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406
Tribes Enter Gaul
Many Germanc tribes such as the Vandals and Suebi enter Gaul by crossing the frozen Rhine river. -
410
Sack of Rome
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). -
450
Invasion of Britain
The Jutes, Saxons, and Angles (all germanic tribes) invade and settle in Britain. -
451
Battle of Chalons
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. -
453
Atilla the Hun Dies
Some time during the early months of 453, Atilla the Hun dies. Without their leader, the Huns begin to retreat to the east. -
476
Fall of Western Rome
The German general Odoacer deposes Romulus Augustus, the last west Roman Emperor, and Odoacer becomes the first king of Italy. -
541
Bubonic Plague
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. -
Jan 1, 600
Viking Invasions
Around the year 600, the Vikings begin to raid northern Europe and Britain. -
Jan 1, 711
Invasion of Spain (Hispania)
The Ummayad Empire invades Spain, which at the time was controlled by the Visigoths. The Muslims were able to successfully conquer Spain. -
Oct 1, 732
Battle of Tours
Charles Martel (Charlemagne's grandfather) lead a Frankish army and defeats the Ummayads, ending the spread of Islam in Europe. -
Dec 1, 753
First Carolingian King
Pepin the short is anointed king of the Franks by Bonafice the archbishop of Mainz. His reign marks the beginning of the Carolingian Dynasty. -
Clovis defeats Syagrius
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. -
Clovis Becomes King
Clovis officially unites all of the Frankish tribes under one ruler and establishes the Merovingian dynasty. -
Lombards in Italy
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. -
Charlemagne Becomes King
Charlemagne is anointed by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day and becomes the Holy Roman Emperor. -
Charlemagne Dies
Charlemagne dies. With his death the Frankish Empire was weakened and his son Louis the Pious becomes king. -
Division of the Frankish Empire
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. -
Normandy Established
King Charles the Simple gives a part of northern France to the Vikings (called Normans) and this regoin becomes known as Normandy. -
Birth of England
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.
