Charles Mee Black Plague Article

Find the full text of the article here

Plague Primary Sources Homework DUE TUESDAY

Please read the sources (Introductions + Primary Source) which are linked here, and answer the following questions:

1) Besides the final outcome (death!), what other problems stemming from the Black Plague did Boccacio and di Tura describe?

2) What characteristics of the Black Death emphasized in these two documents?

3) For both Boccacio and di Tura – What reasons can you give for accepting the information given by them? What reasons can you give for doubting them?

4) Is a work of fiction, such as The Decameron, acceptable as historical evidence?

Pope Urban II Calls for a Crusade

You can find the reading and questions here.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, JUST BE READY TO DISCUSS THEM TOMORROW!

Homework for the 4 Day Weekend DUE Monday 11/15

With the movement of people into towns and cities, the Middle Ages entered into a period known as the "High Middle Ages". It was during this time that the modern word began to develop, and this can be seen by advances in economics, politics, education, architecture, philosophy, literature, and the everyday lives of Western Europeans. This is the time period that we will focus on for the rest of this unit.

Chapter 8 begins by describing the creation of modern nations (France, England) and modern political systems (common law, habeas corpus, parliament, bureaucracy, etc...). The section focuses on the different ways in which kings gained royal power, centralized, and administered their governments. The kings of France and England gained and exercised power in very different ways, but this centralization of power was one of the factors that led to the downfall of the feudal system, and allowed for the emergence of the modern world.

As you read Chapter 8, Section 1 please do the following:
1) Take notes on how royal power increased and decreased within England and France, and within the rule of the different kings - King William, Henry II, John, Philip Augustus, Louis IX.
2) How was the power of the king limited in England?
3) Describe the power struggle between French kings and the pope.
4) Complete a Venn Diagram which shows the similar and different ways that royal power developed in France and England --> Don't lame out on this. You will need to use this in the future to write a short response (~4 Paragraphs)

Chapter 8, Section 2 then discusses the battle for power that existed between kings and Popes. The greatest example of this struggle can be seen in an episode in history known as "The Lay Investiture Controversy". The issue focused on had the supreme authority in a king's domain - the Pope or the King. German emperors also had a peculiar position because they had been tied closely to the Catholic Church since the days of Charlemagne. As you read Chapter 8, Section 2 please keep this power struggle in mind while doing the following:
1) Take noes on the actions of the various Holy Roman Emperors
2) Write a paragraph which describes the Holy Roman Empire
3) What obstacles did German emperors face in Italy?
4) Why was the power of German emperors limited?
5) How did Pope Innocent III assert the power of the church?

--> DUE MONDAY, 11/15

Growth of Medieval Towns HOMEWORK DUE Tuesday

Your homework questions can be found here

The reading can be found here (link coming soon)

Medieval Church Homework: DUE Friday 11/5

The document for medieval church homework (and Feudalism Chart) can be found here.

Homework will be stamped on Friday 11/5 in class.