1. Medieval Timeline Part III
The Late Middle Ages:

2. 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:
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 and satirizes Church officials.

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

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

5. Nationalism of ENGLAND
1470—The Ledgend of King Arthur
King Arthur became a symbol of England, & English nationalism.
King Arthur was probably an actual person who lived in England around 500 A.D. (Alfred the Great)
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.

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

7. 1492—The Reconquista Age of Exploration! 1492 was a big year:
Ferdinand & Isabella became the King & Queen of Spain.
They defeated the Muslims. They expelled the Jews.
The Spanish Inquisition began.
The Middle Ages Ended
They financed Columbus’ voyages to the New World.
This was now the
Age of Exploration!