High Middle Ages. Narratives and alternative interpretations from a European perspective

The German term “High Middle Ages” has its origins in the master narrative of German royal and imperial history that developed in the 19th century. During the Ottonian, Salian, and Staufer periods, the empire reached the height of its power in Europe. These central centuries of the Middle Ages were of outstanding importance not only politically but also culturally: the era of cathedrals and castles, knights and minnesang, but also the founding of cities and the social rise of the ministerials to the bourgeoisie. Even 20th-century research was not stingy with positive labels – “new beginnings,” “dynamic change,” “differentiation of secular and spiritual power,” or “juridification,” “functionalization,” and “institutionalization” – according to which the High Middle Ages were always a time of radical change. It is surprising that these powerful narratives, which structure the field of historiography, have rarely been discussed in any depth.

This is where the conference project comes in. Following an introductory section on historiography and the history of science, the individual contributions will present topics that are considered characteristic of the High Middle Ages and develop alternative interpretations.

In cooperation with / sponsored by: the Regesta Imperii Academy Project, the Academy of Sciences and Literature | Mainz, Ruhr University Bochum, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Bergische University Wuppertal, RWTH Aachen University, and the Union of Academies.

Flyer with conference program (in german)