Person
Famous Medieval People
Dates
Why Famous? Other Information
742 –814
Charlemagne
688 – 741
Charles Martel
1343 –1400
Geoffrey Chaucer
A great Frankish king, who
While fighting the Moors of Spain,
defeated the Saxons, Lombards, and Charlemagne lost one of his best
Moors of Spain and he appointed
soldiers Roland. Roland leading
missi dominici to ensure that the
the rearguard of twenty thousand
laws were carried out.
Christians was ambushed by a
vastly superior force, numbering
four hundred thousand. The
Franks fight valiantly, but they
are killed to the man.
He was a Frankish military and
Charles set the pattern for the
political leader, who served as
remainder of his military career:
Mayor of the Palace, and was
first, he appeared where his
known as the "Hammer" who
enemies least expected him, while
crushed the Muslim army at the
they were marching triumphantly
battle of Tours in 732.
home and far outnumbered him.
He also attacked when least
expected, at midday, when armies
were resting.
He was known as the "Father of
The news of an original copy of
English Literature” along with
Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales made
authoring The Canterbury Tales,
it to the Guinness Book of World
where pilgrims narrated their
Records in 1998. The Canterbury
stories which fit their character and Tales were printed in 1477. Only
social standing.
one of these first copies is still in
private hands and was sold in an
auction in 1998, for £4,621,500.
1122 or 1124
–1204
Eleanor of
Aquitaine
1070’s
Bayeux Tapestries
1022 –1066
Harold Godwinson
One of the wealthiest and most
powerful women in Europe. She
was involved in the 2nd Crusade.
Queen of both France, and
England, and gave Henry II five
children.
Eleanor and Louis married while
both were still teenagers in a bid
from the French at securing the
vast tracts of land belonging to
Aquitaine. It was rumored that
Eleanor had an affair with
Raymond, Prince of Antioch. This
caused much discord between
Louis and Eleanor. Marriage
annulled.
An embroidered cloth, with fifty
The pictures in the scenes depicted
scenes using colored wool that
show: 623 people, 202 horses, 55
depicted the events leading up to the dogs, 506 other birds and animals
Norman conquest of England.
(some mythical), 49 trees, 41 ships,
37 buildings, 57 Latin inscriptions
containing nearly 2000 letters and
only three women.
He was the last Anglo-Saxon King
The Bayeux Tapestry clearly
of England. Ruled from January
shows Harold's death. There is a
until October in 1066 when he was picture of a soldier being hit by an
killed and his forces were routed at arrow, and the word "Harold" is
the Battle of Hastings.
right above him (see images on the
left). Under the Latin words
'Interfectus Est' (was killed) we
see a soldier being hacked down
by a sword. Go to
http://www.mrfield.btinternet.co.u
k/Conquest/arrow_in_eye.htm
1412 - 1431
Joan of Arc
1166 –1216
King John
Lackland
1215
Magna Carta
A French national heroine, a
Catholic saint who claimed divine
guidance, she led the French army
to victories during the 100 Years'
War. Burned at the stake.
1. Born on January 6, 1412
2. In May 1428 Joan had visions
that told her to find the true king
of France and help him reclaim his
throne from the British.
3. Military victories brought
Charles VII to the throne.
4. In 1431 tried as a heretic and
found guilty.
5. Burned alive on 1431.
This King of England was forced to John is today usually considered a
sign the Magna Carta, basis for
"hard-working administrator, an
English citizens’ rights, which
able man, an able general".
greatly reduced the king's power
However, he also had many faults
and allowed for the formation of a
as king, such as pettiness,
powerful parliament.
spitefulness and cruelty. John
remains as a villain in films and
stories depicting the Robin Hood
legends.
The revolt of the barons led to the
No free man shall be seized or
signing of this document, often
imprisoned, or stripped of his
considered to be an early step in the rights or possessions, or outlawed
evolution of the constitution of the or exiled nor will we proceed with
United Kingdom.
force against him, except by the
lawful judgment of his equals or
by the law of the land. To no one
will we sell, to no one deny or
delay right or justice.
1254 –1324
Marco Polo
1138 –1193
Saladin
1181/1182 –
1226
Saint Francis of
Assi
1035 –1099
As one of the first Europeans to
travel into Mongolia and China he
became famous as an author for the
story of his travels along the Silk
Road to China.
Marco Polo spent 17 years in
China, where he seems to have
been a favorite of Kublai Khan.
He was sent on missions by the
Khan. Each time the Polo’s asked
to return to Venice, the Khan
refused. At last, the Khan gave in
but when in Venice their stories
were not believed.
Renowned for his knightly virtues
Saladin was nicer person than
while involved with the Christian
Richard the Lionheart. Here's
Crusaders, he signed a truce
why: When Richard was sick with
allowing Christians to visit the holy
a fever, Saladin, supplied with
places without tribute.
delicacies, sent him a gift of the
choicest fruits of the land. When
Richard's horse had been killed in
battle, Saladin sent a fine Arabian
steed as a present.
He preached poverty on the streets, Francis was a street brawler and
and soon amassed a loyal following soldier. He was captured during a
by which he founded the men's
conflict between Assisi and
Franciscan Order that was
Perugia, he over a year as a
endorsed by Pope Innocent III in
prisoner of war. He had a
1210.
conversion experience, including a
reported message from Christ
calling him to leave this worldly
life.
He was known for starting the First At Clermont, the Pope announced
Crusade (1096–1099) and setting up
to his assembled listeners a
the modern day Roman Curia, in
shocking number of abuses of
the manner of a royal court, to help Eastern Christians and Christian
run the Church.
holy places in the East including
the rape of women and clergy,
Pope Urban II
1028] –1087
William the
Conqueror
1157 –1199
Richard the
Lionheart
torture, and desecration. Those
going would receive a plenary
indulgence
First Norman King of England, who In 1065, Duke William met with
created a feudal state that brought
Harold Godwinson. It is believed
order, peace and law to England,
that there was a sacred oath of
promoted commerce, and created a
allegiance to the Duke William.
strong central government.
When Edward the Confessor died,
Harold Godwinson claimed the
English throne and is crowned the
King of England. Duke William
stakes his claim on the English
throne and receives support from
many of the French nobles and the
Pope.
As King of England he was good
When Richard arrived at the Holy
looking, charming, but he was also City he could not look at it saying,
ruthless. He started the 3rd
"They who are not worthy to win
Crusade, conquered Acre, and
it are not worthy to behold it."
slaughtered 3,000 men and women.
With a shortage of men, and the
news from home revealed that
King Philip and his own brother,
John, were doing all the mischief
they could. He made a peace for
three years with the Saracens. He
hoped to return to rescue
Jerusalem.