by Krystle Hernandez

Created on: May 02, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

The period of European history dating from 950 to 1250 is often referred to as the High Middle Ages, and was a time of political, religious, economic, and geographic expansion which caused turmoil throughout the continent. During this time, larger cities played a significant role in the outcome of events, of hosting a plethora of physical battles between countries in conflict and serving as the main sources for proliferation.

City states prior to this era, with the exception of Byzantium, were easily crippled by military attacks. The Carolingian Empire was unable to gain stability in the tumultuous years. Simultaneously, the Papacy in Rome began an all out reform of the Roman Catholic Church, integrating new policies that elevated the Papacy and entwined its rule with the rule of contemporary monarchs. While the integration of church and state caused conflict with monarch rulers, it also planted the seeds for future Crusades, which aided economic and religious expansion as soldiers secured more city-states to provide naval forces, transportation, and serve as locations for trade.

In order for Europe's overall expansion, economic development was required. Fortunately, town development in Central Europe allowed commercial city-states to flourish, primarily in Italy, which would later become the heart of the Renaissance movement. Urban development in Northern and Western Europe also secured financial support for respective monarchies by supplying a source of income primarily garnered through taxes.

Overall, tension between church and state certainly contributed to the characterization of the High Middle Ages as a time of political, religious, and economic upheaval. While Christianity continued to expand its demographic reach throughout Europe, so did the monarch's empires and European cities played the role of trophy possessions, serving as a reminder to the people that the rule of the crown was still well-maintained, and as a primary source of funding for the wealth of the monarchy and church.

Learn more about this author, Krystle Hernandez.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.