Mediaeval Germany, 1056-1273 - Tapa dura

This book, a portrayal of medieval German and European history from the accession of Henry IV to the German throne in 1056, takes in the reign of Frederick Barbarossa (1152-90) and culminates in the election of Rudolf of Habsburg who reimposed order on the empire following the fall of the Hohenstaufens. The German empire stretched from Rome to Pomerania and from Hainaut to Silesia. The aspects of its internal life covered include economic growth and population increase, education, trade and industry, the Church and religious life. Political developments and the accompanying social changes are examined and placed in their European context.