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Period: 1095 to 1291
Crusades are Fought
The Crusades were fought between 1095 and 1291. THIs was a series of wars between Christians and Muslims. These wars were fought over control of the Holy Land. The Holy Land is a place of many religious sites. The land is now called Israel or Palestine. -
1337
100 Year War Begins
The 100 year war was a long struggle between England and France. It lasted from 1337 to 1453. It might accurately be called the "116 year war. This was just one phase of an even longer struggle between England and France. This conflict helped shaped the identities of both countries. -
1347
Black Death Begins in Europe
The Black Death begun in Europe in October of 1347. It was brought to Europe by sea. This happened when 12 Genoese trading ships docked at the Sicilian port of Messina. The people who greeted the ships at the port were met with a horrible surprise. Most of the people on the ships were dead, and those who were still alive were very ill. -
1350
Renaissance Begins
The Renaissance began in Italy during the 14th century. Later it spread to Europe in the 17th century. It was primarily a time of the revival of Classical learning and wisdom. The Renaissance also witnessed the discovery and explanation of new continents. All of this was due after a long period of cultural decline and stagnation. -
May 30, 1431
Joan of Arc burned at the stake
Joan of Arc was burned and died of smoke inhalation. This happened to her at the age of 19. She was burned on charges of heresy. Joan of Arc was burned by the english. This event took place on May 30th, 1431. -
1436
Johannes Gutenberg invents printing press
Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. The printing press used wooden and metal letters. This invention was invented in the Holy Roman Empire. The printing press was based on existing screw presses. Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press around 1440. -
May 29, 1453
Fall of Constantinople
The Fall of Constantinople was the capture of the Byzantine Empire by the army of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans were commanded to do this by the 21-year-old conqueror. The conquest of Constantinople followed a 53 day siege. This begun on 6 April, 1453. The end of Constantinople is quoted as the event that marked the end of the European Middle Ages. -
Nov 1, 1478
Start of the Spanish Inquisition
The Spanish Inquisition is also known as the Tribunal of the Holy Office. It was established by the catholic monarch Ferdinand ll and Isabella l. This was a group made for upholding religious orthodoxy in their realm. It was originally primarily intended to identify heretics among those who converted from Judaism and Islam to Catholic. The Inquisition wasn't definitively abolished until 1834. -
Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Lands in the New World
Columbus sat sail on August 3rd, 1492 with three smalls ships. Land was sighted on October 12th, and the crew went ashore the same day. Christopher Columbus claimed this land for Spain. This land is known as present day Venezuela. Later that month he also spotted Cuba. -
1506
Mona LIsa Completed
The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo De Vinci. He began painting it in 1503 and finished in 1506. The Mona Lisa is a half-length portrait. The painting is thought to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini. It is the most valuable painting in the world. -
1508
Michelangelo begins painting the Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo started painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in 1508. The whole thing was painted between 1508 and 1512. The Sistine Chapel is a cornerstone work of High Renaissance art. Michelangelo painted the ceiling from a scaffolding. The whole thing took 4 years to complete. -
Period: Apr 21, 1509 to Jan 28, 1547
King Henry VIII Reign
King Henry was the king of England for 28 years. He was the second Tudor Monarch, behind his father. King Henry was married to Catherine Parr for 4 years. He also had 6 kids. During his reign he greatly expanded royal power. -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther posts 95 Theses
Martin Luther pinned a copy of his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. The 95 Theses is also known as the "Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences." The 95 Theses is a list of questions and propositions for debate. This document attacked the Catholic Church's corrupt practice of selling "indulgences" to absolve sin. The Catholic Church was ever after divided. -
1519
Cortez Conquers the Aztecs
Hernan Cortez invaded Mexico in 1519. He conquered the aztec empire in 152. In doing this, he claimed Mexico for Spain. Cortez was interest in converting the natives to christianity. He also helped colonize Cuba and became a governor of New Spain. -
1532
"The Prince"
The Prince is a 16th century political treatise written by Niccoló Machiavelli. An earlier vision seems to be published in 1513 using a latin title. The printed version was not published till 5 years after Machiavelli's death. In the book he described immoral behavior as being normal and effective in politics. The book is roughly 100 pages long. -
Period: 1533 to 1547
Ivan the Terrible's Reign
Ivan lV was the Grand Prince of Moscow. He was on the throne from 1533 to 1547. He is commonly known as Ivan the Terrible. He was prone to episodic outbreaks of mental instability, that increased with his age. He even killed his own son, because he did not like what his wife was wearing. -
Period: Sep 17, 1533 to
Queen Elizabeth's Reign
Elizabeth l was queen of England and Ireland. She took the throne on 17, November 1558. Elizabeth was queen until she died on 24, March 1603. She was also called the The Virgin Queen. Elizabeth was the last monarch of the House of Tudor. -
Period: 1545 to 1563
Counter Reformation
The Counter Reformation is also called the Catholic Reformation. It was in response to the Protestant Reformation. The Counter Reformation began with the Council of Trent and ended with ended at the close of the Thirty Years' War. It was a comprehensive effort composed of five major elements. They are; Reactionary Defense of Catholic sacramental practice, Ecclesiastical or structural reconfiguration, Religious orders, Spiritual movements, and Political dimensions. -
1555
Peace of Augsburg
The Peace of Augsburg was a temporary settlement within the Holy Roman Empire of the religious conflict arising from the Reformation. It was signed in September 155 in the imperial city of Augsburg. It officially ended the religious struggles between the two groups. It also allowed leaders to choose either Lutheranism or Roman Catholicism as the official confession of their state. This ultimately reaffirmed their sovereignty over those domains. -
Spanish Armada
The Spanish Armada was a Spanish fleet of 130 ships. They sailed from La Coruña. This happened in August 1588. It was under the command of the Duke Medina Sidonia. This was with the purpose of escorting an army of flanders to invade England. -
Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes was signed by King Henry lV. He signed it in April 1598. This document granted the Calvinist Protestants of France substantial rights in the nation. This was still considered essentially catholic at the time. The edict also separated civil from religious unity. -
Period: to
Era of the Samurai
The samurai were the warriors of early Japan. They later make up the ruling military class. The Samurai used a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns. The main weapon and symbol of the samurai is the sword. Samurai lived their lives according to the ethic code of bushido. -
William Shakespeare's Death
William Shakespeare died on August 23rd, 1616. He died on his 52nd birthday. HIs grave remains at the Holy Trinity Church. Shakespeare was buried in the same place he was baptized. To this day, the actual cause of his death still remains a mystery. -
Petition of Rights
The Petition of Rights was passed on 7 June, 1628. It contains restrictions on non-parliamentary taxation and forced billeting of soldiers. It also contains restrictions on imprisonment without cause and the use of martial law. It is a major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing. In 1628 Parliament forced the king to assent to the Petition of Rights. -
Period: to
Slave Trade
In 1807, the government passed an Act of Parliament abolishing the slave trade. Slavery still persisted until 1838 when it was finally abolished for good. Slave Trade in Britain was the most dominant between 1640 and 1807. It is estimated that the British transported 3.1 million African Americans to the British colonies, North and South America and other countries. -
King Charles the First Executed
King Charles l was beheaded for treason. This event happened on January 30, 1649. The beheading took lace in London. Charles ascended to the English throne in 1625 following the death of his father. In his first year of reign, he offended his Protestant subjects by marrying a Catholic French princess. -
Period: to
Opium War
The Opium Wars were two wars in the mid 19 century. They involved Chinese disputes over British trade in China. Also involving China's sovereignty. These wars weakened the Qing dynasty. They also forced China to trade with other parts of the world.
