There were many key figureheads throughout Europe during the Dark Ages. Those people include:

Charlemagne (or Charles the Great):

Charlemagne was born in 742AD and died in 814. He is considered one of the greatest medieval leaders. He was the so called "King of the West" from 800 to 1814. He was also the king of the Franks from 768-814. He was a strong man both physical and mentally. He was very well educated knowing Teutonic, Latin and some Greek. He was german and showed great pride for his race. He had the courage that only fit a true king. At an early age he considered himself the "protector" of the church.He led several different missions, conquering people in Bavaria, Saxony and many others. While taking the responsibility and power of a vast landscape he also took it upon himself to try and unite government and faith.

Otto I was born in 912 and died in 973. He held many pretigious titles during his lifetime. He was the German king, the duke of saxony and is considered by most the first Holy Roman Emperor. A good portion of his reign was full of revolts from people such as the duke of Bavaria at the time Eberhard. When someone did not give Otto the respect he thought he deserved, he would put some else in power or he would have them murdered.

Italy would be the site of a political catastrophe. After Lothair of Arles was murdered, Berengar of Ivrea declared himself the king of France. The Pope at the time (John XII) was worried about Italy and crowned Otto as Emperor. Otto would deal with Berengar, but John was very worried about the power he had granted Otto. He would try to kill Otto but was unsuccessful. John would be killed and Otto pronounced Leo VII as the new pope.

Louis IX was born in 1214 and quickly inherited the throne of France after his father's death in 1226. Because of this, his mother played an important role during his reign. She was the mother queen that would design and intiate plans for her son's reign and she would continue to do so until her death. She would stage invasions on other territories while her son was still too young to understand the concept of war. He fell victim to plague during one of many crusades he staged during his reign. He cared for the poor and many people that were not as fortunate as him. His kindess is what prompted Pope Boniface VIII to canonize Louis in 1294 as Saint Louis.

Some other people that played an important role during the Dark Ages include:

- Pope Gregory I
- Alfred the Great 
- Henry the Fowler 
- Charles the Bald

Some groups of people that played an important role in shaping the Dark Ages include:

- Vikings
- Ostrogoths
- Visigoths
- Slavs
- Avars