Important Events during Medieval England

The Medieval period in England begins

1066

Feudalism, a political and economic system, is introduced to England by William the Conqueror and states that the king owns the kingdom. William granted a fourth of the kingdom to himself, the Church, and his barons. These barons supplied William with knights, who pledged their allegiance to him. This is how the concept of knighthood is introduced to England.

Barons Take Sides; Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, passes away

1135

After the death of William, power struggles began to arise amongst the barons. These struggles began to erupt when William's son, Henry I, died. The barons took sides in a violent struggle between Henry I's daughter, Matilda, and his nephew Stephen.

The Anarchy Ends; Henry II takes the throne.

1154

After the fighting was finished Matilda's son, Henry II, took the throne. Henry reformed the judicial system, instituted royal courts, and established a system of juries.

The Magna Carta is signed.

1215

Henry II's son, Richard the Lionhearted, spent his ten-year reign fighting in the crusades. His brother, John, ruled over England in his absence and took the throne after his death. The royal court had went bankrupt and this forced King John to sign the Magna Carta, or Great Charter. The Magna Carta limited royal authority and was an early step to democracy

Model Parliament is established.

1295

John's son, Henry III, set up an advisory council of barons called parliament and they met up regularly. Under Henry III's successor, Edward I, the Model Parliament of 1295 was established. It was established to include commoners in the council, or parliament.

Hundred Years' War erupts in England

1337

During the reign of Edward III, war between France and England erupted. This war raged on and off for over a century. During the war, England suffered a terrible domestic crisis known as the Black Death. This killed more than 1/3 of the population.

The Hundred Years' War comes to an end

1453

The fighting between France and England finally ended. England had lost most of its French possessions and was on the brink of yet another conflict. Two rival families, the House of York and the House of Lancaster, began to fight over the throne. This fight was known as the War of Roses because each house used a rose as its symbol.

The Medieval period in England ends.

1485

The fighting in the War of Roses came to an end when the Lancastarian Henry Tudor killed Yorkist King Richard III and took the throne as Henry VII. This event is what marks the end of the Medieval Period in England.