From the Dark Ages (521) to the Early Modern Era (1616)

306 - 337 reign of Constantine I, who moved the capitol of Rome to Byzantium

395 -- death of Theodosium I, the Roman Empire permanently divided in East and West parts

410 -- Alaric sacks Rome

476 -- The last Roman Emperor of the West, Romulus Augustulus, deposed by the Goths under Odoacer

521 -- Higlac's raid, mentioned in Beowulf, against a Frankish tribal kingdom

800 -- Charlemagne restores Leo III to the papacy and was crowned emperor by him on Christmas Day, laying the foundation for the Holy Roman Empire

Beowulf -- probably composed ca. 9th cent. -- date of manuscript is about end of 10th cent.

The story of Deirdre -- written in the eighth and ninth centuries, extant manuscript from 12th century

Icelandic Sagas -- Stories of people who lived from the late ninth to early eleventh centuries, written mostly in the thirteenth century

1066 -- William the Conquerer defeats Harold of England

1095-99 -- First Crusade Second Crusade, 1147-49 / Third Crusade, 1189-92 (Saladin captured Jerusalem in 1187) / Fourth Crusade, 1202-04 (Capture of Constantinople) / Children's Crusade, 1212 / Fifth Crusade, 1217-21 (aimed at Egypt), last Christian stronghold at Acre falls, 1291

11th - 14th Centuries -- Cathedral: Notre Dame de Paris - 1163- 1240s More Pictures at the Sacred Destinations site.

1321 -- death of Dante

Gunpowder -- 14th century

1400 -- death of Chaucer

1564-1616 -- Shakespeare