Medieval History: 10 Most Important Events

Roman Empire Collapses

476

The Roman Empire falls.
This is important because the Roman Empire controlled most of Europe as well as parts of Asia and North Africa, and now these places were no longer under a common ruler. This meant the decline of coins as a currency, and also meant the end of relative peace in the empire. Also, it meant people were no longer under the oppression of Rome and people no longer were subject to their rules.

The Anno Domini Calendar is invented.

525

A monk, Dionysius Exiguus, invents the Anno Domini (AD) calendar as he wants 1 AD to be the year that Jesus Christ was born. This event is very important as it caught on and gradually it became the most commonly used calendar, though sometimes it is referred to as CE instead of AD.

King Edward the Confessor of England dies

1066

This event was especially significant as it led to the demise of the ruling family as soon after William the Conqueror invaded England and took control in the Battle of Hastings. This lead to the first Norman King of England.

The First Crusade Begins

1096

This is an important event as it is the beginning of 8 wars fought in the next 175 years by the Christians and the Muslims. These were important as it was fought for Jerusalem and the lands surrounding it, which both religions considered to be Holy. These wars were also important as it opened up new trade routes between Europe and the Middle East.

Muslim forces capture Jerusalem again

1187

This event is important as it meant the release of many Muslim slaves, but much more importantly, lead to the Third Crusade. The capture of Jerusalem meant that the Muslim-Christian divide was even more evident than before, and was the cause of more hostility between the two religions.

The Magna Carta is drawn up

1215

This was important as it was the first document to ever state the rights of the people of England. It was also important as it showed how the King didn't have all the power in the country, as he was forced to put his seal on it.

The Great Famine begins

1315

The Great Famine began in the Spring of 1315, largely due to bad weather which meant that fewer crops were produced. This, however, was not the only cause, with cattle and sheep numbers dropping by as much as 80% due to various diseases. During the two years which the famine lasted, crime and disease were commonplace. As the medieval governments of the time did not deal with the famine adequately, millions of people died.

The Start of the Hundred Years War

1337

The Hundred Years War was significant as it was fought for the control of the Largest Kingdom in Western Europe. This created hostility between the British and the French which lasted until WWI. It also lead to the development of a stronger Parliament in England.

The Black Death Outbreak

1347

The Black Death first broke out in Sicily and quickly spread to all of Europe. This event was significant as it killed millions of people. It also was important as it had severe financial impacts, the economy was weakened a lot. There was a large social impact also, as the outcasts of society were blamed for the pandemic.

Johannes Gurtenburg invents the Printing Press

1450

This is a significant event because it meant for the spread of information, which allowed more people to be educated. It also was significant because it was the defining event which led to the Renaissance, where many breakthroughs in many fields occurred. It also meant more documentation of History, something which had not occurred in the past.