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1122
Religion: Concordant of Worms
This was an agreement between Pope Calixtus II and Henry V. At this time Henry V was known as the Holy Roman Emperor. The agreement theoretically stopped the conflict between the emperor and the Pope. -
Period: 1139 to 1153
Wars/Battles: English Civil War
This involved the Angevin Invasion of Wareham. The opposing forces included the army of Stephen of Blois. A long, complicated, and drawn-out war followed. -
Period: 1145 to 1340
Private Castles Through 1340
Private castles started becoming very popular for barons. This power was a result of the civil war in the 1140s. The king’s authority was put into question due to many different and conflicting claims to the English throne. -
1154
Government: King Henry II Comes to Power
King Henry II was very powerful. He was married to Eleanor of Aquitaine which brought him power over England and even southern France. -
1157
Upper Class: Burg Eltz Castle
A specific example of how the rich continued to maintain power in their regions. This castle was shared by several families and is a stunning example of Romanesque architecture. Construction started around 1157. -
1173
Government: Assassination Plot
This was a plot by Eleanor of Aquitaine to kill her husband, Henry II. This resulted in her being punished. -
1176
Government: Frederick I Barbarossa
He was a German King elected unanimously. He had conflict with the church and with the Pope on what power should be given to whom. Specifically, he believed that his power was just as important as the church’s power and that he had the right to rule Rome, not the Pope. Frederick conquered northern Italy. However, the reaction was the Lombard League which defeated Frederick in the battle of Legnano. -
Period: 1180 to 1223
Government: Philip II's Rule
Philip II was a French King who obtained all of King John’s lands that were lost to the English in 1204 and 1214. These were two major conflicts. -
Period: 1189 to 1192
Wars/Battles: Third Crusade
This started with a movement to take the Holy Land after it was taken by the Sultans. This crusade was known as the King's Crusade. -
1194
Government: Philip II's Permanent Laws
Philip II had all of his official decrees written down permanently to prevent the breakdown of power. This is important because it prevented the weakening of the French government. -
1194
Upper Class: Bernart de Ventadorn
Bernart de Ventadorn was a famous troubador who created what are known as cancons. This was a style of poetry/music that was very commonly used in the middle ages. -
Period: 1198 to 1216
Religion: Lifetime of Pope Innocent III
He was extremely powerful and very respected as a pope. He had the final say in letting St. Francis and his followers become an order of the church. -
Period: 1200 to 1340
Religion: Beginning of Gothic Churches
Gothic churches started to pop up around Europe. These churches were preferred by bishops over the monastic churches. Rose windows (windows shaped as flowers) were common in these Gothic churches. -
Period: 1202 to 1204
Wars/Battles: Fourth Crusade
Byzantine Empire virtually fell apart due to the crusaders deciding to destroy it on their way to the Holy land. East and west Europe working together did not seem to work this time around. -
1214
Wars/Battles: King John's defeat at the Battle of Bouvines
This battle allowed Philip II of France to defeat an international force which included: Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV, King John of England, Ferdinand of Portugal, Count of Flanders, and many others. As one of the results of losing this battle, King John signed the Magna Carta. -
1215
Peasant Life: Magna Carta (Great Charter)
The Magna Carta was signed by King John: June 1215 in Runnymede. This was the precursor to the rights of all Englishmen and Englishwomen. -
1225
Upper Class: St. Thomas Aquinas Born
He was possibly the most famous scholastic. Once a university master, he focused on trying to combine principles of divine revelation with at least some of Aristotle's philosophies. -
Period: 1250 to 1340
Government: English Government Through 1340
English government was more institutionalized than the other governments in Europe. Government seemed to work well even without aid from the king. Officials were assigned specific tasks which kept each area of government in proper order. -
1254
Upper Class: Marco Polo Born
Famous journeyer who traveled to asia from Europe. He brought back spices and cultural ideas from asia. -
1300
Peasant Life: At This Point Peasants are Living in Much Bigger Towns
Towns start to pop up and peasants begin to gain independence from the grips of feudalism. Also, farming systems have improved and this has resulted in exploring new land. Guilds are popular. -
1306
Religion/Peasant Life: Chapelle de la Sainte Croix
Built in 1306, this chapel was used as a place of worship for the townspeople. Located in Eze, France, it is the oldest building in the town still standing.
