Significant Medieval Events Timeline - Humanities CAT 1

Fall of the Roman Empire

476

The Fall of the Roman Empire marked the end of a powerful and influential reign and civilization in Medieval Europe. Many political, economic and social changes including rise of feudalism, lack of governance leading to the Middle Ages.

Muslim Conquest of Spain

711

Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula, which lasted for centuries. This period, known as Al-Andalus, brought culture, science, and architecture, with Muslims, Christians, and Jews living together in harmony, contributing to the development of a rich and diverse society.

Charlemagne crowned as Roman Emperor

800

The crowning of Charlemagne as Roman Emperor in 800 was significant because it marked the revival of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire. It also symbolized the alliance between the Pope and a powerful European ruler, which would influence the relationship between church and state in medieval Europe.

The Great Schism

1054

The Great Schism split the Christian Church into the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. This division was significant because it created lasting differences in beliefs, practices, and leadership between the two. The changed the religious and cultural landscapes of Eastern and Western Europe.

Battle of Hastings

1066

Battle of Hastings resulted in William the Conqueror, from Normandy becoming the King of England after battling Harold Hardrada, King of Norway and Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex for the throne after Edward the Confessor's death. This led to the Normans ruling England and brought major changes to English society, including the introduction of Norman culture and the feudal system.

First Crusade

1095

The significance of the First Crusade is the beginning of three religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism battling one another for the city of Jerusalem for religious purposes to prove that each have control over the city but resulted in a huge massacre of Christianity capturing the holy land.

The Magma Carta

1215

The Magma Carta established the idea that everyone, including kings, must follow the law. It limited the king's power and control and protected the rights of the people, leading to modern concepts of democracy and individual rights

The Hundred Years War

1337

The Hundred Years War lasted for 116 years (1337 - 1453) and involved many battles between England and France over who controlled certain lands. It helped shape the identities of both countries and led to advancement in military tactics and technology. It also weakened feudalism in Europe and strengthened the power of monarchs.

The Black Death

1348

The Black Death, also known as the black plague arrived from Asia on a ship to Italy and became one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, wiping out a whole third of Europe during the 14th century. It spread quickly through fleas on rats, causing fever, swollen lymph nodes, and then death. Its impact was immense, leading to social, economic, and cultural changes across Europe causing havoc across the continent.

Fall of Constantinople

1453

Fall of Constantinople was the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe. It also had consequences for trade routes, sharing knowledge , and the spread of Renaissance ideas from the East to the West.