Smaller German states made up this empire. The emperors were seen as protectors of the pope.

Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo the Third on Christmas Day, In the year 800.

William declared himself the new king of England after winning the Battle of Hastings and killing the king of England.

The Clergy's teachings were very influential in European culture and politics.

Pope Urban the Second launched the First Crusade in 1096.

King Richard's main opponent in the Third Crusade was Saladin.

In 1215 a group of nobles decided to force King John to sign a document that included rights the king couldn't ignore. If he didn't sign it, then the nobles would no longer defend him.

A deadly plague called the Black Death struck Europe in 1347. Traders brought rats carrying fleas to the Mediterranean ports.

The Hundred Years' War started because the King of France dies with no sons, and two men claimed the throne. One was English and one was French.

The Spanish Inquisition was an organization of priests that looked for and punished anyone in Spain suspected of secretly practicing their old religion.