| ca. 1350 | Petrarch develops ideas of humanism |
| 1434–1737 | Medici family in power in Florence |
| 1440s | Invention of movable metal type |
| 1447–1535 | Sforza family in power in Milan |
| 1455–1471 | Wars of the Roses in England |
| 1469 | Marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon |
| 1477 | Louis XI conquers Burgundy |
| 1478 | Establishment of the Inquisition in Spain |
| 1492 | Spain conquers Granada, ending reconquista; practicing Jews expelled from Spain |
| 1494 | Invasion of Italy by Charles VIII of France |
| 1508–1512 | Michelangelo paints ceiling of Sistine Chapel |
| 1513 | Machiavelli writes The Prince |
| 1563 | Establishment of first formal academy for artistic training in Florence |