In the year 1110 AD, Europe was experiencing the High Middle Ages, a period marked by the growth of towns and the rise of trade. This era saw the establishment of universities and the flourishing of Gothic architecture, with notable cathedrals being constructed across the continent. During this time, the Crusades were ongoing, as European Christians sought to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control. The First Crusade had concluded in 1099, and subsequent campaigns were being organized, influencing political and religious dynamics in both Europe and the Middle East.