1. The fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century led to the rise of the Holy Roman Empire and the Roman Catholic Church in medieval Europe. 2. Charlemagne united much of Western Europe under the Holy Roman Empire in the late 8th century and was crowned emperor by the Pope in 800 CE. 3. The Holy Roman Empire reached its height of power under Otto I in the 10th century but gradually declined thereafter as local powers asserted more independence.