Chapter 9

During the Dark Ages, the Carolingian, and post-Carolingian ages, Western
Europe had moved on from being a city-society and had become more of a
agricultural society. But beginning with the twelfth century onwards, it
returned to a city-oriented culture. This new medieval culture, however, was
something very different. "The late Ernst Troeltsch, following Max Weber,
went so far as to maintain that it was the medieval city which first
provided the favorable conditions for a thorough-going Christianization of
social life such as had existed neither in the city culture of the ancient
world, which was based upon slavery, nor in the feudal agrarian society
which had been built up so largely by the strong at the expense of the
weak." The new medieval society which arose out of the ashes of the ideas of
feudalism was ultimately a better road for advancement. In fact, it has been
said that for the political and economical point of view, the eleventh
century began the paving for our modern world as we know it. The city was a
place of security and peace in a war filled with insecurity and war. It was
in many respects, it was extremely similar to the Church. It has been said
that many cities in the Carolingian age owed their existence to the Church.
Soon, however, the merchant class became so independent and powerful, that
they plotted to take over the political, juridical, and military functions,
which once belonged to the bishop, count, or representatives of the feudal
state. This was the first official union. At the beginning, it was ruled by
consuls, but eventually led to nobles leading it. The jealousy that went on
among the classes or individuals was so great, that they finally resorted to
having elections and votings. Commerce began to expand and widen its
borders. It was in this culture that Christianity began to flower and come
out into the open. It was with this new city that developed a new people and
a new art. The medieval mindset was one of unity. Each person has a specific
role he or she must fill to make that unity complete. There had to have
subordination at every level to progress, but not necessarily slavery to
authority.

"If the bond of love and friendship is laudable among mere rational men,
then how much more is that which is between Christians, who are tied by the
strongest bond of faith and religion; but above all by those Christians who
form one fraternity bound and linked together by a solemn oath."