Early Middle Ages (after500)	Evidence?	High Middle Ages (after1050)	Evidence?	Comment
units of organization	fragmentation: invasions and insecurity / decentralization / endemic violence/ failure of central authority to protect /		stability and some peace led to formation of larger cities and some states; centralization		The stability in the high middle ages is is real but still tenuous; only France and England overcome fragmentation and have viable central states
nature of political power	private/client armies, personal oaths, land for military service --often called feudalism; dividing kingdoms; also simony, lay investiture		more institutional structures esp in military and administration of justice (royal courts); free cities, standing armies, royal charters, universities; growth of markets and long range trade; reform in church		In the high MA, the "crown" provides justice that was less expensive and more impartial; champions commons and cities agains feudal barons; guarantees civic liberties. Church reform stresses religious mission over the material. Institutions begin to replace personal connections
those who fight...	Knights the critical instrument of power; castles as focus of political control. personal oaths bind lord and vassal		knights are still critical, but export of violence / crusades led to relatively more peace and stability. the Crown and the king's peace		knights begin to acquire trappings of gentility; new secular / administrative culture provides an alternate support system
cities	decline and contract as consequence of internal insecurity and foreign invasion		stability; some peace [truce of God and export of violence] and trade allowed cities to grow; absorb villages and offer civic rights not available to rural population; Roman law provides administrative structure		peace, revival of Roman law, commerce led to urban growth in "free" cities chartered by the crown
church	its wealth, earned and gifted, could support knights, hence secular authorities sought control =>lay investiture and simony. Church as source of Christian unity, legitimacy and whatever culture.		Concordat of Worms defines role of church and state in feudal issues. A force for peace (truce of God). but with loses in conflict with states.		As learning shifts from theology to law and secular subjects, the authority of the Church generally weakened against the growing strength of kings and cities. Religioius mission, however, receives new vitality.