The Middle Ages

  • 476

    Fall of the Western Roman Empire

    Rome had ruled much of Europe. Now much of that land would fall into confusion as local kings and rulers tried to grab power. This is the start of the era called the Middle Ages.
  • Clovis Unites Most of the Frankish Tribes
    481

    Clovis Unites Most of the Frankish Tribes

  • Period: 700 to 1100

    Viking Age

  • Battle of Tours
    732

    Battle of Tours

    Charles Martel leads the Franks to victory over the Muslims, turning back Islam from Europe
  • Charlemagne becomes Holy Roman Emperor
    800

    Charlemagne becomes Holy Roman Emperor

  • Viking begin to invade northern Europe
    835

    Viking begin to invade northern Europe

    Vikings from the Scandinavian lands (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) start their raids on Europe
  • Alfred the Great, King of England, turns back the Viking raiders
    896

    Alfred the Great, King of England, turns back the Viking raiders

  • Viking Explorer Leif Erikson born
    970

    Viking Explorer Leif Erikson born

  • The Bayeux Tapestry - 230 feet of storytelling
    1066

    The Bayeux Tapestry - 230 feet of storytelling

    Museum
    Completed some years later, the Bayeux Tapestry captures the story of the William of Normandy and his army's invasion of England.
  • Battle of Hastings
    Oct 14, 1066

    Battle of Hastings

    This bloody, all-day battle was between the English and Norman invaders.
  • The Crusades Begin
    1095

    The Crusades Begin

    Pope Urban II called on all Christians to attack the Muslims who ruled Jerusalem and recover the city and the rest of the Holy Land. He assured them that anyone who died fighting would go straight to heaven. And thus began the first Crusade.
  • Period: 1095 to 1492

    Crusades

  • Eleanor of Aquitaine born
    1122

    Eleanor of Aquitaine born

    Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) was one of the most powerful and influential figures of the Middle Ages. Inheriting a vast estate at the age of 15 made her the most sought-after bride of her generation. She would eventually become the queen of France, the queen of England and lead a crusade to the Holy Land. She is also credited with establishing and preserving many of the courtly rituals of chivalry.
  • King Arthur & Camelot Legends
    1136

    King Arthur & Camelot Legends

    The History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth is published. These fantasy stories popularize the legend of King Arthur and Camelot
  • Construction begins for Notre Dame Cathedral
    1163

    Construction begins for Notre Dame Cathedral

    Take a tour
    This church is the most famous gothic-style cathedral, located in Paris France.
  • Richard I, Richard the Lionheart, becomes King of England
    1189

    Richard I, Richard the Lionheart, becomes King of England

    He spent most of his adult life fighting in the Crusades
  • Ulrich von Lichtenstein born
    1200

    Ulrich von Lichtenstein born

    This poet wrote about how knights and nobles could lead more virtuous lives
  • The Magna Carta is signed
    1215

    The Magna Carta is signed

  • Francis of Assisi travels to Egypt
    1219

    Francis of Assisi travels to Egypt

    (Saint) Francis travelled to Egypt to try and convert the Sultan to Christianity and thus end the Crusades
  • Philosopher and priest Thomas Aquinas born
    1225

    Philosopher and priest Thomas Aquinas born

    “We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.”
    ― St. Thomas Aquinas
  • Marco Polo leaves on his famous journey to explore Asia
    1271

    Marco Polo leaves on his famous journey to explore Asia

  • William Wallace & the Battle of Stirling Bridge
    Oct 11, 1297

    William Wallace & the Battle of Stirling Bridge

    Wallace led the Scottish army in a decisive victory in the Scots larger fight for independence from England.
    He was eventually captured and executed in London.
  • Dante completes his poem "The Divine Comedy"
    1320

    Dante completes his poem "The Divine Comedy"

    “Through me you pass into the city of woe:
    Through me you pass into eternal pain:
    Through me among the people lost for aye.
    Justice the founder of my fabric moved:
    To rear me was the task of power divine,
    Supremest wisdom, and primeval love.
    Before me things create were none, save things
    Eternal, and eternal I shall endure.
    All hope abandon, ye who enter here.”
    ― Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy
  • The Hundred Years' War Begins
    1337

    The Hundred Years' War Begins

    Okay, really it was 116 years of off and on fighting between France and England.
    Fun facts:
    On the way to the Battle of Crecy in 1346, French soldiers mooned the English archers.
    The longbow revolutionized warfare. It could pierce armor and be reloaded quickly.
    After the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, King Henry V threw a feast for his commanders, waited on by captured French knights.
  • The Black Death begins in Europe
    1347

    The Black Death begins in Europe

    This plague wiped out 1/3 of Europe's population in just four years. It didn't finally disappear from Europe until the 1700s.
  • The Legend of Robin Hood Appears
    1370

    The Legend of Robin Hood Appears

    The heroic outlaw of English folklore makes his debut. Maid Marian, Prince John, the Merry Men & the Sheriff of Nottingham!
  • Chaucer begins writing The Canterbury Tales
    1389

    Chaucer begins writing The Canterbury Tales

    “Youth may outrun the old, but not outwit.”
    ― Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer's 24 stories called The Canterbury Tales are a famous satire. He uses the tales and descriptions of its characters to paint an ironic and critical portrait of English society at the time, and particularly of the Church
  • Joan of Arc executed at the age of 19
    1431

    Joan of Arc executed at the age of 19

    Joan of Arc led the French to victory over the English in the Battle of Orleans in 1429. She claimed to have heard the voices of Saints.
  • 1440

    Gutenberg introduces his printing press; signaling the start of the Renaissance