| 1050–1300 | Steady rise in population; period of milder climate |
| ca. 1100 | Merchant guilds become rich and powerful in many cities; artisans begin to found craft guilds |
| 1100s | Hospitals and other homes for the sick begin appearing |
| 1100–1300 | Height of construction of cathedrals in Europe |
| 1160s | Silver mines opened in Germany, allowing for more coinage |
| ca. 1200 | Founding of first universities |
| 1215 | Fourth Lateran Council orders Jews and Muslims to wear distinctive clothing |
| 1225–1274 | Life of Thomas Aquinas; Summa Theologica |
| 1241 | Contract between Lübeck and Hamburg, first in the Hanseatic League |
| ca. 1300 | Bill of exchange becomes most common method of commercial payment in western Europe |
| 1300s | Clocks in general use throughout Europe |