I've always been fond of the High Middle Ages. (1) I've thus been working on a TL with a few PODs scattered around the 11th-12th centuries.
Lesser points of departure:
1. No invention of gunpowder.
I like this one perhaps a little too much, but as far as butterflies go it doesn't have much effect on the West until after my main POD.
2. More successful Vinland.
I think I've worked out the logistics necessary for this with a slower Christianization of Scandinavia and an extra, dedicated colony of Norse pagans.
3. Norway balkanizes during the Civil Wars Era.
With Magnus V and Haakon IV dying early or never being born, claims to the throne are weak, and the country dissolves into a number of petty kingdoms. (2)
Major POD: Frederick Barbarossa lives to 75, dying in 1200.
He has a stabilizing influence between Philip and Richard during the Third Crusade, and they eventually win, with Saladin dying as in our timeline. Richard convinces them to press on into Egypt, and they succeed there as well.
Richard returns to England, and is not captured and held for ransom; this leads to Sicily remaining independent and Richard's nephew Arthur taking the throne.
Meanwhile in the Holy Roman Empire, Henry (Barbarossa's son) dies in 1198, two years before his father; upon Barbarossa's death, Otto IV takes the throne. (3)
Philip Augustus' son Louis marries Eleanor of Brittany, and takes the throne after him.
I also have a different papal succession; due to no Fourth Crusade, Innocent III is succeeded by OTL Gregory IX (4) as Celestine IV. Due to butterflies, Celestine does not demonize black cats in Vox in Rama, meaning more cats in Europe and about 10% fewer casualties from the Black Death. This extends feudalism's longevity.
Unfortunately, my knowledge of Europe mostly ends there. If anyone has any criticism, or ideas for what to do with eastern Europe and the rest of Scandinavia between 1200 and the Mongol invasion, it would be much appreciated. Also ideas on how to get John Lackland out of the way, so that there's no chance of him succeeding Richard.
(1) I also read too much fantasy.
(2) I confess that this is mostly to satisfy my inner Disney fan; the notion of Frozen's Arendelle being based on a real-world pre-Norwegian petty kingdom tickled my tastebuds, so to speak, though obviously this timeline has rather less magic.
(3) Philip of Swabia is unable to take over, as in this timeline he's married princess Isabella of Jerusalem.
(4) A.k.a. Ugolino di Conti, which is somewhat harder to remember.