A common image of medieval Europe invented in the 10th century was the Three Orders of Chistendom comprised of clergymen, nobles, and laborers. How accurately did this schema reflect the reality of medieval society as it developed after 1000? What groups were left out? How would characterize the makeup of medieval society?
Compose an essay, 1000 words minimum, that addresses all the parts of the question above. Use only the secondary and primary sources provided. Aim to use at least half of the primary sources as the main evidence to support your analysis. Consult the essay rubric and the “10 Questions to Ask”. Keep your footnotes simple but consistent so your reader knows where to find the source of your information. Please pose any questions you may have about the assignment.
10 questions to ask
1. Do I open with an introduction that lays out all the parts of the question and situates the topic in historical context?
2. Do I address each part of the question using only the images and primary sources provided on the course site and in our textbook? Don’t use outside materials!
3. Do I use paragraphs to group together at least two sources/images to support each of my main points as I address each part of the question? Three is even better!
4. Do I identify each image and source’s point of view? Who wrote it? When? Audience and purpose? Kind of document? Don’t just number the source!
5. Do I analyze how the sources relate to the question or do I simply just describe them with little reference back to the question?
6. Do I make sweeping generalizations and use anachronisms*? Or instead do I limit my analysis to what the evidence supports and keep focused on the historical context?
7. Do I address change over time in my analysis? Do I use the textbook to connect my essay to relevant historical trends?
8. Do the sections of my essay buiild one to the next? How does the point I just made in one paragraph lead to the next one I plan to make?
9. Do I close with a conclusion that sums up the main takeaways of the essay, including change over time?
10. Did I proofread my essay to correct errors and improve its clarity and organization?
* An anachronism is a chronological inconsistency in some arrangement, especially a juxtaposition of people, events, objects, language terms and customs from different time periods. Anything that is out of its historical time and place is an anachronism. A common example is to apply standards and norms from today that were different from those in the past, to say, for example, that people have always wanted to be equal or that women have always worked in the home. Those are both sweeping generalizations and anachronistic.
these are the sources to use
Week 9 sources
secondary
Riddle, ch. 9, pp. 237-269
Andrea, ch. 6 & 7, pp. 165-203 (includes most primary sources)
Introduction to Romanesque Culture and Art https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-romanesque-art/
Pilgrimage Routes and the Cult of the Relic https://smarthistory.org/pilgrimage-routes-and-the-cult-of-the-relic/
primary
Andrea #44, Roswitha of Gandcusheim, “Dulcitius”, mid-10th century
Andrea #45, Ralph Glaber, “Five Books of History”, early 11th century
Andrea #46, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, “Sermons in Praise of the Virgin Mary”, early 11th century
Andrea #47, Jacques de Vitry, “Sermons for the People According to Class”, ca. 1200
Andrea #48, “Two Views of the Death of the Virgin Mary”, late 10th century & early 13th century
Andrea #49, Stephen of Bourbon, “A Treatise on Various Subjects for Sermons”, 1249
Andera #50, Peter of Vaux-de-Cernay, “The Albigensian History”, 1218
Andrea #51, Francis of Assisi, “Testament”, 1226
Andrea #52, “Decrees of the Fourth Lateran Council, 1215
Andrea #53, Pseudo-David of Augsburg, “On the Inquisition of Heretics”
Decrees on the Sale of Unfree Christian Slaves, 922-1171 https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/1171latrsale.asp
Week 10 Sources
secondary
Riddle, ch. 11, pp. 299-335
Andrea, ch. 8, pp. 204-237 (includes most primary sources below)
Medieval Synagogues in Toledo, Spain https://smarthistory.org/synagogues-toledo-spain/
Brief History of the Jews in the Middle Ages https://smarthistory.org/jewish-history-to-the-middle-ages/
primary
Andrea, #54, Burchard of Worms, “Laws of the Family of St. Peter’s”, 1024/25
Andrea #55, Frederick of Hamburg, “Charter of Privileges”, 1106
Andrea #56, Two Paduan Land Contracts, 1223
Andrea #57, “The Song of Roland”, ca. 1100
Andrea #58, Ranulf of Glanville, “Laws and Customs of England”, 1187-1188
Andrea #59, “Fuero of Cuenca”, 1190
Andrea #60, “Ordinances of the Guild Merchants of Southhamption”
Andrea #61, John of Viterbo, “Book on the Government of Cities”
Andrea #62, Rudegar Huozman, “Charter to the Jews of Speyer”
Andrea #63, Emperor Frederick I, “A Charter of Privileges for the Jews of Worms”
Andrea #64, Images of “the Jew”
A Business Partnership between a Christian and a Jew in Barcelona, 1213: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/1242barcelonabusagreement.asp
Ambrosio Lorenzetti, “Allegory of Good and Bad Government”, Siena, 1337-1343 https://smarthistory.org/ambrogio-lorenzetti-palazzo-pubblico-frescos-allegory-and-effects-of-good-and-bad-government/
Guibert de Nogent, “The Revolt of Laon”, 1115 https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/guibert-laon.asp
Week 11 Sources
secondary
Riddle, ch. 12, pp. 337-373
Andrea, ch. 9, pp. 238-265 (includes most primary sources below)
Using Medieval Books https://smarthistory.org/medieval-europe-byzantium/books-in-medieval-europe/using-the-medieval-book/
An Introduction to Gothic Architecture https://smarthistory.org/gothic-architecture-an-introduction/
Chivalry in the Middle Ages https://smarthistory.org/chivalry-in-the-middle-ages/
Medieval Graphic Fantasy: Bestiaries https://smarthistory.org/bestiary-book-beasts-medieval-world/
primary
Andrea #65, Abelard, “Sic et non”, 1120
Andrea #66, St. Thomas Aquinas, “Summa Contra Gentiles”, 1264
Andrea #67, “A Statute of 1277 for the Arts Faculty of Paris”
Andrea #68, Chrétien de Troyes, “Erec and Enide”, 1170
Andrea #69, “The Gospel, According to the Marks of Silver”, early 12th century
Andrea #70, Richard of Devizes, “Chronicle for the Time of King Richard I”. late 12th century
Andrea #71, “A Virgin and Christ Child Triptych” and “Notre Dame La Brune”
Andrea #72, Giselbertus, “Eve” and Two Anonymous “Temptations”, 10th century & early 12th century
Andreas Capellanus, “The Art of Courtly Love”, ca. 1174-1186 https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/Capellanus.asp
Medieval Student Songs, 13th century https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/medievalstudentsongs.asp
Jacques de Vitry, “Life of the Students at Paris” early 13th century https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/vitry1.asp
