==The High Middle Ages==
'''The period from the late 1000s to about 1300 is known as the “High Middle Ages,” as society flourished in several ways. There was substantial population growth and there was significant intellectual activity. '''
Many new universities developed. While nation-states were growing in Europe, so were universities. A rapidly growing number of rich and poor students were instructed in universities in Paris, Oxford, Naples, Padua, Salerno and many others in theology, philosophy, law and medicine.
===Scholasticism===
Scholasticism strengthened understanding of Christian doctrine through careful definition and systematic argument. It flourished during the 1100s and 1200s, combining the logic of the classical philosophers with medieval Christian theology. '''The Scholastics were divided into two groups, the realists (preferring the works of Plato) and the nominalists (preferring Aristotle’s teachings). '''
Saint Anselm (1033-1109), born in northern Italy, was an early intellectual giant of scholasticism. Anselm preferred to defend Christianity through use of powerful logical arguments, rather than relying entirely and solely on scripture. Anselm is famous for developing the first '''“ontological” argument, which is an argument attempting to prove the existence of God by reasoning from the definition of God. '''
Anselm was a brilliant Latin scholar who became a Benedictine monk to the disappointment of his father, who wanted him to enter politics. After Anselm became a monk, he “proved” the existence of God as follows:
===Architecture===
There was outstanding architecture in the Middle Ages, which can be seen in the majestic churches built during that era. There were two main styles: Romanesque in the early years and the more popular Gothic design in the later years. '''Romanesque architecture is characterized by thick walls, rounded arches and small windows. The Gothic style, developed later, consisted of taller, perpendicular structures with long windows, pointed arches and “flying buttresses” (stone supports on the outer walls of churches). '''
[[Image:Chartres Cathedral drawing.jpg|400px|right]]
Gothic architecture, with its tall, pointed spires is said to reflect the desire of people of the Middle Ages to grow closer to God, reaching towards heaven and away from the earth. Tall windows allowed sunlight to illuminate the interior, unlike Romanesque architecture, in which windows were small and interiors were dim. A particularly stunning example of Gothic architecture is the Notre Dame in Paris, on which construction began in 1163 during the reign of Louis VII, and which was completed about 200 years later in about 1345. The Notre Dame features a beautiful stained-glass “rose window,” another distinguishing characteristic of Gothic churches.