1200-1450

The Late Middle Ages,

c. 1200-1450 CE

A. The Medieval Christian Church

B. Feudal Society

C. Late Medieval Conflicts

Introduction

AP European History really starts with The Renaissance around 1450 AD. But a survey of conditions in Europe just prior to when our story begins is helpful.

Summer Assignment

Recommended - Complete the readings below and respond to the questions. Students who complete this assignment satisfactorily will be awarded an A or B (between an 80% - 100%) for a test grade to boost their average. Students who do this work will have a better understanding of the conditions in Europe prior to 1450 AD, our starting point for the course.
Required - Learn the key terms about The Medieval Christian Church, Feudal Society, and Late Medieval Conflicts and prepare to quiz over the Late Middle Ages during the first week of the course.
Optional - Consume mass media related to European history.

Recommended Readings

These textbook selections provide a thorough background of European History from antiquity through the Middle Ages.

First, read “The West Before 1300” from The Western Heritage Since 1300 by Kagan, Ozment, and Turner.

Respond to the seven review questions on page lxxvii of the reading.
The response to each question should be 200-250 words in MLA format - roughly ½ - ¾ typed page, double-spaced in 12 pt. Times New Roman font with one-inch margins.
Write clearly and concisely using detailed evidence from the text.

The west before_1304 from Dave Phillips

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Next, read “Chapter 12: The Crisis of the Later Middle Ages” from A History of Western Society by McKay, Hill, and Buckler.

Answer the six preview questions which introduce the chapter on page 379 in the same manner: 200-250 words in MLA format – roughly ½ - ¾ typed page, double-spaced in 12 pt. Times New Roman font with one-inch margins.

Mckay chapter 16 from Dave Phillips

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Required Key Terms

Study the terms below related to The Medieval Christian Church, Feudal Society, and Late Medieval Conflicts in preparation for a quiz during the first week of the course.

focus on the basic identifiers "Who/what, where, and when?"
understand “How did it make a difference?” (causes and course of the event)
explain “Why is it significant?” (short- and long-term impacts)

The Medieval Christian Church

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Gloucester Cathedral, England was built between 1089 and 1499 CE. The stained glass windows date from 1350 CE.

cloisters at Gloucester Cathedral, England

stigmatization of Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order of monks and one of Christianity's most admired figures

Jan Hus is considered the first Church reformer. He was burned at the stake for heresy against the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

Judaism

Christianity

The Medieval Christian Church

Feudal Society

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Serfs preparing fields for winter from the The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry, c.1410

A 13th century French representation of the tripartite social order of the middle ages – Oratores: "those who pray", Bellatores: "those who fight", and Laboratores: "those who work".

tournament of knights from the Codex Manesse

Article: What cracked up medieval peasants? Killer bunnies and poop jokes, apparently.

Feudal Society

Late Medieval Conflicts

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The medieval walled city of Carcassone overlooked the surrounding countryside and protected trade routes through the south of France.

Nicopolis, the last great battle of the Crusades

Joan of Arc depicted on horseback in an illustration from a 1504 manuscript

Late Medieval Conflicts

The Medieval Christian Worldview

This required secondary source reading will be assigned during the first week of class. However, it is a heavy, difficult reading, and you may wish to read ahead in order to be better prepared.

The medieval christian_worldview_5 from Dave Phillips