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Period: 400 to Jan 1, 1500
Timespan
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476
Western Roman Empire ends
Western Roman Empire is the Western half of the Roman Empire, the other half being the Eastern Roman Empire, usually called the Byzantine Empire. An invading army reached the outskirts of Rome which was clearly undefended. The Visigoths, led by Alaric, looted, burned, and pillaged the city, leaving a total destruction. This continued for 3 days. This was the first time, in nearly a milennium, Rome was in the hands of someone other than the Romans. Until now, they have no strength to rise again. -
Jan 1, 711
Moors start raiding Spain
In the year 711, the Moors started raiding Spain. A speculative raiding party of 10,000 soldiers, lead by Tariq ibn-Ziyad, crossed the Straits of Giblartar and defeated the Visigothic Army of King Roderic at the Battle of Guadalete. -
Oct 14, 1066
William of Normandy wins Battle of Hastings and becomes King of England
The Battle of Hastings occured on the 14th of October 1066 between a Norman-French army Duke William II of Normandy and English army under King Harold II. It took place in Senlac Hill, and was a decesive Norman victory. King Harold II was killed in the battle--legend has it that he was shot in the eye with an arrow. He was the last English king to die in a battle; until Richard III was killed in the Battle of Bosworth Field. -
Jan 1, 1096
Crusades start
The medieval "Crusade" was a holy war. For a conflict to be officially considered a Crusade, it had to be sanctioned by the pope and conducted against groups seen as enemies of Christendom -
Jan 1, 1100
Small towns start springing up over Europe
Small town began to evolve everywhere, all around Europe. -
Jan 1, 1192
Minomoto Yoritomo becomes the first shogun of Japan
Minamoto Yoritomo became the first shogun of Japan and set the wheels in motion for Samurai domination fo the country. It lasts until the 19th Century. -
Jan 1, 1215
King John of England signs Magna Carta
King John was forced to sign a paper which was the Magna Carta. Magna Carta means "Great Letter" in Latin. The letter had 2 agreements. The first one was that the king should obey the law, just like many other people. The second one was that if the king broke any law, the lords had the right to remove the king and choose a new one for the people. -
Sep 1, 1275
First meeting held in England of a parliament
The Great Council evolved to the Parliament of England. The word itself came from the Latin and French word which meant discussion and speaking. The first meeting was held exactly at the 1st of September 1275. -
Jan 1, 1291
Crusades end
The Crusades ended after almost 100 years. -
Jan 1, 1337
100 Years' War starts
The '100 Years War' was a series of separate wars between two royal houses for the French throne, which was vacant from the death of the senior Capetian line of French kings. -
Jan 1, 1347
Black Death breaks up in Europe
The Black Death is a disease that spread through Europe in 1347. It was also called Bubonic Plague, and it killed a quarter until half of Europe. In affected cities, proper burial rituals were abandoned and bodies were buried in mass graves, or abandoned in the street. This disease was caused by rodents and their fleas. -
Jan 1, 1381
Wat Tyler leads a revolt of English peasants to win more freedom from landowners
This was a land war, caused directly by the enclosing of the common fields of the peasants, and the break up of the accustomed rural life. -
Jan 1, 1429
Joan of Arc drives out the English from Orleans
Joan of Arc drives out the England from Orleans. -
Jan 1, 1453
100 Years' War ends
At last, after about 100 years, the 100 Years' War ends. After 1430, the war became the advantage of French. This had been a national war rather than the feudal conflict it started out to be. The English people also experienced some rebellions in their territories making it necessary for them to divert resources. -
May 22, 1455
Battle of St. Albans
Traditionally marks the beginning of the War of the Roses. The Battle of Bosworth happened during this. -
Jan 1, 1485
Battle of Bosworth Field
Richard III dies in battle, and Henry Tudor becomes king of England; last shift of Houses/kingship during the War of the Roses. -
Aug 22, 1485
Battle of Stoke
The start of the Battle of Stoke was a mark of the end of War of Roses -
Oct 30, 1485
Henry Tudor (Henry VII) is crowned King of England
Henry Tudor (Henry VII) was crowned King of England on 30th October 1485, Westminster Abbey, London, England. He died on 21st April 1509, in Richmond Palace, Richmond, Surrey, England. -
Vikings start raiding Europe
Viking warriors struck terror into the hearts of many with their 'lightning strike raids'. They killed innocent people (some in very cruel ways), burnt buildings and looted treasures. These Vikings usually raid quickly and unexpectedly, usually at unexpected times (mostly at dawn). It was hard for victims to excape and defend themselves from these raids. -
Alfred the Great assumes the throne, the first king of a united England.
Alfred the Great successfully defended his kingdom againts the Viking attempt in conquest. He is the only monarch recorded to be called "the Great". Alfred the Great was a merciful man. -
Death of Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great died on the 26th of October 899. Alfred was a learned and merciful man who encouraged education and improved his kingdom's legal system and military structure. He was buried in Newminster Abbey, Winchester.
