The Dark Ages

Justinian 1st

527

Justinian I becomes Eastern Roman Emperor. He really wanted to rebuild Rome and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire. He is best remembered for his Code of Civil Law (529), and expansion of imperial territory retaking Rome from the Ostrogoths.

Chalemange's Reign

Apr 1, 742

Doubts have been cast upon his legitimacy. Most say 742-814. For centuries his name has been legend. Carolus Magnus ("Charles the Great"), King of the Franks, Holy Roman Emperor, the subject of numerous epics and romances--he was even made a saint. As a figure of history he is larger than life.

First Crusade

Nov 27, 1095

This was between 1095 to 1099 because of Pope Urban ll. A military expedition by Western Christianity to regain the Holy Lands taken in the Muslim conquest of the Levant, getting Jerusalem back.

Second Crusade

Oct 5, 1147

This is the second major crusade launched from Europe. It was started because of the fall of the County of Edessa the previous year to the forces of Zengi. The county had been founded during the First Crusade (1096–1099) by Baldwin of Boulogne in 1098. It was a huge failure. While it was the first Crusader state to be founded, it was also the first to fall.

Third Crusade

Jan 1, 1189

This was from 1189 - 1192 an was also called "The Kings Crusade". The reason being is because european leaders tried to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin. The successes of the Third Crusade would allow the Crusaders to maintain a considerable kingdom based in Cyprus and the Syrian coast. However, its failure to recapture Jerusalem would lead to the call for a Fourth Crusade six years later.

Fourth Crusade

Jan 1, 1202

From 1202 - 1204. A fleet of 200 ships set sail from the lagoon of Venice. Leading them was the state galley of Doge Enrico Dandolo. wanted to win back the holy city of Jerusalem that was conquered by Islamic armies in the 7th century, it had been regained for Christendom by the First Crusade in 1099.

Black Death

Oct 1, 1347

This was from 1348 - 1350.At the beginning of October, in the year of the incarnation of the Son of God 1347, twelve Genoese galleys entered the harbor of Messina. In their bones they had a virulent disease that anyone who spoke to them or used and touched their things got ill and died. The infection spread to everyone who had any contact with the diseased. Those infected felt themselves penetrated by a pain throughout their whole bodies and got "burn boils".