Wasn't most of the actual power under feudalism centered in secular rulers? They had alliances at times with the church but as often saw the Pope as the enemy and the Pope was also continuously playing one against the other for political reasosn. Weren't there even several Popes at the same time, based in different areas and all claiming sole authority? In particular wasn't this the time when the Mayors rose in power within the Frankish areas, the rise of Pepin, then Charles Martel, leading to Charles (Charlemagne)? In addition, wasn't this the period when the Anglo-Saxons became a force and perhaps even a nation?
Aslan is not a Tame Lion