Middle Ages Timeline

Fall of Roman Empire

476

In 476, Odoacer was able to overthrow Augustus, who was the Emperor of Rome, and would be the final one at that.

Clovis Conversion

496

Clovis was a ruler of the Franks, and it was impactful when he conversed to Christianity when he became ruler with the Church, wanting their respect (subliminal reasons to convert) and able to rule effectively. His wife had been a Christian throughout their lives, and when he screamed out in Battle and won, he took it as a sign from God.

Invention of Heavy Plough

600

In the basic mouldboard plough the depth of the cut is adjusted by lifting against the runner in the furrow, which limited the weight of the plough to what the ploughman could easily lift. These ploughs were fragile, and were unsuitable for breaking up the heavier soils of northern Europe. The use of wheels to replace the runner allowed the weight of the plough to increase, and in turn allowed the use of a much larger mouldboard that was faced with metal. This lead to better food production.

Siege of Jerusalem

638

The Siege of Jerusalem was part of a military conflict which took place in the year 637 between the Byzantine Empire and the Rashidun Caliphate. It began when the Rashidun army, under the command of Abu Ubaidah, besieged Jerusalem in November 636. After six months, the Patriarch Sophronius agreed to surrender, on condition that he submit only to the Rashidun caliph. In April 637, Caliph Umar traveled to Jerusalem in person to receive the submission of the city. The Patriarch then surrendered.

Greek Fire

672

A combustible compound emitted by a flame-throwing weapon and used to set light to enemy ships. It was first used by the Greeks besieged in Constantinople (673–78). It ignited on contact with water, and was probably based on naphtha and quicklime. it was one of the strongest forces used before gunpowder and canons were put into play.

Tidal Mills

700

A tide mill is a specialist type of water mill driven by tidal rise and fall. A dam with a sluice is created across a suitable tidal inlet, or a section of river estuary is made into a reservoir. As the tide comes in, it enters the mill pond through a one way gate, and this gate closes automatically when the tide begins to fall. When the tide is low enough, the stored water can be released to turn a water wheel.

Battle of Tours

732

In 732 AD, Charles Martel defeated Moorish invaders in the Battle of Tours which permanently ended the Islamic invaders and their expansion in western Europe.

Charlemagne

800

Charlemagne or Charles the Great was a Frankish king who expanded the Frankish kingdom and covered almost all of the Western and Central Europe. He was declared as the Emperor of Romans in 800 AD and he enjoyed the empire successfully till his death. He associated his political steps with the Church and encouraged a revival of art, religion and culture with the help of the Church.

Treaty of Verdun

843

After his death, Louis the Pious was declared his successor who ruled as the Emperor of Romans. However, after his death, the Carolingian empire faced a Civil War because of the internal tussle between the three surviving sons of Louis the Pious who struggled for the emperorship.

Gunpowder

900

Gunpowder was invented in China sometime between the 9th and 11th centuries, and it did not take long it to be used in weapons. As the Mongols spread its knowledge throughout Eurasia in the 13th century, it would revolutionize warfare and make previous military technology obsolete. It first was used in fireworks but slowly developed from then on, turning into a more destructive force.

Battle of Hastings

1066

On 14th October 1066, William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy defeated the last Anglo-Saxon king Harold II. William the Conqueror established the Norman Empire and to protect his empire, he rewarded all his Norman supporters who fought for him in the war with large piece of land of England. He divided all land of England in manors and established the feudal system and manoralism.

Bayeux Tapestry

1067

The Bayeux Tapestry is a magnificent piece of artwork that has attracted the attention of audiences for centuries, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does the Bayeux Tapestry depict an astonishing amount of Norman and Saxon history, its sheer size is magnificent to behold. The Bayeux Tapestry was produced centuries ago, and has managed, with modern preservation, to withstand the test of time.

First Crusade (Constantinople)

1095

The First Crusade was the first of a number of crusades that attempted to capture the Holy Land, called on by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont. The crusades were a series of military campaigns during the time of medival England against the Muslims of the middle east. the crusades originally had the goal of recapturing Jerusalem and the holy land from Muslim rule.

Printing Press

1100

While printing technology had been developed in 11th century China, it was the 15th century German Johannes Gutenberg and his printing press that started a new era of the mass production of books. Until the rise of computers in the 20th century, books and the printed word would remain the dominant form of media for the world’s knowledge. It still held its importance in the 11th century through China, but developed into something more important later on.

Coffee/Coffee Houses

1100

If you thought that he invention of alcohol was able to create a quick, stable economy, imagine what the discovery of coffee did to people. The coffee plant, which was discovered in Ethiopia in the 11th Century, has a white blossom that smells like jasmine and a red, cherry-like fruit. Back then, the leaves of the so-called "magical fruit" were boiled in water and the resulting concoction was thought to have medicinal properties.

Hourglass

1100

Who doesn't like knowing how to tell time? Since the hourglass was one of the few reliable methods of measuring time at sea, it has been speculated that it was in use as far back as the 11th century, where it would have complemented the magnetic compass as an aid to navigation. However, it is not until the 14th century that evidence of their existence was found, appearing in a painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in 1328

Liqour

1200

Talk about one of the most economical advancements to take place in the Middle Ages, even if they didn't realize it yet. Looking back, like when people assumed alcohol could be used as medicinal liquid, it was going to be a monopolized thing that people everywhere would want, and after it was 'invented'/discovered and used properly, its effects became apparent.

Canons/Firepower

1200

After gunpowder was used for more than just fireworks, it created a mass amount of weapons, including the canons that took down Constantinople's walls, and would bring a cause of great destruction.

Magna Carta

1215

The Magna Carta Libertatum, or the Great Charter of Liberties of England was originally issued in 1215 AD. This charter is considered to be the first step towards the constitutional government of England. The Charter of Magna Carta restricted the power of the Emperor and proved the importance of a Constitution

Eyeglasses

1268

Everybody needs to see. When I found out eyeglasses weren't invented until the 13th century, I was very confused on how anything got accomplished with such little eyesight. People being able to see clearly gives a certain confidence that leaves us when left blinded. People must have adjusted to it, and then found out the importance of it when they were invented. Thanks Roger Bacon.

Mechanical Clock

1300

Timekeeping devices have emerged since the ancient world, but it was not until the Middle Ages that the technology was invented that allowed for mechanical clocks to accurately keep track of time. The knowledge of not only what hour it was, but even what minute and second it was, would change the way people scheduled their days and work patterns, especially in urban areas.

The Great Famine

1315

Whole northern Europe suffered the Great Famine in 1315 which prolonged itself till 1317. During these two years of famine, a big portion of the population died of hunger and diseases. During those days of famine, crime rate increased to extreme and there were too many incidences of cannibalism, rapes, and infanticides. The Great Famine brought unrest in peasants and the members of nobility also suffered a setback and as a result, they became more bloodthirsty and gave up the oath of chivalry.

Hundred Years War

1337

The Hundred Years’ War began in 1337 when the Kingdom of England waged war against the Kingdom of France. While there were many periods of peace and ceasefire between England and France during the period, however, this war was continued again and again in different conflicts till 1453.

The Black Plague

1348

The Black Death or the Black Plague proved to be the most threatening epidemic of the European Middle Ages that significantly weakened the feudal system and the Church of Europe. Huge masses of people met untimely death because of this plague and it significantly reduced the economic and political power of the kingdoms of Europe. In order to take advantages of the situations, peasants revolted against their manors and asked for better treatment.

Paper Money

1368

What is the number one thing most people in the world stress about? Money, financial problems, all the modern day stuff hat influences practically everything (like that time you said "I would, but I don't have the money for it."). The first known version of paper money dates back to 7th century China. It has a very important advantage over coins made from precious metals – they were much easier to transport around, which proved to be a great benefit to merchants.

The Great Schism

1378

The Church suffered the first jolt in 1054, when the Church was divided in Eastern and Western Christian Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church believed that the Western Roman Catholic Church was corrupt and exploitative. The Western Christendom suffered much bigger jolt during 1378 to 1417, when there were three contestants for the Papacy. This internal tussle for ultimate power of papacy significantly reduced the influence and power of the Church over common people.

Peasants Revolt

1381

After the consequences of the Hundred Years War and Black Plague were felt, people in the peasant status were able to rise up and become richer after land and opportunities opened up more. England/France rulers were not too keen on this, and made efforts to stand against it.

Joan of Arc Execution

1431

Joan of Arc was a woman who disguised herself as a man and led herself, and many others, into battle during the recovery of the Hundred Years War. Think of the entire Mulan movie except base it in France, and there you go. She was executed by the English, but after time Pope Benedict XV declared that she would be remembered as a Saint.

Public Libraries

1452

(How ironic it is that this is what helped lead to the finished project of this.) Libraries were and alwas have been full of books, not usually full of people. Knowledge wasn't really written down or shared much between people or cities. It wasn't until the 14th century when a cit in Italy opened up the first fully public library.

War of Roses

1455

The Wars of the Roses is the name given to a series of civil wars that occurred over a space of three decades in England during the Middle Ages.The Wars of the Roses were fought between two opposing houses, the House of Lancaster and the House of York
Many people that are first becoming familiar with the Wars or the Roses ask why this particular series of civil wars has been given such a glamorous name. The name ‘Wars of the Roses’ was adopted because of the crests used by each group.