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11th century facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Millennium: 2nd millennium
Centuries: 10th century · 11th century · 12th century
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The 11th century was a period of 100 years, from 1001 to 1100. It was a time of big changes and important events all over the world. Many new kingdoms rose, and old empires faced challenges. People saw new ideas in science, art, and religion. This century set the stage for many things that would happen later in history.

Major Events Around the World

The 11th century saw many important events that shaped different parts of the world. From Europe to Asia and Africa, people experienced big changes in how they lived and were governed.

Europe: Kings, Castles, and Crusades

Europe during this time was a place of powerful kings and growing kingdoms. Many famous events happened here.

The Norman Conquest of England

One of the most famous events was the Norman Conquest in 1066. William the Conqueror, a duke from Normandy (part of modern-day France), invaded England. He defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. This changed England forever, bringing new rulers, language, and ways of life. The famous Bayeux Tapestry tells this story.

Bayeux Tapestry WillelmDux
The Bayeux Tapestry showing William the Conqueror.
William I, Lichfield Cathedral
A statue of William the Conqueror holding the Domesday Book.

The Domesday Book

After taking over England, William the Conqueror ordered a huge survey of the land. This was called the Domesday Book, completed in 1086. It listed all the land, people, and animals in England. It helped him know what taxes to collect and how to rule his new kingdom.

Domesday Book - Warwickshire
A page from the Domesday Book.

The First Crusade

Towards the end of the century, a major religious war began. In 1095, Pope Urban II called for Christians to go to the Holy Land to take back control of Jerusalem. This led to the First Crusade. Many knights and soldiers traveled far to fight. In 1099, they captured Jerusalem. This event had a huge impact on relations between Europe and the Middle East for centuries.

StatueUrbanII
A statue of Pope Urban II.
1099jerusalem
A painting showing the Siege of Jerusalem in 1099.

The Great Schism

In 1054, a major split happened within Christianity. The Christian Church divided into two main branches: the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East. This event is known as the Great Schism. It was caused by differences in religious practices and who had authority.

Asia: Powerful Empires and New Ideas

Asia was home to some of the world's largest and most advanced empires during the 11th century.

China's Song Dynasty

In China, the Song Dynasty was a time of great progress. They invented many things, like gunpowder, printing, and the compass. Their cities were large and busy. They also built impressive structures, like the Pagoda of Fogong Temple, a huge wooden pagoda built in 1056.

Porcelaine chinoise Guimet 231104
A celadon statue from the Chinese Song dynasty.
The Fugong Temple Wooden Pagoda
The Pagoda of Fogong Temple in China.

India's Chola Dynasty

In southern India, the Chola dynasty was very powerful. They built amazing temples, like the Brihadisvara Temple, finished in 1010. This temple is famous for its tall tower and beautiful sculptures. The Chola kings also had a strong navy and traded across the seas.

Brihadeshwara front right
The Brihadeeswarar Temple in India.
Ardhanari
An 11th-century Chola Dynasty bronze figurine.

Islamic Golden Age

The Islamic world continued its "Golden Age" of learning and discovery. Scholars made big advances in science, medicine, and mathematics. For example, Ibn al-Haytham (also known as Alhazen), an Iraqi physicist, wrote the Book of Optics in 1021. This book changed how people understood light and vision.

Latin Ibn Haithem's book
A Latin translation of Ibn al-Haytham's Book of Optics.
Lunar eclipse al-Biruni
A diagram from al-Bīrūnī's book showing lunar phases and a lunar eclipse.

Africa: Growing Kingdoms and Trade

In Africa, powerful kingdoms grew through trade and strong leadership.

Fatimid Caliphate

In North Africa and parts of the Middle East, the Fatimid Caliphate was a major power. They were known for their beautiful art and architecture. They also controlled important trade routes.

Ewer birds Louvre MR333
An 11th-century rock crystal ewer from Fatimid Egypt.

West African Empires

In West Africa, empires like the Ghana Empire were rich from trading gold and salt across the Sahara Desert. These empires had well-organized governments and strong armies.

Science and Technology

The 11th century saw important developments in science and technology across different cultures.

Astronomy and Timekeeping

Astronomers in the Islamic world and China made new observations and created better tools. The spherical astrolabe was used to study the stars and tell time. In China, Su Song built a huge clock tower in 1092. It was powered by water and used a complex system of gears and chains.

Clock Tower from Su Song's Book desmear
A diagram of Su Song's clock tower.
Spherical astrolabe 2
A spherical astrolabe, used in Islamic astronomy.

Medicine and Mathematics

Medical knowledge continued to advance, especially in the Islamic world. Doctors studied human anatomy and developed new treatments. In mathematics, scholars worked on algebra and geometry, building on earlier knowledge.

Art and Culture

Art and culture flourished in many parts of the world, creating lasting legacies.

Architecture

Grand buildings were constructed, from the towering temples of India to the wooden pagodas of China and the cathedrals of Europe. These structures often showed the power and beliefs of the people who built them.

St-albans-cath
St Albans Cathedral in England, completed in 1089.
Tour mausolee Gonbad-e Qabus
The Gonbad-e Qabus Tower in Iran, built in 1006.

Literature and Art

Literature also thrived. In Japan, Lady Sei Shōnagon wrote her famous The Pillow Book, giving us a look into court life. In Europe, beautiful illuminated manuscripts were created, like the Ostromir Gospels. Artworks like ivory carvings and intricate metalwork showed great skill.

Hyakuninisshu 062
Lady Sei Shōnagon, a Japanese writer.
Ostromirovo
The Ostromir Gospels from Novgorod.
Flat casket Cuenca Louvre OA2775
An ivory casket from Islamic Spain, c. 1050.
Reliquary-box crucifixion Louvre MR349
An 11th-century gold and cloisonné reliquary.

Important People

Many important leaders and thinkers lived during the 11th century.

  • William the Conqueror (c. 1028–1087): The Duke of Normandy who became King of England after the Norman Conquest.
  • Basil II (958–1025): A powerful Byzantine Emperor who expanded his empire.
  • Canute the Great (c. 995–1035): A Viking king who ruled England, Denmark, and Norway.
  • Alfonso VI of León and Castile (1040s–1109): A king who played a key role in the Reconquista in Spain.
  • Empress Agnes (c. 1024–1077): A German Queen who became regent of the Holy Roman Empire.
  • Emperor Shenzong of Song (1048–1085): A Chinese emperor known for his reforms.
  • Pope Urban II (c. 1042–1099): The Pope who called for the First Crusade.
AlfonsoVI of Castile
Alfonso VI of Castile.
Heinrich III und Agnes Speyer
Empress Agnes, German Queen.
Basilios II
Basil II of the Byzantine Empire.
Canute and Ælfgifu
Canute the Great and his wife Ælfgifu.
Shenzong of Song
Emperor Shenzong of Song China.
B Song Dynasty Cao Empress Sitting with Maids
Chinese Empress Cao.
Empress Zoe mosaic Hagia Sophia
An 11th-century mosaic of Empress Zoe in the Hagia Sophia.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Siglo XI para niños

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