THE LATER MIDDLE AGES: THE LATER MIDDLE AGES: 1300-14501300-1450

Unit 1.1

Learning Objective:

Students will understand the evolution of European society from antiquity through the Later Middle Ages and analyze the ways in which religious, economic, and social upheaval affected late-Medieval society.

Major Periods in Major Periods in European HistoryEuropean History

I. Ancient Greece/Rome (c. 500 BCE-500 CE) II. Middle Ages- 5th Century CE to approx.

1450 A. Early Middle Ages (476 CE to 900 CE) B. High Middle Ages (1050- 1300) C. Later Middle Ages (1300- 1450) III. Modern Era (1450 to the present) 1. Renaissance: 1450- 1600 (1300-1527

in Italy) 2. 17th – 21st centuries

Unit 1.1

I. Black Death (1347) A. Causes

1. Bubonic plague was carried by fleas on Asian black rats and brought to Europe on ships returning from

Asia 2. Overcrowding in cities

and homes facilitated the spread of the disease

3. Poor sanitation in cities 4. Widespread malnutrition

5. Poor hygiene

B. Results: Loss of 1/3 of Europe’s population

Map of the Black Death

Time-lapse Map of Black Death

1. Some cities, such as Florence, saw death rates reach above 50%

The Toggenburg Bible (1411) contains an illustration of the

Black Death

2. Economy in towns suffered significantly

Plague doctors often wore attire, such as seen above, with the beak stuffed with spices or herbs to protect the doctor from the disease.

3. In some areas, workers enjoyed higher wages

4. Impact on the peasantry a. Serfdom ended in many

areas of western Europe b. Major peasant revolts in

England and France5. First enclosure of fields in

England6. Best of the clergy died helping

the sick7. Jews were often blamed for the

plague

8. Literature and art reflected pessimism

a. Danse of Death (Danse Macabre)

b. Northern Europe developed a fascination with death that was later reflected in the art of the Northern RenaissanceDancing

skeletons were a

common motif in the Danse

of Death

II. Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453)A. Cause: the English crown lay claim to the duchy of Aquitaine inside of France

Duchy of Aquitaine (in pink) seen inside modern French borders.

B. Joan Of Arc (1412-1431) 1. Peasant girl claimed she heard voices from saints and

persuaded the king to allow her to accompany the troops 2. In 1429, led the French army to victory at Orléans -- The French heir to the throne was crowned

3. She was later burned at the stake by her English captors

END OF SAMPLE

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