Final answer:
The "medieval synthesis" refers to the combining of different aspects of medieval society, including cultural exchanges, establishment of networks, and integration of various belief systems, while also highlighting the historiographical perspectives that later affected interpretations of the Middle Ages.
Step-by-step explanation:
When historians speak of the "medieval synthesis", they are referring to the combination of various elements of medieval society which encompasses establishment of networks, the interaction of diverse cultures, and the merging of systems of belief and ways of knowing during the medieval period.
This synthesis reflects how medieval Europe integrated classical, Christian, and Germanic traditions, as well as how Eastern and Western societies were interlinked through trade, war, and cultural exchanges.
The medieval synthesis also refers to how scholars of later eras have perceived and constructed their understanding of the Middle Ages, often colored by nationalist or Orientalist views, segregating or 'othering' cultures such as Byzantium and the Islamic world from a predominantly Western-centric medieval narrative.
The term embraces the complexities of how 'the medieval' and 'the global' defined each other while recognizing that modern interpretations and historiographical approaches have historically downplayed these links for reasons such as reinforcing national origin stories or maintaining cultural superiority narratives.