Famines wrack Europe from 970 on.

King Svein Forkbeard of Denmark and King Olaf Tryguesson of Norway loot Kent of 16,000 pounds of silver, burn down London and generally kick the ass of the English King Ethelred the Unready in 994.  Vikings generally raid England, Ireland, France, Spain, Poland etc throughout the Tenth Century.

Viking- Russian invasion of Byzantium  defeated by secrete weapon "Greek Fire" medieval napalm in 941.

Cordoba Spain is most important city in Europe and center of learning.   Cultural center and home of religious tolerence.  Rise of Islamic fundamentalism in 990s.  Leader Al Mansor doubles the vast mosque of of Cordoba and conducts infamous book burning.  Declairs holy war against Christians in North, capturing Leon, sacked Barcelona and destroyed the sacred site of Santiago (tomb of Saint James).

Boleslav the brave became king of Poland in 992.

Prince Vladimir of Russia converted to Christianity, married Anna sister of the Byzantine Emperor and destroyed pagan idols in 986.

Hungarian nomads raid throughout Eastern and Central Europe until defeated at the Battle of Lechfeld in 955.   After civil wars Volk petitioned pope to be crowned King Stephan in 999.

Mount Versuvius erupt in 993.

Pope Gregory V named Pope by Holy Roman (German) Emperor  Otto III.  Roman citizens throw out  Gregory and proclaim John Philagathos, a former slave, pope.  Two rival popes for several years.   Otto returned Gregory to Rome, John killed.  Gregory died soon after, possibly poisoned, in years 994-999.

Sylvester II made pope - Palm Sunday April 2, 999.  First French pope learned in astronomy, classics, mathematics and philosophy.

New pope orders King Olaf to cease using runes and adopt Latin letters, October 23, 999.