The Second Millenium

[Vince53]

Thank you, Gracie. I'm glad to have you on board.

And now, on to 1375!

Pope Gregory XI gets France and England to sit down at the negotiating table. Devasted by military defeats and an outbreak of the Black Plague, England hands back a lot of French territory and agrees to a two-year cease-fire.

A bureacrat sends the Emperor of China a long, rambling report, with his most brilliant ideas at the very end. The Emperor has him flogged for wasting so much time before getting to the point.

Cilicia, an Armenian Apostolic Church kingdom in southern Turkey, is conquered by Egypt and disappears forever.

 

[Vince53]

And now it is 1376.

Five year old Olaf IV inherits the thrones of both Denmark and Norway. Until 1814, Denmark will rule Norway. Olaf himself dies suddenly after only a few years on the throne.

"Handful of Reeds" becomes the second ruler of Mexico. Confusing records indicate that through marriages and alliances, he brought Mexico and other small city-states into a voluntary alliance that became the Aztec Empire. He increased the amount of agricultural land, fought three wars in nineteen years, and increased the peace and stability of the area.

For those who came in late, Mexico was a large island in the middle of a lake. When it expanded onto the nearby shores, that area was also called "Mexico."

 

[Vince53]

Let's see how 1377 does.

By order of the Pope, 4,000 citizens of Cesena, in northern Italy, are massacred for rebelling against the Pope' authority.

Various Catholic kingdoms and cities outlaw playing card games.

In an attempt to end the King of France's control over the Papacy, Pope Gregory XI moves the Catholic capital back to Rome. But rioting in the city forces him to return to Avignon.

With the death of Frederick the Simple, 14 year old Maria begins her 24 year reign as Queen of Sicily. Beset by civil war with four barons ruling parts of the large island, she spends several years in prison before finally conquering the entire island.

 

[Vince53]

1378 has arrived!

With the death of the Pope, cardinals elect Urban VI to replace him. But angered at his hostile attitude towards them, a majority of the cardinals meet for a second time.

The Butcher of Cesena begins his sixteen year reign as Pope Clement VII, and once again the Catholic Church has two rival Popes. As a papal legate, he had previously ordered the massacre of about 4,000 citizens of Cesena for rebelling against being part of the Papal States. He was elected by French cardinals (who made up the majority of cardinals) who did not want the Papacy to return to Rome, and he spent most of his time in Avignon. He donated much of the Papal estates there to the French King and ran a financially corrupt papacy in order to pay mounting debts. His reign overlapped two rival Popes.

Catholic evangelist John Wycliffe is summoned by both Parliament and the Archbishop of Canterbury to defend himself. Wycliffe demands that the Catholic Church reform its corrupt clergy, or their sacraments will become worthless.

The Holy Roman Emperor dies and in is not replaced for 55 years.

Halley's Comet appears.

 

[Vince53]

1379

Venice is a powerful Italian city-state with extensive trading routes and powerful armed forces. They unite with the Ottoman Turks to attack Constantinople and place an Emperor of their choice on the throne of the Byzantine Empire.

And Catholic Europe is dividing itself between the two Popes. Motivated by political considerations, the nations of Europe form two groups, each giving allegiance to a different Pope.

Having beaten off a Mongolian invasion from the east last year, Moscow attacks Estonia on the west. The Mongolians had conquered most of Russia, but the town of Moscow had successfully revolted to form its own kingdom.

 

[Vince53]

Will 1380 be an interesting year?

Olaf II, King of Denmark, officially assumes the Crown of Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Located northwest of Britain, the Faroe Island are still part of Denmark, with a population of about 50,000 people.

Moscow successfully repels a large invasion from Mongolia and Lithuania.

Twelve year old Charles the Mad begins his 42 year reign as King of France. It takes him another nine years to seize power from his corrupt uncles, but then he rules wisely and justly. But he also goes insane, killing servants and even knights, insisting that he was made of glass, and that he had no family. Relatives reduce him to a figurehead, which causes civil wars in France.

About this time, Polynesians discover and inhabit the last islands in the Pacific Ocean, except for the extreme north.

 

[Vince53]

The big event of 1381 is the Peasants' Revolt. Ravaged by the Black Plague, high rents, serfdom (requiring them to work a certain number of days without pay on their rulers' lands), and a variety of abuses, peasants storm London, killing the wealthy Archbishop of Canterbury. They agree to meet with King Richard II, who ends the revolt by giving in to their demands., The next day, Richard kills their leader, attacks their army, and eventually executes all their leaders, while breaking all of his agreements.

China seizes and still holds, the Kingdom of Dali. An independent nation that had been seized by the Mongolian Empire, it is now part of a Chinese province.

A census reports that there are 59,873,305 people living in China. 250 years earlier, China had 100 million people.

 

[graciesings]

The big event of 1381 is the Peasants' Revolt. Ravaged by the Black Plague, high rents, serfdom (requiring them to work a certain number of days without pay on their rulers' lands), and a variety of abuses, peasants storm London, killing the wealthy Archbishop of Canterbury. They agree to meet with King Richard II, who ends the revolt by giving in to their demands., The next day, Richard kills their leader, attacks their army, and eventually executes all their leaders, while breaking all of his agreements.

China seizes and still holds, the Kingdom of Dali. An independent nation that had been seized by the Mongolian Empire, it is now part of a Chinese province.

A census reports that there are 59,873,305 people living in China. 250 years earlier, China had 100 million people.

Wow, why the big decrease in Chinese population? Black Death and civil war together? I also can't help but wonder whether or not they include conquered peoples.

 

[Vince53]

Gracie, the major population decrease in China was due to a loss of land area more than anything else. The Black Plague did not thrive in China or Africa as much as it did in Europe.

Incidentally, Gracie, I was impressed by the quality of your research on this time period, so I took the liberty of cutting and pasting part of it. I want to remind people that everybody is welcome to post on this thread. If you have additinal insights, feel free to post them.

1346. You mentioned the Battle of Crecy. It was also significant (and bad for the French!) because this is often said to be the first time a cannon was used in warfare. Not that it was very accurate, probably just noisy! See this link:http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2...6crecy_cannon/

1362: This should be Urban V, not Urban VI.

1369: Just-another-nobody was born in Bohemia this year. His name was Jan Hus (Anglicized John Huss)

1370: Not to mention the fact that if the Pope is the Antichrist, you can't really trust the Catholic Church.

Things that (according to my history notebook) occur within the next 10 or 20 years:
Geoffry Chaucer writes Canterbury Tales (I don't have an exact date.)
Lithuania combined with Poland (I don't have an exact date.)
John Wycliffe dies a natural death in 1384
I'll skip over popes and English kings dying. You won't forget that.
Richard II of England marries a Bohemian princess (No date)
Battle of Kulikovo, Russians beat Mongolians. (c. 1380)
The Brethren of the Common Life were formed in late 1300's and would be worth mentioning. They were a Christian reform/pietist group that stayed Catholic, but their universities influenced later figures such as Thomas a Kempis and Erasmus.

 

[Vince53]

1382

The first edition of Wycliffe's Bible is published. Translated directly from the Latin Vulgate into common English, it is the English basis of the King James Version. Huh? The KJV translators diligently compared their work to previous translations. They usually stuck to Wycliffe's exact wording unless they could do better from the original language, or because the English language had changed.

In London, the Earthquake Synod condemns Wycliff's teachings. During their meeting, a minor earthquake strikes London, giving the synod its name.

With the death of their king, Hungary and Poland once again separate into two independent nations.

The Mongolians overrun Moscow. But in return for a pledge to remain a vassel state, they leave.

The Ottoman Turks capture Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

 

[Vince53]

1383 is a rough year for people whose King dies without an heir.

With the death of their heirless King, Portugal is thrown into a two year civil war. The King's daughter had married a Castilian prince, with the goal of uniting the two kingdoms. But the Portuguese nobility and common people vehemently opposed becoming a servant state to Castile. After two years, John I wins and begins a new royal dynasty.

There's not much left of the Crusaders, but they still hold scattered portions of land that are called "The Latin Empire." But with the death of their heirless King, what remains divides into three small kingdoms.

The French finish building the Bastille. A fortress designed to guard an entrance to Paris, it will later become a symbol of evil when it is used to imprison dissidents.

 

[Vince53]

1384

Eleven year old Jadwiga begins her fifteen year reign as Queen of Poland. Although personally leading Polish troops into two battles, she used her brilliant diplomacy to expand Polish territory and rights with little bloodshed. Married at the age of twelve, she eventually left internal politics to her husband while she excelled at international matters. She died of complications from childbirth in 1399, and was later declared a Catholic saint.

Castille is a Catholic kingdom in Spain (Spain didn't exist yet) that has been feeling its oats for some time. This year, taking advantage of Portugal's civil war, Castille invades Portugal and lays siege to Lisbon. But plague breaks out among the Castillian army, Portuguese troops keep attacking them, and after four months, the survivors retreat to Castille.

In England, Lady Berekley founds a school for six children. It is one of the oldest public schools in existence today.

 

[Vince53]

1385

Joao I ends two years of civil war by becoming King of Portugal. He has to win one more battle, and the throne is secure and the civil war ends.

Lithuania voluntarily unites with Poland through a royal marriage. The leadership of Lithuania accepts Catholicism, ending the last great pagan stronghold in central Europe.

China reluctantly acknowledges Korean Independence.

 

[Louopless]

Tag, a lot of interesting things I didn't know about .

 

[Vince53]

Thank you, Louopless.

And now, on to 1386!

For the second time, Switzerland defeats an invading Austrian army sent by the Habsburgs. At the Battle of Sempach, Switzerland kills many of Austria's leaders. The battle had been provoked by the Swiss, however. They were expanding their territory, and several German and Austrian cities eagerly joined them to get away from the tyranny of the Habsburgs. The Swiss had begun raiding and seizing Austrian territories, and that provoked the war. Afterwards, various Austrian cities declared themselves independent of the Habsburgs and began seizing more Austrian territory. Eventually, most of them voluntarily joined Switzerland.

Charles III is ruler of Naples, Hungary, Achaea, and Croatia. But he is assassinated, and his kngdom divides three ways.

Things are getting rought for Castille. England and Portugal ratify a treaty that is still in effect, and the King of England claims the throne of Castille through marriage.

 

[Vince53]

And now it is 1387!

Things are getting rough in Spain (which does not yet exist). With Portugal and England united against it, Castille signs a treaty with France and two other Spanish Catholic kingdoms. The Hundred Years War has now expanded into the westernmost part of Europe. And it gets worse: a combined French and Castillian fleet is defeated when it tries to attack eastern England.

And England has problems of its own. King Richard II is defeated by an army of barons and is captured. He is released after agreeing to fire all of his court councillors.

Ever heard of Timor the Lame? He conquers central Iran this year, and by the end of his lifetime, he will have killed about 5% of the world population. Timor wanted to use Islam to restore the Mongolian Empire to its former glory. His barbaric kingdom will defeat Moslems, Christians, Turks, Europeans, knights, Arabs, Africans, Russians, Indians, and Chinese. He virtually exterminated the Nestorian Church, which for centuries had been one of the largest Christian religions. He died after a reign that spanned almost four decades, and his empire rapidly declined.

 

[Vince53]

Welcome to 1388!

Things are going badly in Korea. The ruling family had been forced to intermarry with the Mongolians, who had turned Korea into a vassal state. There had been a blend of economic troubles due to wars, along with mismanagement by Korean rulers, added to the collapsing power of their Mongolian overlords. So when China starts attacking them in a border dispute, the Koreans raise a large army under the command of Yi Seonggye.

A successful general who had previously defeated small Mongolian armies, well-organized Japanese pirates, and small Chinese incursions, General Yi Seonggye promptly revolted and invaded the Korean capital. He quickly overthrows the government, and after appointing three unsuccessful puppet kings, he takes the throne four years later. A competent politician, he makes peace with both China and Japan, abdicating to his son in 1398.

After convicting the entire Royal Court of treason, Parliament siezes control of England.

Outnumbered sixteen to one, Switzerland attacks an Austrian army that is looting Swiss territory. Losing 54 men while killing several hundred Austrians, the Swiss are able to sign a peace treaty with Austria recognizing all Swiss territorial claims.

Advancing Turks suffer their first major defeat in Europe.

China invades Mongolia, kills their leader, and burns their capital.

The University of Cologne is founded. Today it is Germany's largest university.

 

[Vince53]

Let's take a look at 1389.

Boniface IX begins his fifteen year reign as one of two Popes. He manages to put down all revolts in the Papal States and unites much of Europe against his rival Popes. He rejects growing demands from cardinals and monarchs that both Popes resign so the Western Schism can end. He is also plagued by the powerful preaching of John Wycliff in England, who denounces the carnality of the Catholic clergy.

The Turks are divided into various kingdoms, some of them controlled by the Mongol Empire. But this year the Ottoman Empire conquers Serbia.

England and France sign a truce that lasts for thirteen years.

In north-central Africa, the Kanem Empire fragments after 1,000 years. Africa's first empire, the Kanem had been forced steadily southward by expanding populations in northern and western Africa.

 

[Vince53]

1390

"Anatola" is the Asian part of modern Turkey. This year, the Turks capture the Biblical city of Philadelphia, the last important Byzantine stronghold in Turkey. Philadelphia is a seaport in the northwestern Mediterranean, with about 10,000 inhabitants today. It is the only Greek colony in Asia that still stands.

In a fertile, forested, almost uninhabited area of east Africa, the Kingdom of Kaffa is founded. Annexing varous small states, it will voluntarily accept Christianity, and will be annexed by Ethiopia in 1897.

Mexico completes the Templo Mayor, dedicated to two gods, each with his own spire. It is destroyed by the Spanish in 1521.

 

[Vince53]

1391 just rolled in.

Anti-Jewish rioting spreads through Spain and Portugal. The Black Plague is still in progress, and Jews were sometimes blamed.

Timur the Lame defeats rival Mongols in southeast Russia.

Manuel II begins his 32 year reign as Byzantine Emperor. With the once-mighty Eastern Roman Empire pushed back on every side, Byzantium serves as a small, surrounded barrier to Moslem expansión in to Europe. Manuel spends much of his reign gaining European support for his tottering empire, and these allies do manage to frustrate Turkish expansión. But in the end, Manuel has to agree to become a vassal state and pay tribute to the Turks.

Life gets easier for the Emperor of China. He is presented with the first official roll of toilet paper. Paper from old books had already been in use.