Medieval Timeline Part III The Late Middle Ages

Medieval Timeline Part III The Late Middle Ages: 13001500

Rise of Strong Monarchy Central Government • England, an island, was the first to feel (and act) like a nation. • The English King became the most powerful man in England: 1. 2. The King overpowered the nobility. He was rich and high-tech: His armies had longbows, pikes, guns, and cannons. The King allied himself with wealthy towns. (Barons were from the country. ) 1400—In England, Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales • It is a collection of stories. He describes life in England satirizes Church officials.

Rise of Nationalism 1337 -1453—The Hundred Years War • In 1337, England invaded France. 1. In 1415, the Battle of Agincourt, a modern army (13, 000 English) defeats a feudal army (50, 000 French). 2. The rise of nationalism. 3. The King is the most powerful person in the nation. (Not the nobles. Not the Pope. )

Nationalism of FRANCE 1430—Joan of Arc n During the 100 Years’ War (1337 -1453) England invaded France. n Joan of Arc, a peasant girl claiming to have had visions from God, led France to victory. n The British captured her and burned her at the stake (for heresy). n Joan of Arc came to symbolize France & French nationalism.

Nationalism of ENGLAND 1470—The Ledgend of King Arthur n King Arthur became a symbol of England, & English nationalism. n King Arthur was probably an actual person who lived in England around 500 A. D. (Alfred the Great) n His story was not written until 1470. • It tells about King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Sir Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table. • They live in Camelot and go in search of the Holy Grail (Jesus’ cup at the Last Supper). • The main theme is not chivalry; it is democracy & justice. • King Arthur and his men sit at a “round table. ” They are all equals.

The Church Loses Power 1095 -1291—The Crusades n The Christians did not recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land. n The Pope and Crusaders had motives (political power, material gain) other than religious ones. 1347 -1350—The Black Death n The Bubonic Plague killed 25% of Europe’s population. One out of four people died! n The Church was powerless to stop the plague. n The Pope moved out of Rome (1309 -1377) to avoid the plague. n The Church lost face among the people.

1492—The Reconquista 1492 was a big year: n Ferdinand & Isabella became the King & Queen of Spain. n They defeated the Muslims. They expelled the Jews. n The Spanish Inquisition began. n The Middle Ages Ended n They financed Columbus’ voyages to the New World. n This was now the n Age of Exploration!