HPL: Timeline

The 14th century
Events of this century:

Witch BurningsAs the magical world separates itself more and more from Muggle society, Muggles are particularly afraid of magic but not very good at recognizing it, leading to persecution of suspected witches. [Wendelin the Weird] is burned at the stake 47 times in various disguises (using a [Flame-Freezing Charm] to protect herself from the fire) (PA1, [fw]).

The German broom game [Stichstock] dies out

Europe | Germany

(QA2)

[Burdock Muldoon] is Chief of the [Wizards' Council] (FB3)

The Golden Snidget population begins to fall rapidly in BritainThe population of Snidgets drops due to hunting and its use in [Quidditch].
(QA3)

Elfrida Clagg becomes Chief of the [Wizards' Council]She succeeds [Burdock Muldoon] ([FB]) and declares the Golden Snidget to be a protected species, forbidding its use in [Quidditch] ([QA3]). Clagg also tries to establish a standard by which creatures will be given legal rights as "beings," but her attempt fails ([FB]).

[Bowman Wright] invents the Golden SnitchIt is invented as a substitute for the Golden Snidget in [Quidditch], as the Snidget is now a protected species and can no longer legally be used in matches.
This date is given in [Quidditch Through the Ages], although the [Famous Wizard Cards] give [Bowman Wright]'s date of birth as 1492.

original artwork © 2001 [Steve Vander Ark]
(QA3)

1312 (Y-668)

The [Wimbourne Wasps] [Quidditch] team is formed

Britain | Wimbourne

(QA7)

[Quidditch] referee [Cyprian Youdle] is born (fw)

1320 (Y-660)

Floo powder inventor [Ignatia Wildsmith] dies (fw)

c. 1326 (Y-654)

Nicholas Flamel is bornThe year is based on the fact that, in 1991, Nicholas Flamel was said to have "celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year." However, this was written in an "enormous old book," so we can't be completely sure.
(PS13)

c. 1333 (Y-647)

Perenelle Flamel is born (PS13)

1342 (Y-638)

[Chauncey Oldridge] is born (fw)

1357 (Y-623)

[Cyprian Youdle] is killed during a [Quidditch] matchA referee from Norfolk, [Youdle] is killed by a curse from an angry spectator during a match ([QA6], [fw]).

1362 (Y-618)

The [Wizards' Council] bans all [Quidditch] matches within 50 miles of a town or village (QA5)

1368 (Y-612)

The [Wizards' Council] bans all [Quidditch] matches within 100 miles of a town or village (QA5)

1379 (Y-601)

[Chauncey Oldridge], the first victim of [dragon pox], dies (fw)

1385 (Y-595)

First recorded [Quidditch] match in IrelandThe match occurs between Irish warlocks and a team from Lancashire; we know of it thanks to an account from [Zacharias Mumps].
(QA8)

1390 (Y-590)

[Gifford Ollerton], a famous giant slayer, is born (fw)

1391 (Y-589)

Famous Wizarding Duellist [Alberta Toothill] is born (fw)

1398 (Y-582)

[Zacharias Mumps] writes a description of [Quidditch]It is the earliest known full description of the game, which already closely resembled modern [Quidditch]([QA5], [QA6]).

The 15th century
Events of this century:

early 1400s

[Quidditch] spreads to Europe[Ingolfr the Iambic] from Norway and [Malécrit] from France write of [Quidditch] matches taking place in their countries, by which we see that the game was spreading across Europe in the early 1400s
(QA8)

Beater Bats are enchanted for the first timeThis makes Bludgers, which in the 15th century are rocks cut into the shape of balls, even more dangerous. When smashed by the now-magical bats, the Bludgers become flying gravel.
(QA6)

1402 (Y-578)

The [Caerphilly Catapaults] [Quidditch] team is formed (QA7)

1419 (Y-561)

More [Quidditch] legislation enactedThe [Wizards' Council] declares that [Quidditch] should not be played "anywhere near anyplace where there is the slightest chance that a Muggle might be watching or we'll see how well you can play whilst chained to a dungeon wall."
(QA5)

1422 (Y-558)

The [Wigtown Wanderers] [Quidditch] team is formedIt consists of the seven children of a butcher, [Walter Parkin].
(QA7)

1429 (Y-551)

[Burdock Muldoon] bornThere is a conflict here: according to [Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them],Muldoon was Chief of the [Wizards' Council] in the 1300s, but according to his [Famous Wizard Card], he was born in 1429. This is an error.
(fw)

1430 (Y-550)

All-England Wizarding Duelling CompetitionThe competition is won by [Alberta Toothill]. She defeats the favorite, [Samson Wiblin], by using a [Blasting Curse].
(fw)

before 1441 (Y-539)

[Gifford Ollerton] kills the giant Hengist of Upper Barnton (fw)

1441 (Y-539)

[Gifford Ollerton], the famous giant slayer, dies (fw)

1443 (Y-537)

Renowned Liondragon expert [Quong Po] of China is born

Asia | China

(fw)

1447 (Y-533)

[Yardley Platt], a famous serial goblin-killer, is born (fw)

[Cheering Charm] inventor Felix Summerbee is born (fw)

1448 (Y-532)

[Burdock Muldoon] becomes Chief of the [Wizards' Council]He holds the position until 1450.
[FB] claims that [Muldoon] held this position a century sooner; this was either a different [Burdock Muldoon], or, more likely, it is an error.
(fw)

1467 (Y-513)

Daisy Dodderidge, eventual founder of the [Leaky Cauldron], is born (fw)

1473 (Y-507)

The First [Quidditch World Cup]The final match pitted Transylvania against Flanders. The game has gone down in history as one of the most violent of all time, as it involved every one of the 700 ways to commit a [Quidditch foul].
(QA8)

1483 (Y-497)

Famous Wizarding Duellist [Alberta Toothill] dies (fw)

1486 (Y-494)

Famous author Cornelius Agrippa is born (fw)

1490 (Y-490)

[Burdock Muldoon], former Chief of the [Wizards' Council], dies (fw)

1492 (Y-488)

[Bowman Wright] is bornAlthough the [Famous Wizard Card] indicates that [Wright] was born in 1492, the book [Quidditch Through the Ages] tells us that he invented the Golden Snitch in the 1300s. Both can't be correct, of course, but both dates are given on this timeline.
(fw)

October 31

Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington is beheaded (nearly)original animated artwork © 2001 [F.W. Arbacette], used by permission
(CS8)

The 16th century
Events of this century:

early 1500s

[Quidditch] [Beaters] experiment with metal BludgersThey first try using lead Bludgers, then eventually progress to making the balls of iron - the material still used today.
(QA6)

1506 (Y-474)

[Montague Knightley], [wizard chess] champion, is born (fw)

1508 (Y-472)

[Cheering Charms] inventor Felix Summerbee dies (fw)

1520 (Y-460)

Composer Musidora Barkwith is born (fw)

The [Tutshill Tornados] [Quidditch] team is formed

Britain | Tutshill

(QA7)

1533 (Y-447)

September 7
Elizabeth Tudor (later Elizabeth I, Queen of England), is born

1535 (Y-445)

Cornelius Agrippa, the famous author, diesHe was imprisoned by Muggles who believed his writings to be evil.
(fw)

1538 (Y-442)

A ban is imposed on using a wand against opposing players in [Quidditch] (QA6)

1539 (Y-441)

[Quong Po], expert on Liondragons, dies (fw)

1555 (Y-425)

Daisy Dodderidge, the witch who built the [Leaky Cauldron], dies (fw)

1556 (Y-424)

[Gunhilda of Gorsemoor] bornShe was a famous Healer who developed the cure for [dragon pox].
(fw)

1557 (Y-423)

Serial goblin-killer [Yardley Platt] dies (fw)

1558 (Y-422)

November 17
Elizabeth Tudor QueenedShe becomes Elizabeth I, Queen of England upon the death of her half-sister Mary

1560 (Y-420)

Golden Snitch inventor [Bowman Wright] dies (fw)

Mungo Bonham, founder of [St. Mungo's Hospital], is born (fw)

1564 (Y-416)

In the Muggle world:
William Shakespeare, English playwright and poet, is born

1566 (Y-414)

Balfour Blane is bornHe goes on to establish the [Committee on Experimental Charms].
(fw)

1568 (Y-412)

Archibald Alderton, is bornHe later becomes famous for blowing up the hamlet of Little Dropping while trying to mix a birthday cake.
(fw)

1588 (Y-392)

[Montague Knightley], [wizard chess] champion, dies (fw)

July
The Spanish Armada, attempting to invade England, is destroyed at sea

The 17th century
Events of this century:

early 1600s

[St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries] is founded by Mungo BonhamIts location is unknown, since presumably Purge and Dowse Ltd., the abandoned [London] department store that now houses the hospital, did not exist in the seventeenth century.
(fw)

early 1600s

[Quidditch] is introduced to North AmericaUnfortunately its introduction also breeds a lot of anti-wizard sentiment.
(QA8)

[Quidditch] is introduced in New ZealandIt is brought to the country by a team of British herbologists who are studying native plants. They play [Quidditch] for recreation and the game catches on.
(QA8)

1602 (Y-378)

[Almerick Sawbridge], famous troll conqueror, is born (fw)

1603 (Y-377)

In the Muggle world:
Elizabeth I, Queen of England, diesJames Stuart, King of Scotland, becomes James I of England.

1612 (Y-368)

Goblin RebellionThe inn at [Hogsmeade] serves as headquarters
(PA5)

Elfrida Clagg, Chieftainess of the [Warlocks' Council], is bornAccording to [Quidditch Through the Ages], Clagg was [Wizards' Council] Chief in the 1300s, but her [Famous Wizard Card] gives this date, so both are on the timeline.
(fw)

Famous pixie hater Dymphna Furmage is born (fw)

The [Appleby Arrows] [Quidditch] team is founded (QA7)

1616 (Y-364)

In the Muggle world:
English playwright and poet William Shakespeare dies

1620 (Y-360)

[Quintius Umfraville] writes [The Noble Sport of Warlocks] (QA6)

1623 (Y-357)

Archibald Alderton, who blew up the hamlet of Little Dropping, dies (fw)

1629 (Y-351)

Balfour Blane, who established the [Committee on Experimental Charms], dies (fw)

1632 (Y-348)

[Thaddeus Thurkell], father of seven [Squib] sons, is born (fw)

1634 (Y-346)

[Havelock Sweeting], unicorn expert, is born (fw)

1637 (Y-343)

The [Werewolf Code of Conduct] is written (PS16)

1639 (Y-341)

[Gunhilda of Gorsemoor], inventor of the cure for [dragon pox], diesHer passing is mourned by the Wizarding community
(fw)

1642 (Y-338)

[Lord Stoddard Withers], breeder of flying horses, is born (fw)

1652 (Y-328)

The [European Cup] is establishedThis happens in response to the fact that the [Quidditch World Cup] has now become an international event, with non-European nations competing.
(QA8)

1656 (Y-324)

[Elladora Ketteridge], discoverer of the properties of [Gillyweed], is born (fw)

1659 (Y-321)

[St. Mungo's Hospital] founder Mungo Bonham dies (fw)

1665 (Y-315)

[Honoria Nutcombe], founder of the [Society for the Reformation of Hags], is born (fw)

1666 (Y-314)

Composer Musidora Barkwith diesShe is most famous for composing the unfinished "Wizarding Suite," which features an exploding tuba.
(fw)

1674 (Y-306)

The [British and Irish Quidditch League] is FormedThe thirteen best [Quidditch] teams are asked to join the league; all other teams are asked to disband.
(QA7)

1677 (Y-303)

[Glanmore Peakes], slayer of the sea serpent of [Cromer], is born (fw)

1687 (Y-293)

[Warlocks' Council] chieftainess Elfrida Clagg dies (fw)

1692 (Y-288)

The [International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy] goes into effectA summit meeting of the [International Confederation of Wizards] takes place. The discussion about magical creatures lasts seven weeks and includes delegations of goblins, centaurs, and merpeople. The result of this summit is the [International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy], which effectively hid the Wizarding community away from the Muggles.
(FB)

[Thaddeus Thurkell], father of seven [Squib] sons, dies (fw)

1698 (Y-282)

Dymphna Furmage dies in mortal fear of pixiesHer fears are not entirely unfounded, as she had been abducted by pixies while vacationing in Cornwall.
(fw)

1699 (Y-281)

[Almerick Sawbridge] diesHe became famous for conquering the River Troll of the Wye River.
(fw)

The 18th century
Events of this century:

[Quidditch] is introduced to AustraliaThe introduction of the game comes possibly from New Zealand and possibly from European influences.
(QA8)

The game of [Quodpot] is created by American wizard [Abraham Peasegood] (QA8)