Middle Ages
Catalan Atlas (1375): Mansa Musa on a Medieval European Map
The atlas became one of the most important medieval world maps, giving Europeans a vivid image of West African gold and of Asia.
Region
Europe
Middle Ages
Ciompi Revolt (1378): Florence's Wool Workers Rise Up
The workers briefly won guild rights and places in government, but their guild was crushed within weeks and the remaining reforms were reversed in 1382 as an oligarchy took control.
Middle Ages
Western Schism (1378-1417): When Rival Popes Divided Europe
The Council of Constance removed or accepted the resignation of all three claimants and elected Martin V in 1417, ending the schism but leaving a lasting debate over papal and conciliar authority.
Middle Ages
Battle of Kulikovo (1380): Dmitry Donskoy Defeats Mamai
Muscovite-led victory over Mamai's army; Mamai's power collapsed, but Moscow remained under Golden Horde overlordship after Tokhtamysh sacked the city in 1382.
Middle Ages
Peasants' Revolt (1381): Wat Tyler and the March on London
The rising was suppressed and Richard II's promises to end serfdom were revoked, but no further poll tax of this kind was attempted for centuries and serfdom continued to decline.
Middle Ages
Wycliffe Bible and the Lollards: The First Full English Bible
The Wycliffite Bible circulated widely in manuscript despite a ban on unlicensed translation, while Wycliffe's Lollard followers were persecuted as heretics until the Reformation.
Middle Ages
Jadwiga of Poland: The Girl Crowned King of Poland in 1384
Jadwiga reigned as monarch of Poland in her own right; her marriage to Jogaila created the Polish-Lithuanian union and the Jagiellonian dynasty.
Middle Ages
Union of Krewo (1385): How Poland and Lithuania Joined Forces
Jogaila agreed to marry Jadwiga, convert Lithuania to Catholic Christianity and attach his lands to Poland, creating a lasting Polish-Lithuanian union.
Middle Ages
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: Pilgrims, Stories and Middle English
Chaucer left a collection of 24 tales within a pilgrimage frame that became a founding work of English literature.
Middle Ages
Battle of Kosovo (1389): Prince Lazar and Sultan Murad I Fall
Tactically inconclusive with heavy losses on both sides and both rulers killed, but Serbia was left exhausted and soon became an Ottoman vassal.
Middle Ages
Battle of Nicopolis (1396): Sigismund's Crusade Crushed
Decisive Ottoman victory; the crusader army was destroyed and Ottoman control of the Balkans was confirmed.
Middle Ages
Kalmar Union (1397): Margaret I Unites Scandinavia
Denmark, Norway and Sweden were joined under a single monarch; Sweden broke away for good in 1523, while Denmark and Norway stayed united until 1814.