Activity 2

A timeline of the Middle Ages

The Middle Ages was an exciting period in history - a time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the advent of the Renaissance in 1600; a time referred to by many historians as the ‘dark ages’; a time characterised by the introduction of the feudal system by William the Conqueror after he seized the throne of England following the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Timeline Activity

The following are some important events that happened during the medieval period and at some point you will get the chance to investigate the significance of these events further. But first try to get a sense of what happened when, by placing these events into their correct year on a timeline. When you place them in the correct period you will find out more.

1066

1096

1189

1215

1291

1295

1337

1347

1381

1415

1429

1453

1444

1455

1471

1482

1485

1545

Which of these events happened in Year?

Crusades end

The Siege of Acre in 1291 CE was the final fatal blow to Christian Crusader ambitions in the Holy Land. The Fall of Acre was the last chapter of the Crusade story in the Middle East.

Crusades begin

A series of religious wars directed by the Latin Church to wrest the holy land in the middle east from Muslim control.

Richard 1 becomes king

Richard I, Richard the Lionheart, becomes King of England. Having been encouraged by his mother he and his brothers campaigned against their father in France. King Henry was defeated in battle and surrendered to Richard, and so on the July 5th 1189, Richard became King of England, Duke of Normandy and Count of Anjou.

First model parliament in England

King Edward 1 summoned nobles and churchmen, but also issued orders for the election of two representatives from each county (the knights of the shire) and two from each city or town (the burgesses) to attend.

Magna Carta

King John of England signs the Magna Carta. This document gave the people some rights and said the king was not above the law.

Battle of Hastings

William, Duke of Normandy, France defeats King Harold to claim the throne of England and introduces the feudal system.

Battle of Agincourt

The English under Henry V defeat the French at the Battle of Agincourt.

Black death

It is the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, causing the deaths of 75–200 million people, peaking in Europe from 1347 to 1351.

Peasants’ Revolt

Peasants' Revolt was the first great popular rebellion in English history. Its immediate cause was the imposition of the unpopular poll tax of 1380, which brought to a head the economic discontent that had been growing since the middle of the century.

Battle of Orleans

The battle was part of the Hundred Years' War during which the city of Orleans, France, was besieged by English forces. On May 8, 1429, Joan of Arc (1412-31), a teenage French peasant, successfully led a French force to break the siege.

100 Years’ War ends

The War ended on October 19th, 1453, when Bordeaux surrendered, leaving Calais as the last English possession in France. The Treaty of Paris between Henry III of England and Louis IX of France was signed.

Start of the 100 Years’ War

The Hundred Years' War was a series of battles between England and France during the Late Middle Ages. It was brought about by disputed claims to the French throne between the English House of Plantagenet and the French royal House of Valois.

Battle of Barnet

A decisive battle in the English Wars of the Roses - a momentous victory for the Yorkist king Edward IV over his Lancastrian opponents, the adherents of Henry VI.

First printing press

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg this heralds the introduction of the Renaissance period. In 1476 the first book was printed in England.

‘The Last Supper’ painting

Painted by Leonardo de Vinci, it is regarded as the masterpiece of art from the Renaissance period which heralded the end of the dark ages.

Henry V11 is crowned king of England

Henry VII declared himself king after slaying Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

Battle of the Solent

The naval Battle of the Solent took place on 18 and 19 July 1545 fought between the fleets of Francis I of France and Henry VIII of England, in the Solent channel off the south coast of England between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The engagement was inconclusive and is most notable for the sinking of the English carrack Mary Rose.

War of the Roses

The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars whose violence and civil strife preceded the strong government of the Tudors. Fought between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne.

Choose an event for each date.