The Middle Ages

Middle Ages

Period: 500 to 1500

Charlemagne is crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire

800

The ruler is crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III, on Christmas Day. He is important because he founded the Holy Roman Empire, stimulated European economic and political life, and fostered the cultural revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance. A coin of Charlemagne dated c. 812–814 AD

Norman conquest of England

1066

At the Battle of Hastings, Duke William of Normandy defeated Harold Godwinson and established his rule over England. The conquest linked England more closely with Continental Europe, lessening Scandinavian influence. It also changed the English language and culture. The Bayeux Tapestry(depicted above), the main source of information about the Norman invasion, shows the civil and military architecture of the time, even though it is a secondary source. The Bayeux Tapestry c. 1077 AD

First Crusade is launched

1095

At the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II called 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 an effort by Western Europeans to take control of the Near East. The Crusades were significant because it had increased interaction between groups of people who previously had limited contact. The Siege of Antioch c. 1097-1098 AD. This picture is from a reference work.

Genghis Khan becomes ruler of Mongols

1206

Genghis united the various nomadic tribes in Mongolia and began a series of conquests that would stretch across Asia and parts of Europe. He was important as he united all the nomadic Mongolian tribes and led them to astounding victories across Asia, Europe, and some of Africa. He was also the ruler of the largest ever contiguous land empire in the world. A Chinese portrait of Genghis Khan c. 1300's

King John signs the Magna Carta

1215

A charter agreed to by King John of England and his barons, the document would come to be seen as the beginning of legal limits on the power of monarchs. It is one of the most important documents in history, as it established the principle that everyone is subject to the law, even the king, and guarantees the rights of individuals, the right to justice and the right to a fair trial. One of only four surviving transcripts of the 1215 text c.1215 AD

The Great Famine

1315

In 1314 and 1315, the majority of Europe experienced a massive crop failure. Just before this, a period of population growth triggered by an expansion in agriculture, and the sudden lack of food for the large number of people led to a famine. About 5-12% of the population of northern Europe died from starvation or related disease. The weather was particularly harmful to food supply in Europe, as it rotted crops and helped diseases that tainted livestock. The Triumph of Death c. 1562AD

Beginning of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France

1337

The Kings of England and France began a war that would last until 1453. France eventually emerged victorious, thanks to Joan of Arc who turned the tide of the war. The result of the Hundred Years' War was to make both France and England determined to avoid the revival of such a struggle, in which both sides wasted their manpower and resources without profit. Battle of Agincourt c. 1500's

Black Death

1347

One of the largest pandemics in human history, it crossed through Eurasia and killed around 50 million people. This was 30% to 50% of the entire population of Europe at that time. The Black Death was important as it saw the obliteration of the Feudal System, as there were simply not enough peasants to work for the lords. Also, humanity gained the knowledge that modern societies have learned about preventing and stopping the spread of pandemics. A plague doctor in protective clothing c. 1656

Johannes Gutenberg invents the printing press

1439

Johannes Gutenberg would start a revolution in the creation of books and the spread of information. Thanks to Gutenberg’s printing press, the global population had access to written works. No longer was literature reserved for monks and clergymen. The printing press sparked the first information age. People could have books in their homes for the first time ever. The printing press made it possible to spread ideas and information on a large scale. A replica Gutenberg-era printing press 2010 AD

Christopher Columbus sails to the Americas

1492

Christopher Columbus leads a voyage westwards on the Atlantic Ocean, hoping to reach Asia. Instead they land in the Caribbean, beginning the period of European settlement and colonization in the Americas. This is usually seen as the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the Renaissance. His voyages across the Atlantic paved the way for European colonization and exploitation of the Americas. Portrait of Columbus, 1519. There are no known authentic portraits of Columbus.