Novgorod, Northwest Russia, south-southeast of St. Petersburg- The Rus where a Viking people who ruled under Rurik in the Slavic settlement of Novgorod, 862 CE. The Rus eventually donated their name to "Russia" as it is known today. One of Rurik's followers, Oleg, 873- 913 CE, established an association of …

Central Eastern Europe- The Slavs were a central European people who eventually migrated and separated into three groups: western, southern, and eastern Slavs. The Germans felt it was important for them to convert the Slavs to Christianity and expended great effort in doing so, 1000 CE. The Polish, Czech and …

987- 996 CE - When the power and authority of the Frankish kings diminished in the West, the nobles chose Hugh Capet, count of Orl'eans and Paris to become king. The political intent of their choice is revealed in the fact that Capet was a minor land owner whose primary control …

936- 973 CE - Otto I was one of the best known kings of the Saxons in Germany. Otto I defeated the Magyars at Lechfeld in 955 CE , and encouraged conversion of Slavic and Scandinavian peoples to Christianity. Otto I incorporated the power of the church more heavily into his kingdom …

Scandinavia- The Vikings are a Germanic people who settled in Scandinavia. These tribal warriors were also known as the Norsemen. The Vikings excelled as warriors, ship builders, and sailors. The combination of these skills allowed the Vikings to come into contact with much of the known world at the time …

Western Asia- The Magyars were encouraged to attack the Bulgars by the Byzantine emperors, while the Bulgars urged the Pechenegs to attack the Magyars. The Magyars were eventually forced into eastern and central Europe by the Pecheneg pressure. The Magyars built a strong presence in Hungary and made many raids …