Middle Ages Timeline
This event marks the end of ancient Rome and the beginning of medieval Europe.
What is the fall of the Roman Empire?
This Christian monk created rules for monastic life that shaped monasteries across Europe.
Who is Benedict?
This system was based on land exchanged for loyalty and military service.
What is feudalism?
This new farming system allowed more land to be planted each year.
What is the three-field system of crop rotation?
The empire of this leader included France, Germany, and Italy.
Who is Charlemagne?
This term traces back to Medieval times, when knights were being trained on how to act during training, battle, and towards civilians regardless of status.
What is chivalry?
Popes sent these people north to convert pagans to Christianity.
Who are missionaries?
In return for land, a vassal promised to give this to his lord.
What is military protection?
This horse-powered invention helped farmers plow more land and produce extra food.
What is the heavy plow (horse-powered plow)?
Charlemagne is remembered for helping spread this religion and for starting schools.
What are Christianity and education?
This Frankish king united much of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages.
Who is Charlemagne?
This was the Church’s most powerful tool for maintaining control over medieval society.
What is control over the sacraments?
Feudalism was supposed to bring peace, but it often led to this among landowners.
What is frequent warfare?
Because of food surpluses, people could leave farms to work as these.
What are craftworkers and merchants?
Charlemagne extended his rule throughout Europe using these three strategies.
What is fighting wars to gain new territories, spreading Christianity, and encouraging education?
This religion spread widely across Europe during the Middle Ages, shaping art, law, and learning.
What is Christianity (the spread of the Catholic faith)?
Two saints from Assisi both founded religious orders that valued simplicity and service.
Who are Francis of Assisi and Clare of Assisi?
The people who worked the land and made up the lowest class in the feudal pyramid.
Who are peasants and serfs?
Medieval manors were designed to be these, able to produce everything they needed.
What are self-sufficient economic units?
The Franks gained power in Europe by defeating the last Roman army, uniting Germanic kingdoms, and stopping the Muslim advance at this 732 CE battle.
The Battle of Tours?
This major movement in Europe led to new Christian denominations and challenged the Catholic Church.
What is the Reformation?
By the 1200s, these religious communities had become centers of farming and learning, many located in towns.
What are monasteries?
This system helped bring order by providing protection and creating a clear social structure.
What is feudalism?
These organizations of skilled workers set rules for training, quality, and prices — and funded themselves with member fees.
What are craft guilds?
“The man who led the Franks to victory and so created modern Europe was Charles the Great. . ."
In the quote calling him Charlemagne is praised for these two achievements.
What are spreading Christianity and encouraging education?