|
Kingdoms grew in Europe about 1000 years ago. The books of the ancient Greeks slowly began to find their way from Islamic scholars into Europe. Universities were established where these books were studied. This was the start of the Middle Ages.
Over the next 450 years new technologies were invented. Ploughing with horses, together with wind and water powered mills, provided more food. Improvements in glass, mining, metal working, clocks, cathedral building and ship building were also made. Gunpowder was introduced, perhaps brought by Islamic traders from China, and guns began to be developed. Paper and the magnetic compass also came the same way. In England regular meetings between the king and lords, priests and city leaders began to be held. These were the beginnings of representative government in which the king shared power with his people in return for the taxes they paid him. |
||
Useful Links |
