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732
Charles Martel defeats Arabs
The Arab empire was expanding at a rapid rate since 630 when Muhammad had conquered Mecca. When they reached the kingdom of the Franks, they were met with the force of Charles "the Hammer" Martel who successfully defeated the Arab force in 732. If Martel and the Franks had not stopped the Arab expansion, more of the world could have been under Arab influence for years to come. The political breakup of the world would have been very different. -
Period: 768 to Jan 28, 814
Charlemagne's Empire
Charlemagne became king in 768. He saw himself as the leader and defender of all Christians. He knew how to conquer, govern, and take care of his people. He was sure to be informed about his kingdom and placed emphasize on education and wanted to restore grandeur of old Roman empire. In 800, he was crowned as the new Roman emperor. After his death in 814, his sons could not hold up the empire, so it fell apart and became separate kingdoms. Following this came an important time of chaos. -
1096
The First Crusade
French knight Godfrey of Bouillon towards Jerusalem with the goal of liberating the land in which Christ's cross had once stood. They took the town and massacred all the Muslims and committed atrocities. They founded the Christian kingdom of Jerusalem that was constantly under attack by Arabs. This is significant because back in Europe priests were pushing for more crusades. This began the trend of crusading. -
1215
Magna Carta
King John of England refused to carry out Pope Innocent III's orders so he excommunicated the king. The English nobility took away almost all his power. In 1215 the king had to swear to never oppose their will - this was the Magna Carta, the "Great Charter" in which he granted his barons a whole host of rights. This is important because the rights outlined in the Magna Carta are rights that English citizens still hold today -
Period: 1237 to 1241
Invasion of the Mongols / Retreat of Mongols
The Mongols were new hordes of mounted warriors that arrived in Europe from Asia. They took China and Persia and made their way to Europe destroying everything that they came across. Their savagery threatened to destroy all of Europe. In 1241, they reached the German town of Breslau and burned it to the ground. When the danger was the greatest, their emperor died and they turn back. Our world could have very well been destroyed in its entirety by the Mongols if their leader did not perish. -
Period: 1305 to 1376
Babylonian Captivity of the Popes
In 1309, the French forced the pope to leave Rome and take up residence in Avignon (where he was a prisoner). The antagonism, especially from England and Germany, to the residency at Avignon damaged the prestige of the papacy. This is important because once Gregory XI reestablished in Rome, a new pope filled the chair in Avignon, causing the beginning of the Great Schism. -
Period: 1337 to 1453
The Hundred Years War
The Hundred Years War was the dispute began over who would be the heir to the French throne. The English Norman family said they should rule France because they were nominally French and relatives of French royalty. Aside from the fighting, towns and cities became more important as many flourished. Knights chose to inhabit the courts of rich and powerful kings and princes. This was an exciting time of expansion and opulence. -
1429
Joan of Arc Drives Out English
As the English won land for themselves, the French became increasingly nervous about losing their control to foreigners. Joan of Arc, a seventeen year old shepherdess got the French to out her at the head of an army. She drove the English from the French land and said, "Only when the English are in England will there be peace". In 1431, The English captured her and burned her at the stake for being a witch. If she hadn't driven out the English the war could have been lost to England quickly. -
1492
Columbus Granted to Sail West
Columbus pitched his idea to sail to Spain, was rejected by them, and went to France. This scared Spain so they called him back and his demands were met. He sailed on August 3rd, 1492 and reached land on October 11th, 1492. If Columbus had not sailed west, civilization could have still been concentrated in Europe for centuries to come. -
1500
Last German Knight / End of Chivalry
Maximilian was the German emperor ruling around 1500 and the German noblemen and princes were reluctant to accompany their emperor into battle. Maximilian had to pay soldiers (mercenaries) to come to battle with him instead of his vassals. This coasted empire a lot of money that it didn't have. He as an emperor was a mix of old and new - he was very taken by new art and had portraits of himself. This shows the turn over from the Age of Chivalry and a new age of society.
