Italy (1250- 1350 CE)

Emperor Friedrich II died

Jan 1, 1250

After Emperor Friedrich II died, Florence become democratic but fought with their Ghibelline enemies. Which, later caused them to lose up to 10,000 men.

The Man of Sorrows and the King of Glory in Italy

Jan 1, 1250

The Man of Sorrows and the King of Glory in Italy was written by Lachlan Turnbull in 1250- 1350. It is a type of abstract that follows Jesus Christ in his crucifixion.

The Owl and the Nightingale

Jan 1, 1250

Also known as Hule and the Nightingale. The author to this poem is unknown. It is basically about a debate between an owl and nightingale. One of the earliest examples of a literary form of debate poetry.

Marco Polo

Jan 1, 1254

Marco Polo was born in Venice, Italy.

Manfred conquered Sicily

Jan 1, 1256

Manfred conquered Sicily and became king, but Charles of Anjou defeated and killed him in 1266.

Joachite prophecies apocalypse

Jan 1, 1260

Joachite prophecies had indicated that 1260 would be the year of the apocalypse, and a hermit of Perugia started the self-flagellating movement that spread south to Rome and north to Lombardy. The mass movement soon died out in Italy; but it spread north of Alps in 1261.

Invention of Watermark

Jan 1, 1282

Watermark This medieval innovation was first introduced in Fabriano, Italy, in 1282. A watermark is an identifying image or pattern in paper that appears as various shades of lightness/darkness when viewed by transmitted light.

Genoa's navy destroyed Pisa

Jan 1, 1284

Florence defeated Pisa, which created Guelfs to set up democratic governments. Genoa's navy then destroyed Pisa's fleet and port.

Matteo Visconti

Jan 1, 1287

Visconti was elected captain and used a private council to increase his power. Later, in 1298, Visconti was named imperial vicar over the Lombard cities.

Ancrene Riwle (The Anchoress’s Rule)

Jan 1, 1300

Composed by an Augustinian canon for three anchorite sisters. Chapter one is the devotionals that outlines the routine of prayers recommended to the anchorites in general and prayers assigned to hours such as Matins or responses to the Mass.

Tuscany, Italy

Jan 1, 1300

The region of Tuscany was populated with 2 million people, which it would not reach this high again until 1850.

Havelok the Dane and King Horn

Jan 1, 1300

Also known as Lay of Havelok the Dane. Havelok is first of Geoffrey Gaimar's Anglo-Norman Estorie des Engles poems. It is the second longest romance poem to exsist. The poem is notable for its interest in law and legal practice and its exploration of ideal kingship.

Invention of Dry Compass

Jan 1, 1302

Dry Compass was invented by Flavio Gioja, an Italian pilot from Amalfi, has been credited with perfecting the sailor's compass by suspending its needle over a compass card, thus giving the compass its familiar appearance.

Lo Sposalizio della Vergine- "The Marriage of the Virgin"

Jan 1, 1305

The Marriage of the Virgin was painted by Giotto. It is showing the scenes from the Life of the Virgin.

Peruzzi Altarpiece

Jan 1, 1309

Done by Giotto di Bondone. Not like most artists at this time, Bondone used more of a naturalistic approach to the human form. He used tempera and a gold leaf on the panel.

The Crucifixion

Jan 1, 1315

Painting done by Pacino di Bonaguida. It shows a biblical description of the hours before his death when "there was darkness over the whole earth."

Entry of Christ into Jerusalem

Jan 1, 1320

Done by Pietro Lorenzetti. Entering the city on a donkey symbolizes arrival in peace rather than war-waging king arriving on a horse.

Spiritual Laude- Italian Music

Jan 1, 1335

Italian flagellants develop the Italian folk hymns known as Spiritual Laude. Rossi Codex, was the earliest extant collection of Italian secular polyphony.

Venice Treaty

Jan 1, 1339

Venice formed a league and extended its territory by a treaty. They needed land for agriculture and allowed cities to be independent.

St. Catherine of Alexandria

Jan 1, 1340

St. Catherine of Alexandria was painted by Niccolò di Segna. This piece is one of several saints of a disassembled polyptych of which the center piece was a Madonna. It sets off a sense of religious sensitivity in an impersonal manner.