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Period: 330 to Jan 1, 1453
The Byzantine Empire
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410
The Fall of Rome
The Visigoths surround Rome for two years and allowed Rome to starve. They then forced Rome to surrender and open their gates. At that moment, the Visigoths charged into Rome, pillaging it for two straight days. -
Period: Jan 1, 700 to Jan 1, 1100
The Vikings
The Vikings began their notorius raids in Europe in the 700s. They constantly used their barbarian water attacks to pillage town, and cities. Most people feared them and the only wsay to escape them was to start to build fortresses. The Vikings hated these and so they left them alone. -
Period: Jan 1, 742 to
Charlemagne
Charlemagne reunified the Christian world. He also renewed education, making it possible for all to learn. If anyone was caught practicing anything other than Christianity, he would have them executed. -
Period: Jan 1, 1000 to Jan 1, 1200
Chivalry
Chivalry was the code of behavior of the medieval knight class. Knights were generally gentlemen, rich men who could afford a horse and armor. This code of conduct included the values of bravery, fairness, protection of women & clergy. Chivalry reached its high point during the Crusades. -
Period: Jan 1, 1026 to Jan 1, 1087
William the Conqueror
As Duke of Normandy, William invaded England in 1066 (Norman Conquest), defeated Harold Godwinson (King Edward the Confessor's pick of successor) at the Battle of Hastings. He strengthened the power of the crown at the expense of the English nobles, ordered a survey of English land (a census) which resulted in the Domesday Book, and he established the "Great Council" (Curia Regis) which was an advisory group of nobles and became the precursor to modern English Parliament. -
Period: Jan 1, 1095 to Jan 1, 1099
First Crusade
Urged to free the Holy Land from Muslins, Pope Urban II called the for the First Crusade in 1095. July 15, 1099 the crusaders stormed Jerusalem, and began to rule. Established four states: County of Edessa, Principality of Antioch, County of Tripoli, and Kingdom of Jerusalem. -
Period: Jan 1, 1130 to Jan 1, 1143
Innocent II
Innocent II, as a Cardinal, worked on the Concrodant of Worms which resolved the lay investiture controversy between the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Emperor. The Church and Emperor were arguing over who had control of land and the ability to name bishops in the Holy Roman Empire. Later became pope, but controversy surrounded his term as pope. -
Period: Jan 1, 1147 to Jan 1, 1149
Second Crusade
The Second Crusades began when Edessa fell to the Muslims in 1144. Armies of France and Germany were sent to recapture Damascus to secure borders of Jerusalem. Failed as they fled in retreat, 1149. -
Period: Jan 1, 1160 to Jan 1, 1200
Notre Dame Cathedral
The construction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was from around 1160-1200. The cathedral is a prime example of Gothic architecture with flying buttresses, high walls, and stained glass - including the Rose Window. Gothic cathedrals were built in most European cities during the "High" Middle Ages as a testament to the city's wealth and guilds. -
Period: Jan 1, 1162 to Jan 1, 1170
Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
This is the time period Becket was Archbishop. He had a close relationship with King Henry II of England until they clashed over the use of church courts. Henry II's knights killed Becket on the high altar in order to stifle the church's power, but it made Becket a martyr, and Henry suffered serious guilt after Becket's death. -
Period: Jan 1, 1189 to Jan 1, 1192
Third Crusade
The capture of Jersualem by Muslim chief Saladin in 1189 led to 3rd Crusade. This was the climax of the crusade movement, and a big disappointment. Emperor Barbarossa, King Philip II of France, King Richard I of England led armies. But, it ended in stalemate. Only unarmed Christians were granted access to Jerusalem by Muslims. -
Jan 1, 1200
Rise of the University
Universities developed out of monasteries, but became the leaders of intellectual study. Universities in Italy at Bologna and Padua as well as the University of Paris were founded around 1200 and they as well as their curricula endure today. -
Jan 1, 1215
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a document established by the people of England. King John then signed the document forcing it into place among all other laws. This law limited the power in which King John and his family had. -
Period: Jan 1, 1328 to Jan 1, 1453
Hundred Years War
The Hundred Years War was fought between the French and English over who would become the King of France after the death of Charles IV. The closest male heir was King Edward III of England. But the French chose Philip of Valois who becomes King Philip VI of France. The war was interrupted by the Black Death, and ended with the involvement of Joan of Arc, a charismatic leader for the French. -
Jan 1, 1347
The Black Death
This was a deadly plague that killed about half of the Roman population. This plague was caused by rats that had come in through Romes ports and harbors. It devestated all of the European countries. -
Period: Jan 1, 1378 to Jan 1, 1417
Great Schism
A period of time in which the Catholic Church was split over the election of Pope after Pople Gregory XI death in Rome. Both the Italians and French each selected a successor. Followers of the Catholic faith chose sides, excommunicated one another, and even an attempt at compromise by selecting a third Pope failed. -
Period: Jan 1, 1412 to Jan 1, 1431
Joan of Arc
A young peasant girl who claimed God told her to rescue France from the English invasion. She was given an army by the French king. She sieged the English at Orelans in 1429. She ensured the coronation of the French king in Reims. She became a martyr to the French when she was captured, sold to the English, and burned at the stake after a trial accusing her of witchcraft. French victories after Joan's death forced English forces out of continental Europe. -
Jan 1, 1450
Johannes Gutenberg
In the mid 15th Century, Johannes Gutenberg invented a movable type for printing. This led to the drastic increase in the production of literature. Gutenberg is noted for his Bible. Movable type replaced the arduous copying of text by hand, usually by monks (illuminated manuscripts). -
Period: to 565
Justinian
Justinisn ruled over the Byzantine Emoire from (527-565). He was a great emporer who tried to regain parts of the western empire. He also rebuilt the Hagia Sophia past its former glory. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1300
Feudalism
Feudalism was the loose form of government during the Middle Ages, roughly from the 10th to 14th Centuries. It had its strongest presence in France. It was a relationship between a king and his vassals who paid homage to the king. It was a basic political structure that grew out of the barbarian invasions at the end of the Roman Empire, and the need for protection from such invasions.
