R- Time Line, a mixed bag from many sources but I find it helpful.

Time Lines Notes

Paleozoic (or Palaeozoic) Era (from the Greek palaios (παλαιός), "old" and zoe (ζωή), "life", meaning "ancient life"is the earliest of three geologic eras of the Phanerozoic Eon, spanning from roughly 541 to 252.2 million years ago. It is the longest of the Phanerozoic eras, and is subdivided into six geologic periods (from oldest to least old): the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian. The Paleozoic comes after the Neoproterozoic Era of the Proterozoic Eon, and is followed by the Mesozoic Era.The Cambrian Period witnessed the most rapid and widespread diversification of life in Earth's history, known as the Cambrian explosion, in which most modern phyla first appeared. Fish, arthropods, amphibians and reptiles all evolved during the Paleozoic. Life began in the ocean but eventually transitioned onto land, and by the late Paleozoic, it was dominated by various forms of organisms. Great forests of primitive plants covered the continents, many of which formed the coal beds of Europe and eastern North America. Towards the end of the era, large, sophisticated reptiles were dominant and the first modern plants (conifers) appeared.The Paleozoic Era ended with the largest mass extinction in Earth's history, the Permian–Triassic extinction event. The effects of this catastrophe were so devastating that it took life on land 30 million years into the Mesozoic to recover.[2] Recovery of life in the sea may have been much faster Permian period is a geologic period and system which extends from 298.9 ± 0.2 to 252.2 ± 0.5 Ma It is the last period of the Paleozoic Era.Mesozoic Era 252.2 Ma,Triassic Period is a geologic period and system that extends from about 250 to 200 Ma 252.2 ± 0.5 to 201.3 ± 0.2 Ma Jurassic Period is a geologic period and systemthat constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic Era, also known as the Age of Reptiles and extends from 201.3± 0.6 Ma to 145± 4 MaThe start of the period is marked by the major Triassic–Jurassic extinction event. Another extinction event, the Late Piensbachian/Early Toarcian event, occurred in the Early Jurassic, and a third extinction event, the Late Tithonian event, occurred at the end of the Jurassic; however neither of these two events rank among the 'Big Five' mass extinction.Cretaceous Period (/krɨˈteɪʃəs/, krə-tay-shəs), derived from the Latin "creta" (chalk), usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide (chalk), is a geologic period and system from circa 145 ± 4 to 66 Ma ago In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the Cenozoic era. It is the last period of the Mesozoic Era, and, spanning 79 million years, the longest period of the Phanerozoic Eon.The Cretaceous was a period with a relatively warm climate, resulting in high eustatic sea levels and creating numerous shallow inland seas. These oceans and seas were populated with now extinct marine reptiles, ammonites and rudists, while dinosaurs continued to dominate on land. At the same time, new groups of mammals and birds, as well as flowering plants, appeared. The Cretaceous ended with a large mass extinction, the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, in which many groups, including non-avian dinosaurs, pterosaurs and large marine reptiles, died out. The end of the Cretaceous is defined by the K–Pg boundary, a geologic signature associated with the mass extinction which lies between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras.K–Pg / K–T extinction abbreviation of Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction, also called K–Pg extinction or Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction, a global extinction event responsible for eliminating approximately 80 percent of all species of animals at or very close to the boundary between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods, about 66 Ma The Bone Yard Bard Comes on the Stage: System Series Stage Age (Ma)Aquitanian 20.43–23.03Burdigalian 15.97–20.43Langhian 13.65–15.97Serravallian 11.608–13.65Tortonian 7.246–11.608Miocene Messinian 5.332–7.246Late Miocene Bones 1.1 7 - 5.3 MaZanclean 3.600–5.332Neogene Pliocene Piacenzian 2.588–3.600Pliocene Bones 2.1 5.3 - 2.58Pleistocene BonesLower Paleolithic: 2.58 Ma - 300,000 YearsMiddle Paleolithic: 300,000 - 50,000 yearsPinnacle Point Caves have revealed occupation by Middle Stone Age people between 170,000 and 40,000 years ago Upper Paleolithic: 50,000 - 10,000 years oldHolocene BonesMesolithic / Neolithic: 10,000 - 5000 years oldQuaternary Pleistocene Gelasian younger Palaeolithic period,Old Stone Age 2,500,000 to 200,000 BC Age, Era or Period is a ... λίθος, lithos, "stone", literally meaning "old age of the stone" or "Old Stone Age."The last Ice Age finally came to an end around 10,000BCWestern Europe pre c. 8800 BCPleistocene ('Ice Age') approximately 11,600 years agoThe Pleistocene /ˈplaɪstəsiːn/ (symbol PS[1]) is the geological epoch which lasted from about 2,588,000 to 11,700 years ago, spanning the world's recent period of repeated glaciations.Charles Lyell introduced this term in 1839 to describe strata in Sicily that had at least 70% of their molluscan fauna still living today. This distinguished it from the older Pliocene Epoch, which Lyell had originally thought to be the youngest fossil rock layer. He constructed the name "Pleistocene" ("Most New" or "Newest") from the Greek πλεῖστος, pleīstos, "most", and καινός, kainós(latinized as cænus), "new";[2] this contrasting with the immediately preceding Pleiocene ("More New" or "Newer", from πλείων,pleíōn, "more", and kainós; usual spelling: Pliocene), and the immediately subsequent Holocene ("wholly new" or "entirely new", from ὅλος, hólos, "whole", and kainós) epoch, which extends to the present time.The Pleistocene is the first epoch of the Quaternary Period or sixth epoch of the Cenozoic Era.[3] The end of the Pleistocene corresponds with the end of the last glacial period. It also corresponds with the end of the Paleolithic age used in archaeology. In the ICS timescale, the Pleistocene is divided into four stages or ages, the Gelasian, Calabrian, Ionian and Tarantian. All of these stages were defined in southern Europe. In addition to this international subdivision, various regional subdivisions are often used.Before a change finally confirmed in 2009 by the International Union of Geological Sciences, the time boundary between the Pleistocene and the preceding Pliocene was regarded as being at 1.806 million years before the present, as opposed to the currently accepted 2.588 million years BP: publications from the preceding years may use either definition of the period. Dating The Pleistocene has been dated from 2.588 million (±5,000) to 11,700 years before present (BP), with the end date expressed in radiocarbon years as 10,000 carbon-14 years BP.[4] It covers most of the latest period of repeated glaciation, up to and including the Younger Dryas cold spell. The end of the Younger Dryas has been dated to about 9640 BC (11,654 calendar years BP). It was not until after the development of radiocarbon dating, however, that Pleistocene archaeological excavations shifted to stratified caves and rock-shelters as opposed to open-air river-terrace sites.[5]In 2009 the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) confirmed a change in time period for the Pleistocene, changing the start date from 1.806 to 2.588 million years BP, and accepted the base of the Gelasian as the base of the Pleistocene, namely the base of the Monte San Nicola GSSP.[6] The IUGS has yet to approve a type section, Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP), for the upper Pleistocene/Holocene boundary (i.e. the upper boundary). The proposed section is the North Greenland Ice Core Project ice core 75° 06' N 42° 18' W.[7] The lower boundary of the Pleistocene Series is formally defined magnetostratigraphically as the base of the Matuyama (C2r) chronozone, isotopic stage 103. Above this point there are notable extinctions of the calcareous nanofossils: Discoaster pentaradiatus and Discoaster surculus.[8][9]The Pleistocene covers the recent period of repeated glaciations. The name Plio-Pleistocene has in the past been used to mean the last ice age. The revised definition of theQuaternary, by pushing back the start date of the Pleistocene to 2.58 Ma, results in the inclusion of all the recent repeated glaciations within the Pleistocene. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocene Mesolithic c. 8800 – 4900 BCMesolithic 9600 - 4000 BC.The Mesolithic period or ('Middle Stone Age') Stone Age 2,000,000 BP – 3300 BCE Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age: c.10,000BC–c.4500BC) people were nomadichunter-gatherers. Paleolithic 2,000,000 BP – 8300 BCELower Paleolithic 2,000,000 BP – 300,000 BPMiddle Paleolithic 300,000 BP – 30,000 BPUpper Paleolithic 30,000 BP – 12,000 BP Younger Dryas period 12,900 Asteroid or comet that struck Quebec caused the abrupt change to a colder, drier climate. As a result of the impact and dramatic climate change - also referred to as the ‘Big Freeze’ - mammals including mastodons, camels, giant sloths, and saber-toothed cats all vanished in North America, forcing human hunters to set aside their spears and instead gather plants and cultivation. Meanwhile in the Mediterranean, the first farmers started to grow crops - thus the invention of agriculture served as a pivotal step in the development of communities and the division of labor, and led to the establishment of civilization. Epipaleolithic 12,000 BP – 8300 BCE The last Ice Age finally came to an end around 10,000BC. Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age: c.10,000BC–c.4500BC) people were nomadichunter-gatherers.Megalithic period 5000 1500 BCNeolithic c. 4900 – 2000 BC The Neolithic Era, or Period, from νέος (néos, "new") and λίθος (líthos, "stone"), or New Stone ageFarming spread across Europe from the eastern Mediterranean (wild varieties of wheat and barley, sheep and goats are native to the Near East), and arrived in Britain around 4500BC, ushering in the Neolithic (New Stone) Age. The farming skills, and associated way of life, brought to Britain by immigrants from mainland Europe, would have been gradually adopted, and adapted, by the indigenous population – it now seems clear that there was no rapid ‘Neolithic revolution’, as was once thought. Bone analysis indicates Saddle quernand rubbing stone.that, during the whole Neolithic period, people's diet contained little food which was not of animal origin. This suggests that farming in Britain was more concerned with animal husbandry (sheep, cattle, goats, pigs – dogs would probably have been used to assist with the herding) than the growing of crops. Cereals were grown, of course (the land would have been worked with spades, hoes, and, perhaps, rudimentary ploughs), but there is speculation that the grain was, mostly, used for ritual purposes, and possibly, eventually (3rd millennium BC), brewing. Neolithic The New Stone Age or Neolithic began around 6,000 years ago 8300 BCE – 4500 BCE.Pre-pottery Neolithic 8300 BCE – 5500 BCEPottery Neolithic BCE – 4500 BCE Chalcolithic 4500 BCE – 3300 BCEEarly Chalcolithic 4500 BCE – 4000 BCELate Chalcolithic (Ghassulian) 4000 BCE – 3300 BCE Bronze AgeBronze Age c. 2000 – 800 BCBronze Age 3300 BCE – 1200 BCEEarly Bronze Age 3300 BCE – 2000 BCEarly Bronze Age I 3300 BCE – 3000 BCEEarly Bronze Age II 3000 BCE – 2700 BCEEarly Bronze Age III 2700 BCE – 2200 BCEEarly Bronze Age IV 2200 BCE – 2000 BCEMiddle Bronze Age 2000 BCE – 1550 BCEMiddle Bronze Age I 2000 BCE – 1750 BCEMiddle Bronze Age II 1750 BCE – 1650 BCEMiddle Bronze Age III 1650 BCE – 1550 BCELate Bronze Age 1550 BCE – 1200 BCELate Bronze Age I 1550 BCE – 1400 BCELate Bronze Age II A 1400 BCE – 1300 BCELate Bronze Age II B 1300 BCE – 1200 BCEColigny Calendar 1100 BCE(first century bce Celtic calendar discovered in 1897), astronomical calculus shows that it must have been computed in 1100 bce Iron Age c. 800 – 1 BCIron Age 1200 BCE – 586 BCEIron Age I 1200 BCE – 1000 BCEIron Age I A 1200 BCE – 1150 BCEIron Age I B 1150 BCE – 1000 BCEIron Age II 1000 BCE – 586 BCEIron Age II A 1000 BCE – 900 BCEIron Age II B 900 BCE – 700 BCEIron Age II C 700 BCE – 586 BCE Etruscan ages: 800 BCE Beginning of the Etruscan civilization in Italy.539 BCE Etruscan & Carthaginian alliance expels the Greeks from Corsica.535 BCE Battle of Alalia. Carthaginian navy, in alliance with Etruscans, defeated Greek ships off the island of Corsica.c. 475 BCE Celts defeat the Etruscans at the Ticino River.400 BCE Celts enter Italy and settle in the Po Valley. Etruscan power declines.396 BCE Celts defeat the Etruscan army at the battle of Melpum. Afterwards the Celts heavily settle all over the Po Valley.396 BCE Roman expansion begins with the capture of Veii from the Etruscans.391 BCE Senones besiege Clusium, an Etruscan city.298 BCE - 290 BCE Third Samnite War. Victory for Rome, peace with the Etruscans.283 BCE Romans defeat the Etruscans and Celts at lake Vadimonis.225 BCE Celts defeat 6000 Romans at Faesulae and proceed to overrun Etruria. Roman c. AD 1 – 400Early medieval period c. AD 400 – 800Medieval period 800 – c. 1500Post-medieval period c. 1500 – c. 1800Roman Iron Age c. AD 1 – 400Germanic Iron Age c. AD 400 – 800Viking Age c. AD 800 – 1066Medieval period 1066 – c. 1500Post-medieval period c. 1500 – c. 1800Historical periods 586 BCE – presentBabylonian & Persian periods 586 BCE – 332 BC.Hellenistic period 332 BCE – 37 BCEEarly Hellenistic 332 BCE – 167 BCELate Hellenistic 167 BCE – 37 BCERoman period 37 BCE – 324 CEEarly Roman 37 BCE – 132 CELate Roman 132 CE – 324Byzantine period 324 – 638Early Arab period (Umayyad and Abbasid) 638 – 1099Crusader & Ayyubidperiods 1099 – 1291Late Arab period (Fatimid and Mamluk) 1291 – 151615th century was a time of upheaval, in Europe in the Balkans, in the Near East with Timurid expansion as far as Turkey and the Black Sea, and also with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453,The Timurid dynasty (Persian: تیموریان), self-designated Gurkānī(Persian: گوركانى), was a Sunni Muslim Persianate dynasty ofTurco-Mongol lineage which ruled over modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, much of Central Asia, as well as parts of contemporaryPakistan, India, Mesopotamia, Anatolia and the Caucasus. The dynasty was founded by Timur (Tamerlane) in the 14th century.The Timurids lost control of most of Persia to the Safavid dynasty in 1501, but members of the dynasty continued to rule parts of Central Asia and parts of India, sometimes known as the Timurid Emirates. In the 16th century, Babur, a Timurid prince from Ferghana (modernUzbekistan), invaded Kabulistan (modern Afghanistan) and established a small kingdom there, and from there 20 years later he invadedHindustan to establish the Mughal Empire. Ottoman period 1516 – 1917Modern period 1917 – current ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BC, AD, BCE, BP Abbreviation(s), Latin phrase, Meaning Abbreviation(s) Latin phrase Meaning BC * (Christian calendar concepts) before Christ BCE Before Common Era Years are designated as before the Christ's birth.

AD ** (Christian calendar concepts) Anno Domino Year of the Lord in the year of the Lord Years are designated as after the Christ's birth.

BP *** "Before Present" means before 1950. The most commonly used convention in radiocarbon dating. "Present" referring to the year 1950 AD. 1950 is the date that the calibration curves were established. It also predates atmospheric testing of the atom bomb, which significantly upset C12/C14 ratios in the following years.

CE Common Era (also Current Era or Christian Era , abbreviated as CE, is an alternative naming of the traditional calendar era, Anno Domini (abbreviated AD) EV Era Vulgaris "Christian, Vulgar or Common Era" for all piratical purposes can be used interchangeably

Ma million years. History of the use of the CE/BCE abbreviation(CE/BCE and AD/BC) are numerically equivalent* In the Gregorian Calendar, which we use, there is no year zero and the sequence of years near the start runs as follows: ..., 4BC, 3BC, 2BC, 1BC, 1AD, 2AD, 3AD, 4AD ...** Since 2000 AD is the 2000th year of the Christian calendar, it was the last year of the 2nd millennium. So the 3rd millennium and the 21st century began at the same moment - on January 01, 2001.*** If a radiocarbon lab reports an age of 13000 years BP, they are implying that the fossil would have died 13000 years before 1950 AD.

Coligny Calendar (first century bce Celtic calendar discovered in 1897), astronomical calculus shows that it must have been computed in 1100 bce Needs placements The Pre-Celtic and Early Celtic Civilization ''The La Tene Period of Ancient Ireland''..! La Tène culture developed and flourished during the late Iron Age (from 450 BCE to the Roman conquest in the 1st century BCE) in Belgium, eastern France, Switzerland, Austria, Southern Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia,Slovenia, Hungary and Romania. To the north extended the contemporary Jastorf culture of Northern Germany. 1 The Jastorf culture is the southern part of the Pre-Roman Iron Age of the north. deep late Pleistocene (Ice Age) ------------------------------------------------ http://www.siol-nan-gaidheal.org/Celtic_Solidarity/prehist1.htm Prehistory 30,000 BC: Although covered in a huge ice sheet, the topography of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England is much as it is today; sea levels fluctuating due to the effects of the Ice Ages.10,000 BC: Though much of the land is still glaciated, the first prehistoric settlers of Scotland arrive, probably by the Northern Ice sheet extending from Southern Norway to the Orkney Islands and Caithness. The land is covered in dense forest which is home to elk, deer, wild boar, goats, bears, wolves and many species of birds. Fruit and nuts were plentiful as were fish, shellfish and edible seaweed. The first humans were nomadic, living in skin shelters and/or caves, they would stay in an area for a while until the resources were nearly exhausted and then move on to a different area. They used flint tools of surprising sophistication which enabled them to make arrow heads and spear tips, knives and axeheads which assisted them to become more efficient hunters. The prehistory of Scotland and Ireland is paradoxical in that these two countries, after Iceland, may have been the last part of Europe to be occupied by man, probably less than 10,000 years ago, and yet they still have one of the richest archaeological heritages in western Europe. The earliest settlers arrived in Ireland, in the Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age period. They crossed by land bridge from Scotland. These people were mainly hunters. See Note 10,000-2000 BC and see what archeology is finding out about them and the Ceide Fields of Co Mayo!. 8,500 BC: The earliest evidence yet is found at Cramond near Edinburgh of an early hunter-gatherer homestead, and the remains of elk bones, fish bones, shellfish and hazelnut shells show that they enjoyed a reasonable standard of living. 7000 BC: Evidence of first men in Ireland. 6500 BC: The Urumchi People settle in Eastern Turkestan - Northern China. They are clearly Celtic, with red or yellow hair, and with caucasian features. They speak a language known as Tocharian which is related to Gaelic through the Indo European group of languages. Well preserved mummies reveal the knowledge of weaving, and tartan cloth has been found, still as colourful as the day it was woven. Also grave goods have been recovered, including chariots, ploughs, horse harness, harrows, bronze and iron tools, pottery including a grain storage jar capable of holding 120 Kgs of grain, and intricate jewellery made of bronze, pewter, copper, silver and gold. Their techniques of preserving the dead by mummification were superior to the Egyptian as the soft internal organs were not removed but preserved in situ. 5000 BC: Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) brings farming to Ulster. 3900 BC: The oldest coastal dunes in Ireland, pre-dating a radiocarbon age of 5,315±±135 years BP, occur at Grangemore. 3000 BC: Sea level stabilized. Colonists of the neolithic, or new stone-age period, reached Ireland. These people were farmers. Remnants of their civilization have been excavated at Lough Gur in Co. Limerick. They traded in a limited form in products, such as axe-heads. One of their monuments, a megalithic tomb at Newgrange in Co. Meath, has survived. Visit the ancient tombs in Knowth, Boyne Valley. (Six pages, one photo per page). 2500 BC: Passage Graves at Newgrange, Co. Meath built; wheat cultivated at Newgrange; evidence of Boyne culture. 2250 BC: Portal Tombs such as the Kempe Stones in Newtownards. 2100 BC: Celtic tribes in Europe. Celtic and Italic migrants are quite certain to be among the first Indo-Europeans who penetrated into Central Europe. It is known that the task to connect exact archaeological cultures with exact tribes at that time is not yet completed, but still according to the most widespread version, Celts were represented by the "cord pottery" culture. In the late 3rd millennium they began to migrate west from the Low Danube (where they lived together with Italics and Illyrians). Soon Celts appeared in France and in South Germany. The date mentioned above can be regarded as a possible time of separation of the Celtic language from the Celto-Italo-Veneto-Illyrian language community. 2000 BC-1200 BC: First Celtic immigrants to the British Isles thought to have arrived. Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. Prospectors and metalworkers arrived. Metal deposits were discovered, and soon bronze and gold objects were made. Items (such as axe-heads, pottery and jewelery) made by these Bronze Age people, have been found. 1800 BC: Bronze Age commences in Ulster: tin (probably from Kernow - Cornwall) alloyed with copper to make bronze; gold worked. 1699 BC: Beginning of the Milesian Genealogies; Milesian Legends; and The Fianna. 1400 BC: Celts arrive in Spain. This date is the earliest in archaeology to mark the event, and usually scientists tend to think Celts appeared in Spain later. It depends on the exact archaeological culture which we connect with Celtic expansion. The most widespread opinion is to link Celts with the "urn culture" (German "Urnenfelderkultur", Spanish "campos de urnas") which spread from the Danube region to the west, to all Central Europe and later to Gaul and Iberia (Spain). But many believe than this culture unified all "Ancient European" ethnic groups of Indo-Europeans who came from Asia to Europe within one big migration wave. It probably included Celts, Italics, Illyrians and Venetic tribes, whose languages have much in common. But while Illyrians and Venetians remained on the Balkans, Italics penetrated into Italy, Celts were the only people who went farther to Gaul and Spain. In Spain first Indo-Europeans occupied mainly the northern regions. They did not mix with the aboriginal population, though their language was somehow transforming in phonetics and syntax. This first Celtic wave (the first Celts were called Beribraces in ancient sources) put the beginning to the Celtiberian language. 2500-1300 BC: Indo-European peoples spread from Pannonia to Dalmatia. It looks as if many European groups of the Indo-European family came to Europe, their future homeland, together. Celtic, Italic, Illyrian, Thracian, Venetic, Germanic, Baltic and Slavic peoples, after crossing South Russians Steppes, achieved Europe about 2500 BC and settled in the Middle Danube valley. Then, their population was not numerous, so they did not need to migrate. Later Italic tribes began moving to the south, then Celtic - to the west, Germanic - to the north. In about 1300 BC Illyrian and Venetic groups (or one group which was later divided into two) started migrating to the south, from Pannonia (modern Hungary) to Dalmatia (modern Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia). Probably one more tribe joined the Illyrians in their move - they were Italics, a part of them who later went west to Italy, where they united with their relatives who already lived there. The intrusion of Illyrians to Dalmatia seems to cause the first "Great Movement of Peoples" which will be described later: it started in Central Europe, and via the Balkans and Greece spread to the Mediterranean, causing other great changes in the ethnic and linguistic map of the Indo-European world. 1200 BC : Start of the Bronze Age; Urnfield Culture in central Europe; Celtic cultures in Gaul and Germania. From this time Celts gradually become the most powerful nation in Northern Europe. They easily and quickly spread over vast lands of France (Gaul), Germany, the Low Countries, the Alps, and penetrated on to the Iberian peninsula. Celts were wary and numerous which helped them to conquer lands of ancient European tribes and to widen their domain. Celtic tribes are believed to have been moving first along the Middle Danube to the west; later their cultures can be archaeologically traced in Southern Germany and in Central Gaul; Celts slowly assimilated the aboriginal peoples of those regions, and neolithic cultures which flourished in Europe before Indo-Europeans came, were preserved in the 12th century BC only in the Low Rhine lands, somewhere in the Alps and on the peninsula of Brittany. The British Isles were not yet visited by the Indo-European settlers, though continental cultures - Celtic, Germanic, Baltic and Greek - developed trade contacts with the islands. The Common Celtic language was at that time still very similar to its relatives Italic, Illyrian and Venetic. Besides, Celtic words and word elements were borrowed by Slavic and Germanic languages in this very early epoch.Celtic cultures in IrelandMore people reached Ireland, producing a greater variety of weapons and artifacts made under influences of of northern Europe. Later phase of Bronze Age: gold ornaments very numerous. A common dwelling of this period was the "crannog", an artificial island, constructed in the middle of a lake. 1100-450 BC: Hallstatt Period - Notes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. http://www.unc.edu/celtic/topics/burial/burial.htmlCeltic Time line 1000 BC to 1 BC http://www.siol-nan-gaidheal.org/Celtic_Solidarity/prehist2.htm 1000 BC to 1 BC 1000-750 BC: Proto-Celtic people of the Urnfield culture dominate much of Continental Europe. They also start to spread out over northern Asia as far as the frontiers of China. Development of the deliberate smelting of iron in the Middle East and China around the same time, prompting the title 'The Iron Age' for this period. 1000 BC: Standing Stones such as those in North Down erected. 900 BC: Goidelic-speaking people in England. 950 BC: Relatively sudden climatic deterioration leading to wetter conditions and a reduction in population in lowland areas. c.700-c.600 BC: Celts arrive from parts of Gaul, Britain, and central Europe. They continued to arrive, up to the time of Christianity. Belonging linguistically to the Indo-European culture, Celts soon began to dominate Ireland, and the earliest settlers. Ireland divided into provinces. 700-500 BC: Hallstatt culture develops in Austria. 700 BC: Early Celts in Austria bury iron swords with their dead. 680 BC: Radiocarbon dating for first circular inhabitation enclosure at Emain Machae (Navan Fort, near Armagh) Note 1 Note 2. 650 BC: The Hallstatt people learn to make use of iron and emerge as the great Iron Age Celtic culture of northern Europe. As trade routes reach them via the Rhône and Danube rivers, so their influence grows. They bury their chiefs in great style, the dead leader lying in his four-wheeled chariot with his weapons around him. They make their swords of iron or from iron models copied in bronze. 600 BC: Goidelic-speaking Celts from Spain arrive in Ireland. Celts into Italy. Greeks found the colony of Massilia, opening up trade between the Celts of inland Europe and the Mediterranean. First evidence of Britain having a name - Albion - (albino, white - called after the chalk-cliffs of Dover). A major rebuild of old Bronze Age defences, and construction of new hillforts takes place in Britain. 550-500 BC: A princess in Vix (Burgundy) is buried with a 280 gallon bronze Greek vase, the largest ever made. 60 miles away a prince is buried layed out on bronze chais-lounge in a hugh chamber tomb. 550 BC: Celts begin to arrive in the British Isles, mainly in Ireland, but also in Scotland and England. 520 BC: Great riches are placed in the tomb of a princess at Vix, France, including a massive wine-mixing bowl from Greece. This illustrates not only the wealth of Celtic chiefs, but also their desire for objects from the classical world, in particular those connected with wine. Heuneberg, an elaborate contemporary Iron Age fort on the river Danube, also imports Greek drinking vessels. 500 BC: Trade between the Etruscans and the Celts begins. Chariots are used by the Celts in Britain; they are introduced via the Etruscans. Lá Téne phase of Celtic culture speads through Europe. Brythonic Celts reach Britain. Iron metallurgy in Ireland, though bronze age economy still in evidence. The Greeks record the name of a major tribe - The KELTOI - and this becomes the common name for all of the tribes. Celts (the Gaels - from Galicia) arrive in Ireland from Spain. 500 BC- 400 BC: The Celts begin to make an impression on European history. They are divided into a number of different tribes, sharing a distinctive decorative style of art, characterized by curving designs and mythical animals. These can be seen on their jewelry (gold and bronze torques), their weapons (decorated shields and sword scabbards), and their pottery and other vessels. The Celts probably originate in northwest and central Europe, France (particularly the area of Champagne), Switzerland, Lower Austria, and western Slovakia. The area of the western Hallstatt, Upper Austria, is also associated with the Celts. 480 BC: Celts of the Hallstatt culture of upper Austria begin to arrive in Britain in substantial numbers. This is the main period of Celtic immigration, greatly augmenting and changing the balance of Britain's population, and is known as Britain's "Iron Age" culture. 450 BC: End of Halstatt Era, beginning of La Téne Era; New wave of Celtic tribes come to Italy. 410 BC: Celtic tribes (soon to become known to the Romans as the Gauls) migrate south across the Alps into the Italian region during this period. c.400 BC: Celtic tribes begin to move into northern Italy; the Boii and Senones cross the river Po and settle in the Po valley. The Insubres occupy Lombardy, with their capital at Milan (Roman Mediolanum). These Celtic tribes are collectively called Gauls by the Romans. At the same time, other Celtic groups are colonizing the banks of the Yonne and Seine rivers in France, and yet others are moving into Bohemia and Bavaria. Reference. Celts attack the Etruscan city of Clusium. 390 BC: A wandering tribe of Celts (whom the Romans call Gauls) under Brennos defeats the Romans at the Battle of the Allia and Rome is besieged until only the Capitol is unconquered. When the citizens of Rome flee before the Gauls' attack of the Capitol, the senators, according to legend, stay seated majestically in their robes while the barbarian Gauls wonder at them. When a Gaul strokes the beard of Papirius, he strikes the offending Gaul, and the Gauls massacre the entire Senate. The rest of the city is sacked by the Gauls. Offended by the dirty conditions of the city, they demand a ransom to leave the Romans alone. Brennus demands his weight in gold and when the Romans complain he throws his sword on the scales to be weighed as well with the cry "VAE VICTUS" - (Woe to the Vanquished). After the sack of Rome by the Gauls, Rome has to deal with unrest and revolt by all its former enemies and most of its allies, including Etruria, the Aequi, the Volsci, the Latins, and the Hernici. 340 BC: Romans prohibit single combat to settle conflict with the Celts. 335 BC: Alexander the Great encounters Celts on the Danube: Alexander receives envoys from the Celts, and exchange pledges of alliance. Large numbers of Celtic warriors join the Greeks in a war against the Etruscans. 323 BC: Alexander dies and the Celts push into Macedonia. 320 BC: Pytheas [a Greek geographer] refers to the British Isles as the 'Isles of the Pretani'. The Pretani were the ancient British people and are made up of the Ulster Cruithin, Scottish Picts, and the Welsh Ancient Britons. 300 BC: Macha Mong Ruad - The First Milesian Queen of Ireland reigned. 298 BC: Third Samnite War. 285 BC: Battle of Vadimonian Lake. 280-275: BC Celts in Asia Minor: Galatia founded in what is present day central and northern Turkey. References : 1, 2, 3. 279 BC: Celtic tribes invade Greece: a horde of Gauls - a Celtic people from central Europe - sweeps down from the Danube valley through Macedon into Greece, killing and plundering. They are only just halted by the Aetolian League before they reach Delphi, where they intended to plunder the shrine. They turn back north, where King Antigonus II defeats them in Macedon, winning popular support for his kingship. The Celtic chieftain Brennus the Gaul is reputedly prevented from desecrating the shrine of Apollo at Delphi by a miraculous storm and, having been defeated in this way, kills himself in shame. 275 BC: Celts of the La Tène culture (known in Britain as the Iron Age B culture) settle in England, particularly in the Yorkshire Wolds. They spread out from Yorkshire and where they meet Iron Age A forts they tend to refortify them in a most elaborate way, with triple fortifications. 264-241 BC: 1st Punic War. 250-230 BC: Galatian Celts defeated in battle by Greek forces in western Turkey. 250 BC: A group of Celts of the tribe of the Volcae Tectosages invade southern France and settle there, mixing with the local population. Another group settles in Bohemia. 225 BC: Celts march on Rome again; Roman army routs invading Celtic Gauls at Telamon in central Italy. 200-40 BC: Manching, a Celtic Oppidum south of the Danube in Bavaria, was the site of highly advanced metal working techniques. References - 1, 2. 200 BC: The Celts establish permanent fortified settlements (Oppida, or towns). Bronze and iron objects; sculpture in stone and wood; Turoe stone. The Celtic culture of the La Tene civilization, named after a Celtic site in Switzerland, reaches Ireland. Celtic Ireland was not politically unified, only by culture and language. The country was divided into about 150 minitature kingdoms, each called a 'tuath'. A minor king ruled a 'tuath', subject to a more powerful king who ruled a group of 'tuath', who was in turn subject to one of the five provincial kings. (Early on there were five provinces, with Meath as a separate province.) This caused constant shifting in power, among the most important contenders. Celtic Ireland had a simple agrarian economy. No coins were used, and the cow was the unit of exchange. There were no towns. Society was stratified into classes, and was regulated by the Brehon Laws, based largely on the concepts of the 'tuath' as the political body, and the 'fine', or extended family as the social unit. 197 BC: First Celtiberian revolt. 191 BC: Cisalpine Gaul is taken by the Romans. 181 BC-179 BC: In Spain, the Lusones, a Celtiberian tribe, try to migrate into Carpetania, and the First Celtiberian War begins. Fulvius Flaccus defeats them at Aebura, captures their capital at Contrebia, and takes the district known as Celtiberia Citerior (Nearer Celtiberia) to the Romans. The following year Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus senior takes over the war, and continues to defeat the Celtiberians. He makes a treaty with the Nearer Celtiberians, by which they provide tribute and auxiliary troops, and an alliance with Further Celtiberia. 150 BC: A fresh wave of Celts, partly Germanic, begins to arrive in Britain - the Belgae, known as the Iron Age C people. 150-121 BC: Rome takes Provence. 125 BC: Romans annex Gallia. 120 - 60 BC: Central Gallic tribes (the Arverni, Brituriges, Aedui, Sequani, and Helvetii) begin organizing themselves into basic state governments, or civitates. Each civitates elected a chief magistrate, and was divided into smaller units (pagi) with at least one trade center (oppida) or hillforts. 121 BC: Rome defeats the Gauls on the lower Rhone River, opening Gaul to Roman occupation. 118 BC: Rome founded its first colonia (veteran's town) in Gaul at Narbo Martius (Narbonne). Its province of Transalpina, later renamed Narbonensis (today's Provence), extended from the Maritime Alps westward to the Pyrenees, and north to Lake Geneva. After the Cimbric Wars, Germano-Celtic uprisings that occurred between 109-101 BC, regular Roman trade and organization became more secure. 113 BC: War between Rome and Celtiberians. A Celtic tribe known as the Cimbri to the Romans, having migrated south from Denmark, reach the river Meuse. They defeat a Roman army at Noricum (modern Austria) and threaten northern Italy. 112-109 BC: The Getae joined the Celts to invade Roman possessions in the western Balkans. 109-101 BC: Cimbric Wars - Germano-Celtic uprisings - after which Roman trade and establishment became more stable. 107 BC: The Cimbri inflict yet another defeat on the Romans. 105 BC: The Cimbri inflict a still more serious defeat on the Romans at Arausio (modern Orange) on the river Rhône; the province of Transalpine Gaul in southern France now appears to be at their mercy and Rome itself seems threatened. 104 BC: Gaius Marius is elected consul again in Rome and reforms the army to meet the threat of the Cimbri, a Celtic tribe. The captured Jugurtha of Numidia is displayed at the triumph (victory procession) of Marius and his staff officer, Cornelius Sulla, in Rome. The reforms of the Roman consul Gaius Marius make the Roman army more professional and democratic. He increases the legion from about 5,000 to 6,000; changes the 120-strong maniple to the 600-strong cohort; abolishes dependence upon class for recruitment to various ranks of the army; and converts the cavalry to an auxiliary arm. He gives the legions names and numbers and introduces the eagle as a standard for each. 102 BC: The Roman consul Gaius Marius, preparing to meet the Cimbri trains his army with great strictness. Homosexuality is punished, with death in the case of one of Marius' own nephews. His soldiers, practicing route-marches, call themselves "Marius' Mules." 101 BC: The Roman consul Gaius Marius completely defeats the Cimbri at the Battle of Vercellae in the Po valley, northern Italy, with a reputed slaughter of 120,000 men. Rome has no more threats from the Celtic and Germanic barbarians for another five centuries. Marius returns to Rome a hero. c.100 BC: Celts, probably of the Iron Age B culture of Britain, build their most remarkable stone forts in Scotland. The forts, known as brochs, are dry-stone towers surrounding a circular internal area of about 8.5 m/28 ft in diameter with walls as thick as 4 m/13 ft, in which rooms and staircases are sometimes inset. 100 BC: Arrival of the Gaels in Ireland; Black Pig's Dyke built by the Ulaid and Cruithin. This was a defensive structure running along the southern border of Ulster. Belgae tribes migrate to Britain to escape Roman domination. 95 BC: A 40 meter structure was built at Navan Fort at Emain Macha. 91 BC: The distinctive curvilinear decorative art of the Celtic La Tène culture is introduced into Britain. The Celts of this culture also introduce the practice of throwing votive offerings into sacred waters, as at Llyn Cerrig Bach on the island of Anglesey, which is probably used as a holy place until the Roman destruction of AD 78-79. The enameled bronze shield found in modern times in the river Thames at Battersea dates from this period. 80 BC: The second wave of Celtic Belgae arrives in Britain from Gaul during this period. They settle mostly in the southeast and tackle the less well-drained and still forested land, farming with a plow that can turn the sod. They are probably responsible for the white horse on the chalk downs at Uffington in Oxfordshire. c.80-60 BC: Romans arrive in Gaul; the region was occupied by about 60 different tribes speaking Celtic languages. 72 BC: Romans launch a retaliatory strike against the Getae and the Celts across the Danube but withdraw because, one account reports, the soldiers were "frightened by the darkness of the forests." 70 BC: Druids (a fire cult from the Middle East) arrive in Britain and gain control of the ruling classes. 65 BC: The situation in Rome is deteriorating into a struggle for power between individuals, with the support of the common people felt to be a necessary asset. The Roman politician Julius Caesar becomes aedile (with responsibility for temples, buildings, streets, markets, and public games), and he spends vast sums on pleasing the public. The Roman politician Catiline conspires to gain power in Rome by force. His plans are betrayed to the orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, however, by representatives of the Gallic tribe of the Allobroges, who are in Rome to attempt to settle grievances concerning the governing of the province of Gallia Narbonensis in France. http://www.siol-nan-gaidheal.org/Celtic_Solidarity/prehist3.htm 0 AD to 1400 AD 80 AD: Julius Agricola invades Caledonia. 83: The Celtic tribes unite under Calgacus, but he is defeated at the battle of Mons Graupius, the earliest recorded battle in Scottish history between the Picts and Romans. Tacitus, the Roman writer, credited Calgacus with the quote "They are the only people on earth to whose covetousness both riches and poverty are equally tempting. To robbery, butchery and rapine, they give the lying name of 'government'; they create a desolation and call it peace....." 121 - 129: Hadrian's Wall is built between present-day Bo'ness and Wallsend, designed to hold back the Picts. 139:The Antonine Wall built to subdue the Lowland tribes and establish a new frontier north of Hadrian’s Wall. 200: A number of smaller tribes in northern Britain are absorbed into two main groups: the Maeatae and the Caledones. 297: The Picts are first mentioned in Roman writings: "a nation still savage and accustomed only to the hitherto semi-naked Picts and Hibernians as their enemies, yielded to Roman arms and standards without difficulty" - Eumenius. The name "Pict" is said to have come either from a Latin word meaning "the painted ones" or another meaning "fighter". Both of these quite accurately described the Pictish people. 360: A Roman author describes a warring tribe based in Ireland as the "Scots". 368: The Pictish, Scots and Saxon tribes attack the Romans in London, and loot and plunder their treasures. 397: St Ninian preaching in Galloway. 460-490: "Arthur", King of the Brethoni, is claimed to have led a band of elite Celtic warriors in a desperate struggle against the invading Saxons. This myth has since been plundered by the Anglo-Saxons who now claim Arthur as one of their own. 501 - 503: Legend has it that the Scots from Ireland, a Gaelic-speaking people, Christian in religion, establish their kingdom of Dalriada in Argyll on the west coast and isles of Scotland. This is now open to debate, as it seems that they were in fact indigenous to the area. Recent research shows no evidence of Irish influence at this time. 563: Saint Columba sails from Ireland to Argyll to found a monastery on the Island of Iona. This started the gradual conversion of the Picts to Christianity. 565: Columba visits the Pictish King Bridei at his fort near Inverness 597: The death of St. Columba at Iona. 606 Death of King Aidan of Dalriada. 608: Death of St Balfred, famous hermit of the Bass Rock. 616: St Donan, a missionary in northern and western Scotland, is killed by sea pirates in Eigg. 664: The death of St Boisel, Prior of Melrose. 20 May 685: The Battle of Nechtansmere in Forfarshire - in the spring of 685 when the Northumbrian King, Egfrith, decided to advance north to battle with the Picts and claim their territory as his own. Leading a large and powerful force, Egfrith marched into Pictavia. But the Picts were ready and waiting. Their king, Bridei, had devised a plan. Using cunning tactics, Bridei drew the Northumbrians towards Dunnichen in Angus. Bridei split his Pictish army in two - the strongest half he hid on Dunnichen Hill, meanwhile the weaker half went down the hill to confront their enemy. As the battle progressed, the Picts, feigning fear, turned heel and retreated back over the hill, chased by the Northumbrians. This was the moment Bridei had hoped for. As the Northumbrians came over the hill, the bulk of the Pictish forces, who were lying in wait, attacked. There was no escape. The few who did manage to elude the swords and spears of the Picts, drowned in the marshy loch at the foot of the hill. 23 Sep 704: The death of St Adamnan, Abbot of Iona; best known as the author of a 'Life' of St Columba. 711: The Pictish King Nechtan invites Abbot Ceolfrith of Monkwearmouth to send masons to build a church of stone, dedicated to St Peter in Pictavia (Angus). 793: The first reported Norse invasion of Scotland: Picts and Dal Riata unite against their common enemy. 802: The Vikings (Danes) plunder Iona for the first, but not the last, time. 843: Kenneth MacAlpin unites the Scots and Picts as one nation under his rule, following a battle at the Gathering Stone at Airthrey, near Stirling. This Unity continues with a battle later that year at Athelstaneford in Lothian, where the Albannach defeat the Angles. The Saltire (the Cross of Saint Andrew) is adopted as the Scottish flag, making it the oldest surviving national flag in history. 858 - 862: Reign of Donald I 862 - 877: Reign of Constantine I 877 - 878: Reign of Ael 878 - 889: Reign of Eochaid 889 - 900: Reign of Donald II 900 - 942: Reign of Constantine II 942 - 954: Reign of Malcolm I 954 - 962: Reign of Indulf 962 - 966: Reign of Dubh 966 - 971: Reign of Culen c 971: Edgar gives Lothian to Kenneth II 971 - 975: Reign of Kenneth II 973: Luncarty - King Kenneth defeats the Danish Vikings. 986: Last recorded raid on Iona by Vikings. 995 - 997: Reign of Constantine III 997 - 1005: Reign of Kenneth III 1005: Malcolm II (r 1005-1034) kills Kenneth III and becomes King. 1014: The Battle of Mortlach, in Banffshire - the Scots, under Malcolm II, defeat the Danish Vikings. 1018: King Malcolm II and Owen-the-Bald, King of Strathclyde defeat the Anglo-Saxon Northumbrians on the River Tweed. Strathclyde is annexed by the Scots. Malcolm II gains Lothian. Death of King Owen. Duncan, grandson of Malcolm II, is made ruler of Strathclyde. 1034: Reign of Duncan I (1034 - 1040). Duncan, made King of Strathclyde after the battle of Carham, helps kill his grandfather Malcolm II and becomes King of Scotland. 1040: Reign of Macbeth (1040 - 1057). MacBeth slays Duncan to become King of Scotland after Duncan is heavily defeated by the English in battle. 15 Aug 1057: The Battle of Lumphanan - on 15 August MacBeth is defeated and killed by Malcolm Canmore. Reign of Malcolm III (1057 - 1093) commences. 1066: The Norman Conquest of England. 1069: Malcolm III marries Margaret, an Anglo-Saxon princess who sought refuge in Scotland. 1073: Malcolm III pays homage to William I of England, after defeat in battle. This leads to the claim of suzerainty used by the English for centuries afterwards to justify oppression agains the Scots. 13 Nov 1093: The Battle of Alnwick - King Malcolm III is killed. His death ultimatley leads to the death of Queen Margaret. Much English influence was brought to Lowland Scotland by her, and she was later canonised St. Margaret. 1093 - 1094: First Reign of Donald Ban I 1094: Reign of Duncan II 1094 - 1097: Second Reign of Donald Ban 1097 - 1107: Reign of Edgar 1107: Reign of Alexander I (1107-1124). On the death of Edgar, Scotland becomes disunited. Alexander I becomes King of Scots, but David I becomes King in Lothian and Strathclyde. 1124: Reign of David I (1124 - 1153). Unity is restored when, on Alexander's death, David becomes King of Scots. His reign is one of the most important in Scotland's history, extending Scottish borders to the River Tees, including all of Northumberland. David I institutes many administrative changes into Scotland including laws, early schools and gives much Scottish land to his Norman friends. 1134: The Province of Moray is annexed by the Crown. 1138: An English victory at the Battle of the Standard at Northallerton. King David I is defeated and 10,000 Scots killed by the Normans. 1153: Reign of Malcolm IV (1153-1165). Rise of Somerled (Scot-Viking Lord of the Isles and progenitor of Clan Donald). 1160: Galloway subjected to the Scottish crown. 1164: The death of Somerled. 1165: Reign of William I, "Lion of Scotland" (1165 - 1214). 8 Dec 1174: Treaty of Falaise. Under this treaty, Scotland would be in debt to England for years. After William I has been captured by the English, he agrees to accept Henry II as his feudal overlord. 1179: Province of Ross subdued by William I. 1180: Inverness receives Charter from William I. 1189: The Quitclaim of Canterbury. 1192: Scottish Church becomes a "special daughter" of the Roman See. 1214: Reign of Alexander II (1198-1249), raised to the throne by the Seven Earls of Scotland. 1222: Alexander II conquers Argyll. 1249: Reign of Alexander III (1249 - 1286). 26 Dec 1251: Marriage of Alexander III, King of Scots, to Margaret, daughter of Henry III, King of England, in York. The young Alexander refuses to acknowledge English overlordship of Scotland. 1263: Scots win decisive victory over King Haaken of Norway at the Battle of Largs, and obtain the Hebrides from Norway. 1266: The Treaty of Perth. The Western Isles (Hebrides) are officially annexed by the crown. 1272: Birth of William Wallace at Elderslie. 1274: Birth of Robert de Brus. 8 Oct 1275: Scottish forces put down a Manx rebellion in the Battle of Ronaldsway, Isle of Man. The Manx had refused peace terms the previous day and before dawn were routed. The Isle of Man had passed from Norwegian to Scottish rule in 1266. 28 Oct 1278: Alexander III, King of Scots, pays homage to Edward I of England, for lands he holds in England, but reserves the Kingdom of Scotland from English overlordship. 19 Mar 1286: Alexander III, King of Scots, killed accidentally in a fall from his horse at Kinghorn, Fife. The last of the MacAlpine dynasty and the Celtic line of Scottish Kings, his reign was known as "The Golden Age". 1289: Margaret, the "Maid of Norway", Alexander's only heir dies. The Scottish crown is opened to over a dozen claimants. Edward I of England falsely claims suzerainty. 30 Nov 1292: Coronation of John Balliol, the last recorded inauguration of a King of Scots on the Stone of Destiny. Known as 'Toom Tabard', (empty coat), Balliol is seen as a puppet of Edward I of England. 23 Oct 1295: Treaty between John Balliol, King of Scots, and Philippe IV of France, made at Paris for mutual military help against the English - "The Auld Alliance". Renewed by Robert I at the Treaty of Corbeil, 1326, it became the accepted response to English aggression against either party. 27 Apr 1296: The "Dunbar Drave". Rout of Scottish army in the Battle of Dunbar by Edward 1, King of England, after John Balliol, King of Scots, had renounced his allegiance to England. The start of the Wars of Independence. The Coronation Stone - the 'Lia Fail' or Stone of Destiny stolen by Edward and taken to Westminster Abbey. 1297: William Wallace kills the sheriff of Lanark, Hazelrig, and a revolt under his command is begun. 11 Sept 1297: Battle of Stirling Bridge where the Scots under the command of William Wallace and Andrew de Moray defeat a larger English force under John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, and Hugh de Cressingham. De Moray subsequently died of wounds received in the battle. 11 Oct 1297: Letter from Andrew de Moray and William Wallace, Guardians of Scotland, to the cities of Lubeck and Hamburg informing them that Scotland and the Hanseatic League could recommence. 23 Aug 1305: The execution of Sir William Wallace at Smithfield in London, England after his betrayal by Menteith. Falsely accused of treason to a king to whom he owed no allegiance, Wallace's death shines down through the years to light the cause of Scottish Independence. 1306: Robert Bruce murders the John "Red" Comyn at Greyfriar Abbey, Dumfries. 25 Mar 1306: Robert de Brus, Earl of Annandale, is crowned King of Scots at Scone in the presence of four bishops, five earls and the people of Scotland by the Countess of Buchan. 1307: Three of the Bruce's brothers, Alexander, Nigel and Thomas are hanged, drawn and quartered by Edward I, exactly as Wallace had been executed two years earlier. 1308: At Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, King Robert the Bruce defeats Comyn of Buchan and the English. 8 Nov 1308: Death of John Duns Scotus, born in Berwickshire c.1265, scholastic philosopher at Oxford, Paris and Cologne. The Subtle Doctor (doctor Subtilis), John Duns Scotus was one of the great philosophers; study and use of his work was commended by Pope John XX111, and he was beatified by Pope John Paul 11 in 1993. 23 Feb 1310: Declaration of the Clergy and People in favour of King Robert 1, The Bruce, from the Church of the Friary Minor in Dundee. 29 Oct 1312: Treaty of Inverness. Robert I gives an undertaking to King Haakon V of Norway to observe the terms of Treaty of Perth (1266). 24 June 1314: The Battle of Bannockburn : the Scots under Robert the Bruce rout the English led by Edward II, resulting in Scottish Independence. The Scots with only 500 mounted men, 2,500 spearmen and 5,000 warriors defeat the English and their army of 25-30,000. It was England's most severe loss to any army in their medieval history. 2 Mar 1316: King Robert II, first of the House of Stewart, was born at Renfrew. His mother was Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I and wife of Walter, Great Stewart of Scotland. 6 Apr 1320: The Declaration of Arbroath - A letter from the Scottish barons to Pope John XXII, affirming their determination to maintain Scottish Independence and support King Robert I unless he showed signs of yielding. There are many echoes of the Arbroath Declaration in the American Declaration of Independence, written in 1776. 1326: The first Scottish Parliament met. 17 Mar 1328: Treaty of Edinburgh, by which England acknowledged the independence of Scotland under Robert 1, was concluded at Edinburgh and ratified at Northampton on 4 May 1328. 1329: King Robert the Bruce dies. Accession of David II (r 1329-71). 12 Aug 1332: The Battle of Dupplin Moor, where the Scots, led by the regent Earl of Mar, squandered their numerical advantage, and following a confused attack are routed with heavy losses by Edward Balliol's army. 19 Jul 1333: Battle of Halidon Hill at Berwick where an English army under Edward III and Edward Balliol defeated the Scots forces led by Sir Archibald Douglas. The English archers devastated the Scottish army and inflicted terrible losses, including six earls, seventy barons and over 500 knights. 1346: The Battle of Neville's Cross. King David II is defeated and captured by the English. 1349-50: The Black Death (bubonic plague) begins in Scotland. 1371: Accession of Robert II, the first of the Stewart Kings to the throne. Robert II (the Stewart) reigns 1371-1390. 1388: The Battle of Otterburn. Henry Percy "Hotspur" and the English defeated by the Scots under James, 2nd earl of Douglas. Henry and Ralph Percy are captured. James Douglas is killed during the battle. 1390-1406: Reign of Robert III. 1396: The infamous Clan Chattan battle at Perth, watched by King Robert III as "entertainment". Time Line, a mixed bag from many sources but I find it helpful. By George King on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 9:52pm110814a Time Lines NotesPaleozoic (or Palaeozoic) Era (from the Greek palaios (παλαιός), "old" and zoe (ζωή), "life", meaning "ancient life"is the earliest of three geologic eras of the Phanerozoic Eon, spanning from roughly 541 to 252.2 million years agoIt is the longest of the Phanerozoic eras, and is subdivided into six geologic periods (from oldest to least old): the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian. The Paleozoic comes after the Neoproterozoic Era of the Proterozoic Eon, and is followed by the Mesozoic Era.The Cambrian Period witnessed the most rapid and widespread diversification of life in Earth's history, known as the Cambrian explosion, in which most modern phyla first appeared. Fish, arthropods, amphibians and reptiles all evolved during the Paleozoic. Life began in the ocean but eventually transitioned onto land, and by the late Paleozoic, it was dominated by various forms of organisms. Great forests of primitive plants covered the continents, many of which formed the coal beds of Europe and eastern North America. Towards the end of the era, large, sophisticated reptiles were dominant and the first modern plants (conifers) appeared.The Paleozoic Era ended with the largest mass extinction in Earth's history, the Permian–Triassic extinction event. The effects of this catastrophe were so devastating that it took life on land 30 million years into the Mesozoic to recover.[2] Recovery of life in the sea may have been much faster Permian period is a geologic period and system which extends from 298.9 ± 0.2 to 252.2 ± 0.5 Ma It is the last period of the Paleozoic Era.Mesozoic Era 252.2 Ma,Triassic Period is a geologic period and system that extends from about 250 to 200 Ma 252.2 ± 0.5 to 201.3 ± 0.2 Ma Jurassic Period is a geologic period and systemthat constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic Era, also known as the Age of Reptiles and extends from 201.3± 0.6 Ma to 145± 4 MaThe start of the period is marked by the major Triassic–Jurassic extinction event. Another extinction event, the Late Piensbachian/Early Toarcian event, occurred in the Early Jurassic, and a third extinction event, the Late Tithonian event, occurred at the end of the Jurassic; however neither of these two events rank among the 'Big Five' mass extinction.Cretaceous Period (/krɨˈteɪʃəs/, krə-tay-shəs), derived from the Latin "creta" (chalk), usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide (chalk), is a geologic period and system from circa 145 ± 4 to 66 Ma ago In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the Cenozoic era. It is the last period of the Mesozoic Era, and, spanning 79 million years, the longest period of the Phanerozoic Eon.The Cretaceous was a period with a relatively warm climate, resulting in high eustatic sea levels and creating numerous shallow inland seas. These oceans and seas were populated with now extinct marine reptiles, ammonites and rudists, while dinosaurs continued to dominate on land. At the same time, new groups of mammals and birds, as well as flowering plants, appeared. The Cretaceous ended with a large mass extinction, the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, in which many groups, including non-avian dinosaurs, pterosaurs and large marine reptiles, died out. The end of the Cretaceous is defined by the K–Pg boundary, a geologic signature associated with the mass extinction which lies between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras.K–Pg / K–T extinction abbreviation of Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction, also called K–Pg extinction or Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction, a global extinction event responsible for eliminating approximately 80 percent of all species of animals at or very close to the boundary between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods, about 66 Ma The Bone Yard Bard Comes on the Stage: System Series Stage Age (Ma)Aquitanian 20.43–23.03Burdigalian 15.97–20.43Langhian 13.65–15.97Serravallian 11.608–13.65Tortonian 7.246–11.608Miocene Messinian 5.332–7.246Late Miocene Bones 1.1 7 - 5.3 MaZanclean 3.600–5.332Neogene Pliocene Piacenzian 2.588–3.600Pliocene Bones 2.1 5.3 - 2.58Pleistocene BonesLower Paleolithic: 2.58 Ma - 300,000 YearsMiddle Paleolithic: 300,000 - 50,000 yearsPinnacle Point Caves have revealed occupation by Middle Stone Age people between 170,000 and 40,000 years ago Upper Paleolithic: 50,000 - 10,000 years oldHolocene BonesMesolithic / Neolithic: 10,000 - 5000 years oldQuaternary Pleistocene Gelasian younger Palaeolithic period,Old Stone Age 2,500,000 to 200,000 BC Age, Era or Period is a ... λίθος, lithos, "stone", literally meaning "old age of the stone" or "Old Stone Age."The last Ice Age finally came to an end around 10,000BCWestern Europe pre c. 8800 BCPleistocene ('Ice Age') approximately 11,600 years agoThe Pleistocene /ˈplaɪstəsiːn/ (symbol PS[1]) is the geological epoch which lasted from about 2,588,000 to 11,700 years ago, spanning the world's recent period of repeated glaciations.Charles Lyell introduced this term in 1839 to describe strata in Sicily that had at least 70% of their molluscan fauna still living today. This distinguished it from the older Pliocene Epoch, which Lyell had originally thought to be the youngest fossil rock layer. He constructed the name "Pleistocene" ("Most New" or "Newest") from the Greek πλεῖστος, pleīstos, "most", and καινός, kainós(latinized as cænus), "new";[2] this contrasting with the immediately preceding Pleiocene ("More New" or "Newer", from πλείων,pleíōn, "more", and kainós; usual spelling: Pliocene), and the immediately subsequent Holocene ("wholly new" or "entirely new", from ὅλος, hólos, "whole", and kainós) epoch, which extends to the present time.The Pleistocene is the first epoch of the Quaternary Period or sixth epoch of the Cenozoic Era.[3] The end of the Pleistocene corresponds with the end of the last glacial period. It also corresponds with the end of the Paleolithic age used in archaeology. In the ICS timescale, the Pleistocene is divided into four stages or ages, the Gelasian, Calabrian, Ionian and Tarantian. All of these stages were defined in southern Europe. In addition to this international subdivision, various regional subdivisions are often used.Before a change finally confirmed in 2009 by the International Union of Geological Sciences, the time boundary between the Pleistocene and the preceding Pliocene was regarded as being at 1.806 million years before the present, as opposed to the currently accepted 2.588 million years BP: publications from the preceding years may use either definition of the period.DatingThe Pleistocene has been dated from 2.588 million (±5,000) to 11,700 years before present (BP), with the end date expressed in radiocarbon years as 10,000 carbon-14 years BP.[4] It covers most of the latest period of repeated glaciation, up to and including the Younger Dryas cold spell. The end of the Younger Dryas has been dated to about 9640 BC (11,654 calendar years BP). It was not until after the development of radiocarbon dating, however, that Pleistocene archaeological excavations shifted to stratified caves and rock-shelters as opposed to open-air river-terrace sites.[5]In 2009 the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) confirmed a change in time period for the Pleistocene, changing the start date from 1.806 to 2.588 million years BP, and accepted the base of the Gelasian as the base of the Pleistocene, namely the base of the Monte San Nicola GSSP.[6] The IUGS has yet to approve a type section, Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP), for the upper Pleistocene/Holocene boundary (i.e. the upper boundary). The proposed section is the North Greenland Ice Core Project ice core 75° 06' N 42° 18' W.[7] The lower boundary of the Pleistocene Series is formally defined magnetostratigraphically as the base of the Matuyama (C2r) chronozone, isotopic stage 103. Above this point there are notable extinctions of the calcareous nanofossils: Discoaster pentaradiatus and Discoaster surculus.[8][9]The Pleistocene covers the recent period of repeated glaciations. The name Plio-Pleistocene has in the past been used to mean the last ice age. The revised definition of theQuaternary, by pushing back the start date of the Pleistocene to 2.58 Ma, results in the inclusion of all the recent repeated glaciations within the Pleistocene. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocene Mesolithic c. 8800 – 4900 BCMesolithic 9600 - 4000 BC.The Mesolithic period or ('Middle Stone Age') Stone Age 2,000,000 BP – 3300 BCE Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age: c.10,000BC–c.4500BC) people were nomadichunter-gatherers. Paleolithic 2,000,000 BP – 8300 BCELower Paleolithic 2,000,000 BP – 300,000 BPMiddle Paleolithic 300,000 BP – 30,000 BPUpper Paleolithic 30,000 BP – 12,000 BP Younger Dryas period 12,900 Asteroid or comet that struck Quebec caused the abrupt change to a colder, drier climate. As a result of the impact and dramatic climate change - also referred to as the ‘Big Freeze’ - mammals including mastodons, camels, giant sloths, and saber-toothed cats all vanished in North America, forcing human hunters to set aside their spears and instead gather plants and cultivation. Meanwhile in the Mediterranean, the first farmers started to grow crops - thus the invention of agriculture served as a pivotal step in the development of communities and the division of labor, and led to the establishment of civilization. Epipaleolithic 12,000 BP – 8300 BCE The last Ice Age finally came to an end around 10,000BC. Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age: c.10,000BC–c.4500BC) people were nomadichunter-gatherers.Megalithic period 5000 1500 BCNeolithic c. 4900 – 2000 BC The Neolithic Era, or Period, from νέος (néos, "new") and λίθος (líthos, "stone"), or New Stone ageFarming spread across Europe from the eastern Mediterranean (wild varieties of wheat and barley, sheep and goats are native to the Near East), and arrived in Britain around 4500BC, ushering in the Neolithic (New Stone) Age. The farming skills, and associated way of life, brought to Britain by immigrants from mainland Europe, would have been gradually adopted, and adapted, by the indigenous population – it now seems clear that there was no rapid ‘Neolithic revolution’, as was once thought. Bone analysis indicates Saddle quernand rubbing stone.that, during the whole Neolithic period, people's diet contained little food which was not of animal origin. This suggests that farming in Britain was more concerned with animal husbandry (sheep, cattle, goats, pigs – dogs would probably have been used to assist with the herding) than the growing of crops. Cereals were grown, of course (the land would have been worked with spades, hoes, and, perhaps, rudimentary ploughs), but there is speculation that the grain was, mostly, used for ritual purposes, and possibly, eventually (3rd millennium BC), brewing. Neolithic The New Stone Age or Neolithic began around 6,000 years ago 8300 BCE – 4500 BCE.Pre-pottery Neolithic 8300 BCE – 5500 BCEPottery Neolithic BCE – 4500 BCE Chalcolithic 4500 BCE – 3300 BCEEarly Chalcolithic 4500 BCE – 4000 BCELate Chalcolithic (Ghassulian) 4000 BCE – 3300 BCE Bronze AgeBronze Age c. 2000 – 800 BCBronze Age 3300 BCE – 1200 BCEEarly Bronze Age 3300 BCE – 2000 BCEarly Bronze Age I 3300 BCE – 3000 BCEEarly Bronze Age II 3000 BCE – 2700 BCEEarly Bronze Age III 2700 BCE – 2200 BCEEarly Bronze Age IV 2200 BCE – 2000 BCEMiddle Bronze Age 2000 BCE – 1550 BCEMiddle Bronze Age I 2000 BCE – 1750 BCEMiddle Bronze Age II 1750 BCE – 1650 BCEMiddle Bronze Age III 1650 BCE – 1550 BCELate Bronze Age 1550 BCE – 1200 BCELate Bronze Age I 1550 BCE – 1400 BCELate Bronze Age II A 1400 BCE – 1300 BCELate Bronze Age II B 1300 BCE – 1200 BCEColigny Calendar 1100 BCE(first century bce Celtic calendar discovered in 1897), astronomical calculus shows that it must have been computed in 1100 bce Iron Age c. 800 – 1 BCIron Age 1200 BCE – 586 BCEIron Age I 1200 BCE – 1000 BCEIron Age I A 1200 BCE – 1150 BCEIron Age I B 1150 BCE – 1000 BCEIron Age II 1000 BCE – 586 BCEIron Age II A 1000 BCE – 900 BCEIron Age II B 900 BCE – 700 BCEIron Age II C 700 BCE – 586 BCE Etruscan ages: 800 BCE Beginning of the Etruscan civilization in Italy.539 BCE Etruscan & Carthaginian alliance expels the Greeks from Corsica.535 BCE Battle of Alalia. Carthaginian navy, in alliance with Etruscans, defeated Greek ships off the island of Corsica.c. 475 BCE Celts defeat the Etruscans at the Ticino River.400 BCE Celts enter Italy and settle in the Po Valley. Etruscan power declines.396 BCE Celts defeat the Etruscan army at the battle of Melpum. Afterwards the Celts heavily settle all over the Po Valley.396 BCE Roman expansion begins with the capture of Veii from the Etruscans.391 BCE Senones besiege Clusium, an Etruscan city.298 BCE - 290 BCE Third Samnite War. Victory for Rome, peace with the Etruscans.283 BCE Romans defeat the Etruscans and Celts at lake Vadimonis.225 BCE Celts defeat 6000 Romans at Faesulae and proceed to overrun Etruria. Roman c. AD 1 – 400Early medieval period c. AD 400 – 800Medieval period 800 – c. 1500Post-medieval period c. 1500 – c. 1800Roman Iron Age c. AD 1 – 400Germanic Iron Age c. AD 400 – 800Viking Age c. AD 800 – 1066Medieval period 1066 – c. 1500Post-medieval period c. 1500 – c. 1800Historical periods 586 BCE – presentBabylonian & Persian periods 586 BCE – 332 BC.Hellenistic period 332 BCE – 37 BCEEarly Hellenistic 332 BCE – 167 BCELate Hellenistic 167 BCE – 37 BCERoman period 37 BCE – 324 CEEarly Roman 37 BCE – 132 CELate Roman 132 CE – 324Byzantine period 324 – 638Early Arab period (Umayyad and Abbasid) 638 – 1099Crusader & Ayyubidperiods 1099 – 1291Late Arab period (Fatimid and Mamluk) 1291 – 151615th century was a time of upheaval, in Europe in the Balkans, in the Near East with Timurid expansion as far as Turkey and the Black Sea, and also with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453,The Timurid dynasty (Persian: تیموریان), self-designated Gurkānī(Persian: گوركانى), was a Sunni Muslim Persianate dynasty ofTurco-Mongol lineage which ruled over modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, much of Central Asia, as well as parts of contemporaryPakistan, India, Mesopotamia, Anatolia and the Caucasus. The dynasty was founded by Timur (Tamerlane) in the 14th century.The Timurids lost control of most of Persia to the Safavid dynasty in 1501, but members of the dynasty continued to rule parts of Central Asia and parts of India, sometimes known as the Timurid Emirates. In the 16th century, Babur, a Timurid prince from Ferghana (modernUzbekistan), invaded Kabulistan (modern Afghanistan) and established a small kingdom there, and from there 20 years later he invadedHindustan to establish the Mughal Empire. Ottoman period 1516 – 1917Modern period 1917 – current ------------------------------------------------------------------------------BC, AD, BCE, BP Abbreviation(s), Latin phrase, Meaning Abbreviation(s) Latin phrase MeaningBC * (Christian calendar concepts) before ChristBCE Before Common Era Years are designated as before the Christ's birth.AD ** (Christian calendar concepts) Anno Domino Year of the Lord in the year of the Lord Years are designated as after the Christ's birth.BP *** "Before Present" means before 1950. The most commonly used convention in radiocarbon dating. "Present" referring to the year 1950 AD. 1950 is the date that the calibration curves were established. It also predates atmospheric testing of the atom bomb, which significantly upset C12/C14 ratios in the following years.CE Common Era (also Current Era or Christian Era , abbreviated as CE, is an alternative naming of the traditional calendar era, Anno Domini (abbreviated AD)EV Era Vulgaris "Christian, Vulgar or Common Era"for all pratical purposes can be used interchangeablyMa million years. History of the use of the CE/BCE abbreviation(CE/BCE and AD/BC) are numerically equivalent* In the Gregorian Calendar, which we use, there is no year zero and the sequence of years near the start runs as follows: ..., 4BC, 3BC, 2BC, 1BC, 1AD, 2AD, 3AD, 4AD ...** Since 2000 AD is the 2000th year of the Christian calendar, it was the last year of the 2nd millennium. So the 3rd millennium and the 21st century began at the same moment - on January 01, 2001.*** If a radiocarbon lab reports an age of 13000 years BP, they are implying that the fossil would have died 13000 years before 1950 AD. Coligny Calendar (first century bce Celtic calendar discovered in 1897), astronomical calculus shows that it must have been computed in 1100 bce Needs placements The Pre-Celtic and Early Celtic Civilization ''The La Tene Period of Ancient Ireland''..!!La Tène culture developed and flourished during the late Iron Age (from 450 BCE to the Roman conquest in the 1st century BCE) in Belgium, eastern France, Switzerland, Austria, Southern Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia,Slovenia, Hungary and Romania. To the north extended the contemporary Jastorf culture of Northern Germany. 1 The Jastorf culture is the southern part of the Pre-Roman Iron Age of the north. deep late Pleistocene (Ice Age) ------------------------------------------------ http://www.siol-nan-gaidheal.org/Celtic_Solidarity/prehist1.htmPrehistory 30,000 BC: Although covered in a huge ice sheet, the topography of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England is much as it is today; sea levels fluctuating due to the effects of the Ice Ages.10,000 BC: Though much of the land is still glaciated, the first prehistoric settlers of Scotland arrive, probably by the Northern Ice sheet extending from Southern Norway to the Orkney Islands and Caithness. The land is covered in dense forest which is home to elk, deer, wild boar, goats, bears, wolves and many species of birds. Fruit and nuts were plentiful as were fish, shellfish and edible seaweed. The first humans were nomadic, living in skin shelters and/or caves, they would stay in an area for a while until the resources were nearly exhausted and then move on to a different area. They used flint tools of surprising sophistication which enabled them to make arrow heads and spear tips, knives and axeheads which assisted them to become more efficient hunters. The prehistory of Scotland and Ireland is paradoxical in that these two countries, after Iceland, may have been the last part of Europe to be occupied by man, probably less than 10,000 years ago, and yet they still have one of the richest archaeological heritages in western Europe. The earliest settlers arrived in Ireland, in the Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age period. They crossed by land bridge from Scotland. These people were mainly hunters. See Note 10,000-2000 BC and see what archeology is finding out about them and the Ceide Fields of Co Mayo!. 8,500 BC: The earliest evidence yet is found at Cramond near Edinburgh of an early hunter-gatherer homestead, and the remains of elk bones, fish bones, shellfish and hazelnut shells show that they enjoyed a reasonable standard of living. 7000 BC: Evidence of first men in Ireland. 6500 BC: The Urumchi People settle in Eastern Turkestan - Northern China. They are clearly Celtic, with red or yellow hair, and with caucasian features. They speak a language known as Tocharian which is related to Gaelic through the Indo European group of languages. Well preserved mummies reveal the knowledge of weaving, and tartan cloth has been found, still as colourful as the day it was woven. Also grave goods have been recovered, including chariots, ploughs, horse harness, harrows, bronze and iron tools, pottery including a grain storage jar capable of holding 120 Kgs of grain, and intricate jewellery made of bronze, pewter, copper, silver and gold. Their techniques of preserving the dead by mummification were superior to the Egyptian as the soft internal organs were not removed but preserved in situ. 5000 BC: Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) brings farming to Ulster. 3900 BC: The oldest coastal dunes in Ireland, pre-dating a radiocarbon age of 5,315±±135 years BP, occur at Grangemore. 3000 BC: Sea level stabilized. Colonists of the neolithic, or new stone-age period, reached Ireland. These people were farmers. Remnants of their civilization have been excavated at Lough Gur in Co. Limerick. They traded in a limited form in products, such as axe-heads. One of their monuments, a megalithic tomb at Newgrange in Co. Meath, has survived. Visit the ancient tombs in Knowth, Boyne Valley. (Six pages, one photo per page). 2500 BC: Passage Graves at Newgrange, Co. Meath built; wheat cultivated at Newgrange; evidence of Boyne culture. 2250 BC: Portal Tombs such as the Kempe Stones in Newtownards. 2100 BC: Celtic tribes in Europe. Celtic and Italic migrants are quite certain to be among the first Indo-Europeans who penetrated into Central Europe. It is known that the task to connect exact archaeological cultures with exact tribes at that time is not yet completed, but still according to the most widespread version, Celts were represented by the "cord pottery" culture. In the late 3rd millennium they began to migrate west from the Low Danube (where they lived together with Italics and Illyrians). Soon Celts appeared in France and in South Germany. The date mentioned above can be regarded as a possible time of separation of the Celtic language from the Celto-Italo-Veneto-Illyrian language community. 2000 BC-1200 BC: First Celtic immigrants to the British Isles thought to have arrived. Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. Prospectors and metalworkers arrived. Metal deposits were discovered, and soon bronze and gold objects were made. Items (such as axe-heads, pottery and jewelery) made by these Bronze Age people, have been found. 1800 BC: Bronze Age commences in Ulster: tin (probably from Kernow - Cornwall) alloyed with copper to make bronze; gold worked. 1699 BC: Beginning of the Milesian Genealogies; Milesian Legends; and The Fianna. 1400 BC: Celts arrive in Spain. This date is the earliest in archaeology to mark the event, and usually scientists tend to think Celts appeared in Spain later. It depends on the exact archaeological culture which we connect with Celtic expansion. The most widespread opinion is to link Celts with the "urn culture" (German "Urnenfelderkultur", Spanish "campos de urnas") which spread from the Danube region to the west, to all Central Europe and later to Gaul and Iberia (Spain). But many believe than this culture unified all "Ancient European" ethnic groups of Indo-Europeans who came from Asia to Europe within one big migration wave. It probably included Celts, Italics, Illyrians and Venetic tribes, whose languages have much in common. But while Illyrians and Venetians remained on the Balkans, Italics penetrated into Italy, Celts were the only people who went farther to Gaul and Spain. In Spain first Indo-Europeans occupied mainly the northern regions. They did not mix with the aboriginal population, though their language was somehow transforming in phonetics and syntax. This first Celtic wave (the first Celts were called Beribraces in ancient sources) put the beginning to the Celtiberian language. 2500-1300 BC: Indo-European peoples spread from Pannonia to Dalmatia. It looks as if many European groups of the Indo-European family came to Europe, their future homeland, together. Celtic, Italic, Illyrian, Thracian, Venetic, Germanic, Baltic and Slavic peoples, after crossing South Russians Steppes, achieved Europe about 2500 BC and settled in the Middle Danube valley. Then, their population was not numerous, so they did not need to migrate. Later Italic tribes began moving to the south, then Celtic - to the west, Germanic - to the north. In about 1300 BC Illyrian and Venetic groups (or one group which was later divided into two) started migrating to the south, from Pannonia (modern Hungary) to Dalmatia (modern Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia). Probably one more tribe joined the Illyrians in their move - they were Italics, a part of them who later went west to Italy, where they united with their relatives who already lived there. The intrusion of Illyrians to Dalmatia seems to cause the first "Great Movement of Peoples" which will be described later: it started in Central Europe, and via the Balkans and Greece spread to the Mediterranean, causing other great changes in the ethnic and linguistic map of the Indo-European world. 1200 BC : Start of the Bronze Age; Urnfield Culture in central Europe; Celtic cultures in Gaul and Germania. From this time Celts gradually become the most powerful nation in Northern Europe. They easily and quickly spread over vast lands of France (Gaul), Germany, the Low Countries, the Alps, and penetrated on to the Iberian peninsula. Celts were wary and numerous which helped them to conquer lands of ancient European tribes and to widen their domain. Celtic tribes are believed to have been moving first along the Middle Danube to the west; later their cultures can be archaeologically traced in Southern Germany and in Central Gaul; Celts slowly assimilated the aboriginal peoples of those regions, and neolithic cultures which flourished in Europe before Indo-Europeans came, were preserved in the 12th century BC only in the Low Rhine lands, somewhere in the Alps and on the peninsula of Brittany. The British Isles were not yet visited by the Indo-European settlers, though continental cultures - Celtic, Germanic, Baltic and Greek - developed trade contacts with the islands. The Common Celtic language was at that time still very similar to its relatives Italic, Illyrian and Venetic. Besides, Celtic words and word elements were borrowed by Slavic and Germanic languages in this very early epoch.Celtic cultures in IrelandMore people reached Ireland, producing a greater variety of weapons and artifacts made under influences of of northern Europe. Later phase of Bronze Age: gold ornaments very numerous. A common dwelling of this period was the "crannog", an artificial island, constructed in the middle of a lake. 1100-450 BC: Hallstatt Period - Notes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. http://www.unc.edu/celtic/topics/burial/burial.htmlCeltic Time line 1000 BC to 1 BC http://www.siol-nan-gaidheal.org/Celtic_Solidarity/prehist2.htm 1000 BC to 1 BC 1000-750 BC: Proto-Celtic people of the Urnfield culture dominate much of Continental Europe. They also start to spread out over northern Asia as far as the frontiers of China. Development of the deliberate smelting of iron in the Middle East and China around the same time, prompting the title 'The Iron Age' for this period. 1000 BC: Standing Stones such as those in North Down erected. 900 BC: Goidelic-speaking people in England. 950 BC: Relatively sudden climatic deterioration leading to wetter conditions and a reduction in population in lowland areas. c.700-c.600 BC: Celts arrive from parts of Gaul, Britain, and central Europe. They continued to arrive, up to the time of Christianity. Belonging linguistically to the Indo-European culture, Celts soon began to dominate Ireland, and the earliest settlers. Ireland divided into provinces. 700-500 BC: Hallstatt culture develops in Austria. 700 BC: Early Celts in Austria bury iron swords with their dead. 680 BC: Radiocarbon dating for first circular inhabitation enclosure at Emain Machae (Navan Fort, near Armagh) Note 1 Note 2. 650 BC: The Hallstatt people learn to make use of iron and emerge as the great Iron Age Celtic culture of northern Europe. As trade routes reach them via the Rhône and Danube rivers, so their influence grows. They bury their chiefs in great style, the dead leader lying in his four-wheeled chariot with his weapons around him. They make their swords of iron or from iron models copied in bronze. 600 BC: Goidelic-speaking Celts from Spain arrive in Ireland. Celts into Italy. Greeks found the colony of Massilia, opening up trade between the Celts of inland Europe and the Mediterranean. First evidence of Britain having a name - Albion - (albino, white - called after the chalk-cliffs of Dover). A major rebuild of old Bronze Age defences, and construction of new hillforts takes place in Britain. 550-500 BC: A princess in Vix (Burgundy) is buried with a 280 gallon bronze Greek vase, the largest ever made. 60 miles away a prince is buried layed out on bronze chais-lounge in a hugh chamber tomb. 550 BC: Celts begin to arrive in the British Isles, mainly in Ireland, but also in Scotland and England. 520 BC: Great riches are placed in the tomb of a princess at Vix, France, including a massive wine-mixing bowl from Greece. This illustrates not only the wealth of Celtic chiefs, but also their desire for objects from the classical world, in particular those connected with wine. Heuneberg, an elaborate contemporary Iron Age fort on the river Danube, also imports Greek drinking vessels. 500 BC: Trade between the Etruscans and the Celts begins. Chariots are used by the Celts in Britain; they are introduced via the Etruscans. Lá Téne phase of Celtic culture speads through Europe. Brythonic Celts reach Britain. Iron metallurgy in Ireland, though bronze age economy still in evidence. The Greeks record the name of a major tribe - The KELTOI - and this becomes the common name for all of the tribes. Celts (the Gaels - from Galicia) arrive in Ireland from Spain. 500 BC- 400 BC: The Celts begin to make an impression on European history. They are divided into a number of different tribes, sharing a distinctive decorative style of art, characterized by curving designs and mythical animals. These can be seen on their jewelry (gold and bronze torques), their weapons (decorated shields and sword scabbards), and their pottery and other vessels. The Celts probably originate in northwest and central Europe, France (particularly the area of Champagne), Switzerland, Lower Austria, and western Slovakia. The area of the western Hallstatt, Upper Austria, is also associated with the Celts. 480 BC: Celts of the Hallstatt culture of upper Austria begin to arrive in Britain in substantial numbers. This is the main period of Celtic immigration, greatly augmenting and changing the balance of Britain's population, and is known as Britain's "Iron Age" culture. 450 BC: End of Halstatt Era, beginning of La Téne Era; New wave of Celtic tribes come to Italy. 410 BC: Celtic tribes (soon to become known to the Romans as the Gauls) migrate south across the Alps into the Italian region during this period. c.400 BC: Celtic tribes begin to move into northern Italy; the Boii and Senones cross the river Po and settle in the Po valley. The Insubres occupy Lombardy, with their capital at Milan (Roman Mediolanum). These Celtic tribes are collectively called Gauls by the Romans. At the same time, other Celtic groups are colonizing the banks of the Yonne and Seine rivers in France, and yet others are moving into Bohemia and Bavaria. Reference. Celts attack the Etruscan city of Clusium. 390 BC: A wandering tribe of Celts (whom the Romans call Gauls) under Brennos defeats the Romans at the Battle of the Allia and Rome is besieged until only the Capitol is unconquered. When the citizens of Rome flee before the Gauls' attack of the Capitol, the senators, according to legend, stay seated majestically in their robes while the barbarian Gauls wonder at them. When a Gaul strokes the beard of Papirius, he strikes the offending Gaul, and the Gauls massacre the entire Senate. The rest of the city is sacked by the Gauls. Offended by the dirty conditions of the city, they demand a ransom to leave the Romans alone. Brennus demands his weight in gold and when the Romans complain he throws his sword on the scales to be weighed as well with the cry "VAE VICTUS" - (Woe to the Vanquished). After the sack of Rome by the Gauls, Rome has to deal with unrest and revolt by all its former enemies and most of its allies, including Etruria, the Aequi, the Volsci, the Latins, and the Hernici. 340 BC: Romans prohibit single combat to settle conflict with the Celts. 335 BC: Alexander the Great encounters Celts on the Danube: Alexander receives envoys from the Celts, and exchange pledges of alliance. Large numbers of Celtic warriors join the Greeks in a war against the Etruscans. 323 BC: Alexander dies and the Celts push into Macedonia. 320 BC: Pytheas [a Greek geographer] refers to the British Isles as the 'Isles of the Pretani'. The Pretani were the ancient British people and are made up of the Ulster Cruithin, Scottish Picts, and the Welsh Ancient Britons. 300 BC: Macha Mong Ruad - The First Milesian Queen of Ireland reigned. 298 BC: Third Samnite War. 285 BC: Battle of Vadimonian Lake. 280-275: BC Celts in Asia Minor: Galatia founded in what is present day central and northern Turkey. References : 1, 2, 3. 279 BC: Celtic tribes invade Greece: a horde of Gauls - a Celtic people from central Europe - sweeps down from the Danube valley through Macedon into Greece, killing and plundering. They are only just halted by the Aetolian League before they reach Delphi, where they intended to plunder the shrine. They turn back north, where King Antigonus II defeats them in Macedon, winning popular support for his kingship. The Celtic chieftain Brennus the Gaul is reputedly prevented from desecrating the shrine of Apollo at Delphi by a miraculous storm and, having been defeated in this way, kills himself in shame. 275 BC: Celts of the La Tène culture (known in Britain as the Iron Age B culture) settle in England, particularly in the Yorkshire Wolds. They spread out from Yorkshire and where they meet Iron Age A forts they tend to refortify them in a most elaborate way, with triple fortifications. 264-241 BC: 1st Punic War. 250-230 BC: Galatian Celts defeated in battle by Greek forces in western Turkey. 250 BC: A group of Celts of the tribe of the Volcae Tectosages invade southern France and settle there, mixing with the local population. Another group settles in Bohemia. 225 BC: Celts march on Rome again; Roman army routs invading Celtic Gauls at Telamon in central Italy. 200-40 BC: Manching, a Celtic Oppidum south of the Danube in Bavaria, was the site of highly advanced metal working techniques. References - 1, 2. 200 BC: The Celts establish permanent fortified settlements (Oppida, or towns). Bronze and iron objects; sculpture in stone and wood; Turoe stone. The Celtic culture of the La Tene civilization, named after a Celtic site in Switzerland, reaches Ireland. Celtic Ireland was not politically unified, only by culture and language. The country was divided into about 150 minitature kingdoms, each called a 'tuath'. A minor king ruled a 'tuath', subject to a more powerful king who ruled a group of 'tuath', who was in turn subject to one of the five provincial kings. (Early on there were five provinces, with Meath as a separate province.) This caused constant shifting in power, among the most important contenders. Celtic Ireland had a simple agrarian economy. No coins were used, and the cow was the unit of exchange. There were no towns. Society was stratified into classes, and was regulated by the Brehon Laws, based largely on the concepts of the 'tuath' as the political body, and the 'fine', or extended family as the social unit. 197 BC: First Celtiberian revolt. 191 BC: Cisalpine Gaul is taken by the Romans. 181 BC-179 BC: In Spain, the Lusones, a Celtiberian tribe, try to migrate into Carpetania, and the First Celtiberian War begins. Fulvius Flaccus defeats them at Aebura, captures their capital at Contrebia, and takes the district known as Celtiberia Citerior (Nearer Celtiberia) to the Romans. The following year Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus senior takes over the war, and continues to defeat the Celtiberians. He makes a treaty with the Nearer Celtiberians, by which they provide tribute and auxiliary troops, and an alliance with Further Celtiberia. 150 BC: A fresh wave of Celts, partly Germanic, begins to arrive in Britain - the Belgae, known as the Iron Age C people. 150-121 BC: Rome takes Provence. 125 BC: Romans annex Gallia. 120 - 60 BC: Central Gallic tribes (the Arverni, Brituriges, Aedui, Sequani, and Helvetii) begin organizing themselves into basic state governments, or civitates. Each civitates elected a chief magistrate, and was divided into smaller units (pagi) with at least one trade center (oppida) or hillforts. 121 BC: Rome defeats the Gauls on the lower Rhone River, opening Gaul to Roman occupation. 118 BC: Rome founded its first colonia (veteran's town) in Gaul at Narbo Martius (Narbonne). Its province of Transalpina, later renamed Narbonensis (today's Provence), extended from the Maritime Alps westward to the Pyrenees, and north to Lake Geneva. After the Cimbric Wars, Germano-Celtic uprisings that occurred between 109-101 BC, regular Roman trade and organization became more secure. 113 BC: War between Rome and Celtiberians. A Celtic tribe known as the Cimbri to the Romans, having migrated south from Denmark, reach the river Meuse. They defeat a Roman army at Noricum (modern Austria) and threaten northern Italy. 112-109 BC: The Getae joined the Celts to invade Roman possessions in the western Balkans. 109-101 BC: Cimbric Wars - Germano-Celtic uprisings - after which Roman trade and establishment became more stable. 107 BC: The Cimbri inflict yet another defeat on the Romans. 105 BC: The Cimbri inflict a still more serious defeat on the Romans at Arausio (modern Orange) on the river Rhône; the province of Transalpine Gaul in southern France now appears to be at their mercy and Rome itself seems threatened. 104 BC: Gaius Marius is elected consul again in Rome and reforms the army to meet the threat of the Cimbri, a Celtic tribe. The captured Jugurtha of Numidia is displayed at the triumph (victory procession) of Marius and his staff officer, Cornelius Sulla, in Rome. The reforms of the Roman consul Gaius Marius make the Roman army more professional and democratic. He increases the legion from about 5,000 to 6,000; changes the 120-strong maniple to the 600-strong cohort; abolishes dependence upon class for recruitment to various ranks of the army; and converts the cavalry to an auxiliary arm. He gives the legions names and numbers and introduces the eagle as a standard for each. 102 BC: The Roman consul Gaius Marius, preparing to meet the Cimbri trains his army with great strictness. Homosexuality is punished, with death in the case of one of Marius' own nephews. His soldiers, practicing route-marches, call themselves "Marius' Mules." 101 BC: The Roman consul Gaius Marius completely defeats the Cimbri at the Battle of Vercellae in the Po valley, northern Italy, with a reputed slaughter of 120,000 men. Rome has no more threats from the Celtic and Germanic barbarians for another five centuries. Marius returns to Rome a hero. c.100 BC: Celts, probably of the Iron Age B culture of Britain, build their most remarkable stone forts in Scotland. The forts, known as brochs, are dry-stone towers surrounding a circular internal area of about 8.5 m/28 ft in diameter with walls as thick as 4 m/13 ft, in which rooms and staircases are sometimes inset. 100 BC: Arrival of the Gaels in Ireland; Black Pig's Dyke built by the Ulaid and Cruithin. This was a defensive structure running along the southern border of Ulster. Belgae tribes migrate to Britain to escape Roman domination. 95 BC: A 40 meter structure was built at Navan Fort at Emain Macha. 91 BC: The distinctive curvilinear decorative art of the Celtic La Tène culture is introduced into Britain. The Celts of this culture also introduce the practice of throwing votive offerings into sacred waters, as at Llyn Cerrig Bach on the island of Anglesey, which is probably used as a holy place until the Roman destruction of AD 78-79. The enameled bronze shield found in modern times in the river Thames at Battersea dates from this period. 80 BC: The second wave of Celtic Belgae arrives in Britain from Gaul during this period. They settle mostly in the southeast and tackle the less well-drained and still forested land, farming with a plow that can turn the sod. They are probably responsible for the white horse on the chalk downs at Uffington in Oxfordshire. c.80-60 BC: Romans arrive in Gaul; the region was occupied by about 60 different tribes speaking Celtic languages. 72 BC: Romans launch a retaliatory strike against the Getae and the Celts across the Danube but withdraw because, one account reports, the soldiers were "frightened by the darkness of the forests." 70 BC: Druids (a fire cult from the Middle East) arrive in Britain and gain control of the ruling classes. 65 BC: The situation in Rome is deteriorating into a struggle for power between individuals, with the support of the common people felt to be a necessary asset. The Roman politician Julius Caesar becomes aedile (with responsibility for temples, buildings, streets, markets, and public games), and he spends vast sums on pleasing the public. The Roman politician Catiline conspires to gain power in Rome by force. His plans are betrayed to the orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, however, by representatives of the Gallic tribe of the Allobroges, who are in Rome to attempt to settle grievances concerning the governing of the province of Gallia Narbonensis in France. http://www.siol-nan-gaidheal.org/Celtic_Solidarity/prehist3.htm 0 AD to 1400 AD 80 AD: Julius Agricola invades Caledonia. 83: The Celtic tribes unite under Calgacus, but he is defeated at the battle of Mons Graupius, the earliest recorded battle in Scottish history between the Picts and Romans. Tacitus, the Roman writer, credited Calgacus with the quote "They are the only people on earth to whose covetousness both riches and poverty are equally tempting. To robbery, butchery and rapine, they give the lying name of 'government'; they create a desolation and call it peace....." 121 - 129: Hadrian's Wall is built between present-day Bo'ness and Wallsend, designed to hold back the Picts. 139:The Antonine Wall built to subdue the Lowland tribes and establish a new frontier north of Hadrian’s Wall. 200: A number of smaller tribes in northern Britain are absorbed into two main groups: the Maeatae and the Caledones. 297: The Picts are first mentioned in Roman writings: "a nation still savage and accustomed only to the hitherto semi-naked Picts and Hibernians as their enemies, yielded to Roman arms and standards without difficulty" - Eumenius. The name "Pict" is said to have come either from a Latin word meaning "the painted ones" or another meaning "fighter". Both of these quite accurately described the Pictish people. 360: A Roman author describes a warring tribe based in Ireland as the "Scots". 368: The Pictish, Scots and Saxon tribes attack the Romans in London, and loot and plunder their treasures. 397: St Ninian preaching in Galloway. 460-490: "Arthur", King of the Brethoni, is claimed to have led a band of elite Celtic warriors in a desperate struggle against the invading Saxons. This myth has since been plundered by the Anglo-Saxons who now claim Arthur as one of their own. 501 - 503: Legend has it that the Scots from Ireland, a Gaelic-speaking people, Christian in religion, establish their kingdom of Dalriada in Argyll on the west coast and isles of Scotland. This is now open to debate, as it seems that they were in fact indigenous to the area. Recent research shows no evidence of Irish influence at this time. 563: Saint Columba sails from Ireland to Argyll to found a monastery on the Island of Iona. This started the gradual conversion of the Picts to Christianity. 565: Columba visits the Pictish King Bridei at his fort near Inverness 597: The death of St. Columba at Iona. 606 Death of King Aidan of Dalriada. 608: Death of St Balfred, famous hermit of the Bass Rock. 616: St Donan, a missionary in northern and western Scotland, is killed by sea pirates in Eigg. 664: The death of St Boisel, Prior of Melrose. 20 May 685: The Battle of Nechtansmere in Forfarshire - in the spring of 685 when the Northumbrian King, Egfrith, decided to advance north to battle with the Picts and claim their territory as his own. Leading a large and powerful force, Egfrith marched into Pictavia. But the Picts were ready and waiting. Their king, Bridei, had devised a plan. Using cunning tactics, Bridei drew the Northumbrians towards Dunnichen in Angus. Bridei split his Pictish army in two - the strongest half he hid on Dunnichen Hill, meanwhile the weaker half went down the hill to confront their enemy. As the battle progressed, the Picts, feigning fear, turned heel and retreated back over the hill, chased by the Northumbrians. This was the moment Bridei had hoped for. As the Northumbrians came over the hill, the bulk of the Pictish forces, who were lying in wait, attacked. There was no escape. The few who did manage to elude the swords and spears of the Picts, drowned in the marshy loch at the foot of the hill. 23 Sep 704: The death of St Adamnan, Abbot of Iona; best known as the author of a 'Life' of St Columba. 711: The Pictish King Nechtan invites Abbot Ceolfrith of Monkwearmouth to send masons to build a church of stone, dedicated to St Peter in Pictavia (Angus). 793: The first reported Norse invasion of Scotland: Picts and Dal Riata unite against their common enemy. 802: The Vikings (Danes) plunder Iona for the first, but not the last, time. 843: Kenneth MacAlpin unites the Scots and Picts as one nation under his rule, following a battle at the Gathering Stone at Airthrey, near Stirling. This Unity continues with a battle later that year at Athelstaneford in Lothian, where the Albannach defeat the Angles. The Saltire (the Cross of Saint Andrew) is adopted as the Scottish flag, making it the oldest surviving national flag in history. 858 - 862: Reign of Donald I 862 - 877: Reign of Constantine I 877 - 878: Reign of Ael 878 - 889: Reign of Eochaid 889 - 900: Reign of Donald II 900 - 942: Reign of Constantine II 942 - 954: Reign of Malcolm I 954 - 962: Reign of Indulf 962 - 966: Reign of Dubh 966 - 971: Reign of Culen c 971: Edgar gives Lothian to Kenneth II 971 - 975: Reign of Kenneth II 973: Luncarty - King Kenneth defeats the Danish Vikings. 986: Last recorded raid on Iona by Vikings. 995 - 997: Reign of Constantine III 997 - 1005: Reign of Kenneth III 1005: Malcolm II (r 1005-1034) kills Kenneth III and becomes King. 1014: The Battle of Mortlach, in Banffshire - the Scots, under Malcolm II, defeat the Danish Vikings. 1018: King Malcolm II and Owen-the-Bald, King of Strathclyde defeat the Anglo-Saxon Northumbrians on the River Tweed. Strathclyde is annexed by the Scots. Malcolm II gains Lothian. Death of King Owen. Duncan, grandson of Malcolm II, is made ruler of Strathclyde. 1034: Reign of Duncan I (1034 - 1040). Duncan, made King of Strathclyde after the battle of Carham, helps kill his grandfather Malcolm II and becomes King of Scotland. 1040: Reign of Macbeth (1040 - 1057). MacBeth slays Duncan to become King of Scotland after Duncan is heavily defeated by the English in battle. 15 Aug 1057: The Battle of Lumphanan - on 15 August MacBeth is defeated and killed by Malcolm Canmore. Reign of Malcolm III (1057 - 1093) commences. 1066: The Norman Conquest of England. 1069: Malcolm III marries Margaret, an Anglo-Saxon princess who sought refuge in Scotland. 1073: Malcolm III pays homage to William I of England, after defeat in battle. This leads to the claim of suzerainty used by the English for centuries afterwards to justify oppression agains the Scots. 13 Nov 1093: The Battle of Alnwick - King Malcolm III is killed. His death ultimatley leads to the death of Queen Margaret. Much English influence was brought to Lowland Scotland by her, and she was later canonised St. Margaret. 1093 - 1094: First Reign of Donald Ban I 1094: Reign of Duncan II 1094 - 1097: Second Reign of Donald Ban 1097 - 1107: Reign of Edgar 1107: Reign of Alexander I (1107-1124). On the death of Edgar, Scotland becomes disunited. Alexander I becomes King of Scots, but David I becomes King in Lothian and Strathclyde. 1124: Reign of David I (1124 - 1153). Unity is restored when, on Alexander's death, David becomes King of Scots. His reign is one of the most important in Scotland's history, extending Scottish borders to the River Tees, including all of Northumberland. David I institutes many administrative changes into Scotland including laws, early schools and gives much Scottish land to his Norman friends. 1134: The Province of Moray is annexed by the Crown. 1138: An English victory at the Battle of the Standard at Northallerton. King David I is defeated and 10,000 Scots killed by the Normans. 1153: Reign of Malcolm IV (1153-1165). Rise of Somerled (Scot-Viking Lord of the Isles and progenitor of Clan Donald). 1160: Galloway subjected to the Scottish crown. 1164: The death of Somerled. 1165: Reign of William I, "Lion of Scotland" (1165 - 1214). 8 Dec 1174: Treaty of Falaise. Under this treaty, Scotland would be in debt to England for years. After William I has been captured by the English, he agrees to accept Henry II as his feudal overlord. 1179: Province of Ross subdued by William I. 1180: Inverness receives Charter from William I. 1189: The Quitclaim of Canterbury. 1192: Scottish Church becomes a "special daughter" of the Roman See. 1214: Reign of Alexander II (1198-1249), raised to the throne by the Seven Earls of Scotland. 1222: Alexander II conquers Argyll. 1249: Reign of Alexander III (1249 - 1286). 26 Dec 1251: Marriage of Alexander III, King of Scots, to Margaret, daughter of Henry III, King of England, in York. The young Alexander refuses to acknowledge English overlordship of Scotland. 1263: Scots win decisive victory over King Haaken of Norway at the Battle of Largs, and obtain the Hebrides from Norway. 1266: The Treaty of Perth. The Western Isles (Hebrides) are officially annexed by the crown. 1272: Birth of William Wallace at Elderslie. 1274: Birth of Robert de Brus. 8 Oct 1275: Scottish forces put down a Manx rebellion in the Battle of Ronaldsway, Isle of Man. The Manx had refused peace terms the previous day and before dawn were routed. The Isle of Man had passed from Norwegian to Scottish rule in 1266. 28 Oct 1278: Alexander III, King of Scots, pays homage to Edward I of England, for lands he holds in England, but reserves the Kingdom of Scotland from English overlordship. 19 Mar 1286: Alexander III, King of Scots, killed accidentally in a fall from his horse at Kinghorn, Fife. The last of the MacAlpine dynasty and the Celtic line of Scottish Kings, his reign was known as "The Golden Age". 1289: Margaret, the "Maid of Norway", Alexander's only heir dies. The Scottish crown is opened to over a dozen claimants. Edward I of England falsely claims suzerainty. 30 Nov 1292: Coronation of John Balliol, the last recorded inauguration of a King of Scots on the Stone of Destiny. Known as 'Toom Tabard', (empty coat), Balliol is seen as a puppet of Edward I of England. 23 Oct 1295: Treaty between John Balliol, King of Scots, and Philippe IV of France, made at Paris for mutual military help against the English - "The Auld Alliance". Renewed by Robert I at the Treaty of Corbeil, 1326, it became the accepted response to English aggression against either party. 27 Apr 1296: The "Dunbar Drave". Rout of Scottish army in the Battle of Dunbar by Edward 1, King of England, after John Balliol, King of Scots, had renounced his allegiance to England. The start of the Wars of Independence. The Coronation Stone - the 'Lia Fail' or Stone of Destiny stolen by Edward and taken to Westminster Abbey. 1297: William Wallace kills the sheriff of Lanark, Hazelrig, and a revolt under his command is begun. 11 Sept 1297: Battle of Stirling Bridge where the Scots under the command of William Wallace and Andrew de Moray defeat a larger English force under John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, and Hugh de Cressingham. De Moray subsequently died of wounds received in the battle. 11 Oct 1297: Letter from Andrew de Moray and William Wallace, Guardians of Scotland, to the cities of Lubeck and Hamburg informing them that Scotland and the Hanseatic League could recommence. 23 Aug 1305: The execution of Sir William Wallace at Smithfield in London, England after his betrayal by Menteith. Falsely accused of treason to a king to whom he owed no allegiance, Wallace's death shines down through the years to light the cause of Scottish Independence. 1306: Robert Bruce murders the John "Red" Comyn at Greyfriar Abbey, Dumfries. 25 Mar 1306: Robert de Brus, Earl of Annandale, is crowned King of Scots at Scone in the presence of four bishops, five earls and the people of Scotland by the Countess of Buchan. 1307: Three of the Bruce's brothers, Alexander, Nigel and Thomas are hanged, drawn and quartered by Edward I, exactly as Wallace had been executed two years earlier. 1308: At Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, King Robert the Bruce defeats Comyn of Buchan and the English. 8 Nov 1308: Death of John Duns Scotus, born in Berwickshire c.1265, scholastic philosopher at Oxford, Paris and Cologne. The Subtle Doctor (doctor Subtilis), John Duns Scotus was one of the great philosophers; study and use of his work was commended by Pope John XX111, and he was beatified by Pope John Paul 11 in 1993. 23 Feb 1310: Declaration of the Clergy and People in favour of King Robert 1, The Bruce, from the Church of the Friary Minor in Dundee. 29 Oct 1312: Treaty of Inverness. Robert I gives an undertaking to King Haakon V of Norway to observe the terms of Treaty of Perth (1266). 24 June 1314: The Battle of Bannockburn : the Scots under Robert the Bruce rout the English led by Edward II, resulting in Scottish Independence. The Scots with only 500 mounted men, 2,500 spearmen and 5,000 warriors defeat the English and their army of 25-30,000. It was England's most severe loss to any army in their medieval history. 2 Mar 1316: King Robert II, first of the House of Stewart, was born at Renfrew. His mother was Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I and wife of Walter, Great Stewart of Scotland. 6 Apr 1320: The Declaration of Arbroath - A letter from the Scottish barons to Pope John XXII, affirming their determination to maintain Scottish Independence and support King Robert I unless he showed signs of yielding. There are many echoes of the Arbroath Declaration in the American Declaration of Independence, written in 1776. 1326: The first Scottish Parliament met. 17 Mar 1328: Treaty of Edinburgh, by which England acknowledged the independence of Scotland under Robert 1, was concluded at Edinburgh and ratified at Northampton on 4 May 1328. 1329: King Robert the Bruce dies. Accession of David II (r 1329-71). 12 Aug 1332: The Battle of Dupplin Moor, where the Scots, led by the regent Earl of Mar, squandered their numerical advantage, and following a confused attack are routed with heavy losses by Edward Balliol's army. 19 Jul 1333: Battle of Halidon Hill at Berwick where an English army under Edward III and Edward Balliol defeated the Scots forces led by Sir Archibald Douglas. The English archers devastated the Scottish army and inflicted terrible losses, including six earls, seventy barons and over 500 knights. 1346: The Battle of Neville's Cross. King David II is defeated and captured by the English. 1349-50: The Black Death (bubonic plague) begins in Scotland. 1371: Accession of Robert II, the first of the Stewart Kings to the throne. Robert II (the Stewart) reigns 1371-1390. 1388: The Battle of Otterburn. Henry Percy "Hotspur" and the English defeated by the Scots under James, 2nd earl of Douglas. Henry and Ralph Percy are captured. James Douglas is killed during the battle. 1390-1406: Reign of Robert III. 1396: The infamous Clan Chattan battle at Perth, watched by King Robert III as "entertainment".