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Many Germanc tribes such as the Vandals and Suebi enter Gaul by crossing the frozen Rhine river.
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The Visigoths invade and sack Rome. This was the first time the city had been taken in over 700 years (their last defeat was in 387 B.C. by the Gauls).
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The Jutes, Saxons, and Angles (all germanic tribes) invade and settle in Britain.
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Roman and Germanic forces unite to fight the Huns, who had been expanding westward under their leader Atilla. The Huns lose the battle, and are unable to continue conquering western Europe.
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Some time during the early months of 453, Atilla the Hun dies. Without their leader, the Huns begin to retreat to the east.
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The German general Odoacer deposes Romulus Augustus, the last west Roman Emperor, and Odoacer becomes the first king of Italy.
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There was an outbreak of the plague. This pandemic affected most of Europe but most importantly it weakened the Byzantine Empire. The plage loosened the Empire's grip on western Europe, leaving it prone to more invasions.
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Around the year 600, the Vikings begin to raid northern Europe and Britain.
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The Ummayad Empire invades Spain, which at the time was controlled by the Visigoths. The Muslims were able to successfully conquer Spain.
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Charles Martel (Charlemagne's grandfather) lead a Frankish army and defeats the Ummayads, ending the spread of Islam in Europe.
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Pepin the short is anointed king of the Franks by Bonafice the archbishop of Mainz. His reign marks the beginning of the Carolingian Dynasty.
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Clovis defeats Syagrius, the last Roman leader in Gaul, which ended all Roman rule west of Italy. Afterwards Clovis was able to continue expanding the Frankish Empire.
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Clovis officially unites all of the Frankish tribes under one ruler and establishes the Merovingian dynasty.
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In the spring of 568, Albion leads the Lombards in an invasion of italy. Lombards gain control over most of Italy, but have a very weak rule.
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Charlemagne is anointed by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day and becomes the Holy Roman Emperor.
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Charlemagne dies. With his death the Frankish Empire was weakened and his son Louis the Pious becomes king.
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Louis the Pious died in 840. This led to a civil war over who would inherit the kingdom. 3 years later the war ends and the Frankish Empire is divided among his three sons through the treaty of Verdun.
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King Charles the Simple gives a part of northern France to the Vikings (called Normans) and this regoin becomes known as Normandy.
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Alfred the Great gains control over most of Britain and lays the foundation for the Kingdom of England. His grandson, Athelstan, is considered to be England's first king.
