Sentence:  Indeed, in the 1830's, in his diary Ranke himself suggested that a world history be written which would emphasize the growth of population and stress economic and cultural activities; colonization, <WSD>knightdom</WSD>, the building of churches, art, and religion in the Middle Ages; agriculture and public works in the eighteenth century and the “tremendous development of industry and highways” in the nineteenth century. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  The quality, or condition of a knight; knighthood