How vigorous was the intellectual life of 12th century Europe?

INTRODUCTION The twelfth century has been given the label of ‘renaissance’ by a variety of historians, such as Homer Haskins, but whilst opinions are divided as to whether the developments of the twelfth century constitute a ‘renaissance’, that there was an intensification of intellectual activity and discovery during this period is undoubted. It will therefore be argued that the intellectual life of 12^th century Europe was very vigorous. This conclusion will be supported by evaluating three different areas of intellectual developments of the period: philosophy, theology and the rise of the universities; law and medicine; and political thought. Vigorous may be defined as characterised by energy, activity and progress, and the significant activity and intellectual developments of the 12^th century therefore support that the intellectual life was indeed vigorous.MAIN BODY Three paragraphs as delineated in introduction.CONCLUSION The intellectual life of 12^th century Europe was quite vigorous, with significant progress made in many intellectual fields during the period, such as the reconciliation of Aristotelianism with Catholicism and the new knowledge concerning medicine that was assumed during this period into Europe. The energy and activity that characterised intellectual life at the time is evidenced by the rise of the universities, which was indicative of this increased intellectual demand and pursuit. Whilst there was to a great extent a reliance on classical texts during this period, suggesting a lack of progress in intellectual life, it was the new culture of questioning and critical analysis of the twelfth century that took these ideas in new directions and indeed stimulated new ones, warranting the description of intellectual life during the twelfth century as very vigorous.