The Medieval Era

400CE

400

The Medieval Era

Period: 400 to 1800

The Fall of the Roman Empire

476

• The fall of the Roman Empire marks the beginning of the Middle Ages, known for poverty, war, disease, and religion.
• The Vikings were one of many tribes who invaded Rome during the time of its downfall from 376-476 AD.
• Underfloor heating, concrete, and the calendar are among the many things we owe to the Romans.

The Early Middle Ages (the Dark Ages) 500 -1000

500

• The beginning of the Middle Ages, a period of war and conflict, but also social and political changes that are still present.
• A new social, political, and economical system, feudalism, shaped Europe’s map into small areas called fiefdoms. Those were ruled by lords and kings who promised protection from frequent invasions and wars.
• The Catholic Church had immense power over the people of Medieval Europe.

500CE

500

Viking Raids and Settlement Around Europe 790-1066

790

• This era is significant because the Vikings colonised lands such as Greenland and England. Although they were most known for their raids, they also traded a lot.
• Vikings were incredible at building ships, crafting, and navigating. Their longboats could travel to inland river towns such as Paris.
• The Vikings raided, explored, and colonised Europe for 300 years until William of Normandy invaded England in 1066, which marks the end of the Viking invasions.

Late Middle Ages 1000-1500

1000

• The Late Middle Ages are known for deadly epidemic diseases that took millions of lives, and contributed to drastic changes in European social and political order.
• The beginning of the feudal system is associated with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The Normans re-established stability to the government.
• A bubonic epidemic, known as ‘The Black Death’, occurred in this era, and is estimated to have killed 45 million people in Europe.

Dominance of Catholoc Church in Europe 1000-1500CE

1000

• This period marks the peak of the power of the Catholic Church in Europe. Social structure changed significantly as well.
• Priests were seen as the messengers carrying words from God to the people.
• The pope was more powerful than the king, and the Church held huge wealth and power.

Norman Invasion of England and beginning of the feudal system 1066CE

1066

• The Norman invasion of England is the defining event in this period, as it changed the political, social, and economical structure of Europe for centuries ahead.
• A new system called feudalism was established. At the top of the social pyramid was the pope, under whom were positioned the king, the nobles, barons and bishops, the knights, and finally the peasants, in that descending order. Everyone owed loyalty and service to the king, who granted them land in return.

Magna Carta issued to King John of England 1215CE

1215

• This event is significant because the political power of the English King was constrained. The barons demanded equality before the law.
• John l was the King of England in 1199CE, and was one of the most hated kings, due to his random and harsh imprisonment of nobles.
• The barons protested and forced King John to sign a document called the Magna Carta on the island of Runnymede in 1215. Its clauses were meant to give the nobility more legal rights and equality.

Ottoman Empire at its Peak 1299-1683 CE

1299

• The Ottoman Empire had a significant impact as it dominated parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe for almost 400 years. It was a constant threat to Christianity until its decline in the 1600s. The Ottoman Empire was eventually reduced to present-day Turkey.
• A fanatical Muslim force, the Ottomans took over Constantinople in 1453CE and cut off Europe’s control of sea trade routes in Asia.

Black Death 1348-49

1348

• The Black Death is significant because it is estimated to have killed 45 million people in Europe, or a third of the continent’s population.
• This disease is believed to have started in Central Asia, from where it spread by rats and through poor hygiene along the Silk Road to China, and eventually through ships all the way to Europe.
• At the time, people believed that an enraged God was causing the deadly disease.

Renaissance 1400- late 1700s

1400

• This period marked another change in medieval society. Many new, creative ideas related to science, art, and religion emerged in this period.
• Europeans became interested and curious about past civilisations such as Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, the Crusaders, and took inspiration from these eras.
• Painting was influenced by new ideas, in which non-religious subjects became more interesting. Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci were some of the greatest artists in this era.

Age of Exploration 1492 -1778

1492

• The Age of Exploration is significant because it re-established contact between Europeans and the people of other regions. After the decline of the Silk Road, the new sea explorers were driven by curiosity and greed for resources.
• Before the medieval times, people were ignorant about other regions besides their own.
• Europeans were threatened by the spread of Islam in Asia, and decided to show off their superior religion, Christianity, when they travelled to new lands.