What term is used to describe the period from 1000 to 1450 in Europe?

The term "High Middle Ages" is used to describe the period from 1000 to 1450 in Europe because it characterizes a time of significant social, political, and economic development. During this era, Western Europe experienced a resurgence of population and agricultural productivity, leading to the growth of towns and the rise of a more complex social structure including a robust merchant class.

This period is marked by the establishment and strengthening of monarchies, the proliferation of universities, and advancements in art and architecture, including the development of Gothic cathedrals. Additionally, it encompasses the Crusades, which increased cultural exchange between Europe and the Middle East. The High Middle Ages thus reflects a dynamic and transformative phase in European history, distinguishing it clearly from the preceding Dark Ages or the subsequent Late Antiquity and Early Renaissance periods.