The Second Council of Lyon convened by Pope Gregory X, on March 31, 1272 opens on May 7, 1274; focusing on reunification of the Eastern and Western Churches and crusade plans for the Holy Land.
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What Happened in May?
Battles, revolts, and explorations. Learn about the noteworthy events in May that have taken place throughout the ages. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Beginning of the Hundred Years' War - King Edward III of England formally declares war against King Philip VI of France, marking the start of a long-lasting conflict between the two kingdoms which is referred to as the Hundred Years' War which was eventually won by the French at the Battle of Castillon in 1453. This was largely due to the French use of guns against the English.
Siege of Calais begins: King Edward III of England surrounds the city of Calais during the Hundred Years' War, leading to a prolonged siege lasting over a year.
The Jacquerie peasant revolt begins in northeastern France with the massacre of nine noblemen in a village north of Paris and quickly spreads, leading peasants to attack castles and kill noblemen, fueled by resentment over heavy taxes, food shortages, and the abuses of the nobility during the Hundred Years' War.
The revolt, named after the contemptuous noble term for peasants, "Jacques" or "Jacques Bonhomme," was characterized by violent repression, with noble forces putting an end to the rebellion by early June 1358.
The Treaty of Brétigny is signed, ending the first phase of the Hundred Years' War between England and France and granting significant territorial concessions to England. 8 May 1360
The Treaty of Brétigny is signed between England and France, marking a temporary end to the first phase of the Hundred Years' War and granting substantial territorial concessions to England.
Charles V of France is crowned King of France at Reims Cathedral on May 19, 1364 after the death of his father, John II.
Pope Gregory XI issued five papal bulls condemning the teachings of John Wycliffe. The letters declared Wycliffe a "Master of Errors" and were sent to various authorities in England, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, and the University of Oxford.
Peasants' Revolt in England: The Peasants' Revolt, a major uprising against high taxes and social injustice, culminates in a confrontation between rebel forces and King Richard II at Smithfield in London.
The Battle of Beverhoutsveld takes place between Louis II, Count of Flanders, leading the forces of the town of Brugesakes, against the Ghent forces led by Philip van Artevelde. The battle takes place near Bruges in modern-day Belgium, on a field located between the towns of Beernem, Oostkamp and Assebroek, resulting on the defeat of the Count of Flanders. The Ghent forces occupied the town of Bruges that same day but the Count Louis II managed to escape and fled to the town of Rijssel. The Battle of Beverhoutsveld marked an important phase in the rebellion of Ghent. More
Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
John I of Castile marries Beatrice of Portugal in a union arranged to secure Castile's claim to the Portuguese throne. After Beatrice's father, King Ferdinand I of Portugal, died later in 1383, John of Castile attempted to press his wife's claim to the throne. However, this led to a Portuguese period of political turmoil and the Castilian attempt was ultimately repelled by Portuguese forces under John of Aviz, who would become King John I of Portugal.
The Treaty of Windsor is signed, establishing an alliance between England and Portugal, which remains the world's oldest diplomatic alliance.
Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English, leading to her trial and execution.
Joan of Arc, the peasant girl daughter of a tenant farmer at Domremy, who led the French army to victory over England at Orleans during the Hundred Years' War, was burned at the stake for heresy by an English-dominated tribunal in Rouen. More
1450, c. May 15
Jack Cade leads a rebellion against King Henry VI of England in the Kent region, known as Cade's Rebellion. Cade and his followers marched to London, briefly entered the city, and executed officials, but were driven out and ultimately defeated in July 1450.
Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Empire forces led by Sultan Mehmed II after a being under siege for 55 days. The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire which had lasted for over 1000 years. Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last Byzantine emperor, was killed fighting against the Ottoman Empire.
The Battle of Tewkesbury, a major battle in the Wars of the Roses takes place, resulting in a decisive victory for the Yorkists led by King Edward IV. against the Yorkist army, led by Edward IV, The battle took place south of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, and was a turning point in the Wars of the Roses.
The Lancastrian king, Henry VI, who was a prisoner in the Tower of London, died shortly after the battle, perhaps murdered. Tewkesbury restored political stability to England until the death of Edward IV in 1483. More
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reaches India, opening the sea route to the East. Da Gama departed from Lisbon, Portugal, in July 1497, sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and up the east coast of Africa where he hired a pilot in Malindi to help him cross the Indian Ocean, arriving at the port of Calicut on May 20 1498.
His voyage proved the sea route to India was viable and profitable, paving the way for Portuguese dominance in Asian trade and for a new era of European colonization in the East.
Italian explorer Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Trinidad during his third voyage to the Americas.
Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama becomes the first European to reach India via the Atlantic Ocean. Arriving in Calicut, where he erected a padrão (stone pillar) to prove he had reached India. More