The Time of Leonardo Da Vinci

Battle of Varna

Nov 10, 1444

Along the Hungarian border in 1444, the Ottoman forces fought many battles. One of the Ottoman sultan, Murad, attacked Belgrade, one of the chief fortresses on the Hungarian border. He was repulsed from Belgrade. Inspired by their victories, the Christian declared a new Crusade against the Ottoma. Their goal was to drive them from Europe.
(Source: Schulman)

The Birth of Leonardo Da Vinci

Apr 15, 1452

Leonardo Da Vinci was born on April 15th, 1452 in a farmhouse in the hills of Tuscany, Italy. He was born to a Florentine notary, Ser Piero and a young peasant named Caterina. His father later married another lady and together they brought up Leonardo. When he turned 5, he moved to Vinci with his grandparents. This event is significant because Leonardo Da Vinci soon grows up in Vinci to invent and create stunning things.
(Source: A&E Networks Television)

Battle of Castillon

Jul 17, 1453

In 1453, Charles IV became the first king to maintain a standing army. He knew that the English were divided so he decided to attack and reclaim Normandy. The attacks met little resistance. The English sent a new army against Charles, but to no avail. At the battle of Chatillon the English were defeated and the 100 year war came to an end.
(Source: Schulman)

Apprenticeship

1466

In 1466, Leonardo was apprenticed to Andrea del Verrocchio. Verrocchio was a master painter and sculptor, and his studio was much like a college. Leonardo learned art as a science that involved mathematics, chemistry, and even architect. This taught Leonardo that art and scientific knowledge work hand in hand. This event is significant because Andrea taught Leonardo the key factors to art.
(Source: Holmes)

The start of the Ōnin War

1467

In 1467, Takauji set up his shōgunal base in Kyoto, which gives its name to the period of the Ashikaga shōgunate. He once declared himself ‘King of Japan’. However, the majority of Ashikaga shōguns were relatively weak. In the absence of strong centralised government and control, the country slipped increasingly into civil war. Regional warlords, who came to be known as daimyō, or "big names", vied with each other in seemingly interminable feuds and power struggles.
(Source: Planet)

Battle of Tewkesbury

May 4, 1471

In 1471, the War of the Roses continued to wage. Edward married Elizabeth Woodville, who had no money or rank. Edward handed out title liberally so much so that he brought about the jealousy of Earl of Warwick. Warwick arranged he ouster of Edward and the return of King Henry. During the Battle of Barent, Warwick was killed and Henry was jailed and executed. Soon at the Battle of Tewkesbury, Henry's wife was captured and his son was killed.
(Source: Schulman)

Adoration of the Magi

1481

In 1481, Leonardo received a major church commission for a painting, the Adoration of the Magi.The painting was unfinished, however, the painting also illustrates Leonardo's strong sense of the need for a countervailing order. He placed in the center of the composition the Virgin and Child approached by the kings from the other side. Similarly, the picturesque ruins are rendered in sharp perspective.
(Source: Gale)

Securing Peace in Milan

1482

In 1482 Leonardo helped secure peace between Lorenzo de' Medici and Ludovico il Moro, Duke of Milan. Leonardo wrote a letter to Ludovico, describing his engineering and painting skill. He created a silver lyre in the shape of a horse's head, with which he was sent to Milan. This is important because he stopped a war from starting where he lived.
(Source: The Complete works)

Guicciardini 'crisi d'Italia'.

1490

In 1490, foreign invaders swept aside many of the Italian regimes and forced the remainder to accept outside predominance. This was called the Guicciardini 'crisi d'Italia'. The failure of the major institutions are blamed for this debacle.
(Source: Moss)

The Medici's

1494

In 1494, Piero di Lorenzo de' Medici was forced to flee from Florence in the face of rising opposition within the elite. The Medici ascendancy established over the previous three generations collapsed. Within weeks major constitutional reforms had been established a more widely based republic than the city had ever previously experienced. The immediate context of these dramatic events was the advance of the French army apparent willingness to surrender vital fortresses.
(Source: Moss)

Painter and Engineer of the Duke

1499

In 1499, Leonardo was listed in the register of the royal household as the painter and engineer of the duke. Leonardo’s gracious but reserved personality and elegant bearing were well-received in court circles. Leonardo was constantly kept busy as a painter and sculptor and as a designer of court festivals. He was also a technical adviser in the fields of architecture, fortifications, and military matters, and he served as a hydraulic and mechanical engineer.
(Source: Shakespeare)

Advice of the 1500

1500

In March, 1500, Leonardo proceeded to Venice, where the governing council sought his advice on how to ward off a threatened Turkish incursion in Friuli. Leonardo recommended that they prepare to flood the menaced region. After he returned to Florence,he was honored as a renowned native son. In that same year he was appointed an architectural expert on a committee investigating damages to the foundation and structure of the church of San Francesco al Monte.
(Source: Shakespeare)

Battle of Anghiari Painting

Oct 18, 1503

Leonardo entered the service of Cesare Borgia, the son of Pope Alexander VI. He acted as a military architect and engineer and travelling throughout Italy with his patron. He returned to Florence where he rejoined the Guild of St Luke on 18 October 1503, and spent two years designing and painting a great mural of The Battle of Anghiari for the Signoria. Although he had some help from his friend, Michelangelo, who designed his accompanying piece.
(Source: The complete works)

The Start of the Mona Lisa

1505

In 1505, Leonardo was working on a major mural called The Last Supper but problems doomed the painting to failure. He quickly abandoned it and started a new master piece in Florence. The famous painting was soon called the Mona Lisa. This event is significant because it shows the talent Leonardo contains and the impact he has in the future with this painting.
(Source: SparkNotes)

Appointed Louis XII's Painter

1507

Leonardo's fortunes were on the rise. He was soon appointed King Louis XII's painter and engineer. While in France, Leonardo met a 15 year old boy named Francesco Melzi. Francesco and another child named Salai became Leonardo's most beloved pupils while working for King Louis XII. This event is important because Leonardo was beginning to be noticed by more and more nobles and people of higher classes.
(Source: SparkNotes)

The Death of Leonardo Da Vinci

May 2, 1519

On May 2nd, 1519 Leonardo Da Vinci met hid end. He continued on his scientific studies and art work till his final breaths. His things were then passed on to his assistant, Melzi, who became the principal heir of his estate. Centuries after his death, pages from his private journal with notes, drawings and scientific observations surfaced. He contributed to many different areas and is still a huge historical figure in the world today.
(Source: A&E Networks Television)