Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book emphasis on comparative approaches to this fuzzy part of medieval Europe: comparisons of conditions within East Central Europe in the Middle Ages, as well as between East Central Europe and other parts of Europe, and beyond. Nora Berend discusses East Central Europe starting from a general comparative approach of historical regions. Anna Adamska gives an overview of studies of medieval literacy and communication in East Central Europe. Bla Zsolt Szakcs concentrates on Romanesque architecture in East Central Europe and describes the research tradition generally characterised by neglect. Beatrix F. Romhnyi deals with the Mendicants's role in Hungary in a Central European context. Michaela Antonn Malankov deals with the important field of gender issues in the economy of urban space; while concentrating on cities in Moravia she also provides comparisons with Western European urban space.