1265- 1321 - Dante was a Florentine noble who was exiled from his political office. Dante is well known for his work the Divine Comedy which he wrote between 1313- 1321, while in exile. Dante's work depicts the progression of a soul through the process of salvation.

1294- 1303 - Pope Bonifice VIII was a controversial fourteenth century pope. When Philip IV intended to tax the clergy, Bonifice responded that clergy could not pay taxes in any state without papal consent. The power struggle underscored the inherent tension between the powerful European monarchs and the supreme papal authority …

1412- 1431 - Joan of Arc was the daughter of peasants from the village of Domr'emy in Champagne. Joan was deeply religious and is known to have experienced visions. She believed that several saints commanded her to free France and to return rule to the dauphin, or rightful heir. Joan of …

1220- 1263 - Russian prince of Novgorod, Alexander Nevsky, defeated a German invading army at Lake Peipus in northwestern Russia, 1242. Nevsky forged a political alliance with the Mongols and denounced his brother. The khan rewarded Nevsky by making him Grand Prince, later his descendants became the princes of Moscow and …

1152- 1190 - Frederick Barbarossa, known as Fredrick I, was a powerful lord who was elected king in Central Europe. Frederick wanted to further incorporate Italy into the German kingdom to form a Holy Empire or Holy Roman Empire. The papal states and northern Italian cities resisted and Fredrick was defeated …

1160

Thomas Becket was archbishop of Canterbury in the twelfth century. Becket was England's highest ranking cleric when he became embroiled in a political controversy. The powerful king, Henry II, 1154- 1189, wanted the right to punish clergy in the royal court. However, Becket resisted claiming that only the church …