Medieval Timeline

Main

Medieval Times

1050 - 1220

In the end, so much happened within the Medieval ages. From the ups to the downs, the wins and the losses, it's nearly impossible to say if there was more negativity or prosperity in this time. For every door that was shut another was opened, and while much was lost from the Roman Empire, much was also gained in the next 400 years after.

Reigning Kings

Reign of King William the Conqueror

1066 - 1087

King William was the first Norman King of England. He was a viking decendent, and eventually became king of England as well as Normandy after the successful "Battle of Hastings" in 1066. He died in September 1087 by falling off of a horse.

Reign of King William Rufus

1087 - 1100

Reign of King Henry I

1100 - 1135

Reign of King Stephen

1135 - 1154

Reign of King Henry II

1154 - 1189

Reign of King Richard I

1189 - 1199

Reign of King John

1199 - 1216

Events

Battle of Hastings

1066

The Battle of Hastings was between King Harold II of England and William of Normandy (later known as William the Conqueror). He won this name after his success in this battle, thus taking control of England as well as Normandy. It was an average battle with javelins and stones, however it was also one of the first battles to introduce the crossbow.

Tower of London Built

1073

The Tower of London sits in central London on the north bank of the Thames River. It was built after the Norman conquest in 1066 in hopes to defend England. There is an acient legend that accompanies the tower, it is said that if the ravens left the tower, the monarchy would fall. That's why even to this day ravens are fed outside of the tower.

Compilation of the Doomsday book

1086

The Doomsday book was the first taxation organization of the New Norman Empire. It was pretty much a census of King Williams previous and new land. It was the first recorded census ever and it helped him immensly organize and sustain his kingdom.

Fire in Venice

1106

This was "The Great Fire" that destroyed a huge part of Venice in the middle ages. It was due to the burning of straw and wood in glass or ceramic kilns inside wooden buildings. Nearly 25 churches were destroyed or critically damaged. Lots of records were destroyed and it eventually led to the banning of straw roofs.

Thomas Beckett Murdered

1170

Thomas Beckett was the archbishop of the Canterbury cathedral. He was brutally slayed on the steps of the church. This struck fear in all of Medieval Europe. It is unconfirmed however public opion of the time leads one to believe that it was King Henry II that killed him, eventhough he was a close person friend to Beckett.

First Inquisitions

1184

The medieval inquisitions were churches going and seeking out to prosecute heretics. The inquisitions are notoriously harsh in their punishments such as wearing a yellow cross for life, banishment, public recantation, or even long-term imprisonment. Medieval inquisitions led to many more inquisitions throughout history, from the Spanish inquisition to the Roman inquisitions too.

Magna Carta Signed

1215

The Magna Carta was the first official document that gave the people rights against the king. It was signed by King John and it regulated taxes. Ultimately it lead to many many more documents that gave civilians rights against the main government -- even modern day.

Crusades

First Crusade

1099

The first crusades were proclaimed by Pope Urban II. There were two main motivations, the first was to claim the "Holy Land" from the muslims. There was also an economic side, peasants and other nobles who didn't own land saw the muslim lands as lands to be taken for themselves.

Second Crusade

1147

Third Crusade

1190

Fourth Crusade

1200

Children's Crusade

1212

The Children's Crusade is called that because two groups of kids led by 12 year olds went to battle. Nicholas of Germany lost nearly 20,000 kids in the battle and King Stephen lost over 30,000 kids. The battle was unsuccessful.