Marco Polo

Marco Polo is born

Sep 15, 1254

Marco Polo was born in Venice, Italy to a wealthy Venetian merchant family. His mother's name was Nicole Anna Defuseh and his father's name was Niccolò Polo. Sadly Marco's mother died during his early years of childhood. (Tao 28)

Constantinople falls

Aug 15, 1261

Constantinople falls to Michael VIII of Nicea and his army. According to some historians, the fall of Costantinople marks the end of the middle ages. (History Central)

First English Parliment held

Jan 23, 1265

The First Parliament met at Westminster Hall on January 23rd 1265, sitting until February 15 that year. Although Edward I is often credited with calling the first representative Parliament in 1295 - the so-called Model Parliament - de Montfort was its true architect. Not through true democratic enthusiasm of course the concept of the Commons was established by de Montfort. (History Central)

Marco Polo's Journy Begins

Jan 1, 1271

In 1271, Marco Polo and his father and his uncle- who were both merchants- set out on a journey from Venice to reach the great land of China. (Tao 28)

Arrival At China

May 1, 1275

Marco Polo and his Father and Uncle left Venice in 1271 and finally arrived in China in 1275. During their travel they faced many obstacles like having to cross high, cold mountains and hot, waterless deserts (Tao 28). When the Great Khan had been told of their approach, he sent out a royal escort to bring the Polo's to his presence. The Polos arrived to the original capital of Kublai Khan at Shang-tu (Marco Polo and His Travels).

Marco Polo is appointed as an envoy for Kublai Khan

Jul 1, 1275

In 1275 Kublai Khan sent him on very important business to a distant part of China. His travels were in lands never before visited by Europeans and Marco Polo had many strange adventures among the almost unknown tribes of Asia. In honor of his works Kublai Khan appointed him as an envoy of China. (Castlereagh 182)

Marco Polo is given many goverment jobs from Kublai Khan Continued...

Jan 1, 1280

can pass under them, and yet carts and horses also pass over them, so well is the street level adjusted to the height." (Tao 29)

Marco Polo is given many goverment jobs from Kublai Khan.

Jan 1, 1280

Since Marco Polo's travels were to areas never discovered by Europeans and met many unknown tribes of Asia, he was promoted from job to job many times. As well of being envoy he was appointed official of the Privy Council, tax inspector in Yangzhou and governor of Yangzhou. When describing Yangzhou: "There are said to be 12,000 bridges, mostly of stone, through some are wood. Those over the main channels and they are built with lofty arches and are so well designed that big ships without a mast

Jews are expelled

Jul 12, 1290

On July 12th, 1290 Jews were expelled for the first time from England on order by King Edward I. The order was not to isolate the Jews but to get rid of over 200 years of conflict that had occurred in England. One of the major causes was Jews had to pay a high tax and his made them very angry so King Edward felt something had to be done. (History Central)

Marco Polo arrives home and the after event

Jan 1, 1295

In 1295 the Polos finally returned home in Venice after a 17 year journey in China. They returned home with the finest collection of jewels ever seen. Three years after Marco returned to Venice, he commanded a galley in a war against the rival city of Genoa. He was captured during the fight and spent a year in a Genoese prison. While in prison he writes his most famous book called "The Travels of Marco Polo" about his stay in China. (Marco Polo and His Travels)

Jews are massacred in Germany

Jul 23, 1298

On this date, Jews are first massacred in Wurzburg, Germany. This was one of the worst places for a Jewish community to be near. They permitted violent pogroms in the Middle Ages with hundreds of victims and finally killing Jews in the 1298. (History Central)

Marco Polo is let free

Jan 1, 1299

In 1299 a peace was signed between Venice and Genoa. After a year of captivity Marco Polo was freed and returned to Venice. Marco Polo being arrested was a very key part of his life because he had a lot of time on his hands and was able to write his famous book which is one of the most important pieces of literature out there today. (Marco Polo and His Travels)

Marco Polo gets married

Jan 1, 1300

Marco Polo gets married to a Venetian lady named Donata Badoer. Together they raise a family and have three daughters, Belela, Fatina and Moreta. (Tao 28)

Marco Polo becomes famous

Jan 1, 1307

Copies of Marco Polo's books are sold in France and Switzerland. He reaches a level of publicity that he has never reached before, he is known all around. (Marco Polo and His Travels)

King Edward I dies

Jul 7, 1307

On this date in history King Edward I passes away. King Edward as we know expelled the Jews from England in 1290. He was 68 years old when he feel ill and ended up passing away.It is said that as Edward I lay dying he asked for his heart to be taken to the Holy Land and for the flesh to be boiled from his body so his bones could lead the English army in battle against the Scots. Neither request was carried out.
Edward’s body was buried in royal purple robes in Westminster Abbey.(History Central)

Pier Galveston passes away

Jun 19, 1312

On June 19th, 1312 Peir Galveston passed away. Pier was the 1st East of Cornwall and his cause of death was that he was beheaded. He was taken out on the road towards Kenilworth as far as Blacklow Hill, which was on the Earl of Lancaster's land. Here, two Welshmen ran him through with a sword and beheaded him. (History Central)

Marco Polo dies

Jan 8, 1324

Marco Polo died on January 8th, 1324 at age 67. As he lay dying, friends and fans of his book paid him visits, urging him to admit that his book was fiction. Marco wouldn't relent. "I have not told half of what I saw," he said (Marco Polo). Marco was buried in the Church of San Lorenzo. (Tao 28)