1. The Roman conquest of Gallia. (121-51 B.C.E.) The incorporation of what is now France into the Roman sphere brought the Latin language and Rome's civilization to the Celtic tribes forever altering their culture and mores.
2. Battle of Tours (732 C.E.) The defeat of the invading Muslim armies by Charles Martel saved France and Western Europe from the baleful influences of Islam.
3. Death of Louis the Pious and the division of the Frankish Empire (20 June 840 C.E.) Louis divided his Kingdom into three parts which roughly corresponded to modern France and German with a narrow strip running from the North Sea into Italy (sometimes called Lotharingia). The history of western Europe for more than a millennium would be affected by the struggle of France and the German states to resolve the ownership of Lotharingia.
4. Norman conquest of England (1066) The anomalous position of a vassal of the King of France becoming the King of England would take centuries to resolve.
2. Battle of Tours (732 C.E.) The defeat of the invading Muslim armies by Charles Martel saved France and Western Europe from the baleful influences of Islam.
3. Death of Louis the Pious and the division of the Frankish Empire (20 June 840 C.E.) Louis divided his Kingdom into three parts which roughly corresponded to modern France and German with a narrow strip running from the North Sea into Italy (sometimes called Lotharingia). The history of western Europe for more than a millennium would be affected by the struggle of France and the German states to resolve the ownership of Lotharingia.
4. Norman conquest of England (1066) The anomalous position of a vassal of the King of France becoming the King of England would take centuries to resolve.