Top 10 Most Important Events of the Middle Ages

The Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest

1066

During the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the Anglo-Saxon King Harold II attempted to defend his realm from the Norman invasion forces of the William the Conqueror. This event was significantly important since after his success in the War, he initiated the feudal system which allowed people to own land for giving loyalty or services to a lord. (Bayeux Tapestry, around 1070, creator unknown, resides in Bayeux, in Normandy, France,secondary since it depicts the battle and was made a few years later.)

10 Most Important Events of the Middle Ages

Period: 1066 to 1485

Domesday Book Creation

1085

England was under the threat of Danish invaders. As a result, William the Conqueror , realised the need to inventory the nation's financial resources to determine how much tax revenue he could collect from the people to pay for a prospective war. It holds England's land holdings, names of landholders and financial resources. The domesday book is significant since it offers medievalists a very rich historical source. (Digital copy of Domesday Book, created by the National Archive, secondary)

1st Crusades

1095

Pope Urban II called for a "holy war" to conquer the Holy Land (Jerusalem). This war saw large masses of over 20,000 Christian soldiers establishing successful military campaigns. Those that were seen as enemies of Christianity were targeted such as Muslims in the Holy Land. The 1st Crusade was significant because it allowed led to interaction between the East and West which therefore led to influence on arts, sciences, cultures and trades. (An unknown artists depiction, secondary source)

Thomas Becket is Murdered

1170

Thomas Becket was a noble saint who befriended King Henry II. Henry then appointed Becket to be the archbishop of Canterbury. However, because of his appointment, he would follow the wishes of the church instead of the King's. This led to arguments between Becket and the King. The king apparently got so mad he ordered Becket's death. This impacted Henry's reputation and transformed his death into a shrine at Canterbury Cathedral. (depiction of Becket's death,12th century, secondary source)

Magna Carta

1215

The Magna Carta was the 1st founding document of the English legal system. King John sealed the Magna Carta to allow for peace negotiations with rebel barons. The Magna Carta put into writing the principle that the king and the government was not above the law. It was significant since its many clauses had adaptable core values that could be used for many legal systems such as the US Constitution.(Original copy of the Magna Carta kept at the British Library, primary source)

The Battle of Bannockburn

1314

The Battle of Bannockburn was a battle between Robert the Bruce and King Edward II for Scotland's Independence. Edward amassed a large amount of soldiers to recapture Stirling Castle. However, since Robert's troop were well trained, knew the terrain well and planned ahead, Edward was forced to retreat. This event is significant since it solidified Scotland's independence and strengthened his his kingdom.

The Black Death

1348

The Black Death (bubonic plague) is an infection spread mostly to humans by infected fleas that travel on rodents. It killed millions of Europeans during the Middle Ages. It is most likely that the severity of the infection was caused by lack of hygiene. This event was important since the drop of population resulted in the redistribution of wealth and improved the people's hygiene.

The Peasants' Revolt

1381

The Peasants' Revolt was a rebellion from the poor of England. It was caused by the introduction of third poll tax(tax to fund the war against France), which the poor could not afford. As a result, government ministers and their homes were destroyed. This was an important event since the poll tax was discarded and restrictions on labour wages were no longer strictly enforced.

Battle of Agincourt

1415

The Battle of Agincourt was a battle fought by Henry V to expand his territory. France was having a period of political issues as a result of its elderly monarch, Charles VI, therefore Henry V took advantage of their vulnerability. Henry also had the advantage of using longbows which caused thousand of French casualties. This even was significant since, it paved a way for further English conquests and boosted the popularity of the use of longbows in battle.

The War of the Roses

1485

The Wars of the Roses was a series of bloody civil wars for the throne of England between two competing royal families: the House of York and the House of Lancaster, both members of the royal Plantagenet family. This event was significant since it ended the male lineage of the Plantagenet Family and because the Tudor Family established their dynasty instead which would last for the next century