FIFTEENTH CENTURY. (1400-1500.) THE EASTERN EMPIRE comes to an end in 1453, Constantinople being taken by the Turks. The GERMAN EMPIRE is continually growing weaker, the imperial dignity being kept up by the princes of the House of Austria (an archduchy in the southeastern part of the empire), who are exclusively chosen emperors. FRANCE in the early part of the century is invaded by the English, and loses a large portion of its possessions; but in the latter half of the century these are nearly all recovered, while its power is greatly increased in the east and south by the annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy and Provence. ENGLAND loses its possessions in France in the latter part of this century, with the single exception of Calais. In SPAIN, the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon are united in 1479, and the Mahometan rule in the Peninsula ceases with the fall of Granada in 1492. In ITALY, the republic of FLORENCE is at the height of its splendor under the Medici. The TURKS seize Constantinople and put an end to the Eastern Empire. MOGUL, or TARTAR, EMPIRE. The empire of Tamerlane (Timour the Tartar) comes to an end after his death in 1405. RUSSIA frees herself from the Mogul rule in 1477, but takes no part as yet in European politics. The SWISS CONFEDERATION becomes of importance. POLAND has risen to be an important power. AMERICA is discovered by Columbus in 1492. The Cape of Good Hope is discovered in 1487, and rounded by Vasco da Gama in 1497. |