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466
Clovis I
Born in 466. Clovis was the first King of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler. His rule was from 481 - 509. He is also considered the founder of the Merovingian dynasty which ruled the Franks for the next two centuries. -
Period: 467 to Dec 31, 1453
Medieval Europe
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526
East-West Schism
The first schism is healed when Pope John I travels to Constantinople and obtains a profession of orthodox faith from Emperor Justin I --a significant achievement considering the strength of the Monophysites in the East. Pope John is praised by the Byzantines as the “successor of Peter,” and is called upon to re-crown Justin as emperor --a precedent that will later lay the foundation for the crowning of Charlemagne -
565
Justinian I
Died in 565. One of the most important figures of Late Antiquity and the last emperor to speak Latin as a first language. During his reign, an outbreak of bubonic plague in the early 540s marked the end of an age of splendor. The empire entered a period of territorial decline did not end until the ninth century. He was also known for building aqueducts, bridges, and more than 25 churches including the great Hagia Sophia, a church of Holy wisdom, an architectural wonder of the world. -
Jan 6, 732
Battle of Tours
The Battle of Tours was fought in an area between the cities of Poitiers and Tours between the Frankish and Burgundian. The Battle of Tours, arguably one of the most decisive battles in all of history. It saved Christianity and stopped the conquest of Europe by Islam. -
Jan 6, 742
Charlemagne
Born in 742. He expanded the Frankish kingdoms into a Frankish Empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned Imperator Augustus by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800 as a rival of the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople. -
Jan 6, 1054
East-West Schism
The fifth and "Great" schism occured when Differences come to a head as Cardinal Humbertus, Papal legate of Leo IX excommunicates Patriarch Michael Cerularius and all his communicates (something he does without Papal approval, since Pope Leo had died shortly before). The Patriarch, in turn, excommunicates Humbertus and his fellow Papal delegates. -
Jan 6, 1066
Norman Conquest of England
On 28 September 1066, the Norman conquest of England began. The invasion of England was led by William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy who later became William the Conqueror after winning at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, against the current king at the time, Harold II of England. It was pivotal event in English history because it removed the native ruling class, replacing it with a foreign, French-speaking monarchy, aristocracy, and clerical hierarchy. -
Jan 6, 1088
Founding of the University of Bologna
It is the oldest university in Europe. It became in the 12th – 13th centuries the principal centre for studies in civil and canon law, and it served as a model for the organization of universities throughout Europe. Its faculties of medicine and philosophy were formed c. 1200. The faculty of science was developed in the 17th century. In the 18th century women were admitted as students and teachers. The modern university includes faculties of law, political science, economy and more. -
Jan 6, 1122
Elanore of Aquitaine
Born in 1122. She was married first to King Louis VII of France, with whom she had two daughters. She accompanied him on Crusade to the Holy Land, with a company of 300 women. She led her own troops in the Second Crusade dressed as an Amazon warrior. In 1152 her marriage was annulled. In 1152 her marriage was annulled. -
Jan 6, 1204
Elanore of Aquitaine
Died in 1204. Nothing daunted, the same year she married Henry Plantagenet who became King of England two years later. As a result of his infidelities she supported his two sons, Richard & John in a rebellion against him and was imprisoned. She was regent for her son Richard I when he was away crusading and raised the ransom for his release when he was captured. In 1200 she personally led the army which crushed a revolt in Anjou against her second son, by then King John. Eleanor died in 1204. -
Jan 6, 1215
Magna Carta
Issued in the year 1215. he 1215 Charter required King John of England not to be above the law in anyway and that no person could be punished unless it was a law of the land, a right which is still in existence today. -Magna Carta was arguably the most significant early influence on the extensive historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law today in the English speaking world. -
Sep 15, 1254
Marco Polo's birth
Most historians believe that Marco Polo was born in Venice. There is another theory that is not supported by historians that he was born on the island of Korčula. -
Jan 6, 1262
Marco Polo
His wealthy father and uncle, Nicolo and Maffeo Polo receive an invitation to Cathay (China) to meet Kublai, the khan of all the Mongols -
Jan 6, 1271
Marco Polo
Marco Polo accompanies his father and uncle on a journey through the Holy Land, Persia and Tartary and to the Empire of China. This journey last 3 years. -
Jan 6, 1274
East West Schism
The Great Schism was temporarily healed when at the Council of Lyons II, called by Pope Gregory X. Soon after, in 1276, Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologos and Pope John XXI affect a reunion of East and West. The East accepts the orthodoxy of Filioque, Unleavened Bread in the Eucharist, and the Western understanding of Purgatory. The Great Schism of 1054 was the first permanent major split in the Christian Church. The outcome was the creation of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. -
Jan 6, 1280
Marco Polo
From now till the death of Kublai Khan in 1292, Marco Polo learns the Chinese langauge, accompanies Khan on many missions throughout Asia, gets appointed as govenor of one of Khan cities and marries the daughter of Kublai Khan, the Princess Cocachin. -
Jan 6, 1295
Marco Polo
Marco Polo returns to Venice after the death of the death Kublai Khan with the finest collection of jewels ever seen. Venice is at war with Genoa at this time. -
Jan 6, 1298
Marco Polo
Marco Polo was made a "gentlemen commander" of a Venetian galley. His ship joins in the battle of Kurzola and he is taken as a prisoner of war by the Genoese. Whilst he is in prison he meets a writer called Rustichello of Pisa and dictated to him an account of his travels and experiences in China, Japan, and other Eastern countries -
Jan 6, 1299
Marco Polo
Marco Polo is said to have been released as a prisoner of war around this time. -
Jan 6, 1307
Marco Polo
A copy of his book reaches France and Switzerland and Marco Polo becomes internationally famous. Manuscript editions of his work continue to run hundreds within a century after his death. It is known as the most important account of the world outside of Europe at this time. -
Jan 6, 1327
Marco Polo
At almost 70 years old, Marco Polo dies in Venice and was buried in the Church of San Lorenzo. -
Jan 6, 1337
Hundred Years' War
Warfare changed tremendously during the Hundred Years' War. From the type of weapons used, to military tactics, to the very notion of what war meant, the Hundred Years' War challenged the long-established order of medieval society. It became clear that traditional medieval warfare would no longer work as it used to. The war also stimulated nationalistic sentiment: It devastated France, but it also awakened French nationalism. -
Jan 6, 1398
Johann Gutenberg
Born in 1398 and died in 1468. He was a goldsmith, printer and publisher who introduced modern book printing. He started a Printing Revolution which is widely seen as one of the most important event of the modern time. His major work, the Gutenberd Bible is acclaimed for it's technical quality. -
Jan 6, 1412
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc is born and baptized in Domremy. -
Jan 6, 1425
Joan of Arc
Joan begins hearing voices. -
Jan 6, 1428
Joan of Arc
Between now and the next year, Joan of Arc is prompted by the voices to travel to Vaucouleurs ask the Dauphin if she can join him and she is turned away. The second time she asks, she is accepted. She leaves Vaucouleurs dressed as a man and heads to Chinon, where the Dauphin is staying. She asks to help France fight the English and the Burgundians. Charles orders her interrogation by Churchmen for the next three weeks. The Dauphin then gives Joan command of a small force. -
Jan 6, 1429
Joan of Arc
Joan lead her troops from Blois to relieve French forces at the Siege of Orleans. Joan and La Hire reach Orleans, and are told to wait for reinforcements. Instead, after sudden inspriation Joan decides to lead an attack on the English. After being wounded, she still leads a battle at Les Tourelles. Joan travels to Tours, where she asks the Dauphin to go immediately to Reims for a coronation ceremony. She lead many battles after such the Battle of Patay. -
Jan 6, 1429
Joan of Arc
The Dauphin is crowned King of France. French and English forces skirmish at Senlis until Burgundy and France sign a four-month truce. Even with the treaty, a month later, an assault on Paris begins. Meanwhile, Charles raises Joan, her parents, and her brothers to nobility status. -
Jan 6, 1430
Joan of Arc
Joan reaches Compiegne and is captured -
Jan 6, 1431
Joan of Arc
Joan is transferred to Bishop Pierre Cauchon's control for interrogation. Ten days later, her trail began. Upon the reading of her sentence, Joan, frightened, signs a last- minute abjuration. Upon the reading of her sentence, Joan, frightened, signs a last- minute abjuration. On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc is burned at the stake. 20 years later, she was later found to be innocent and is made a saint. She made strides in womens rights at the time and is still remembered to this day. -
Jan 6, 1453
The Hundred Years' War
The Hundred Years' War accelerated the process of transforming France from a feudal monarchy to a centralized state. The latter stages of the war saw the emergence of the dukes of Burgundy as important players on the political field, and it encouraged the English, in response to the seesawing alliance of the southern Netherlands (now Belgium, a very important textile hub at the time) throughout the conflict, to develop their own clothing industry and foreign markets. -
Jan 6, 1453
The Fall of Constantinople
The Fall of Constantinople marks the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of a new era in Europe. The Fall of Constantinople was the capture of the capital of the Byzantine Empire which occurred after a siege laid by the Ottoman Empire, under the command of Sultan Mehmed II.The siege lasted from Thursday, 5 April 1453 until Tuesday, 29 May 1453 (according to the Julian Calendar), when the city fell to the Ottomans. Constantinople was defended by the army of Emperor Constantine XI. -
The Vikings
Died 802.The Vikings invaded many places such as Iona, the island of Inishmurray, Sheppey, Devon, Ireland, and various other areas. They were Norse adventurers who sailed beyond the world which was known by the civilizations of the Mediteranean, Mid-East and Africa. Some say they even made it to China. Mostly the were the pirates of the seas at that time as they would take what they wanted by force alone and leave as quickly as they arrived. The expolred the world and therefore expanded the map. -
East-West Schism
There were 6 schims between now and 1281 simply because of the East and West discovering more about each other and their differences especially with religion. In the first, Acacius, Bishop of Constantinople, persuaded Eastern Emperor Zeno to issue the Henoticon (“Act of Union”) to appease the Monophysites --a doctrinal compromise and a contradiction of Chalcedon, which all the Eastern bishops sign. Pope Felix III (II) excommunicated the entire east. -
Charlemagne
Died in 814. His rule is also associated with the Carolingian Renaissance, a revival of art, religion, and culture through the medium of the Catholic Church. Through his foreign conquests and internal reforms, Charlemagne helped define both Western Europe and the Middle Ages. He is numbered as Charles I in the regnal lists of France, Germany, and the Holy Roman Empire. -
Justinian
Born in 483. During his reign, which lasted from 527 to 565 Justinian sought to revive the empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire. He recreated the Roman Empire in his Byzantine Empire and rebuilt Constantinople.
