France 979 CE
Internal disorder and Viking raids have brought chaos to the land of the west Franks, as royal authority declines and the power of local lords rises.
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What is happening in France in 979CE
Pepin the Short’s son, Charles the Great – Charlemagne (768-814) – waged ceaseless campaigns against the peoples on his borders, and built up a large empire in Europe. He worked tirelessly to establish both sound administration and the firm establishment of the Christian Church (often the same thing, given that royal administrators were usually clerics) within his realm.
Since Charlemagne’s death, his empire has been divided amongst his descendants, and the West Franks have come under a branch of Charlemagne’s family. However, Viking invasion and civil war have led to a near total breakdown in law and order, and to a severe decline in royal authority. Regional counts now rule as virtually independent princes. They in their turn struggle to assert their authority over local lords, who are now dotting the land with their castles, both to protect themselves and their followers against Viking raids, and to defend their local power against the encroachments of neighbouring lords and regional princes. To build up their power and to re-establish some degree of law and order, greater and lesser lords are coming together in mutual agreements, of protection and obedience, underpinned by personal oaths. Thus are the foundations of that socio-political system known as “feudalism” being laid
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What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 200CE
The Roman Empire has given much of Europe two centuries of peace and prosperity
Spain and Portugal history 200CE
Spain and Portugal have become thoroughly Romanized after centuries of Roman rule
Britain history 200CE
A Roman province now covers the southern half of the British Isles
Central Europe history 200CE
Central Europe is dominated by German and Sarmatian tribes
Africa history 200CE
All of North Africa is now part of the Roman empire, while to the south the Bantu migration continues
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 500CE
The western Roman empire has fallen to German invaders, but the eastern Roman empire remains intact
Britain history 500CE
The Roman province is no more, as is the Roman civilization which it nourished
Central Europe history 500CE
The rise and fall of the Huns has had a huge impact on this region
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 750CE
Medieval Europe is beginning to emerge from the wreckage of the Ancient World.
Spain and Portugal history 750CE
Muslim forces from North Africa have conquered most of present-day Spain and Portugal.
Britain history 750CE
A collection of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms now covers most of present-day England, and the rest of the British Isles is home to numerous Celtic tribes and kingdoms
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