High Middle Ages

Quick Facts: Who was High Middle Ages?

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High Middle Ages

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The period in European history between c. 1000 and c. 1300, marked by growth and intellectual rebirth.

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Origins & Early Life

The High Middle Ages, or High Medieval Period, was the period of European history between c. 1000 and c. 1300; it was preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages, which ended c. 1500 according to historiographical convention. Key historical trends of the High Middle Ages include the ascent of the great Italian city-states, the rapidly increasing population of Europe, which brought about great social and political change from the preceding era, and the Renaissance of the 12th century, including the first developments of the rural exodus and urbanization. By 1350, the robust population increase had greatly benefited the European economy, which had reached levels that would not be seen again in some areas until the 19th century. That trend faltered in the early 14th century, as the result of numerous events which together comprised the crisis of the late Middle Ages—most notable among them being the Black Death, in addition to various regional wars and economic stagnation. The Vikings settled in the British Isles, France and elsewhere, and Norse Christian kingdoms started developing in their Scandinavian homelands.

Career & Major Achievements

The Magyars ceased their expansion in the 10th century, and by 1000, a Christian Kingdom of Hungary had become a recognized state in Central Europe that was forming alliances with regional powers. With the brief exception of the Mongol invasions in the 13th century, major nomadic incursions ceased. The powerful Byzantine Empire of the Macedonian and Komnenos dynasties gradually gave way to the resurrected Serbia and Bulgaria and to a successor crusader state (1204 to 1261), who continually fought each other until the end of the Latin Empire. The Byzantine Empire was reestablished in 1261 with the recapture of Constantinople from the Latins, though it was no longer a major power and would continue to falter through the 14th century, with remnants lasting until the mid 15th century. In the 11th century, populations north of the Alps began a more intensive settlement, targeting "new" lands, some areas of which had reverted to wilderness after the end of the Western Roman Empire.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In what historian Charles Higounet called the "great clearances", Europeans cleared and cultivated some of the vast forests and marshes that lay across much of the continent. At the same time, settlers moved beyond the traditional boundaries of the Frankish Empire to new frontiers beyond the Elbe River, which tripled the size of Germany in the process. The Catholic Church, which reached the peak of its political power around then, called armies from across Europe to a series of Crusades against the Seljuk Turks. The crusaders occupied the Holy Land and founded the Crusader States in the Levant. Other wars led to the Northern Crusades.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1000: 1000 Milestone — The Magyars ceased their expansion in the 10th century, and by 1000, a Christian Kingdom of Hungary had become a recognized state in Central Europe that was forming alliances with regional powers.
2. 1204: 1204 Milestone — The powerful Byzantine Empire of the Macedonian and Komnenos dynasties gradually gave way to the resurrected Serbia and Bulgaria and to a successor crusader state (1204 to 1261), who continually fought each other until the end of the Latin Empire.
3. 1261: 1261 Milestone — The Byzantine Empire was reestablished in 1261 with the recapture of Constantinople from the Latins, though it was no longer a major power and would continue to falter through the 14th century, with remnants lasting until the mid 15th century.
4. 1300: 1300 Milestone — 1300; it was preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages, which ended c.
5. 1350: 1350 Milestone — By 1350, the robust population increase had greatly benefited the European economy, which had reached levels that would not be seen again in some areas until the 19th century.
6. 1500: 1500 Milestone — 1500 according to historiographical convention.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: High Middle Ages

True or False: “The Black Death was the primary cause of all economic stagnation during the entire High Middle Ages period.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the Black Death caused a major downturn, the period also saw unprecedented population growth and economic booms in certain areas.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Bardas Skleros — Historical peer (Born in 1000) (1000): A powerful Byzantine general who led a major rebellion against Emperor Basil II.
• Bi Sheng — Historical peer (Born in 1000) (1000): Pioneering Chinese inventor of the world's first movable type printing system.
• Franco of Cologne — Historical peer (Born in 1300) (1300): Pioneering music theorist who established note duration via written notation.
• Gebre Meskel Lalibela — Historical peer (Died in 1300) (1300): Founder of the monolithic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a powerful Zagwe king.
• Abd al-Samad — Historical peer (Born in 1500) (1500): Founding master of Mughal miniature painting, active in the 16th century.
• Atahualpa — Historical peer (Born in 1500) (1500): The last effective Inca Emperor, whose reign marked the end of the great Andean civilization.
• Dmitry Donskoy — Historical peer (Born in 1350) (1350): Prince of Moscow who openly challenged Mongol authority, achieving fame at Kulikovo.
• Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya — Historical peer (Died in 1350) (1350): Influential Hanbali scholar, jurist, and theologian of the Mamluk era.
• Eleanor of Aquitaine — Historical peer (Died in 1204) (1204): Powerful Duchess of Aquitaine and influential Queen of France and England.
• Fujiwara no Shunzei — Historical peer (Died in 1204) (1204): Master poet and court noble of the late Heian period, known for waka innovation.

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