Timeline Chapter 3-4

6th Century

Conversion of the Franks to Catholicism under Clovis.

527-565

Reign of Justinian I in Byzantium; attempts to reunify the Empire, codifies law (Codex Justinianus), and exerts influence over the Church.

589

Filioque Clause added to the Nicene Creed at the local Council of Toledo, Spain, sparking controversy with the Eastern Church.

622

The first year of Islam: Muhammad's move to Mecca.

622-647Rapid expansion of Islam conquering Jerusalem and significant portions of the Eastern Empire (Israel and Egypt)

730s

Emperor Leo III issues the first edict against icons, initiating the Iconoclast controversy.

787

Second Council of Nicaea: Affirms the veneration of icons, reversing previous decrees (Iconophile triumph)

800

Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope on Christmas Day.

814-843

Second wave of Iconoclasm revived by Emperor Leo V; persecution of Iconophiles continues.

843

Empress Theodora restores icon veneration, marking the Triumph of Orthodoxy.

857-867

Photian Schism: Dispute over the appointment of Photius as Patriarch of Constantinople without papal consent.

900s (10th Century)

Cluny Reform Movement begins, aiming to address corruption and enforce monastic rules.

962

Otto I crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope; exerts influence over the Church through lay investiture.

996

Otto III influences papal appointments, further blurring the lines between temporal and Church affairs.

1054

The Great Schism: Formal split between the Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Roman Catholic) Churches.

1070s-1080s

Height of the Lay Investiture Controversy: Emperor Henry IV clashes with Pope Gregory VII over the appointment of bishops.

1073-1085

Papacy of Pope Gregory VII; Gregorian Reforms including centralizing the church, celibacy, dealing with Lay investiture, and issuing the Dictatus Papae asserting papal authority.

1095

Pope Urban II calls for the First Crusade.

1099

Crusaders successfully sack Jerusalem.

1122

Concordat of Worms: Attempts to resolve the Lay Investiture Controversy, granting the Church the power to appoint bishops on paper, but allowing the emperor a veto.

1152-1190

Reign of Frederick I (Barbarossa); Attempts to control the Papal States, leading to conflict with the Church.

1160s-1170

King Henry II of England clashes with Archbishop Thomas Becket over Church independence, leading to Becket's murder.

Late 12th-13th Centuries

Inquisition established to combat heresy, particularly Albigensianism.

1198-1216

Papacy of Pope Innocent III: Height of Papal power and influence.

1204

Fourth Crusade: Crusaders sack Constantinople, further deepening the East-West Schism.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Muhammad

The founder of Islam.

Clovis

Leader of the Franks who converted to Catholicism.

Justinian I (527-565)

Byzantine Emperor who sought to reunify the Empire and exert influence over the Church.

Leo III

Byzantine Emperor who initiated the first wave of Iconoclasm.

Empress Irene

Byzantine Empress who restored icon veneration after the first wave of Iconoclasm.

Leo V

Byzantine Emperor who revived Iconoclasm in the 9th century.

Empress Theodora

Byzantine Empress who ended the second wave of Iconoclasm.

Photius

Patriarch of Constantinople, central to the Photian Schism.

Ignatius

Original Patriarch of Constantinople replaced by Photius

Charlemagne

King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor who supported the Church and unified much of Europe.

Otto I (The Great)

Holy Roman Emperor, close relationship with the church, exerted influence through lay investiture

Otto III

Holy Roman Emperor, exerted great influence on papal appointments

Silvester II

Pope appointed by Otto III

Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085)

Champion of Church reform and papal authority, key figure in the Lay Investiture Controversy.

Henry IV

Holy Roman Emperor who clashed with Pope Gregory VII over lay investiture.

King Henry II

King of England who clashed with Thomas Becket over Church independence.

St. Thomas Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury who defended Church independence against King Henry II.

Pope Urban II

Called for the First Crusade.

Pope Innocent III

Reigned during the height of papal power and called for the Fourth Crusade.

St. John of Damascus

Defender of icons.

Charles Martel

Leader of the Franks who stopped Muslim expansion into Western Europe.

Pepin

Son of Charles Martel, anointed King by St. Boniface with the blessing of the Pope.

St. Boniface

Bishop who anointed Pepin as King.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Cistercian Saint.

St. Bruno

Carthusian Saint.