1400–1499 (A.D.) World History

The Duomo in Florence Linda J. Barnes Joan of Arc (1412–1431)

1407

Casa di San Giorgio, one of the first public banks, founded in Genoa.

1415

Henry V defeats French at Agincourt. Jan Hus, Bohemian preacher and follower of Wycliffe, burned at stake in Constance as heretic.

1418–1460

Portugal's Prince Henry the Navigator sponsors exploration of Africa's coast.

1420

Brunelleschi begins work on the Duomo in Florence.

1428

Joan of Arc leads French against English, captured by Burgundians (1430) and turned over to the English, burned at the stake as a witch after ecclesiastical trial (1431).

1438

Incas rule in Peru.

1450

Florence becomes center of Renaissance arts and learning under the Medicis.

1453

Turks conquer Constantinople, end of the Byzantine empire, beginning of the Ottoman empire.

1455

The Wars of the Roses, civil wars between rival noble factions, begin in England (to 1485). Having invented printing with movable type at Mainz, Germany, Johann Gutenberg completes first Bible.

1462

Ivan the Great rules Russia until 1505 as first czar; ends payment of tribute to Mongols.

1492

Moors conquered in Spain by troops of Ferdinand and Isabella. Columbus becomes first European to encounter Caribbean islands, returns to Spain (1493). Second voyage to Dominica, Jamaica, Puerto Rico (1493–1496). Third voyage to Orinoco (1498). Fourth voyage to Honduras and Panama (1502–1504).

1497

Vasco da Gama sails around Africa and discovers sea route to India (1498). Establishes Portuguese colony in India (1502). John Cabot, employed by England, reaches and explores Canadian coast. Michelangelo's Bacchus sculpture.