Extra Credit Middle Ages Timeline

4-7th centuries

400

Christianity spreads across Europe

Fall of the Roman Empire

476

The fall of the Western Roman Empire was the loss of central political control in the Western Roman Empire, a process in which the Empire failed to enforce its rule, and its vast territory was divided into several successor polities

Benedict writes his Rule

516

The Rule of Saint Benedict is a book of precepts written in 516 by Benedict of Nursia for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot.

Charlemagne crowned emperor by pope

800

In 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans. In this role, he encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual revival in Europe.

8th century

800

Repertory of Gregorian chant stabilized

Treaty of Verdun divides Charlemagne's realm

843

the first of the treaties that divided the Carolingian Empire into three kingdoms among the three surviving sons of Louis the Pious, who was the son of Charlemagne

10th century

1000

First notated books of chant

First Crusade captures Jerusalem from Muslim rule

1099

The Siege of Jerusalem was waged by European forces of the First Crusade, resulting in the capture of the Holy City of Jerusalem from the Muslim Fatimid Caliphate, and laying the foundation for the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem, which lasted almost two centuries.

11th century

1100

Troubadours (Provencal poet-composers) flourish

Main altar of Notre Dame Cathedral dedicated

1182

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the oldest Gothic Cathedrals in the world and one of the best-known. It towers offer incredible views over Paris. Notre Dame de Paris is one of the oldest gothic cathedrals in the world.

Dante Alighieri writes Divine Comedy

1308

The Divine Comedy, Italian La divina commedia, original name La commedia, long narrative poem written in Italian circa by Dante. It is usually held to be one of the world's great works of literature.

Dante Alighieri writes Divine Comedy

1308

The Divine Comedy, Italian La divina commedia, original name La commedia, long narrative poem that is usually held to be one of the world's great works of literature

Hundred Years' War

1337

The Hundred Years' War was a series of armed conflicts between the kingdoms of England and France during the Late Middle Ages. It originated from disputed claims to the French throne between the English royal House of Plantagenet and the French royal House of Valois

Black Death

1346

The Black Death was a bubonic plague pandemic occurring in Afro-Eurasia. It is the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, causing the death of 75–200 million people in Eurasia and North Africa.

Geoffrey Chaucer begins Canterbury Tales

1383

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of twenty-four stories that runs to over 17,000 lines written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer