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1066
Medieval Period Begins
William introduced feudalism, a political and economic system to England. William kept a fourth for himself, gave a fourth to the church and the loyal noble (Norman Barons) received the rest. The barons repaid the king by giving him knights to show their allegiance to the king. -
1135
Barons Choosing Sides
When William's son Henry I died, power struggles began. The barons went through violence choosing to give their loyalty to either Henry's daughter Matilda or his nephew Stephan. -
1154
Anarchy Ends
After all the fighting Henry II, Matilda's son, took the throne. He changed the judicial system launched Royal courts and formed a system of juries. -
1215
Magna Carta Signed
Richard I, Henry III's son, spent his ten years of ruling fighting the crusades. Richard's brother, John plotted against Richard in his absence. John became king after Richard's death and found out the Royal court had went bankrupt forcing John to sign the Magna Carta. This limited Royal authority and was an early step on the road to democracy. -
1295
Model Parliament
Henry III, John's son, made an advisory council of barons, the Parliament, who met regularly. Edward I, Henry III's successor, established the inclusion of commoners in the council. -
1337
Hundred Years' War
During Edward III's reign there was an on and off war between England and France for over a century. England suffered several crises during the war, one being the black death, which killed 1/3 of English population. -
1453
Hundred Years' War Ends
The war finally ended with England losing almost all of its French possessions. They were on the verge of another conflict with two rival families claiming the throne. The fight was known as the war of the roses because both families used a rose as their symbols. -
1485
Medieval Period Ends
The war of the roses ended when Lancastarian Henry Tudor killed Yorkist Richard III, taking the throne as Henry VII. This event marked the end of the Middle Age "Medieval Period" in England.