Timeline 1300 - 1499
c. 1300 - 1400
The Black Death. 1/3 of the population from India to Iceland is wiped out, including about 1/2 of Britain
1309
The beginning of the "Babylonian Captivity of the Church." For 70 years the papacy was in Avignon and under the thumb of the King of France. The papacy was pro-France, and Britain was at war with France
1316
Raymund Lull stoned to death
1330
b. John Wycliffe, the most important theologian in Oxford, the most important university in Europe. He taught that we must rely altogether on the sufferings of Christ. "Beware of seeking to be justified in any other way than by His righteousness"
1337
Beginning of the Hundred Years' War
1349
d. Thomas Bradwardine, who influenced Wycliffe to adopt Augustine's doctrine of grace and to reject the Semi-Pelagianism of the Roman Catholic church
1371
b. John Huss, Bohemian pre-reformer. He was greatly influenced by Wycliffe. He rejected indulgences and said Christ is the head of the Church, not the pope
1377
The end of the "Babylonian Captivity"
1378
The Great Schism. Pope Gregory XI moves the papacy back to Rome. France declares Clement VII pope in Avignon. There are two competing popes for close to 40 years
1380
b. Thomas a Kempis, author of Imitation of Christ
1381
The Peasant's Revolt. 30,000 angry peasants descend on London
1381
Because of his sympathy for the peasants, Wycliffe is suspected of involvement with the revolt. He is banished from Oxford. During this period, he and his followers translate the Bible from the Vulgate into English
1384
d. Wycliffe, of natural causes
1415
Council of Constance condemns Wycliffe
Jul 6, 1415
Council of Constance burns John Huss, in violation of the Emperor's promise of safe conduct. The Emperor is told "It is not necessary to keep one's word to a heretic."
1417
The Council of Constance deposes both popes and elects a new one. This ends the Great Schism. It is a high point for Conciliarism, the idea that the councils are superior to the papacy
1428
The Catholic Church burned the bones of Wycliffe and threw them in the Swift river
1452
b. Savonarola, the great preacher. He taught the authority of scripture and understood the shortcomings of the Church
1453
End of the Hundred Years' War
1483
b. Martin Luther
1492
Erasmus ordained. Erasmus's Humanist movement was beginning to stir some members of the church to moral reform
1492
Columbus sails. Repercussions ensue
1497
b. Philip Melanchthon
1498
d. Savonarola