Even as learning expanded, science made only small progress in Europe the Middle Ages because

Even as learning expanded, science made only small progress in Europe the Middle Ages because  monks controlled the printing of books, thereby limiting the progress of science as it was contrary to their religion.

Explanation:

Until Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in 1459, books were created manually and by artisans by Catholic monks, who only created books and writings related to religion, or had content that included God or spirituality as a central or important theme.

For this reason, given that science in many cases posed an absolute contradiction to religious ideas, the monks arbitrarily decided not to publish these books, with which despite the progress of science and knowledge, they did not reach the majority of the population.

i confess that there are several parts of this constitution which i do not at present approve, but i am not sure i shall never approve them: for having lived long, i have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which i once thought right, but found to be otherwise. it is therefore that the older i grow, the more apt i am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.