The 12th century Renaissance: A Period of Dramatic Change

The 12th century Renaissance was marked by dramatic and accelerated change in various fields, including economic, social, cultural, intellectual, literary, and political. Economically, the growth of cities and urbanization, alongside increased population, led to the cultivation of previously uncultivated areas. Culturally, there was a rediscovery of classical texts, particularly Greek, which had been temporarily lost. This coincided with the growth of universities and the emergence of writing in vernacular languages. Politically, there was an increasing stability, the strength of nation-states and the church, and the development of legal systems. The term 'renaissance' was applied to challenge the perception that the Middle Ages were a dark era.