How did the fall of Rome and the birth of Western Europe lead us to where we are today?

 

        After the fall of Rome, and when the dust finally cleared, those that survived carved up the land, built castles across the countryside and devoted their loyalty to one man they called King. With their noble friends they created a feudal system that would rule Western Europe for several hundred years.

      While peasants and serfs worked on the manor and knights defended the kingdoms, they fought their neighbors for their self-serving King. Dedicated only to God and country, the Catholic Church soon became a political superpower.  Kings may have had control of his people’s daily lives, but the Pope had the power over their souls.

      After decades of fighting among themselves, something happened that would change the course of history forever. Christians, who were traveling to the Holy Land were being murdered by Muslims who controlled the sacred city of Jerusalem. The Catholic Church saw this terrible act as a common cause that would unify the kingdoms of Western Europe, and expand the church's power across the world. 

      Calling all Kings to a glorious fight, together they picked up their weapons, left their homeland and entered the age of the Crusades. This quest would launch the world into Holy War that rages on even to this day.