Sorry if this has been done before, but how about a top 10 list of the most influential individuals of medieval Europe? Let's say "medieval" is - at the most - between the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and Columbus' discovery of America in 1492. But the individual has to be associated with the medieval era, which began and ended at different times in different places. So, Giotto, for example, lived during the "Middle Ages" but is seen as more of a Renaissance figure since the Renaissance started earlier in Italy than in most other places.

Here are my nominations - just off the top of my head - how about yours?

10. Emperor Otto I the Great - helped pioneer the development of the Holy Roman Empire; one of the first powerful Holy Roman Emperors since Charlemagne
9. King Louis IX of France - seen as the "beau ideal" of a Christian prince in medieval Europe, although his Crusades were failures
8. Roger Bacon - English scientist and philosopher
7. Alfred the Great - virtually founded the medieval English kingdom
6. Pope Urban II - issued the call for the First Crusade
5. Emperor Justinian - famous for his legal code as Byzantine Emperor
4. William the Conqueror - responsible for introducing Norman-French language, customs and culture to England, tying England to the Continent and establishing the English crown as a strong power in Europe
3. St. Thomas Aquinas - perhaps the greatest medieval European theologian and philosopher
2. St. Gregory the Great - largely responsible for the Church's efforts to Christianize northern Europe
1. Charlemagne - His empire established the basic political geography of Europe that persists today, and saw a cultural renaissance the likes of which would not arise again until the end of the Middle Ages