Western Civilization

The High Middle Ages also gave birth to an intellectual and

artistic revival. The intellectualrevivalledtoarediscoveryof

important aspects of the classical heritage, including the

works of Aristotle, who came to be viewed as the “master of

those who know.” New centers of learning emerged in the

universities, wherereason was used to systematize the study

of theology and law. In addition to Latin literature, a vernac-

ular literature emerged that appealed both to knights and to

townspeople.

An artistic revival was especially evident in architecture, where

Romanesque cathedrals, with their barrel vaults and massive

pillars and walls with little space

for windows, gave way in the

twelfth century to Gothic cathe-

drals. Ribbed vaults and pointed

arches made it possible to build

higher cathedrals, and flying but-

tresses, by redistributing the

weight, allowed them to have

thinner walls and stained-glass windows. Construction of a ca-

thedral took decades, but it was a community’s act of faith in an

age when a spiritual ideal still underlay most of existence.

CHAPTER TIMELINE

CHAPTER REVIEW

Upon Reflection

Q How did the revival of trade and cities affect the

economy and society of Europe in the High Middle

Ages?

Q What were the causes and the consequences of the

development of the medieval universities?

Q In what ways did the artistic and literary culture of

the High Middle Ages reflect the religious

preoccupations and problems of medieval society?

Key Terms

aristocracy(p. 202)

chivalry(p. 203)

commercial capitalism(p. 207)

bourgeoisie(p. 207)

guilds(p. 211)

scholasticism(p. 214)

chanson de geste(p. 216)

Romanesque(p. 216)

Gothic(p. 217)

900 1000 1100 1200 1300

The rise of universities

Age of Gothic cathedrals

Emergence of new towns Work of Thomas Aquinas

Growth of guilds

The Song

of Roland

Beginning of fairs in Champagne

Chapter Summary • 219

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