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800 BCE
5- Charlemagne 800 AD c.
The fame achieved by Carlos Martel will help his son, Pepin the Short, to become King of the Franks. But the one who really stood out was his grandson, Charlemagne, who promoted a series of reforms of great importance for Europe. He expanded his area of influence throughout much of Western Europe and, together with the Church, carried out what would become known as the Carolingian Renaissance. -
13 BCE
2- Emergence of Feudalism
One of the most characteristic systems of the Middle Ages is feudalism. Its origin is in the "contracts" that the emperors made with lords and governors of the different territories of the Empire, because given its vastness it was difficult to control. -
14
3- Emergence of the monasteries (6th century onwards)
As the Empire fell apart, a few men decided to get away from the violence of the Middle Ages and retreat to secluded places. Monasticism is not typical of Christianity, since it has manifested itself in other cultures. However, the monks of the Middle Ages, taking the example of Saint Benedict, had a very important role in supporting and preserving the cultural remains of the disappeared Roman Empire. -
189
8- First Universities
The fruits of the Gregorian Reform were of great importance for Europe, marking a before and after in what we know as the Middle Ages. The greater independence of the clergy resulted in the Cluny and Cistercian reforms and the appearance of mendicant orders such as Franciscans or Dominicans, in addition to allowing a great cultural exchange throughout Christendom fostered by the freedom and legal independence of the clergy. -
476
1- Fall of the Western Roman Empire 476 AD.
This is the date where the beginning of the Middle Ages is usually placed. On September 4, 476, Odoacer, a Germanic chief, deposed Romulus Augustulus, the last emperor of Rome. Thus culminated a whole process of several centuries in which the Empire had already entered into decline. -
Jul 7, 622
4- Islam and the Reconquest (7th century onwards)
Islam was born in 622 AD in Arabia and quickly spread throughout North Africa. It continued to advance, invading the Iberian Peninsula and reaching France, taking advantage of the weakness of the small Christian kingdoms, very divided at that time. -
May 7, 1054
6- Eastern Schism 1054
What maintained the essence of Rome for centuries after its fall was Christianity, represented in the Church, whose primacy was held by the pope in Rome. -
Sep 7, 1073
7- Reforma Gregoriana 1073-1085
En plena Edad Media, la Iglesia de Occidente cumplía mil años de existencia y volviendo la vista atrás algunos papas como León IX y Gregorio VII se dieron cuenta que en muchos ámbitos eclesiales se había abandonado el fin sobrenatural de la Iglesia y se habían entregado a los bienes temporales. -
Dec 2, 1337
9- Hundred Years War 1337-1453
he Duke of Normandy (in northern France) was a vassal of the French king. One of those who were dukes of that place, Gillermo the Conqueror, rose as king of England thanks to the victory in the battle of Hastings (1066). In this way, the kings of England (house of Normandy) were vassals of the king of France. In addition, in the 12th century, the house of Normandy was replaced by the Plantagenet (dukes of Anjou), one of them, Henry II -
Aug 6, 1378
10- Western Schism 1378-1417
After the popes spent a few years in Avignon (France) due to pressure from France and instability in the city of Rome, a conclave was called in 1378 to elect a new pope. The place of the election will be the Basilica of San Pedro, where the cardinals were imprisoned by the people and attacked to elect an Italian pope and to remain in Rome. Despite the situation and the flight of many cardinals, Urban VI was elected