012 - Ch 6 The Babylonish Captivity Pt 3

Step back into a transformative era in Western Europe as Scottish historian Robert Balmain Mowat eloquently describes the tumultuous transition that began with the death of Emperor Frederick II. This period marked the end of a golden age in German history, giving rise to feudal territories that became nearly hereditary sovereignties and Free Imperial Cities that functioned as independent states. Amidst the confusion, a vibrant commercial life blossomed within these city-states, echoing the cultural richness found in Italy. It was a time defined by the Great Schism that fractured Christendom, the literary brilliance of Dante, Boccaccio, and Petrarch, the protracted conflict of the Hundred Years’ War, the ascendance of Spain, and the monumental Turkish conquest of Constantinople. Join us in exploring this fascinating chapter of history. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.)