 1165
CE: Medieval Europe - Frenchman Chretien de Troyes
is the first writer to condense the legendary Arthurian history,
based on the Celtic hero King Arthur and his knights of chivalry,
into what is known as the Arthurian Romances. Chretien is
the first writer to put forth the idea of romantic love within
marriage. The innovation of longer narrative poems is the
earliest ancestor to the modern novel. The idea of chivalry,
the literal meaning being "horsemanship," emerges
about the time of the romances. Chivalry includes the defense
of honor, combat in tournaments, and the virtues of generosity
and reverence. The noble code of chivalry is accompanied with
the improvement of noble life and the status of noblewomen.
1168
CE: Medieval Europe - English scientist Robert Grosseteste
translates Aristotle's Ethics and makes technological advances
in optics, mathematics and astronomy. He dies in 1253 CE.
1170
CE: Medieval Europe - The first European windmill
is developed.
1176
CE: Medieval Europe - The German troops of Frederick
I are defeated by the Italian Lombard League at Legnano.
1180
CE: Medieval Europe - Philip Augustus, Louis VI's
grandson, assumes the title of monarch in France. He recaptures
most of the western French territory, previously taken by
William the Conqueror, from the English king, John. Philip
installs royal officials in the conquered regions in order
to win allegience to the king. Philip is one of the strongest
founders of the modern French state.
 1187
CE: Medieval Europe - Muslims recapture Jerusalem,
and the Third Crusade is ordered. It is led by German Emperor
Frederick Barbarossa, French King Philip Augustus and English
King Richard the Lionhearted. It is not successful.
1189
CE: Medieval Europe - Richard the Lionhearted, son
of Henry II, assumes the English crown. He rules for ten years
and is only present in the country a total of six months.
His rule exemplifes the strength of the governmental foundations
set up by Henry II. During Richard's absence, ministers take
care of administration and help to raise taxes for the support
of the crusades.
1198
CE: Medieval Europe - Innocent III, the founder of
the Papal State, is thirty-seven when he is elected pope.
He is trained in canon law and theology. His primary concern
of administration is the unification of all Christendom under
the papal monarchy, including the right to interfere with
the rule of kings. He is the organizer of the Fourth Crusade,
ordered to recapture Jerusalem from Islam.
1200
CE: Medieval Europe - The growth of lay education
and the intellectual renaissance begin. Students start entering
schools with no intention of becoming priests, and education
is offered in European languages other than Latin. The rise
in lay education causes a loss in Church control over education,
the growth of literacy in the West and the transformation
of cathedral schools into advanced liberal arts universities.
Bologna and Paris are the distinguishing schools of the High
Middle Ages.
1204
CE: Medieval Europe - The crusaders of the Fourth
Crusade capture Constantinople. The sack of Constantinople
causes a firm Byzantine hatred of the West.
1204
CE: Medieval Europe - King John of England loses
Normandy and the surrounding area to the French king, Philip
Augustus.
1206
CE: Medieval Europe - St. Francis of Assisi, at the
age of twently-five begins his twenty year allegiance to Christ
Jesus until his death in 1226 CE. He is the founder of the
Franciscan order which seeks to imitate the life of Jesus
by embracing poverty. St. Francis wins the support of Pope
Innocent III.
1208
CE: Medieval Europe - Innocent III calls for the
Albigensian Crusade in order to destroy the heretical threat
of the Albigensians.
1212
CE: Medieval Europe - Spain reconquers the Iberian
peninsula from the Muslims in the name of Christianity.
1214
CE: Medieval Europe - A student of Grosseteste, Roger
Bacon predicts the technological advancement of automobiles
and airplanes and extends Grosseteste's observations in optics.
Both thinkers advocate concrete sensory observation for the
advancement of scientific thought, rather than abstract reasoning.
1215
CE: Medieval Europe - Innocent III organizes the
Fourth Lateran Council in Rome in order to discuss and define
central dogmas of Christianity. It recognizes the necessity
of the Eucharist and penance as sacraments for salvation.
The Council exemplifies the power of the papacy over kings
and Church. The Council also calls for the Fifth Crusade to
be warred under papal guidance by sea. It is a failure. English
barons write "The Magna Carta" (Great Charter) in
order to cease John's demands of money from the English without
the consent of the barons and to require that all men be judged
by a jury of peers in public courts, rather than privately
by the crown. The Magna Carta serves as a symbol of a limited
government and a crown that is bound by the same laws as the
public.
1216
CE: Medieval Europe - The Dominican order is founded
by St. Dominic of Spain and is authorized by Innocent III.
Its purpose is to convert Muslims and Jews and to put an end
to heresy. The Dominicans eventually become the main administrators
of inquisitorial trials.
1223
CE: Medieval Europe - Louis VIII, Philip Augustus'
son, rules for three years and conquers most of southern France.
1225
CE: Medieval Europe - Thomas Aquinas, the most influential
Scholastic theologian, is teaching at the University of Paris.
Aquinas believes in the contemplation of God through the natural
order, though ultimate truths are revealed only by studying
the revelations of the Bible. His two greatest works are the
Summa contra Gentiles and the Summa Theologica, both of which
attempt to found the Christian faith on rational principles.
His philosophy emphasizes human reasoning, life in the material
order and the individual's participation in personal salvation.
Previous
Page
-Next page
|
