1
William the Conqueror This site offers the text of the laws established by William the Conqueror.
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawswill.htm
Questions for further exploration:
What elements of this Norman king's legal code seem both fair and even liberal to you? What elements suggest that the laws were to be applied by a Norman king to help consolidate his newly conquered Anglo-Saxon lands?
2
The Rise of Feudalism This site examines the rise of what some medieval lawyers and later European writers were to call feudalism.
http://www.ukans.edu/kansas/medieval/108/lectures/feudalism.html
Questions for further exploration:
How was feudalism a response to the times? What was the "private" character of feudal agreements? What are some examples of the bond of fealty? Why does the author suggest that the Mafia and McDonald's relations with its franchise holders is similar to feudalism? Do you see any relationship between the rise of gated communities, private security etc. and the forces that led to the rise of feudalism? Do you agree with the author that the feudal system, as it arose, was efficient to its purpose?
3
Classic Slavery and Medieval Serfdom Compared This site offers a short essay comparing slavery in the chiefly the Roman era with that of later European serfdom.
http://www.ukans.edu/kansas/medieval/108/info/serfdom.html
Questions for exploration:
What were the differences in living conditions faced by a slave in ancient Rome and a serf in the Middle Ages? Why is it physically, intellectually and morally difficult to access data on the efficiency of slave versus free labor?
4
Town Life in the Middle Ages This site examines everyday life in the Middle Ages.
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/
Questions for further exploration:
Examine the "Town Life" and click on the "Read More" link that expands the discussion into town governance. How did expanding trade affect town life in the later Middle Ages? How did this trade undermine the feudal order? How did it stimulate the growth of local governments and guilds? What invention spurred civic life? At the end of the Middle Ages, what had begun to disappear in Western Europe?
5
The Arts in the Middle Ages This site examines the evolution of European Medieval Art.
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/artsentr.html
Question for further exploration:
How did public entertainment flow out of religious tradition in the Middle Ages?
6
The Black Plague This site explores the impact of the Black Plague.
http://www.geocities.com/ngcsuplague/
Questions for exploration:
Discuss the impact of the Black Death on medieval views of religion? How were fears about the Black Death expressed in medieval art?
7
Female Ale Brewers This site offers an essay that traces the role of women in the medieval ale-brewing industry
http://www.millersv.edu/~english/homepage/duncan/medfem/brewing.html
Questions for exploration:
Why was the place of women in the ale-brewing industry no threat to traditional roles for females?
8
The Heavy Plow This sight offers an analysis of the design and function of the heavy plough that transformed the economy of Western Europe.
http://scholar.chem.nyu.edu/~tekpages/heavyplow.html
Questions for exploration:
Where did the heavy plow originate? Why was it so useful in its application to western European soils? While not perfect, the heavy plough was able to accomplish what critical tasks? Why does the author make a point of analyzing the nature of the old drawing of the plough? How would the employment of the maximum technology you have at hand to make such an image reflect the relative degree of technological advancement you now enjoy?
9
Arabic numerals This site discusses the evolution of what in the West are called Arabic numerals.
http://islam.org/mosque/ihame/Ref6.htm
Questions for further exploration:
Arabic numerals are not Arabic at all. Where did they come from? Did they immediately replace the Roman numeral system in the West? Is there a detectable effort by the author of one of these sites to suggest that Arab numerals are Arab in some fashion? If so, why do you think the author might try to suggest this not unreasonable idea?
10
The Vikings The Vikings, even as their power in Europe declined, could still determine the fate of nations. They did so in England at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
http://www.pastforward.co.uk/vikings/stamford.html
Questions for further exploration:
How did the Vikings determine the future of Britain and, hence, much of world history by the Battle of Stamford Bridge?
