AP Euro: The Late Middle Ages - Black Death, Hundred Years' War, and Social Unrest

What climatic period occurred from 1300 to 1800 that affected agriculture?

The Little Ice Age, characterized by colder and wetter conditions.

What were the social consequences of poor harvests during the Little Ice Age?

Abandonment of homesteads, increased vagabondage, delayed marriages, and discrimination against Jewish people.

What caused the spread of the Black Death to Europe?

The Bubonic plague was carried by rats on ships, which spread the disease along trade routes, particularly the Silk Road.

What bacterium is responsible for the Bubonic plague?

Yersinia Pestis.

How did the Black Death initially spread to Europe?

It began in Western China, spread along the Silk Road, and was introduced to Europe by the Mongols and Genoese ships.

What were the conditions in medieval cities that facilitated the spread of disease?

Narrow streets filled with waste, dead animals, poor hygiene, and weakened populations due to famine.

What were the estimated mortality rates of the Black Death in Florence?

Florence lost between one-half to two-thirds of its population.

What was the estimated population loss in England due to the Black Death?

Approximately 1.4 million people from an estimated population of 4.2 million.

What measures did some cities take to avoid the Black Death?

Cities like Milan, Liege, and Nuremberg stored food and closed their gates to outsiders.

What misconceptions did people in the 14th century have about the causes of the plague?

They believed poisons in the air or bodily fluids caused the disease.

What were some of the bizarre methods people used to ward off the Black Death?

Burning incense, holding strong-smelling herbs to the nose, and using magical letter combinations.

What economic effect did the Black Death have on labor?

A rise in wages due to labor shortages caused by the plague.

How did the Black Death affect religious beliefs among the population?

Many became more religious, believing it was a punishment from God, leading to the rise of flagellant groups.

What was the role of flagellants during the Black Death?

They whipped themselves as penance for their own and society's sins, traveling from town to town.

What was the impact of the Black Death on trade?

Trade was disrupted, leading to shortages of goods and a rise in prices.

What was a common belief about the air during the Black Death?

People thought that the air was poisonous and that purifying it was necessary to prevent disease.

What was the significance of the year 1347 in relation to the Black Death?

It was the year the Bubonic plague traveled to Europe.

What was one of the main reasons for the discrimination against Jewish people during the famine?

They controlled money and were scapegoated due to jealousy and mistrust.

What was a common treatment believed to help with the symptoms of the plague?

Bloodletting to release built-up fluids thought to be caused by poisons.

What was the effect of the Black Death on the standard of living in some areas?

In some places, a higher standard of living emerged as jobs paid more due to labor shortages.

What was the role of the Silk Road in the spread of the Black Death?

It facilitated the movement of infected rats and fleas, spreading the disease across regions.

What was the response of some cities to the second wave of the plague from 1359 to 1363?

Many cities had learned from the first wave and implemented measures to protect their populations.

What event led to the killing of thousands of Jews across Europe during the plague?

Christians blamed Jews for poisoning wells, believing that killing them would prevent the plague.

What was the primary cause of the Hundred Years' War?

Dispute over the succession to the French throne.

How did England gain control of the duchy of Aquitaine?

Through the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to King Henry II of England in 1152.

What treaty affirmed that Aquitaine belonged to England?

The Treaty of Paris, signed by Louis IX in 1256.

What happened when Charles IV of France died without an heir?

It ended the French male line of succession, leading to disputes over the throne.

Who was Edward III in relation to Charles IV?

He was the son of Charles IV's sister, making him a claimant to the French throne.

What was the significance of the 1329 recognition by Edward III?

He recognized his status as a vassal to Philip VI for Aquitaine per the Treaty of Paris.

What action did Philip VI take in 1337 that escalated tensions with England?

He confiscated the duchy of Aquitaine, which Edward III interpreted as a violation of the treaty.

What role did Scotland play in the Hundred Years' War?

Scotland allied with France due to their longstanding hatred of England.

What was one reason the Hundred Years' War lasted over a hundred years?

Both sides manipulated their townsfolk with royal propaganda, fostering nationalism.

How did the war affect the wool trade?

It disrupted the wool trade, which was vital for Flemish merchants and English prosperity.

What was a significant technological advantage for the English in the war?

The English longbow, which was more powerful and allowed for rapid reloading compared to the French crossbow.

What military innovation did the English first use during the Hundred Years' War?

Cannons.

Who was Joan of Arc and what was her mission?

A French peasant girl who believed she was sent by God to expel the English and crown Charles VII.

What significant battle did Joan of Arc lead the French to victory in?

The battle at Orleans.

What happened to Joan of Arc after her capture?

She was tried for heresy, found guilty, and burned at the stake in Rouen.

What was the outcome of the Hundred Years' War for France?

Thousands of soldiers and civilians were killed, farmland was ruined, and trade was disrupted, leading to economic losses.

What was the aftermath of the war for England?

England faced enormous financial losses due to the costs of the war.

What was the impact of the war on loyalty to lords and manors?

There was an end to loyalty as knights fought for the king for better wages.

What promise was made to criminals who enlisted in the military?

They were promised a pardon for their crimes.

What was the significance of Joan of Arc's letter to the King of England?

She demanded his surrender, claiming she was sent by God.

What was the fate of Charles VII after Joan of Arc's victories?

He was crowned King of France in July 1429.

What was the Babylonian Captivity in relation to the papacy?

A period from 1309 to 1376 when the Popes lived in Avignon, damaging papal prestige and disconnecting church leadership from its roots in Rome.

What were the consequences of the Great Schism?

The Great Schism divided the western church until 1417, with France recognizing Pope Clement and England recognizing Pope Urban, leading to weakened religious faith among Christians.

Who were the main figures questioning the relationship between reason and faith during this period?

William Occam and Marsiglio of Padua, both advocating for limited government power and separation of church and state.

What was John Wyclif's significant contribution to Christian belief?

He argued that Scriptures alone should be the standard of Christian belief and encouraged Christians to read the Bible.

How did Jon Hus contribute to the spread of early Protestant Reformation ideas?

He denied papal authority and called for translations of the Bible into Czech, gaining many followers.

What was the purpose of the Great Council that met in Constance?

To wipe out heresy, end the schism, and reform the church.

What happened to John Hus at the Great Council?

He was tried, condemned, and burned at the stake as a heretic in 1415.

What was the outcome of the Great Council in Constance?

The schism was healed, both popes were deposed, and Martin V was elected as the new pope.

What role did confraternities play in late medieval society?

They were voluntary lay groups organized by occupation or devotion, often praying for souls and engaging in charitable activities.

How did the clergy's mystique weaken during this period?

The emergence of lay piety and mysticism, with groups like the Brethren and Sisters of the Common Life living simply and focusing on the gospel.

What were the causes of peasant revolts in the late Middle Ages?

Difficult conditions in the 14th and 15th centuries, including heavy taxation and oppression by nobles.

What was the Jacquerie?

A massive French peasant uprising caused by heavy taxation to recover losses from the Hundred Years' War.

How did the Black Death affect labor supply in England?

It cut the labor supply, leading peasants to demand higher pay due to scarcity of workers.

What was the reaction of the French military to peasant revolts?

They crushed the revolts, further oppressing the peasants.

What was the significance of the cardinals' council at Pisa in 1409?

It aimed to resolve the split in papal authority but failed as neither pope would resign.

What did the term 'Conciliarists' refer to?

Those who believed that church reform could best be achieved through periodic assemblies representing Christian people.

What was the impact of the English Parliament's development during this period?

It represented a shift towards more representative governance in England.

What was the financial focus of the Popes during the Babylonian Captivity?

The seven Popes of Avignon focused more on financial matters than on spiritual objectives.

What was the relationship between the German states and the papacy during the Great Schism?

Germans supported Urban due to their animosity towards France.

What was the role of women in confraternities during the late Middle Ages?

Women formed separate confraternities, overseeing the production of altar cloths and other fabric items.

What did the visions experienced by Bridget of Sweden signify?

They represented a mystical experience that contributed to the lay piety movement.

What were the social conditions leading to the first large-scale rebellion in Flanders?

Flemish peasants revolted against taxation imposed by the French and additional demands from monasteries.

What was the Statute of Laborers and its impact on workers?

Issued in 1351, it froze wages and bound workers to their manors, leading to peasant revolts due to lack of protection from the government.

What triggered the English Peasant Revolt of 1381?

It was triggered by widespread discontent among peasants, artisans, and the poor, who violently rose up against tax collectors, including the Archbishop of Canterbury.

What economic changes contributed to urban conflicts in medieval Europe?

Rich capitalist investors began to dominate craft guilds, causing divisions and resentment among poorer masters and journeymen.

How did regulations affect women in the craft guilds?

Regulations were passed to exclude women from guilds, although these laws were often overlooked to allow women to serve as cheap labor.

What societal trend influenced marriage in Northwestern Europe during this period?

Couples needed to be economically independent before marriage, leading to delayed marriages and fewer pregnancies.

What was the typical age for men and women to marry in medieval Europe?

Women typically married in their twenties, while men married in their late twenties.

Why did brothels and prostitution flourish in medieval cities?

Cities had many unmarried adult men, and young women from poorer classes often turned to prostitution for economic survival.

What were the consequences of prostitution in urban areas by the late 15th century?

Cities began imposing harsher penalties for prostitution, and many women faced sexual exploitation by males in their households.

What is 'Fur Collar Crime'?

A medieval version of white-collar crime involving nobles committing violence and fraud to enrich themselves at the expense of the poor.

How did Fur Collar criminals operate?

They demanded protection money from peasants, attacked wealthy travelers for ransom, and intimidated witnesses and jurors.

What ethnic tensions arose from economic struggles in medieval Europe?

Struggling individuals often migrated in search of jobs, becoming minorities that faced discrimination and exclusion from local opportunities.

What was the Statute of Kilkenny and its restrictions?

Enacted in 1366, it prohibited marriage between immigrants and natives in Ireland and imposed English language and cultural requirements on English inhabitants.

How did English attitudes towards the Irish reflect ethnic discrimination?

The English viewed the Irish as lazy and barbaric, with legal structures denying them access to courts and considering the murder of an Irishman a non-felony.

What obsession regarding ethnicity emerged in Spain?

The concept of 'purity of blood' became an obsession, focusing on having no Jewish or Muslim ancestry.

What was the significance of the increasing use of the vernacular in the 14th century?

The vernacular was increasingly used for speaking and writing, leading to the production of significant literary works like Dante's 'Divine Comedy' and Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'.

How did literacy rates change in England and Germany between 1350 and 1500?

The number of schools quadrupled, and many laypeople began to possess books in the vernacular, enhancing literacy.

What skills did laymen need to acquire during this period?

Laymen needed to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic for jobs as managers and clerks, particularly for record keeping.

What role did craft guilds play in the economic structure of medieval cities?

Craft guilds organized production, but their dynamics changed as wealthy investors gained more power, leading to conflicts.

What was the impact of economic independence on young couples before marriage?

Young couples often spent years working as servants to save enough money for married life, delaying their marriages.

How did the presence of brothels affect social norms in cities?

Brothels became a rite of passage for young men, while many young women had limited choices and were often coerced into prostitution.

What were the typical living conditions for women in the upper classes regarding honor and seclusion?

Upper-class women were often secluded in their homes to maintain their honor, while facing risks of sexual exploitation.

What was the legal treatment of rape in medieval society?

Rape was considered a capital crime, but punishments typically resulted in fines rather than severe penalties.