1513- Spearheaded by Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformation set about to answer the question about what one must do to attain salvation. Luther believed that church theology which included the seven sacraments set an impossible task before good people who might deserve salvation. Luther's idea was that the "justice of …

1503- 1513 - Julius II was a Renaissance Pope who was very involved in both war and politics. Julius is sometimes called the "warrior-pope," since he personally led armies. Many Christians criticized these activities.

1453- The city of Constantinople fell to the Turks after being sieged for several months. This event and the rapid spread of the Turkish people throughout the east, allowed the Turks to exert considerable pressure on the western kingdoms.

1438- The Habsburg dynasty was the principal ruling dynasty in the "Holy Roman Empire" in the mid-fifteenth century. The Habsburgs were one of the largest land holders in the region. They cemented their success through a system of strategic marriages devised to maintain or increase power and influence over the …

1480

The marriage of Isabella of Castile, 1474- 1504, and Ferdinand of Aragon, 1479- 1516, served to unify much of Christian and Muslim Spain. Though both kingdoms maintained separate governing institutions, the two rulers were able to strengthen the bond between the two kingdoms by strengthening their respective monarchies. Isabella …

1485- 1509 - Henry VII defeated Richard III and established the Tudor dynasty. After the War of the Roses, much work was needed to unify the aristocracy, and Henry worked to quell dissension and build a strong monarchy. Henry eliminated the practice of wealthy families maintaining personal militaries. Henry also worked …