Church Timeline

East–West Schism

Jan 1, 1054

This was the break of communion between what are now the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. This event is significant not only because it split Europe by religion but also becuase it divided people culturally.

Siege of Jerusalem

Jan 1, 1099

The climax of the First Crusade, the successful siege saw the Crusaders seize the city from the Fatimid Caliphate and laid the foundations for the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Thiss event had a huge cultural impact sonce the siege quickly became legendary and in the 12th century it was the subject of the Chanson de Jérusalem, a major chanson de geste in the Crusade cycle.

Fourth Crusade

Jan 1, 1204

This significant event marked the beginning of Latin Empire of Constantinople. The Fourth Crusade is considered to be one of the final acts in the Great Schism between the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church, and a key turning point in the decline of the Byzantine Empire.

Great Interregnum

Jan 1, 1250

After the death of Frederick II, the German kingdom was divided between his son Conrad IV and the anti-king, William of Holland. Conrad's death was followed by the Interregnum, during which no king could achieve universal recognition, allowing the princes to consolidate their holdings and become even more independent rulers. This event iss important because later in history, the problem was resolved at the ecumenical council of the Catholic Church.

Second Council of Lyon

Jan 1, 1274

Catholic and Orthodox Churches were temporarily reunited and they drew up plans for a crusade to recover the Holy Land. This event is important because the council recognized Rudolf I as Holy Roman Emperor and ended the Greaat Interregnum.

Beginning of Avignon Papacy

Jan 1, 1309

Also called the "Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy". This was the period during which seven successive popes resided in Avignon rather than in Rome. I chose this event because it demonstrates the conflict between the Papacy and the French crown.

End of Avignon Papacy

Jan 1, 1377

This was return of the papacy to Rome under Gregory XI which ended the Avignon Papacy. This event is important because it was the cause of the Western Schism.

Western Schism

Jan 1, 1378

This was a split within the Roman Catholic Church from 1378 to 1417, driven by politics rather than any theological disagreement. I chose this event because it is a unique example of how church was closely involved with politics.

Council of Pisa

Jan 1, 1409

The Council of Pisa was an unrecognized ecumenical council of the Catholic Church that attempted to end the Western Schism by deposing Benedict XIII (Avignon) and Gregory XII (Rome). I chose this event because it worsened the situation by electing a third papal claimant, Alexander V.

Council of Constance

Jan 1, 1417

The council ended the Western Schism, by deposing or accepting the resignation of the remaining papal claimants and electing Pope Martin V who asserted the absolute authority of the papal office. This event was important because it signified the start of Conciliarism.

Execution of Joan of Arc

Jan 1, 1431

St. Joan of Arc was captured by the English, condemned as a heretic and executed by burning. This event led to increased French nationalism near the end of Hundred Year's War.

Council of Ferrara-Florence

Jan 1, 1439

I chose this event because it was thought to be an end to East-West Schism since the Eastern representatives accepted the Western doctrines of Filioque, Purgatory and the supremacy of the Papacy. However, this agreement with the West was broadly rejected by the populace and by civil authorities and thus the union signed at Florence has never been accepted by the Eastern churches.

Fall of Constantinople

Jan 1, 1453

As a result of the Ottoman conquest, the entire Orthodox communion of the Balkans and the Near East became suddenly isolated from the West. But Orthodoxy was still very strong in Russia which became autocephalous and thus Moscow called itself the Third Rome, as the cultural heir of Constantinople. This event contributed to the growing authority of the Autocephalous Russian Church.

Invention of Printing Press

Jan 1, 1455

The invention of the printing press is extremely significant because it allowed for the easy manufacturing of books. These books helped develop movements such as the Protestant Reformation and the Englightenment.

Inquisition

Jan 1, 1480

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella formed it to deal with distrusted ex-Jewish and ex-Muslim converts. The inquisition played a major role in the final expulsion of Islam from the kingdoms of Sicily and Spain.

Protestant and Catholic Reformations

Jan 1, 1500

These religious reformations were significant because new religions—Protestantism, Calvinism, Lutheranism, etc—emerged and caused political disarray in Europe.