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The Roman Empire, perhaps the greatest and most advanced civilisation of the ancient world collapses, kickstarting the middle ages or the "Dark Ages" as there was not much documentation during this time.
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The king of the Franks, (the most powerful Christian kingdom of their time), Charlemagne, is crowned as the emperor of Western Europe on Christmas Day. This crowning made him the most powerful emperor of his time.
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Edward the Confessor is crowned king of England, and rules from 8th of June 1042 until the 5th of January 1066, after he dies of old age. He was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings.
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The Seljuk Turks, an Islamic people, take control of Jerusalem. They slaughtered the people living there, and pillaged their gold, silver and horses.
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Harold Godwinson becomes the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. William of Normandy invades England and defeats Harold at the battle of Hastings to become King William I of England.
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The Domesday Book is created, listing all livestock and property holdings in England and Wales. It is also called "The Great Survey".
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The First Crusade begins, the first of a series of wars between Christians and Muslims, lasting the span of 175 years. There were 9 crusades, with the first four being the most important, and the Children's Crusade eventually leading to the decline of crusades.
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The Crusaders took hold of Jerusalem during the first crusade, which was the climax of the first crusade. They took the city from the Fatimid Caliphate and laid the foundation for the kingdom of Jerusalem.
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The Muslim forces take back Jerusalem after the First Crusade, providing a motive for the Third Crusade.
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The Magna Carta, which modern day democracy is based off of, outlines the rights of people within the world, and is signed by King John of England. This replaced trial by jury with trial by ordeal.
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The Great Famine, caused by bad weather and widespread crop failure, lasts for two years and kills millions upon millions of people.
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The Hundred Year war was fought between England and France, which lasted for 116 years.
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A deadly plague spreads across Europe, killing millions and reducing the population by a third. This pandemic would be known as 'The Black Death'.
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In Germany, Johannes Gutenberg invents the first printing press with movable type.
