Medieval Madness: Highlights (and Low Lights) from the Middle Ages

Introduction

• Covers approximately 1000 years from the fall of Rome to the dawn of the Renaissance.
• Includes significant social changes, warfare, rebellion, disease, and cruelty.

Key Events and Developments

Fall of Rome (455)

• Sack by Alaric (410) and Genseric (455) marked the decline of the Roman Empire.
• Murder of Nepos (480) noted as the start of the Middle Ages.

Rise of the Franks (481)

• Clovis united Frankish tribes, beginning the Merovingian Age.
• Converted to Christianity in 496 and defeated Visigoths in 507.

Justinian Code (535)

• Justinian I published the code of civil law, influencing modern legal systems.

Birth of Muhammad (570)

• Prophet in Islam; revelations are core to the Quran.

Christianity in England (597)

• Augustine sent by Pope Gregory to convert English, establishing the Church of England.

Viking Era (793)

• Vikings began raiding, established lasting settlements, including Normans in France.

Rise of Carolingians (800)

• Charlemagne crowned Emperor; strengthened ties with Catholic Church.

Alfred the Great (886)

• Unified England, driving out the Danes.

Holy Roman Empire (Otto the Great, 961)

• United German tribes, expanded the empire.

The First Novel (1021)

• "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu in Japan.

Norman Conquest (1066)

• William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings reshaped English society and politics.

First University (1088)

• University of Bologna established as a center of education.

The Crusades (1095)

• Initiated by Pope Urban II to reclaim the Holy Land; led to extensive Christian-Muslim conflict.

Knights Templar (1119)

• Formed to protect pilgrims, rose to power, eventually fell in 1312.

Mongol Empire (1206)

• Genghis Khan united Mongols, creating the largest land empire.

Magna Carta (1215)

• Document limiting the power of the king, foundational for democracy.

Marco Polo's Travels (1271)

• 24-year exploration of Asia, documented in an influential travelogue.

Hapsburg Dynasty (1273)

• Became significant European rulers, influenced by inbreeding issues.

Scottish Wars (1296)

• First War of Scottish Independence led by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Ottoman Empire (1299)

• Osman I founded the empire, lasting over 600 years.

Hundred Years' War (1337)

• Prolonged conflict between England and France.

Black Death (1347)

• Bubonic plague decimated Europe's population.

Ming Dynasty (1368)

• Established in China, last native ruling house.

Canterbury Tales (1380)

• Geoffrey Chaucer's work laid foundations for Modern English.

Battle of Agincourt (1415)

• English victory under Henry V, crucial in the Hundred Years’ War.

Aztec Empire (1428)

• Expansion under Itzcoatl, fell to Spaniards in the early 1500s.

Joan of Arc (1431)

• Key figure in the Hundred Years' War for France, executed for witchcraft.

Rise of the Medici (1434)

• Influential in finance, politics, and the arts during the Renaissance.

Printing Press (1439)

• Gutenberg’s invention revolutionized information dissemination.

Start of African Slave Trade (1441)

• Initiated by Portuguese with Prince Henry the Navigator.

Fall of Constantinople (1453)

• Ottoman Empire captured the city, marking the end of Byzantine rule.

Wars of the Roses (1455)

• English civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster.

Unification of Spain (1492)

• Ferdinand and Isabella unified Spain and sponsored Columbus’s expedition.

Conclusion

• The Middle Ages were marked by dramatic changes and events that shaped modern history.

Note: These highlights reflect both positive and negative aspects of medieval history.