987-1099 (The Once and Never Kings)

Europe

 * 987 (First POD): Hugh Capet is elected King of the Franks. The Carolingian heir, Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine, challenges the election, thus beginning the Capetian War.


 * 988: After the death of Adalberon, Archbishop of Reims, Hugh names Arnulf, the illegitimate son of King Lothair, to the position on the condition Arnulf takes an oath of fealty to him. Even though he does, Arnulf turns on Hugh and supports his half-brother, Charles, and opens the gates of Reims to him.


 * 993: In an attempt to win a decisive victory, Hugh Capet and his allies march on Reims. The attempt fails as their army meets Charles' on unfavorable ground. In the ensuing battle, Hugh is killed, leaving no effective opposition to the return of Carolingian rule.


 * 1002: St. Brice's Day Massacre. Æthelred II of England orders the death of every Dane in England. Among the victims is Gunhilde, sister of King Sweyn I of Denmark (Sweyn Forkbeard), and possible her husband.


 * 1003 - 1012:Sweyn Forkbeard leads several large raiding parties into England, pillaging East Anglia and Northumbia.


 * 1012: Otto, Duke of Lower Lorraine, and King of the Franks after succeeding his father Charles, dies. The principal branch of the Carolingian dynasty dies with him. The Francian throne is passed to Richard II of Normandy.


 * 1013: Sweyn Forkbeard invades England with the full Danish army. Æthelred is forced to flee to Normandy, and Sweyn is crowned King of England.