1066- 1087 - William of Normandy defeated the English king Harold Godwinson at Hastings, October 14, 1066. William was crowned king of England, and proceeded to take control of the nation. William annexed large tracts of land on behalf of the Normans and became one of the largest holders of English …

1100

The trading fairs of Champagne were the largest marketplaces in western Europe. Champagne hosted fairs annually as part of a French program to increase trade. Merchants were promised protection from harm and reduced taxes, while the state enjoyed increased commercial activity.

1169- Saladin lead Sunni Muslims of Syria in an invasion of Egypt and ended the Fatimid caliphate. Saladin's forces also invaded Jerusalem, Palestine and Tripoli. The fall of Jerusalem led to a 'third crusade.'

Central Asia- The Seljuk turks were a people who converted to Islam. The Seljuk Turks were persecuted by Pope Urban II in a crusade. In the eleventh century the Seljuk turks took over the eastern provinces of the Abbasid empire. In 1055 a Turkish leader captured Baghdad.

1088- 1099 - At the Council of Clermont, Urban II urged Christians to take up weapons against infidels and to create a holy war against the Seljuk Turks.

1215- The Spanish priest, Dominic de Guzm'an, 1170- 1221, established the order of the Dominicans. Dominic believed that monks should be educated to defend against the many heresies of the middle ages.