Between the Fall of Rome and the dawn of the Renaissance, Europe plunged into a dark night of constant war, splintered sovereignties, marauding pagans, and more. As chaos replaced culture, Europe was beset by famine, plague, persecutions, and a state of war that was so persistent it was only rarely interrupted by peace. This program covers warlords whose armies threatened to cause the demise of European society, such as Alaric, Charles the Hammer, and Clovis; and the people who valiantly tended the flames of justice, knowledge, and innovation, including Charlemagne, St. Benedict, Empress Theodora, and other brave souls who fought for peace and enlightenment.