All these events happened between 1300-1400. Students assigned one or more of these events. They research to find key facts about the person/event. Class then constructs a timeline to be used as a backdrop when studying the text., annotating the text and/or timeline when there seems to be a significant example of contextual influence on the text.
William Wallace captured and executed
Philip IV expels Jews from France
Edward II becomes King of England
The Battle of Bannockburn
Teutonic Knights crusade in Poland and Lithuania
Edward III becomes King. Edward II dies in prison
The Hundred Years War begins
Petrarch crowned Poet Laureate in Rome
England captures Calais
Black Death breaks out in England
Persecution of Jews in Germany
Boccaccio writes The Decameron
Chaucer captured by French soldiers – Edward III contributes to ransom costs
First version of Piers Plowman appears
For the first time, the King addresses parliament in English, not French
Wat Tyler's peasant revolt
Government controlled by John of Gaunt
Richard II becomes King
Richard II overthrown by Henry IV
Wycliffe produces first English translation of Bible
