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1265
New Christian Philosophy
(Culture) People such as Duns Scotus (1265-1308) came up with new philosophys that claimed that reason often contradicted faith. Duns Scotus held that reason was unable to prove several Christian truths, such as the belief that God is omnipotent. -
1280
Technological Advancement
(Culture) Starting in the 1200s, the Europeans began to take the lead of technological advancement over the Muslims, Byzantines, and all other people. They invented things such as the mechanical clock in 1280. These new technologies led to the belief that God had created the world for Humans to exploit animals and people in the pursuit of advancement. -
1296
Pope Boniface VIII's Conflict with France
(Religion) Pope Boniface VIII upheld papal supremacy over secular rulers. Philip IV of Franch decided to tax the church in order to raise revenue for war, however, Pope Boniface VIII claimed that it was illegal to do so. He was unable to enforce this though, so then it was ruled that France could only tax the clergy in times of emergency. -
1309
The Babylonian Activity
(Religion) Avignon was the seat of the papacy which was deprived of income from the Italians and became highly dependent on France. The papacy became a tool for French royal policy and a growing anti-papal sentiment began to occur. -
1320
Fourteenth Century Heresies
(Politics/War) John Wycliffe (1320-1384) and Jan Hus (1369-1415) came up with their own views of Christianity, and many viewed them as heretics. Others followed these heresies, such as the Lollards or the Hussites. However, due to the negative view that the population had of heretics, many of the Lollards and Hussites were arrested, condemned, and burned. -
Period: 1331 to 1351
The Black Death
(Culture) The Bubonic Death, otherwise known as the Black Death, was an epidemic that occurred throughout the late middle ages. This was spread by rats and would affect 20 million people, having a 25% mortality rate. -
Period: 1337 to 1453
The Hundred Years' War
(Politics/War) The Hundred Years' War began and was fought between the French and English. English kings ruled over large sections of France and were vassals of the French crown, so the French drove the English out of the country. This led to French pride and unity, and the English having a sense of solidarity and the gain of financial control. -
1347
La Danse Macabre
(Culture) La Danse Macabre, otherwise known as the Dance of Death, was a mindset that people had during the plague. Many believed that if their life might end soon, they should "party" and live life to the fullest while they still could. -
1350
Feudal Thought
(Culture) People began to have more feudal thoughts, meaning that they believed everyone should be held accountable to the law, including people as high up as kings. This began the sense that law was a cooperative process. -
1352
Peasant Revolts
(Politics/War) In result of the plague, many peasants began to revolt throughout western Europe because they were suffering from wars and the epidemic. Towns, farmland, and economic life were severely damaged. However, these revolts made peasants feel more in control and made them feel as if their demands were being felt, but these revolts did not last long and were ended. -
1378
Death of Gregory XI
(Religion) Due to the death of Gregory XI, who was the last of the Avignonese popes, Urban VI was elected in 1378. However, Urban VI showed signs of mental instability and violence towards the cardinals, who fled to Avignon and elected Clement VII as pope. This then triggered the Great Schism -
1409
The Conciliar Movement
(Religion) Several councils were made to fight heresy and reform the church, it also wanted to turn the papacy into a constitutional monarchy. This meant that the pope's power would be regulated. However, it lacked the support of the Holy Roman Empire or the Kingdom of France and the conciliar movement lost its power. -
1429
Joan of Arc
(Politics/War) Joan of Arc was a female leader of a French army. She claimed that she received a message from God saying that she needed to be a leader for France, and she helped liberate Orleans in 1429. However, despite her legacy, she was condemned as a heretic in 1431.
