Medieval Life and Times Moving to medieval England Reading the name ‘Reginald Newport’ in the English records of the 14th century does not immediately lead one to suppose that its holder was a foreigner. To all intents and purposes, the man in question was a full and active subject of the English crown, a minor functionary in the royal household of Edward III, a property-holder in the city of London and rural Berkshire, and an influential public official as regulator of fisheries along the Thames basin. And yet, when the city of London challenged Reginald’s powers in 1377, it quite deliberately chose to undermine his authority by naming him as “Reginald Newport, Fleming”. Suddenly, we open up a whole new aspect of the life and career of Reynauld Nieuport, as we might now call him. In the middle years of the 14th century, immigrants from Flanders had a particularly high profile in England. They came over, in quite significant numbers, as agricultural labourers, as skilled cloth weavers, and as merchants involved in international trade.
Illuminated Manuscripts Manuscripts from the 8th to the 15th century Before the introduction of printing to Western Europe during the mid-15th century, all books were written by hand. The Latin for hand, ’manus’, and for writing, ’scriptum’, give us the word manuscript. Making a manuscript was slow and demanding: sometimes routinely laborious, sometimes creatively glorious, and always expensive. The most luxurious manuscripts were illuminated: lit up by decorations and pictures in brightly-coloured pigments and burnished gold leaf. Read the full curator's introduction
Free Printable World History Worksheets, Tests, and Activities Historical thinking is rooted in the ability to see connections throughout historical events and civilizations. Our World History worksheets take you from Africa to Asia to Europe, and analyzes major societies of the western hemisphere, as well. Don't see a printable you need? Ancient History Tests and Worksheets From the beginnings of civilization to the classical period, these societies provide the basis for all aspects of modern life, and give students the opportunity to hone their historical thinking skills by providing a basis for comparison and connections throughout history. World History Tests and Worksheets From the Golden Ages of African Civilizations and the Renaissance, to the destruction caused by war, World History shows the best and worst of humankind and prepares students to see multiple perspectives of the participants. © Copyright Notice: All worksheets contain copyrighted work and are designed for use by individual teachers, tutors, and parents.
Digital History Plague, Plague Information, Black Death Facts, News, Photos -- National Geographic Plague is a bacterial infection found mainly in rodents and their fleas. But via those fleas it can sometimes leap to humans. When it does, the outcome can be horrific, making plague outbreaks the most notorious disease episodes in history. Most infamous of all was the Black Death, a medieval pandemic that swept through Asia and Europe. It reached Europe in the late 1340s, killing an estimated 25 million people. The first well-documented pandemic was the Plague of Justinian, which began in 541 A.D. The cause of plague wasn't discovered until the most recent global outbreak, which started in China in 1855 and didn't officially end until 1959. The animal reservoir for plague includes mice, camels, chipmunks, prairie dogs, rabbits, and squirrels, but the most dangerous for humans are rats, especially the urban sort. Types of Plague Bubonic plague, the disease's most common form, refers to telltale buboes—painfully swollen lymph nodes—that appear around the groin, armpit, or neck.
Medieval History Medieval History (History) The Middle Ages are commonly divided in three epochs: The Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages and the Late Middle Ages. In this article you will learn the general political and religious beliefs during the Medieval Times as well as the causes that led to the beginning and end of the period. The Beginning From the 3rd century onwards, large tribal groups consisting mainly of Huns, Magyars, Bulgars, Avars, and Slavs slowly incorporated into Roman territory. At first the Romans gave them land in exchange of peace. However, during the 4th century, many of these tribes became more hostile toward the Romans and began to pillage important Roman settlements. The Roman laws and customs were adopted by most of the tribes. Despite a succession of weak emperors, numerous plagues, natural disasters, rebellions, economical instability and a general lack of union in the empire, Rome was hardly about to collapse. Early Middle Ages However, that unity didn't last long.
Middle Ages | Resources, Programs, Research Episode Two: Among Believers The Story of the Jews PBS Simon Schama’s epic series continues with the story of medieval Jews struggling to preserve their identity — and sometimes their lives — under the rule of Christianity and Islam. Full Program Cities of Light PBS Cities of Light journeys into the achievements and failures of a period when Muslims, Christians, and Jews inhabited the same corner of Western Europe and there built a lasting society that was both part of Christian Europe and the Muslim Middle East. Meet the Wives The Six Wives of Henry VIII PBS Dig into the secrets and memories of these fascinating women. Firepower Ground War PBS Firepower tracks the development of artillery from the ancient Greeks, through the invention of gunpowder in China, to the very latest generation of big guns and directed-energy weapons. Battlefield Mobility The Journal: Historian Thomas Cahill Bill Moyers PBS An Inquisitor & Historian The Secret Files of the Inquisition PBS Command and Control
asiasociety Overview: Students will explore elements of trade along the Silk Roads by examining the products of various locations along the route--production, influences of resources and environment, challenges of transportation, and economic exchange. Through their investigations, students will gain an understanding of what was traded along the Silk Roads and the unique challenges that this route presented to the merchants that sought to profit from these exchanges. Moving trade goods along the ancient Silk Roads was made difficult by the fierce climatic and geographical conditions of desert and mountain regions along vast distances. With transportation limited to pack animals, a traveler in a camel caravan going from Kashgar to Chang'an could expect to take six months to arrive at his destination. Thieves were additional concerns as caravans traveled poorly marked routes. Time required: Two class periods 2. 3. 4. 5. • What questions or problems came up in your research efforts? 6. Extensions:
Medieval Life - Feudalism The Feudal System was introduced to England following the invasion and conquest of the country by William I (The Conqueror). The system had been used in France by the Normans from the time they first settled there in about 900AD. It was a simple, but effective system, where all land was owned by the King. One quarter was kept by the King as his personal property, some was given to the church and the rest was leased out under strict controls. A simple plan showing how the Feudal System works Click on the yellow boxes to find out more information The King The King was in complete control under the Feudal System. Back Barons Barons leased land from the King which was known as a manor. Knights Knights were given land by a Baron in return for military service when demanded by the King. Villeins Villeins, sometimes known as serfs, were given land by Knights. Activities Bibliography/Further Information
EyeWitness To The Middle Ages and Renaissance Life in a Christian Monastery, ca. 585"When he was dead his body was not placed with the bodies of the brethren, but a grave was dug in the dung pit, and his body was flung down into it. . . " Crime and punishment in a medieval monastery: the monastery's Abbott provides insight into the monastic life. The Vikings Discover America, ca. 1000"There was no want of salmon either in the river or in the lake." Five hundred years before Columbus, the Vikings discover a New World. Invasion of England, 1066The Norman conquest of Anglo-Saxon England described through the images of the 900 year-old Bayeux Tapestry. Anarchy in 12th Century EnglandThe Anglo-Saxon Chronicle paints a sobering picture of life in 12th century England that contrasts strikingly with Hollywood's image of the Middle Ages. The Murder Of Thomas Becket, 1170The killing of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Crusaders Capture Jerusalem, 1099The assault and capture of the Christian "Navel of the World"
Internet History Sourcebooks Internet Medieval Sourcebook Full Text Sources Guide to Contents The structure of this section of the Sourcebook is as follows. You can browse through the entire list, or jump directly to the part that interests you by selecting the underlined links. Main Page will take you back to Sourcebook main page. Full Text Sources for Medieval History Note: It may also be worth checking out the slightly mistitled Early Church Documents page of the ECOLE Project. The Early Church Fathers Series - Ante-Nicene, Nicene, and Post Nicene For texts in the Ante-Nicene, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers series, see below NOTE: The texts at this site here are public domain English translations from the Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers series for the first Seven ecumenical councils and from H.J. See also Ecumenical Councils - a useful, if denominationally partisan, article from the Catholic Encyclopedia. First Ecumenical: Nicea I. 325. Jump Back to Contents Tatian: The Diatessaron, [At New Advent].