| AD Year | Event |
|---|---|
Merovingian Kings | |
| 448 | Merovech succeeds Clodio as king of the Salian Franks. |
| 451 | Romans, Visigoths, and Franks under Merovech, defeat Attila the Hun at the Battle of Chalons. |
| 465 | Clovis I, grandson of Merovech, succeeds as leader of the Salian Franks. |
| 486 | Clovis defeats Syagrius, the last Roman appointed ruler of Gaul at the Battle of Soissons. |
| 492 | Clovis marries Clotilda, a Catholic princess of Burgundy. |
| 496 | Clovis baptized in Christmas day in 496 in the Abbey of Rheims by St. Remigus. |
| 507 | Clovis defeats a Visigoth army and conquers Aquitaine in Southwest France at the Battle of Vouille. |
| 511 | Frankish kingdom divided among sons of Clovis at his death. Capitals were at Soissons, Paris, Orleans, and Rheims. |
| 558 | Chlothar I becomes sole ruler of Franks. Kingdom later divided into four regions: Burgundy, Neustria, Austrasia, Aquitaine. |
| 575 | Brunhilda ruled Austrasia after Sigebert I. Feuded with Fredogunda of Nuestria. |
| 613 | Chlothar II (Fredogunda son) rules Franks after executing Sibebert II and Brunhilda. |
| 632 | Dagobert I becomes king of Franks by treachery. Later Merovingian are "do-nothing" kings. |
Mayors of the Palace | |
| | Pepin II (of Herstal) (father of Charles Martel) served as "Mayor of Palace" of Austrasia, then for entire kingdom. |
| 718-723 | Charles Martel, illegitimate son of Pepin Herstal, fought to claim 'Mayor of Palace' office from his step-brother. |
| 731 | Martel leads army against Odo, Duke of Aquitaine, who had made a truce with the Moors. Odo submits to Martel. |
| 732 | Battle of Tours: Franks and Burgundians under Martel severely defeat invading Moors of the Umayyad Caliphate. |
| 741 | Frankish realms divided between Pepin the Short and Carloman. Pepin sole ruler after Carlomon withdraws to Monastery (747). |
Carolingian Kings | |
| 751 | Pepin the Short crowned king of the Franks, first Carolingian ruler of the Franks. |
| 751 | Lombards conquer 'Exarchate of Ravenna' in central Italy, from Byzantines. Rome under rule of pagan Lombards. |
| 756 | Donation of Pepin: Pepin forces the Lombards to surrender conquests in central Italy to Pope of Rome. Legal basis for Papal States. |
| 771 | Charlemagne, son of Pepin, becomes ruler of the Franks. |
| 774 | Charlemagne surrounds Pavia, exiles Desiderous, and is crowned king of the Lombards. |
| 778 | Battle of Roncevaus Pass: Charlemagne leads Franks over the Pyrennes to oppose Basques and Moors. Basis for 'Song of Roland'. |
| 782 | Alcuin becomes Master of the Palace School in Aachen. Begins educational and ecclesiastic reforms. |
| 785 | Saxon leader Wittekind is baptized and swears fealty to Charlemagne. |
| 789 | Charlemagne issues laws that guide reforms throughout the Frankish kingdom. |
| 780-840 | Carolingian Renaissance: increased activity in art, literature, law, architecture, liturgy, and religion throughout Frankish realms. |
| 795 | Charlemagne creates 'Spanish March' as buffer between Franks and Spanish Moors. |
| 800 | On Christmas, 800, Charlemagne is crowned 'King of the Romans' by Pope Leo III. |
| 814 | Charlemagne dies and his only legitimate son, Louis the Pious, inherits the Empire. |
| 840 | On death of Louis the Pious, his three sons, Lothair I, Louis the German, and Charles the Bald fight over Frankish dominions. |
| 843 | Treaty of Verdun: Sons of Louis the Pious divide the Empire into three Parts. |
| AD Year | Event |
|---|---|
Last of the Carolingian Kings | |
| 843 | Treaty of Verdun: Sons of Louis the Pious divide the Empire into three Parts. |
| 875 | Charles the Bald crowned Holy Roman Emperor, but then dies "suddenly". |
| 879 | Grandsons of Charles the Bald succeed him as joint kings of West Francia. |
| 888 | Charles the Simple, crowned HRE in 881, briefly reunites Frankish Empire, but dies without an heir. |
| 888-898 | Odo of Paris serves as the first Robertian king of France. |
| 898 | Charles the Simple declared king of Franks on death of Odo. Period of weak Franksih kings. |
| 910 | Monastery at Cluny is established (influential in Gregorian Reforms during 11th century). |
| 987 | Death of Last Carolingian king. Hugh Capet chosen as successor. |
| 996-1031 | Robert II, son of Hugh Capet succeeds his father as king of West Franconia. |
Vikings and Dukes of Normandy | |
| 845 | Paris besieged by Ragnar Lodbrok. Seige lifted when Charles the Bald pays ransom. |
| 858 | Chartres is besieged by Northmen, and burned. |
| 885 | Vikings, lead by Rollo the Viking, besiege the City of Paris. Odo of Paris resists |
| 911 | Rollo besieges Chartres, negotiates with Charles the Simple. Made Duke of Normandy; pays homage to king of Franks. |
| 942-996 | Richard the Fearless, grandson of Rollo, expands Norman territory, donates to Church, builds alliances, rules fifty years. |
| 1027-35 | Robert the Magnificent, becomes Duke of Normandy after his brother's "sudden" death. |
| 1035-87 | William the Conqueror reigns in Normandy for over fifty years, becomes strongest baron in Northern Europe. |
| 1066 | William the Conqueror defeats Saxons at Hastings, becomes king of England. |
| Reign of Robert Curthose , son of William the Conqueror, as Duke of Normandy. | |
Normans in Italy | |
| 999 | Normans arrive in Italy to serve as mercenaries for Byzantine wars against Lombards. |
| 1042 | William of Hauteville conquers Byzantine territory in Italy, rules as Count of Calabria. |
| 1053 | Normans begin conquest of Lombard territory in Southern Italy. |
| 1054 | Schism with Eastern Church, due in part to Norman aggression in Italy. |
| 1059 | After Battle of Civitate, Pope recognizes Robert Guiscard as Duke of Calabria, and Normans protect Papal interests. |
| 1061 | Guiscard and Roger of Sicily begin conquest of Sicily, held by Moslems for 200 years. |
| 1077 | Robert Guiscard adds Naples to his territories in Southern Italy. |
| 1080 | Christians in Sicily and S. Italy forced to switch allegiance from Constantinople to Roman. |
| 1091 | Roger of Sicily completes conquest of Sicily, attempts to conquer Moslem-held Malta. |
| 1130 | Roger II made first 'King of Sicily' with territory encompassing all of southern Italy. |
Normans Heroes of the First Crusade | |
| 1095 | Pope Urban II calls for a Crusade at the Council of Clermont. First Crusade led primarily by Norman princes. |
| 1098 | Baldwin I founds Crusader kingdom of Edessa, later governed by Baldwin II, lasts until 1148. |
| 1098 | Bohemond I , son of Robert Guiscard, founds Principality of Antioch, lasts until 1268. |
| 1099 | Godfrey of Bouillon founds Kingdom of Jerusalem, lasts until 1291. |
Rise of the Capet Kings of France | |
| 1108-37 | Louis VI (the Fat) first strong French king since Charlemagne, begins centralization of power. |
| 1120 | St Denis Abbey rebuilt in Gothic style by Abbot Suger , advisor to Louis VI and VII. |
| 1137-80 | Louis VII rules 43 years. Fifteen year marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine anulled without issue. |
| 1147 | Louis VII leads the disastrous 2nd Crusade. |
| 1150 | University of Paris Founded |
| 1163 | Begin construction of Notre Dame of Paris in Gothic style, under Bishop de Sully. |
| 1180-1223 | Philip Augustus ascends to throne, reigns for 43 years. Continues consolidation of power. |
| 1189 | Third Crusade led by Philip II Augustus and Richard I. Crusaders fail to recover Jerusalem. |
| 1209-29 | Albigensian Crusade called by Innocent III. After great loss of life, their protector, Raymond VII of Toulouse makes peace. |
| 1214 | Battle of Bouvines: Philip II victory over English-Flemish force, assuring French control over Brittany and Normandy. |
Later Crusades | |
| 1202 | Fourth Crusade launched; crusaders allied with Venice sack Constantinople. |
| 1248 | Louis IX leads 7th crusade to Egypt. Perishes on 8th Crusade in Tunisia. |
| 1291 | Kingdom of Jerusalem, the last Crusader kingdom falls to the Mamluks when the city of Acre was taken. |
| AD Year | Event |
|---|---|
St. Louis IX and sons: Princes of the Blood | |
| 1226-70 | Louis IX begins 45 year reign. Mother Blanche acts as regent during minority. |
| 1248 | Louis IX leads 7th crusade to Egypt. |
| 1248 | Sainte-Chapelle royal chapel completed in Paris. Later, held relics of the crown of thorns |
| 1266 | Charles of Anjou (youngest son of Louis IX), with aid of Pope, usurps kingdom of Sicily. |
| 1270 | Louis IX dies during failed 8th crusade to Tunisia. |
| 1282 | Sicilian Vespers. Rebels overthrow governor of Sicily, massacre thousands of Frenchmen. |
Philip IV and sons: Fall of the Capets | |
| Reign of Philip the Fair begins. Reigned 30 years, consolidated power, taxed clergy, feuded with Pope. | |
| 1296 | Pope Boniface VIII's bull 'Unam Sanctam' excoriates French king when he attempts to tax the clergy. |
| 1302 | Rebellion in Flanders, 'Matins of Bruges', Battle of the Golden Spurs was Flemish victory. |
| 1303 | 'Outrage of Anagni, death of Pope Boniface VIII |
| 1306-78 | Avignon Papacy: Papal court of Clement V relocated from Rome to Avignon. Remains for 72 years. |
| 1307 | Philip expels Jews from French dominions, Knights Templars order disbanded, leaders arrested. |
| 1314 | Philip IV orders the execution of Jacques de Molay and Knights Templars for heresy. Philip IV and Clement V die soon thereafter. |
| 1314-28 | Within 14 years of the execution of Knights, Philip's three sons die suspiciously, bringing an end to the Capet dynasty. |
| 1316 | Louis X decreed that slaves should be freed, or allowed to purchase their freedom. |
| 1317 | Salic law used to excluded infant daughter of Louis X from throne. Philip V crowned instead. |
End of Capet Dynasty—Beginning of Valois Dynasty | |
Philip VI 'the Fortunate' and Hundred Years War Begins | |
| 1328-50 | Philip VI (the fortunate) succeeds to the throne as first Valois King, but claim disputed (by Edward III. |
| 1328 | Flanders rebels against Philip VI but defeated at the 'Battle of Cassell'. |
| 1339 | Cities of Bruges, Ghent, Ypres rebel against Philip VI, encourage Edward III to claim throne. |
| 1341 | Institution of "Gabelle" permanent salt tax to pay for Wars, based on government monopoly of salt. |
| 1346 | Hundred Years War begins: English Victory at Crecy; Siege of Calais ends in another English Victory. |
| 1349 | French king adds County of Dauphine to his domain. Heir apparent designated 'Dauphin'. |
| 1350 | Black Plague strikes France. Hundreds lost. |
John II 'the Good': Battle of Poitiers and the Captive King | |
| 1350-64 | Reign of John II, second Valois king. Rivals were Charles the Bad, the Black Prince, and Etienne (Stephen) Marcel. |
| 1356 | Charles II of Navarre (the Bad) imprisoned by John II after a quarrel and series of murders. |
| 1356 | Battle of Poitiers: John II and his son taken prisoner by the Black Prince. Begin 'Seven Years of Misery'. |
| 1358 | Jacquerie: Peasant Riots in Paris, Stephen Marcel attempts to open city gates to Charles the Bad, and is murdered. |
| 1360 | Treaty of Bretigny end imprisonment of King. Southwest France granted to English. |
| 1364 | John II voluntarily returns to captivity in England and dies. |
Charles V 'the Wise': France Recovers, Bertrand du Guesclin | |
| 1364-80 | Reign of John II, Second Valois king. |
| 1364 | Du Guesclin wins decisive victory over Charles the Bad on coronation day of Charles V. |
| 1366 | Du Guesclin leads 'Great Companies' in Castilian Civil War (to get them out of France). |
| 1369-70 | Charles V fortifies/provisions French towns and wins back much territory from English. |
| 1370s | Charles V builds the Bastille, expands the Louvre, and other building projects in Paris. |
| 1376 | Death of the Black Prince. Many French nobles had drop allegiance to England. |
| 1378 | Western Schism in Church. 'French Pope' elected and continues to govern from Avignon. |
| AD Year | Event |
|---|---|
Reign of the Mad King: Armagnac-Burgundian War | |
| | Reign of Charles VI. Regents were Uncles, called 'Princes of the Lilies'. |
| 1382 | French victory at Roosebeke ends rebellion of Ghent. (Death of van Artevele) |
| 1385 | Charles VI marries Isabella of Bavaria. |
| 1392 | First bout of insanity inflicts king soon after releasing regents, forming new privy council. |
| 1394 | Expulsion of Jews from France (second time, first time under Philip IV). |
| 1407 | Duke of Orleans (brother of King) murdered by John the Fearless Duke of Burgundy. |
| 1415 | Count of Armagnac as Constable of France leads opposition to Burgundy faction. |
| 1415 | Battle of Agincourt, victory for Henry V of England over Armagnacs. |
| 1415-17 | Death of two eldest sons of king, probably by poisoning. |
| 1417 | Count of Armagnac regent for Dauphin Charles. Queen mother Isabella imprisoned. |
| 1418 | By treachery, Paris is handed over to Burgundians. Isabella makes alliance with English. |
| 1419 | Duke of Burgundy slain by Armagnacs. Armagnacs retreat south, make Capital at Bourges. |
| 1420 | Treaty of Toyes, Henry V marries Catherine of Valois, made regent of France. |
| 1422 | Death of Henry V of England, Charles VI of France. Birth of Henry VI of England. |
Reign of the Charles VII (the Victorious): End of Hundred Year's War | |
| 1422 | Marriage of Charles VII to Marie of Anjou (daughter of Yolande of Aragon). |
| 1429 | Joan of Arc leads French to victory at Orleans, Charles VII crowned at Reims. |
| 1431 | John of Arc burned at the stake. |
| 1435 | Burgundians desert the English, sign the Treaty of Arras, Isabella of Bavaria dies. |
| 1436 | Jacques Coeur of Bourges, made Master of the Mint, advisor to Charles VII. |
| 1438 | Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges: Charles VII granted privilege to nominate bishops in France. |
| 1440 | Dauphin Louis takes part in "Praguerie" rebellion against his father Charles VII. |
| 1449 | Reconquest of Normandy with new 'professional' army. Roeun recaptured. |
| 1451 | Downfall of Jacques Coeur, wealthiest man in France. Property seized. |
| 1453 | English driven out of all French cities but Calais. End of Hundred Years' war. |
| 1461 | Death of Charles VII by starvation. Refused food for fear of poisoning. |
Reign Louis XI-Spider King: Burgundian Wars | |
| 1461-83 | Reign of Louis XI, "Spider-king". Cunning, treacherous, and vengeful king. |
| 1465 | "League of the Public Good" formed by enemies of Louis IX. They besiege him in Paris; he pretends to submit. |
| 1468 | Charles the Bold and Louis XI meet at Peronne, and together crush the rebellion at Liege. |
| 1469 | Louis XI founds chivalric "Order of St. Michael". |
| 1477 | Establishes Postal service controlled by the crown (used for spying on enemies). |
| 1477 | Louis XI adversary, the Duke of Burgundy, killed at the Battle of Nancy. Louis confiscates Duchy of Burgundy. |
| 1483 | Death of Louis XI |
Charles VIII and Louis XII: Italian Wars: 1495 to 1515 | |
| 1483-98 | Reign of Charles VIII, Regent was older sister, Anne of France. |
| 1488 | Dukes of Orleans and Brittany conspire against Charles VIII, declared traitors. |
| 1491 | After war between France and Brittany, Anne of Brittany marries Charles VIIII. |
| 1494 | Charles VIII invades Italy to claim Naples, but is repulsed by the League of Venice. |
| 1498 | Charles VIII dies of head injury. No issue, so crown passes to cousin. |
| Reign of Louis XII. Marries Anne of Britany, widow of Charles VIII. | |
| 1499 | Louis XII renews Italian Wars. Sends army to press claims in Milan and Naples. |
| 1508 | Papacy, France, Spain, Germany, establish League of Cambrai to defeat Venice. |
| 1510 | War in Italy takes a turn for the worse. Pope Julius II deserts alliance. |
| 1515 | Louis XII dies without and heir. Crown passes to second cousin from Valois-Ange |
Francis I and Henry II: Italian Wars: 1515 to 1560 | |
| 1515-47 | Reign of Francis I of France; married to Claude, daughter of Louis XII. |
| 1515 | With help of Venetians, Francis wins Milan at at Marignano, 1515. Knighted by Bayard. |
| 1516 | Leonardo da Vinci enters the service of Francis I after Milan is captured. |
| 1520 | Field of the Cloth of Gold, tournament between Francis I of France and Henry VIII. |
| 1524 | Death of Chevalier de Bayard, great French general of the Italian Wars. |
| 1525 | Francis defeated by Imperial forces at the Battle of Padua in Italy and captured. |
| 1529 | "The Ladies Peace" of Cambrai negotiated between Valois and Hapsburgs. |
| 1536 | Eldest son of Francis dies "suddenly" soon after Catherine de Medici arrives at court. |
| 1545 | Francis's captain Montmorency slays Waldensians, sells children as slaves. |
| 1520-47 | Construction of Paris landmarks: Louvre, Fontainebleau, Hotel de Ville, etc. Royal Library established. |
| 1547 | Reign of Henry II of France, married to . |
| 1541 | John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion" published. |
| 1559 | Henry II renounces claims in Italy, ends Italian Wars. |
| | Henry II dies at tournament celebrating end of Italian Wars |
| 1562-98 | French Wars of Religion fought mainly over political control rather than religion. |
| AD Year | Event |
|---|---|
French Wars of Religion (Really about power, Religion was a Stalking Horse) | |
| 1559 | Francis II ascends to throne; Duke of Guise, uncle of Mary Queen of Scots, is regent. |
| 1560 | Amboise Conspiracy: Plot to kidnap king, murder Duke of Guise thwarted. |
| Charles IX ascends to throne on death of Francis II. Catherine de Medici is regent. | |
| 1562 | Massacre of Vassy, first major conflict in the French Wars of Religion. |
| 1572 | St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of Huguenots following wedding of Henry of Navarre. |
| 1574-89 | Henry III ascends to the throne on death of Charles IX. |
| 1578 | War of Three Henrys: Henry of Guise forms "Catholic League" to prevent Huguenot from ascending to the throne. |
| 1588 | Henry Guise murdered by agents of Catherine de Medici and Henry III |
| 1589 | Henry III murdered by an agents of the Catholic league. |
Reign of Henry IV | |
| 1589 | Henry IV becomes 1st Bourbon King, but is not accepted by many cities, including Paris. |
| 1560 | Henry IV besieges Paris, attempts to assume the throne but is denied entry. |
| 1593 | Henry IV converts to the Catholic Religion. |
| 1598 | Henry IV issues Edict of Nantes to end persecution of Huguenots and Religious Wars. |
| 1600 | Henry IV marries Maria de Medici, has six children in ten years. |
| 1608 | Samuel de Champlain founds the city of Quebec, establishes colony of New France. |
| 1610 | Henry IV assassinated by Catholic fanatic. Queen Mother, Maria de Medici regent for Louis XIII. |
| 1617 | Louis XIII exiles his mother and her "favorites" and takes control of the government. |
Richelieu and Mazarin: 1624 to 1661 | |
| 1624-42 | Cardinal Richelieu serves as chief minister of the state. Persecutes Huguenots in France, but funds Protestant enemies of the Hapsburgs abroad. |
| 1643 | Five-year-old Louis XIV succeeds to throne with Jules Cardinal Mazarin as regent. |
| 1648 | Peace of Westphalia ends Thirty Years' War. France annexes eastern territories. |
| 1648-59 | Wars of the Fronde: Last effort of nobles to reduce the power of the French king. |
| 1648 | Cardinal Mazarin ordered the arrest of the leaders of the parliament of Paris, provoking widespread rioting. |
| 1659 | France ends war with Spain, annexes northern Catalonia and French Flanders. |
Age of Louis XIV: 1661 to 1715 | |
| 1661 | Louis XIV assumes personal rule at age 23 after the Death of Mazarin. |
| 1668 | War of Devolution. France obtains Lille and other territories of Flanders from Spain. |
| 1678 | Franco-Dutch war. France obtains the Franche-Comte and cities in Flanders. |
| 1678 | Louis XIV begins large scale remodel of the palace of Versailles. |
| 1684 | War of the Reunions. France obtains territories in the north-west from Spain. |
| 1682 | Explorer Rene La Salle claims the Mississippi valley for France. |
| 1685 | Edict of Fontainebleau. Louis XIV revokes Edict of Nantes, removing the religious liberties of Huguenots. |
| 1697 | War of the Grand Alliance ends with French losses. Some territories returned to Hapsburg powers. |
| 1701-14 | War of the Spanish Succession |
| 1715 | Treaty of Utrecht: Bourbon Philip V assumes throne of Spain, renounces rights to French throne. |
| 1715 | Louis XIV is succeeded by five-year-old great-grandson Louis XV. |
| AD Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 962 | The imperial coronation of Otto I by Pope John XII in St Peter's puts in place the formal role of a Holy Roman emperor |
| 1024 | Conrad II is elected as the German king, beginning the dynasty variously known as Franconian or Salian |
| 1075 | Pope Gregory VII decrees that only the church may make ecclesiastical appointments, thus initiating the investiture controversy between pope and emperor |
| 1077 | The emperor Henry IV stands as a penitent outside the pope's castle at Canossa, so as to be released from excommunication. |
| 1138 | Conrad III, is elected as the first Hohenstaufen King of Germany. The title remains in the family for over a century. |
| 1152 | Frederick Barbarossa becomes king of Germany and Holy Roman emperor, greatly extending the power of the empire during a long reign |
| 1197 | The three-year old Frederick II has a claim to the thrones of both Sicily and Germany on the death of his father, the emperor Henry VI |
| 1220 | Frederick II is crowned Holy Roman emperor by a somewhat reluctant pope, Honorius III |
| 1254 | The death of the last Hohenstaufen ruler, Conrad IV, leaves a vacancy on the German throne which is not filled for nineteen years |
| 1260 | The Bohemian prince Otakar II, ruler also of Austria, extends his territories after defeating the Hungarians at Kressenbrunn |
| 1273 | The period without a German king, known as the Great Interregnum, ends with the election of a Habsburg prince, Rudolf I |
| 1278 | At Durnkrut Rudolf I defeats and kills Otakar II, his rival for Austria - thus bringing the Austrian territories into the Habsburg domain |
| 1346 | Charles IV, king of Bohemia, German king and Holy Roman emperor, makes Prague a glittering centre of learning and architecture |
| 1356 | Charles IV establishes a permanent group of seven electors - four hereditary German rulers and the archbishops of Mainz, Cologne and Trier |
| 1438 | The office of Holy Roman emperor becomes a hereditary title within the Habsburg dynasty |
| 1477 | Maximilian I weds Mary of Burgandy, in the first of the great marriage alliances which form the Habsburg empire |
| 1496 | Philip of Hapsburg marries Joanna of Castile. Their son Charles V reigned over both Spanish and Austrian Hapsburg Empires. |