The Middle Ages - Medieval Britain (Normans)
The Middle Ages in Britain cover a huge period. They take us from the shock of the Norman Conquest, which began in 1066, to the devasting Black Death of 1348, the Hundred Years' War with France and the War of the Roses, which finally ended in 1485. The Normans built impressive castles, imposed a feudal system and carried out a census of the country.
1066
The Battle of Stamford Bridge:Saxon victory over invading Vikings
1066
The Battle of Hastings: The invading Normans defeat the Saxons William of Normandy defeats Harold with a lucky shot and becomes King of England - Norman Conquest
1070
Work starts on Canterbury Cathedral
1078
Work starts on The Tower of London
1080 - 1100
Great monastery and cathedral building begins
1086
The Domesday Book is compiled, a complete inventory of Britain
1154
Work starts on York Minster
1167
Oxford University Founded
1170
Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas a Becket is murdered by the knights of Henry II
1170
Population of London exceeds 30,000 for the first time
1174
Work starts on Wells Cathedral
1215
Civil War
1215
The Magna Carta is signed by King John
1220
Work starts on Salisbury
1282 - 1283
King Edward conquers Wales. Llewellyn ab Gruffydd, the country's last prince is killed
1296
King Edward invades Scotland and takes the Stone of Destiny from Scone to Westminster
1297
The Battle of Stirling BridgeThe Scots under William Wallace defeat the English
1298
The Battle of Falkirk. King Edward defeats Wallace.
1306
Robert Bruce crowned King of the Scots
1314
Scots led by Robert the Bruce defeat the English at the battle of Bannockburn
1321-22
Civil War
1337
King Edward claims the Throne of France
1337 - 1453
Hundred Years' War with France
1348 - 49
The Black Death (bubonic plague) arrived in England and killed nearly half of the population
1387
Geoffrey Chaucer starts writing the Canterbury Tales
1415
English defeat the French at the battle of Agincourt
1453
The Hundred Years War against France ends
1455
Civil War: The War of the Roses starts