    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.
  • Simony
    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.
  • Pope Leo IX
    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.
  • William the Conqueror
    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.
  • Pope Gregory VII
    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.
  • Canossa
    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.
  • Urban II
    Jan 1, 1088

    Urban II

    One of the most active and relevant supporters of the Gregorian reforms.
  • Chivalry
    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.
  • Concordat of Worms
    Jan 1, 1122

    Concordat of Worms

    This agreement between Henry V and the pope settled the Investiture Controversy.
  • Eleanor of Aquitaine
    Jan 1, 1147

    Eleanor of Aquitaine

    Accompanied King Henry II to the holy land. She later became the King's wife.
  • Universities
    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.
  • Saladin
    Jan 1, 1187

    Saladin

    Ruler of the Muslim people during this time period. He was famous for recapturing Jerusalem from the Crusaders.
  • Richard the Lionheart
    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.
  • Manors
    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.
  • St. Francis of Assisi
    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.
  • Magna Carta
    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.
  • Inquisition
    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.
  • Thomas Aquinas
    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.
  • Scholasticism
    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.
  • Parliament
    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.
  • Bubonic Plague
    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.
  • John Wycliffe
    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.
  • Hundred Years War
    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.
  • Plague
    Oct 31, 1347

    Plague

    Widespread disease, such as the Bubonic Plague. This disease killed around 1/3 of the European population.
  • Jan Hus
    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.
  • Agincourt
    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.
  • Joan of Arc
    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

    Key

    Blue - Political events
    Pink - Religious events
    Yellow - Economic events
    Purple - Social/intellectual events
  • Charles Martel

    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

    Pope Leo III

    Crowned Charlamagne emperor, which was historic. This signified the joining of Germanic power, the church, and the Roman Empire.
  • Clovis

    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

    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