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Ancient Rome, a powerful civilisation that controlled most of Europe until its demise, fell in 476 A.D. Only Western Rome, which served as ancient Rome's administrative centre, experienced this collapse. For many more years, there was an Eastern Rome centred on Constantinople. However, the fall of Western Rome caused divisions in Europe and a power vacuum. -
The majority of Europe had already embraced Christianity by 732. Another important religion, Islam, was created in Arabia in the sixth century. In the eighth century, Muslims invaded enormous swaths of land and pounded on the doors of Europe. One of the only significant powers in Europe at the time, the Franks, faced and vanquished Muslims. The Carolingian Empire of the Franks was founded as a result of the conflict. -
The Vikings were a powerful force that first appeared in the ninth century and remained so until the eleventh. Vikings, a military race that originated in Scandinavia, invaded various parts of Europe, including the Russian Empire and the Byzantine Empire. They would keep attacking for two centuries. -
In 871, Alfred The Great ascended to the throne of England. He created a strong foundation for monarchical governance in England as the first King to reign over a united England. He also successfully fended off the Viking menace. -
Otto the Great rose to prominence after Charlemagne and was named Holy Roman Emperor. Otto defended the imperial authority in opposition to the church's authority. He was the first German to rule over a country that included Italy. -
The Anglo-Saxon nobility created by "Alfred the Great" some years previously was abolished in 1066 when William of Normandy conquered England. Instead, William created a French-Norman aristocracy and fundamentally altered the social and political climate of the Kingdom of England. -
Following the conquest of the Holy Land by Muslims, the Pope issued a proclamation urging the European nations to join the Crusades against the Muslims and drive them from the Holy Land, including the Byzantine Empire provinces that were under Muslim rule. In this struggle, which pitted the Muslims against the Holy Roman Empire, there were nine main crusades and numerous smaller ones. The crusades made knights significant and important throughout Europe. -
In 1187, Saladin, a significant Muslim leader during the Crusades, took control of Jerusalem. Later, Saladin would participate in other Muslim conflicts against -
In 1189, Richard the Lionheart was crowned king of England. Later on, he gained notoriety as a cunning military leader in the Crusades against Muslims, winning numerous battles but failing to retake Jerusalem from Saladin. -
An important turning point in the struggle between England and France occurred in 1337. In an attempt to seize the French throne, Edward III of England made war on France in 1337. His claim was rejected by France, and both nations entered a protracted conflict that, although it actually lasted somewhat longer than this, was known as the "hundred years war" and lasted until 1453.