This volume covers A.D. 843-1161.

Release date is 2003-11-01

E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Gwidon Naskrent, David King, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team

"The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 05" by Rossiter Johnson et al. is a historical anthology compiled during the late 19th century. This collection aims to provide a comprehensive and engaging account of significant historical happenings, emphasizing key events and narrating them in the words of prominent historians. It covers notable episodes from the rise of feudalism to the establishment of early nation-states in Europe, bringing together various perspectives to create a rich tapestry of our past. At the start of the work, the emphasis is placed on the transformation of Europe following the downfall of Charlemagne’s empire. The opening portion introduces the significant themes of political fragmentation, social upheaval, and the cultural intermingling that characterized the period. It outlines the factors leading to the disintegration of Charlemagne's vast empire, such as internal strife among his descendants and external invasions by various groups, including the Saracens and the Magyars. Particular attention is given to the establishment of feudalism as a response to these challenges, highlighting how local lords gained power and authority as the central royal authority weakened. This sets the stage for further exploration of the evolution of Europe during the Middle Ages. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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