Learning and literature evolved during the Middle Ages especially in the Islamic Empire because they were going through their golden age. They had many libraries and saved lots of Greek and Roman scrolls and ideas.
Most people in Western Europe couldn't read or write and didn't understand the value of education.
Learning and literature evolved drastically during the Crusades because when the English took over parts of the Islamic Empire, they saw what were in the libraries. This led to the Renaissance.
Hope this helps! Please let me know if I'm wrong :)