Simplify the following text for a Grade 5 native English-speaking person.
Original: The demise of this empire , which had ruled much of western Europe for more than 200 years , was followed by a long period during which no strong central government existed in most of Europe .
Simplified: This empire had ruled most of western Europe for more than 200 years . It was followed by a long time when there were no strong central governments in most of Europe .