For me it was overhearing a few episodes of the British History Podcast [0] (not being a podcast person myself) which prompted a click. Highly recommended if you're into this time period; the podcast just reached Episode 365, in the mighty year 1050. If you ever believed that the Dark Ages were truly Dark, there are few better ways to disabuse yourself of that notion than listening to a few episodes....

[0] https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/