Legacy of the Middle Ages

.

Period: 400 to 1700

The Fall of Rome

476

The Fall of Rome happened on the 4th of Semptember 476. This was the result of Odoacer, the German cheiftain, defeating the ruler, Romulus Augustus. This was such a signficant event in dawn of the Middle Ages because:

• It freed the continent Europe out from the control of one kingdom
• Marks the start of the Middle Ages.
• The political sturcture had major changes as a aresult of the defeat of Romulus Augustus.

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor

Dec 25, 800

On Chrismas Day of the 9th century, Charlemagne, King of Lombards and Franks, was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III. He was crowned the holy Emperor of Rome because he had protected Pope Leo III from rebels. This even was signficant because:

• This indicated the reconstruction of the Roman Empire in the west which has been has been abolished in the late 5th century.

The Feudal System was created

1066

The feudal system was a system in which people were ranked in 4 distinct social classes: a king, followed by the nobles, afterward the knights, and then the serfs. They were given land and protection by people of the rank above them, and worked and fought for them as a compensation. This was seen to be a noteworthy event because:

• The feudal system discouraged unified government
• discouraged trade and economic growth.
• The head of the monarch had less power.

EXPLANATION OF SECONDARY SOURCE

1066

The Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidered cloth that is 70 metres wide and and 49.5 centimetres tall. This tapestry depicts the events of the Norman Conquest of England. This was made to decorate Bishop Odo's newly built cathedral. Odo is William's half brother. Commissioned by: Bishop Odo
Date of compeletion: 1077

The Battle of Hastings

Sep 28, 1066

The Battle of Hastings is one of the most infamous battles of medieval Europe. Reason being that this was the last successful conquer of the English monarchy. This brought along a lot of changes:
- After William the Conqueror successfully won the English monarchy, he had to find a way to secure his control of the people and the land. This is how the feudal system came about, which divided the wealthy nobles and the serfs.
- The domesday book came 20 years later, which will be explained.

The First Crusade commenced

Aug 15, 1096

The First Crusade was led by Pope Urban II in 1095 with the intention to remove muslims from Jerusalem, the Holy Land, and to regain control of it. This was seen to be a notable event during the Middle Ages because:

• Muslims grew distrust in Chrisitians
• Religious intolerance grew in Medieval Europe between the Muslims and the Christians

Murder of Thomas Becket

Dec 29, 1170

Thomas Becket was an English archbishop. He is recognised for his assination that occured on the 29th of December, 1770. He engaged in conflict with King Henry II of England, arguing about the rights and privileges of the Church, and then assassinated by followers of the King in a Cathedral. Thomas Becket's demise is recognised and signficant because:

• There

EXPLANATION OF PRIMARY SOURCE

1215

The Magna Carta, is a charter of laws and rights that suggest that the king and his government isn't above the law and has to adhere the law. This is relevant because it is a picture of the original text. The Author: Archbishop of Canterbury.
Issued: June 1215

Magna Carta is signed

Jun 15, 1215

Magna Carta was a charter that was a signed agreement that the king and his government wasn't above the law. The aim of the charter was to prevent the king and his government exploit their power, and placed limits. King John of England signed this agreement in 1215. This commonly percieved to be fundementally signficant because:

• Magna Carta was implemented and inspired in many constitutions
• All citizens had right to justice and free trial.
• No new taxes unless a common counsel agrees.

The Hundred Years War

1337

The Hundred Years, suggested by the name, went on for a hundred years longer - starting in 1337, and ending in 1453. This conflict was between the English and French to succession of the French throne. This was when Edward III invaded Flanders to get the French Crown. This is very considerable as a major event of the middle ages because:

• England lost all of it's English-held territories except for Calais
• Destroyed the feudal system practically, another social order came
• Decline of trade

The Black Death started

1346

The Black Death a bubonic plague pandemic which killed millions in medieval Europe. This was an infectious fever originating from rats, and then transferred by fleas, and then when the fleas bit the humans they would be infected by the bubonic plague. It was an unforgetable event of the middle ages because:

• a substantial decline of land used for cultivation.
• a drastic reduction of trade
• killed a massive 30% - 50% of the entire European population.

The Peasants' Revolt

May 30, 1381

The Peasants' Revolt is a rebellion against the government that started in 1381. This happened because the peasants were paid insufficiently and the introduction of poll tax. Poll tax is a tax imposed by every adult, which was a reasont why the peasants decided to retaliate. This is considered to be a substantial revolt in medieval Europe because:

• Poll tax was discontinued
• The breakdown of feudalism in England happened as an outcome.
• The man's right to work independently