Middle Ages

Kings taking power

1060

Starting with the French line of 4 kings named Philip from 1060 to 1314, the kings power grew over the popes. The Philips built a strong administrative apparatus as well as seizing control of the french church. William the Conquerer of England created a strong political system. During this time all land was the kings. Henry II created royal sheriffs and a jury system to keep stability and peace.

First Crusade

1095

During the first crusade in 1095, the Crusaders captured Jeruselum which created Christian territories in the Holy Land. The knightly orders became very rich and powerful. They seized loot and became money-lenders.

Teutonic Knights

1171

The Teutonic Knights were founded during the third crusade and they led crusades against the pagans. They were authorized by popes to conquer and rule over the Baltics. The Teutonic Order was very successful and these kingdoms lasted a long time

Fourth Crusade

1202

After the failed second and third crusades, the fourth crusade ended in the formation of the Latin Christian government. While the fourth crusade also failed to achieve its goal, this government lasted 50 years and popes continued to invade the middle east and hunt for power. The crusades turned European Christianity harsher and more war-like.

Mongol Rule

1206

The mongols were a great empire that conquered much of Europe. There were many consequences to their rule including stabilization of trade, terrifying Europeans, and creating a complex political system in Russia. Because of the Mongols, the rest of Europe advanced while Russian progress ceased.

Vikings cool down

1300

The cease in invasions by Vikings was major in bringing peace to kingdoms. The population went up and kingdoms became stronger. The Vikings settled into European kingdoms and while warfare continued, the level of violence decreased dramatically.

Babylonian Captivity

1303

Before, popes were generally weak and failed to assert control over the church and keep the kings in check. In 1303, Pope Boniface VIII issued a papal bull so that kings had to acknowledge his power over their own kingdoms. Philip had the pope arrested and thrown into jail and he later died. Clement V was elected as Pope in 1305 and he moved himself and the papal office to Avignon and as popes continued to work there they were not directly controlled by the French king.

Great Western Schism

1378

Urban VI, a new pope in Rome in 1378, decided to move the papacy back to Rome. French cardinals elected another pope, clement VII, so Europe was split between the two. During the Great Western Schism there were as many as three rival popes vying for power.

The Conciliar Movement

1417

The Conciliar Movement is what ended the Great Western Schism. It was a series church councils which established the authority of a single pope. This movement elected a new Pope, Martin V, and the via consilii was made. This made it so church councils could hold authority over papal appointments.

Eugene IV

1431

Eugene IV was a powerful pope who reconfirmed absolute power of the papacy in 1431.