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476
The Fall of the Western Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire fell due to internal wars, invasions of barbarian tribes, and economic troubles. These events detached the end of antiquity and the beginning of the medieval era. It, therefore, caused the fragmentation of Europe into smaller kingdoms, giving birth to the growth and development of feudalism. The event took place in Rome, Italy, although its effects could be felt within the entire domain of the Western Roman Empire. https://www.britannica.com/event/Middle-Ages -
Period: 711 to 1492
The Reconquista
The Reconquista is a long process where the Christian kingdoms gradually won back the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslims. It ended in 1492 when Granada was taken by the Christians, which unified Spain and ended the Islamic rule in the region. The Reconquista happened in areas that comprise modern-day Spain and Portugal. https://www.medievalists.net/2024/06/significant-events-middle-ages/ -
Period: 793 to 1066
Viking Age
The Viking invasions from Scandinavia brought violent raids and eventual settlement in parts of Europe, contributing to cultural exchange and shifts in power. The Vikings explored, traded, and established kingdoms throughout Europe, therefore influencing the political and social aspects. Events occurred in key locations: England, Ireland, France, and even Russia and the Mediterranean. https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/history/modern-world-history/medieval-europe/ -
800
Charlemagne crowned Emperor
The Frankish King Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III, briefly restoring the Roman Empire in the West. The event represented a fusion of Roman and Christian concepts and ushered in an empire that was to be the strongest power on the European continent, the Western part of the Roman Empire. This occurred in Rome, Italy, though the influence covered modern France, Germany, and Italy. https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/middle-ages -
1054
The Great Schism
The Great Schism finally created a formal division between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East. It was doctrinally, politically, and culturally induced, which caused a permanent impact on Christianity and European politics. The breach took place both in Rome and Constantinople, influencing Europe as a whole. https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/timeline-events-middle-ages -
1066
Battle of Hastings
This was the battle where William the Conqueror defeated King Harold II and ultimately led the Norman conquest of England. Changing English society, law, and culture, he replaced it with feudalism and the Norman language. It took place in southern England near Hastings. https://dondellinger.weebly.com/uploads/2/2/9/1/22916536/middle_age_timeline.pdf -
Period: 1075 to 1122
The Investiture Controversy
Investiture Controversy: disagreement over the Pope or Holy Roman Emperor having a say in granting office to religious officials. Representative of the greater tension between the secular and ecclesiastical powers in Medieval Europe, especially between Pope Gregory VII and the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV during most of that war. https://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_timeline.php -
Period: 1096 to 1099
The First Crusade
The First Crusade was a military enterprise undertaken by Pope Urban II to retake Jerusalem from the hands of the Muslims. This religious war marked an important milestone in extending the influence of Europe in the Middle East and the spread of Christianity. The main theatres of the Crusades were the Holy Land, which includes Jerusalem, Antioch, and Acre. https://study.com/academy/lesson/major-events-in-the-middle-ages.html -
Period: 1101 to
The Rise of the Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an aggressive trade union comprising merchant towns and cities dominant in commerce through the Baltic and North Seas. A network that supported economic progress, peace, and stability across Northern Europe: from most modern Germany to all of Poland up to the Scandinavian nations. https://www.britannica.com/event/Middle-Ages -
1215
Magna Carta
King John was compelled to give his signature to the Magna Carta- a document curbing the English royal power to some extent besides establishing some rights of the English subjects. Reputedly treated as one of the first milestones toward constitutional government and the rule of law. The Magna Carta is issued at Runnymede near London, England. https://www.medievalists.net/2024/06/significant-events-middle-ages/ -
1291
The End of the Crusades
The last Crusade to conquer the Holy Land ended with the fall of Acre, the last stronghold of the Crusaders in the Levant, to the hands of Muslim forces. This defeat marked the close of European attempts by force of arms to establish control over Jerusalem. The influence of the Crusades extended throughout the Middle East, particularly in regions such as Jerusalem, Acre, and Antioch. https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/history/modern-world-history/medieval-europe/ -
1301
The Rise of Monasticism
Monasticism refers to the lifestyle of religious people who lived in secluded communities. During the early Middle Ages, it became very popular all over Europe. Monks and nuns contributed immensely to preserving classical knowledge, encouraging education, and propagating Christianity. This movement originated mainly in the Mediterranean, and the vital centers were Italy, France, and Ireland. https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/middle-ages -
Period: 1301 to
The Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that emphasized classical knowledge revival, humanism, and advances in the arts, sciences, and literature. It marked the transition from the medieval period into the early modern era and led to innovations in many fields. Beginning in Italy, especially Florence, the movement spread throughout Europe. -
Period: 1337 to 1453
The Hundred Years' War
The Hundred Years' War primarily involved conflicts over the claim of French land and its crown. It is stated that during this period, the national pride facilitated in France was during this age; secondly, this battle saw some of the new military hardware being put to use. The most frequent battles are seen as the Battle of Agincourt, Poitiers, and Orleans. https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/timeline-events-middle-ages -
Period: 1347 to 1351
The Black Death
The Bubonic Plague, better known as the Black Death, swept through Europe, killing an estimated third of the population, impacting European societies: it created labor shortages, economic collapse, and such profound social changes that the feudal system lost strength, with the peasantry gaining greater authority. The plague spread throughout all of Europe and particularly affected Italy, France, and England. https://dondellinger.weebly.com/uploads/2/2/9/1/22916536/middle_age_timeline.pdf -
Period: 1378 to 1417
The Papal Schism
The Papal Schism marked the period when more than one pope gained control over the Catholic Church, making it split into several rival groups, and weakening the posture of the Catholic Church. This befittingly reflected the political tussle between the French and Italian elements in the Church. It was focused in Rome and Avignon but had extensive impacts all over Europe. https://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_timeline.php -
Period: 1401 to
The Rise of Feudalism
Feudalism was a system in which land and service must be granted to vassals by the lord in return for military support. Feudalism became the prevailing social, political, and economic order throughout medieval Europe. The relationship that would involve the king, the nobles, and the peasants became evident through this system, especially in the areas of France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire. https://study.com/academy/lesson/major-events-in-the-middle-ages.html -
1429
Joan of Arc's Campaign
Joan of Arc led the French to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, including the lifting of the siege of Orléans and the coronation of Charles VII. This was a major turning point in the fortunes of the French and contributed significantly to their eventual victory. The actions occurred largely in northern France. https://www.britannica.com/event/Middle-Ages -
1453
The Fall of Constantinople
The Ottoman Empire, under the rule of Sultan Mehmed II, took Constantinople; this marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and altered the balance of power in Eastern Europe. The fall of the city contributed to the migration of Greek scholars to the West, aiding in the rise of the Renaissance. It was located in what is now modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/history/modern-world-history/medieval-europe/ -
The Fall of the Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was officially dissolved after the Napoleonic Wars, ending a millennium of medieval government in Central Europe. Its collapse marked the final end of medieval imperial power in Europe and the ascendance of modern nation-states. The fall occurred throughout Central Europe, specifically in the German-speaking lands. https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/middle-ages