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Period: 476 to Dec 31, 1300
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. -
527
Justinian I becomes Eastern Roman Emperor.
Justinian is best remembered for his Code of Civil Law (529), and expansion of imperial territory retaking Rome from the Ostrogoths. -
Jan 1, 1071
The Seljuks under Alp Arslan defeat the Byzantine army at Manzikert. The Normans capture Bari, the last Byzantine possession in southern Italy.
Beginning of the end of Byzantine rule in Asia Minor. -
Jan 1, 1077
Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV walks to Canossa where he stands barefoot in the snow to beg forgiveness of the Pope for his offences, and admitting defeat in the Investiture Controversy.
This helps establish Papal rule over European heads of state for another 450 years. -
Jan 1, 1086
Compilation of the Doomsday book
The Book formed the first census of the counties, shires, towns and family names south of the Scottish border. The counties north of York and over the border were not part of his Empire and remained uncounted until the first official census at the beginning of the 19th century. -
Benedict of Nursia founds monastery at Monte Cassino.
The first of twelve monasteries founded by Saint Benedict, beginning the Order of Saint Benedict. -
Establishment of the Bulgarian Empire.
A country with great influence in the European history in the Middle Ages. -
Division of Charlemagne's Empire between his grandsons with the Treaty of Verdun.
Sets the stage for the founding of the Holy Roman Empire and France as separate states. -
Alfred the Great assumes the throne, the first king of a united England.
He defended England from Viking invaders, formed new laws and fostered a rebirth of religious and scholarly activities. -
Cluny Abbey is founded by William I, Count of Auvergne.
Cluny goes on to become the acknowledged leader of Western Monasticism. Cluniac Reforms initiated with the abbey's founding. -
Arrival of the disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Bulgaria
Creation of the Cyrillic alphabet; in the following decades the country became the cultural and spiritual centre of the whole Eastern Orthodox Slavic World.