Medieval History Medieval Life and Times encompass one of the most exciting and turbulent times in English and European History. The Medieval people of the Middle Ages and Dark Ages were warlike, they sought to conquer new lands and have even been described as barbaric. The Crusades exposed the English and the Europeans to a more refined society and the great Eastern fortresses which influenced Medieval architecture. The elegance of the Far East, with its silks, tapestries, precious stones, perfumes, spices, pearls, and ivory prompted a change in society with a new and unprecedented interest in beautiful objects and elegant manners and new routes for Medieval Trade. But meanwhile the Medieval Battles for new territory and power raged on in Medieval History.
Medieval History of Feudalism The Medieval history of feudalism covers the main European countries. The disintegration of Europe following the departure and power of the Romans slowly led to European Feudalism. From France feudalism spread to the major European countries including Germany, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia, England and the Slavic countries.
Medieval Timelines A series of comprehensive Medieval Timelines detail the major events significant to the lives and events of famous people and the Kings and Queens of England and Europe. In addition there are are additional timelines including a Timeline of the First Crusade, a Timeline Of Middle Ages Kings Of England, Knights Templar Timeline, Early Middle Ages Timeline and a Late Middle Ages Timeline. Famous Events in Medieval History with Timelines, Key dates and Events The History of the Medieval era covers the major historical events which occurred during the period from 1066 - 1485. The History of the Medieval era starts in England with the Battle of Hastings in 1066 which ended the period classified as the Dark Ages. The events in Medieval History continues down the timeline until 1485 which ends the War of the Roses, the start of the Tudor dynasty and the emergence of the Renaissance. The facts and information provided via the Medieval Life and Times website provide access to the most important historical events of the period which are detailed in the pages about the History of Domesday Book, History of Black Death, History of Magna Carta, History of Battle of Hastings, History of Wars of the Roses, History of the One Hundred Years War and the History of Bayeux Tapestry. The History and Key Events of the Middle Ages included:
The History of Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest
The History of Bayeux Tapestry
The History of Doomsday Book ( aka Domesday Book )
The History of Magna Carta
The History of Hundred Years War between England and France
The History of Black Death
The History of Wars of the Roses and the Battle of Bosworth
The History of the Great Schism of 1054 and the Great Western Schism
The History of the Peasants Revolt
The Domesday Book William the Conqueror ordered this Norman survey of all the lands and possessions of England in order to assist with the Norman administration of England and impose relevant taxes - it was called the Domesday, or Doomsday, Book. It also enabled William the Conqueror the ability to ensure that all landholders and tenants swore allegiance to him - a major requirement of feudalism or the Feudal System
The Black Death The Black Death victims in Medieval Times were terrified of the deadly disease. The plague held a massive mortality rate between 30 and 40%. Victims had no idea what had caused the disease. Neither did the physicians in Medieval Times. Read about the symptoms, treatments, causes and effects of the Black Death in England
The Magna Carta What is the Magna Carta? What was the purpose of the Magna Carta? Why was the Magna Carta famous and important to the history of England? The charter is considered to be the beginning of constitutional government in England. The Magna Carta demonstrated that the power of the king could be limited by a written grant. The influence of Magna Carta can be seen in the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights
The Battle of Hastings The Battle of Hastings took place on Saturday 14th of October 1066. The leaders of the Battle of Hastings were Duke William of Normandy and King Harold of William. The Normans win the Battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest of England follows. The section detailing the Battle of Hastings has some surprising facts and information about the event and also a comprehensive Battle of Hastings timeline.
The Wars of the Roses The Wars of the Roses were intermittent civil wars fought by members of the House of Lancaster and the House of York. Both houses were branches of the Plantagenet royal house, tracing their descent from King Edward III. The rivalry between the house of York and the House of Lancaster started when King Richard II was overthrown by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, in 1399. The Wars of the Roses subsequently raged from 1455 - 1485.
The One Hundred Years War One of the most important historical events of the Medieval era is the Hundred Years War. The Hundred Years War was fought between between England and France and later Burgundy. What were the key dates of this famous historical event? Joan of Arc was a major figure in the Hundred Years War. What other famous figures were involved in this historical occasion? There is also a section which details a Battles Timeline of the One Hundred Years War including the famous English victories at the Battle of Crecy and the Battle of Poitiers.
Summary of Events TimelineTimeline Key Dates Medieval History Timeline of Key events
Medieval History Timeline of Key Events
1066 -1154
1066-1087The reign of King William the Conqueror The Battle of Hastings and the defeat of Harold Godwinson The Building of Norman castles in England including the Tower of London in 1073 1086 - Compilation of the Doomsday book1087-1100The reign of King William Rufus (son of William) William invades Wales and builds castles on the borders 1100-1135The reign of King Henry I (William Rufus brother)1135-1154The reign of King Stephen (nephew of Henry I) 1099: First Crusade. Jerusalem is re-taken from the Muslims on the urging of Pope Urban II 1118: The Knights Templar founded to protect Jerusalem and European pilgrims on their journey to the city 1147: Second CrusadeMedieval History Timeline of Key Events
1154 - 1377
1154-1189The reign of King Henry II (grandson of Henry I) 1156: Kremlin built in Moscow 1158: The Hanseatic League is founded 1184: The first of many Inquisitions begins 1170: Thomas a Becket is murdered in Canterbury Cathedral1189-1199The reign of King Richard I (third son of Henry II) 1190: Third Crusade. Saladin manages to unite the Muslim world and recapture Jerusalem, sparking the Third Crusade1199-1216The reign of King John (fifth son of Henry II) 1200: Fourth Crusade embarks. Eventually sacks Constantinople 1212: Children's Crusade 1214 -1215: Barons revolt 1215: Magna Carta is signed1216-1272The reign of King Henry III (son of John) 1258: Provisions of Oxford forced upon Henry III of England, establishing a new form of government limited regal authority1272-1307The reign of King Edward I (son of Henry III) 1273: Rudolph I of Germany is elected Holy Roman Emperor 1274: Thomas Aquinas' work, Summa Theologiae is published 1295: Marco Polo publishes his tales of China 1297: William Wallace emerges as the leader of the Scottish resistance to England1307-1327The reign of King Edward II (son of Edward I) 1307: The Knights Templar are rounded up and murdered by Philip the Fair of France, with the backing of the Pope 1311-1315: The Great Famine1327-1377The reign of King Edward III (son of Edward II) 1337: The Hundred Years War begins. England and France struggle for dominance of Western Europe 1346: Battle of Crecy 1347: The Black Death ravages Europe for the first of many times. An estimated 20% - 40% of the population is thought to have perished within the first year 1356: Battle of PoitiersMedieval History Timeline of Key Events
1377 - 1485
1377-1399The reign of King Richard II (grandson of Edward III, son of the Black Prince) 1380: Chaucer begins to write The Canterbury Tales 1381: Peasants Revolt in England 1382: The Bible is translated into English by John Wycliffe.1399-1413The reign of King Henry IV (grandson of Edward III, son of John of Gaunt)1413-1422The reign of King Henry V (son of Henry IV) 1415: Battle of Agincourt1422-1461The reign of King Henry VI (son of Henry V) 1429: Joan of Arc lifts the siege of Orleans for the Dauphin of France, enabling him to eventually be crowned at Reims 1430: Capture, trial, and execution of Joan of Arc 1434: The Medici family rises to prominence in Florence 1452: Leonardo da Vinci is born 1453: The Hundred Years War ends. Calais is the only English possession on Continental Europe 1455: Johann Gutenberg prints the first of his Bibles on his new printing press 1455: The Wars of the Roses begins in England1461-1483The reign of King Edward IV ( youngest son of Edward III) William Caxton sets up a printing press in Westminster1483-1485The reign of King Richard III (uncle of Edward V) 1485: The Wars of the Roses ends and the Tudor dynasty begins