Religious Timeline of Europe

Creation off the Order of the Benedictines

529

Catholic religious community that followed the teachings of St. Benedict. Believed in the value of praying and working, and as a result promoted the cultivation of knowledge and the preservation of ancient Greek and Roman texts,

Charles Martel defeats the Arabs

732

Arab conquests unified the ideas of the Persians, the Greeks, the Indians, and the Chinese. Charles Martel, leader of the Franks, successfully defeats Arab invaders in the southern tip of his kingdom. This stopped the Arabs from claiming France and Germany, which otherwise would have been a sure victory.

The Investiture Controversy

1073

The power struggle between Pope Gregory VII and Frankish king Henry VI. Both wanted to decide who should become the bishops of different lands. Pope Gregory VII ultimately excommunicated King Henry VI, causing his popularity to drop, and so Henry ceded his power and begged forgiveness from the church.

The Crusades

1096

Christian crusaders attacked Jerusalem and other areas in the Middle east. The Crusaders were defeated by Arab forces in the end. Allowed Christian crusaders to be reconnected with Greek and Roman texts that were preserved by the Arabs.

The Divine Comedy

1320

Italian author Dante explored the Christian interpretation of the afterlife in his poem that journeys through hell, purgatory, and heaven. Emphasized the significance of human thought and ability, a major shift from medieval ideas in Europe at the time. Due to the significance of the Church, divine figures were deemed worthy of more focus during the Middle Ages than human figures and achievements.

Da Vinci's Discoveries

1420

Artist Leonardo da Vinci, in true Renaissance spirit, was able to observe and analyze the world around him. Though the belief for thousands of years had been that the sun revolves around the Earth, as indicated in the Bible, da Vinci wrote in his notes that "the sun does not move." Making this public knowledge would have made him guilty of heresy.

Joan of Arc

1431

When the English tried to declare rule over the French (the Hundred Years War) , Joan of Arc, a young shepherdess, was motivated by the will of God to command an army to drive the English away. In 1431 she was captured and burned at the stake by the English as revenge.

Spanish Inquisition

1478

Spanish monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I initiated a religious battle on those who were not Catholic. Jews, Muslims, and those who expressed "heretic" ideas were interrogated and often tortured or killed.

Columbus Discovers the Indies

1492

While on a quest for the Middle Passage, explorer Christopher Columbus stumbled across and island in the Indies, He claimed this "New World" for the Spanish crown, who had funded his trip, thus dedicating the area to Catholicism.

The 95 Thesis

1517

Martin Luther expressed 95 grievances he had with the Roman Catholic Church. He accused the Church of corruption and scorned the widespread act of selling indulgences. Luther was excommunicated, and began his own branch of Christianity, amed Lutheranism.