The Middle Ages (500-1500 AD)

By Nicholas2021
  • Period: 541 to 542

    Plague of Justinian

    The Plague of Justinian, also named after the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, emerged as one of the first recorded pandemics in history. The outbreak is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, the same pathogen responsible for the later Black Death. Causing an estimated 25 million deaths in the Mediterranean and Middle East, this event had profound effects on the population and economy of the affected regions.
  • 590

    Gregory the Great Becomes Pope

    Gregorius Anicius, better known as Gregory the Great, ascends to the papacy in 590, becoming Pope Gregory I. His papacy, lasting until 604, is marked by significant administrative and spiritual reforms that strengthened the role of the Papacy and the Roman Catholic Church.
  • Dec 25, 800

    Charlemagne Crowned Emperor

    On Christmas Day in the year 800, Charlemagne, the King of the Franks, was crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III in a ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This event marks the revival of the title of Emperor in Western Europe, a symbol of the re-establishment of the Roman Empire’s legacy. Charlemagne’s coronation signifies the union of Christian and secular authority, with the Pope’s recognition enhancing Charlemagne’s legitimacy as a ruler.
  • 1054

    Great Schism

    An official break between the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches, which lasts to the present day. The mutual excommunications issued by Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael I Cerularius crystallized the division, creating two distinct branches of Christianity. This schism was the result of long-standing theological and political differences and had a profound impact on the Christian world.
  • 1066

    Norman Conquest of England

    The Norman Conquest of England reached its climax with the Battle of Hastings, fought on October 14, 1066. With William’s victory and his subsequent coronation as King William I of England, Norman rule brought significant changes in the political, cultural, and social landscape of England.
  • 1095

    The First Crusade Launched

    At the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II calls upon Christians to undertake a military expedition in support of the Byzantine Empire against the Seljuk Turks. It would lead to the conquest of Jerusalem four years later and a concerted effort by Western Europeans to take control of the Near East.
  • 1135

    Gothic Buildings Emerge

    Around 1135 AD, the Gothic architectural style begins to emerge in France, starting with the renovation of the Basilica of Saint-Denis by Abbot Suger. This new style, characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, represents a significant shift from the earlier Romanesque architectural tradition. Gothic architecture allows for taller and more expansive structures, with an emphasis on verticality and light.