After the Feudal Revolution : Power, Local Societies, and Change from the Tenth to Twelfth Centuries

The 11th century stands as the watershed between the "early" and "high" Middle Ages. Exactly what this means is hotly debated by historians, but at some point between the 10th and 12th centuries, the Carolingian World had changed into a political, social, and economic order distinctly different from earlier centuries, a world of knights, castles, and cities. Historians have discussed the nature of these transformations under the label of a medieval "revolution" that led to feudal society. Heavily challenged over the last decades, the "feudal revolution" has recently regained explanatory appeal. This volume opens a new perspective on the debate of the transformations of the 10th to 12th centuries, highlighting the role of the "Gregorian Reform" and the 11th century as a transformative period. The contributions offer case studies on France, Germany, Italy, and northern Spain.

The 11th century stands as the watershed between the "early" and "high" Middle Ages. Exactly what this means is hotly debated by historians, but at some point between the 10th and 12th centuries, the Carolingian World had changed into a political, social, and economic order distinctly different from earlier centuries, a world of knights, castles, and cities. Historians have discussed the nature of these transformations under the label of a medieval "revolution" that led to feudal society. Heavily challenged over the last decades, the "feudal revolution" has recently regained explanatory appeal. This volume opens a new perspective on the debate of the transformations of the 10th to 12th centuries, highlighting the role of the "Gregorian Reform" and the 11th century as a transformative period. The contributions offer case studies on France, Germany, Italy, and northern Spain.