1000-1500 Europe

1000-1500 Europe

Period: Jan 1, 1000 to Dec 31, 1500

University of Bologna Founded

Jan 1, 1088

The University of Bologna was the very first university ever known to history formed. It was founded in 1088 by Giosue Carducci. It's motto is Alma mater, which is Latin for fostering mother of studies. The unviersity was opened for 70 years before receiving a charter in 1158 from Frederick I Barbarossa. It is notable for teaching canon and civil law.

Start of The Crusades

Jan 1, 1095

The Crusades were a series of Holy Wars launched by the Christian states of Europe against the Saracens (Saracen is word used to describe a Moslem during the time of the Crusades). They started in 1095 when Pope Claremont preached the First Crusade at the Council of Claremont. The Pope's preaching led to thousands immediately attaching the cross to their garments.

First Crusade Begins

Jan 1, 1095

The first crusade, which lasted from 1095-1099 , established the Latin Kingdom of Jersualem, providing more lands for the crusading knights, who often travelled across Europe to try their fortunes and to visit the Holy Sepulchre.

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

The Magna Carta was the first document imposed upon a King of England by a group of his subjects, the feudal barons, in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their rights. It did not generally limit the power of kings in the medieval period, but by the time of the English Civil War it had become an important symbol for those who wished to show that the King was bound by the law. It influenced the early settlers in New England and inspired later contistutional documents (US Const.)

Attack on Knights Templar Order

Jan 1, 1298

King Philip IV (1285-1314) of France began an attack on the Knights Templar Order, jealous of their power and privileges and envious of their wealth. The Inquisition accused them of blasphemy and idolatry. They are accused of denying Christian doctrines, giving homage to Satan and worshipping an idol called Baphomet.

Silk Industry Introduced

Jan 1, 1300

The silk industry was introduced in the twelfth century and had grown impressively in Souther Europe by 1500. There were big improvements in the quality of textiles and the vaireties of color and design available.

The Bubonic Plague Begins

Jan 1, 1347

Between 1347 ad 1351, about one third of the European population was killed by the Bubonic Plague. After this disaster, smaller epidemics continued to strike Europe so that the population did not recover quickly. In addition to this, farmers had very small pieces of land and too much had been brought under civilization.

Johannes Gutenberg creates Printing Press

Jan 1, 1440

In the 1440s, Johannes Gutenberg created a printing press with movable type. This revolution in communication greatly assisted in the spread of Renaissance ideals throughout Europe, allowing the ideas to be printed for mass circulation, for the first time in history. Gutenberg was the first european ever to create a printing press with a movable type, though the Chinese had long before innovated this technology.

Leonardo da Vinci is Born

Apr 15, 1452

He is best known for his paintings, mainly The Last Supper and The Mona Lisa. There remain about fifteen paintings attributed reliably to Leonardo, and many others to his pupils and imitators. He also left several important drawings which include "Vitruvian Man," the most famous and reproduced drawing in the world. He died in 1519.

Ottoman Empire takes Constaninople

May 29, 1453

The Ottoman Empire had taken Contantinople in 1453, and quickly extended it hegemony to the Balkans, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and North Africa.

Pico della Mirandole is Born

Feb 24, 1463

Pico della Mirandole (1463-1494) was an Intalian renaissance humanist philosipher and scholar. He austhored the "Oration on the Dignity of Max.," which has become known as the "Manifesto of the Renaissance." In this he explained that man has unlimited potential, and with his free will can be anything he wants to be. He argued man should make use of his abilities and not waste them. He finally explained people should live their life with virtue, or the quality of being a man.