In his work, the French historian, Professor P. Boissonade analyzes the reasons for the emergence and formation over ten centuries (V-XV centuries) of the phenomenon of European civilization, which arose from the ashes of the Roman Empire, revived and, in a difficult struggle, defended the basic values and cultural institutions of enlightened humanity. The author gives a vivid and impressive picture of early medieval Europe, where, under the influence of the Church, attitudes towards work and the state changed. He explains what the communal-corporate structure of medieval (dark) Europe was, in what form industry existed during this period, and why land was considered the main value. According to Boissonade, the bearers of the main spiritual and cultural traditions were peasants, and the most important element in the development of Europe in the 10th–13th centuries. began the emergence of the third estate and the formation of unified national states.