Cereals, Cities and the Birth of Europe: R.I. Moore's First European Revolution c.970-1215: A Review
John O. Ward
The First European Revolution c.970–1215 by R. I. Moore, Professor of History at the University Newcastle upon Tyne, challenges traditional understandings twelfth century, which have accorded perhaps undue significance to religious developments. Placing period under study in a global chronological and geographical context, book is very up date but presents generally difficult line argument, an oblique rather than descriptive reference key events developments, displays tendency overemphasise French socioeconomic political circumstances. Moore’s nevertheless landmark contribution, no one will be able say anything about development timespan chosen without taking into account everything its author has argued. If convinced, reader go away satisfied that 970–1215 history was decisive one, if not most one.
Journal of Religious History