The Recovery and Growth of European Society in the High Middle Ages

The Climate  Theory that the ‘Dark Ages’ may well have been caused by volcanic eruptions that significantly changed weather patterns  Climate conditions consisted of missed summers and long stretches of extreme cold.  The worse conditions were during period 536-540’s; the implication from many bits of evidence are that the world suffered from  1) extreme cold  2) reduced sunlight  3) crop failure  This in turn would have led to starvation and significant death within population groups.Land and People in the High Middle Ages  Population Growth  Increased Security – society more settled and peaceful – relatively speaking  Agricultural Production Rises – capable of sustaining a large population  The New Agriculture  Improved Climate – Cycle of climatic changes  More Arable Land brought under cultivation  Technological Improvements  Carruca (Heavy Wheeled Plow)  New Horse Collar  Power of Water and Air Harnessed - windmills  Three Field-System  Higher Food PricesThe Horse Collar and the Carruca plow fundamentally change agriculture in Medieval Europe.