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500
Medieval Times begins
The span of time between the breakup of the Roman Empire in the west (476 A.D.) to the beginning of the Renaissance (c. 1400 A.D.) is usually referred to as the Middle Ages or the Medieval Period. This is a time in History when there was lots of war in Europe. -
Jan 1, 1060
William the Conquerer
William the Conquerer was the first Norman King of England from Christmas 1066 until his death. He was also Duke of Normandy. When William the Conqueror became king and was able to control England, he instituted his strategy for medieval warfare of building castles and went on to build many castles in England including his most famous, the Tower of London. -
Jan 1, 1080
The Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings and the defeat of Harold Godwinson. The battle marked the last successful foreign invasion of the British Isles. The Battle of Hastings had a tremendous influence on the English language. The Normans were French-speaking, and as a result of their rule, they introduced many French words that started in the nobility and eventually became part of the English language itself. -
Jan 1, 1098
First Crusade
Christians from Europe are successful in taking over Jerusalem -
Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
Most important document in History. Stopping King John from putting everyone in jail. -
Jan 1, 1258
New form of Government
Provisions of Oxford forced upon Henry III of England, establishing a new form of government limited regal authority -
Jan 1, 1340
Black Death
This was a horrible sickness that was also called the plague. It killed millions of people. The Black Death ravages Europe for the first of many times. An estimated 20% - 40% of the population is thought to have perished within the first year -
Jan 1, 1380
The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer begins to write The Canterbury Tales which is a a collection of stories told as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together. Click here to download and listen to the Canterbury Tales. -
Jan 1, 1453
End of the Hundred Years War
The Hundred Years War ends. Calais is the only English possession on Continental Europe -
Jan 1, 1500
End of Medieval times
The middle ages ended 1000 years after it started Click here for a more detailed timeline of Medieval History -
"Pygg" Jars
The Middle English term “pygg” referred to a type of clay. In the middle ages, people would often keep coins in jars or pots made of pygg – these were called “pygg jars”. By the 18th century, with the evolution of language, these came to be known as a “pig bank” or “piggy bank”.
