The Middle Ages in Europe | Social Studies | November

The Fall of the Roman Empire

476

Middle Ages

Period: 476 to 1400

Emergence of Feudalism

700

In the late 700’s feudalism emerged because of the decline of local economies caused by invaders’ raids. To solve this, kings created a system of military and political relationships called the feudal system (feudalism).

The First Crusade

1096

In the year 1096, the Pope called on Christians to take up arms to recapture the Holy Land from Muslim Control. They forced the city’s governor to surrender around the end of the century.

The Second Crusade

1144

The Muslims got the Holy Land back which made the Christians launch the Second Crusade. It was led by the Holy Roman Emperor Conrad III and the French King Louis VII. It went from the year 1144 to the year 1155.

The Third to the Sixth Crusades

1187

All of these Crusades happened in a window of 42 years (1187-1229) and all of them failed. The Children’s Crusade also occurred in this time window.

Decline of Feudalism

1215

Political changes like the Magna Carta in England affected feudalism negatively. The Magna Carta limited the king’s power while it strengthened the rights of nobles.

The Seventh to Ninth Crusades.

1248

The Seventh Crusade started in the year 1248 and it lasted around 6 years. The last two Crusades were a lot shorter 1270 & 1271-1272 All three of them failed. The last crusade was very insignificant.The Seventh and Eighth Crusades were launched by Louis IX and the Ninth was launched by Edward I.

Hundred Years’ War

1337

This war sought by France and England began in 1337 and ended in 1453. This war shifted power away from feudal lords to monarchs and the common people because of the way it was fought.

Appearance of the Black Death in Europe

1347

The Black Death appeared in Europe on October, 1347 when a boat arrived with infested people and rats. The boat probably came from Asia where the disease had also killed many people.

Decline of the Bubonic Plague

1352

The Bubonic Plague claimed over an estimated 20 million Europeans in the 14th century. The decline of the plague is somewhat or mostly due to the implementation of quarantine.

Series of Outbreaks (Bubonic Plague)

1361

There were 3 major outbreaks in the years 1361-1375 that significantly reduced population. This caused wages to rise dramatically because of the lack of workers and the big need for labor.

Beginning of the Renaissance

1400

(Mid 1400’s)