Black Death and Renaissance History Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, figures, events, and concepts from the lecture notes on the Black Death and the Italian and Northern Renaissance.

Black Death

A plague originating in Asia that killed 50 million people in medieval Europe (roughly 30% to 60% of the population) and was spread through the air and flea bites.

The Flagellant Movement

A cult following formed during the Black Death where followers repented of their sins in imitation of Christ using whips that contained three knotted thongs hanging from each end.

Jewish Persecution during the Black Death

The scapegoating of Jewish people by medical leaders who accused them of poisoning food, water, and wells, leading to arrests, forced confessions, and the burning or killing of Jews from Cologne to Austria between Nov 1348 - Sep. 1349.

The Dance of the Dead

An artistic response to the plague, famously depicted in the cemetery of Innocents in Paris, showing that death came to all regardless of social status.

Quarantining

A medical advancement practice used during the Black Death to isolate the sick, with Vience being the first city to implement it.

Bloodletting

A medical practice performed during the Black Death involving letting out blood to try to help patients get better.

Francesco Petrach

An Italian Renaissance writer who developed the style of poetry known as a sonnet, derived from sonta meaning little song.

Benevento Cellini

An Italian Renaissance writer who authored the 1st autobiography.

Niccole Machiavelli

An Italian Renaissance writer who wrote The Prince as a guide for Italian rulers, asserting that the end always justifies the means.

Leonardo da Vinci

An Italian Renaissance 'Renaissance man' (1452-1519) who excelled as an engineer, sculptor, architect, writer, and inventor.

Donatello

A Florentine sculptor and painter during the Italian Renaissance (1386-1466).

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbion

An Italian Renaissance artist (1483-1520) influenced by Michelaangelo and da Vinci whose work is admired for clarity, ease of composition, and visual achievement.

Michelaangelo Bounarotti

Considered the greatest of the Renaissance artists (1475-1564), whose most famous work is located in the Sistene Chapel.

Vernacular

The common language of a region, used by Geoffrey Chaucer to write The Canterbury Tales.

Geoffrey Chaucer

English author (1343-1400) known as the Father of English literature who wrote The Canterbury Tales in the vernacular.

Sir Thomas More

English author (1478-1535) of Utopia, describing a society where all are equal and happy, who was beheaded by Henery VIII.

Johann Gutenberg

German metalworker (1398-1468) who created a printing press with moveable type in 1453, resulting in mass-produced writings and books.

William Shakespeare

English playwright (1564-1616) whose historical plays featuring themes of jealousy, ambition, deceit, and despair were performed at the Globe Theatre in London.

Desiderius Erasmus

Author (1465-1536) who wrote In Praise of Folly and Julius Excluded from Heaven, using satire to criticize corruption within the Cathloic Church.