Historical Perspectives_ Student Edition_ Unit 2 (PDF)-output (2)

Essential Question: What Does It Take to Survive?

Estimated Population of London

  • Roman London

    • Approximately 60,000 inhabitants in c. 3rd century A.D.

  • Anglo-Saxon London

    • Estimated at 30,000 inhabitants in c. 5th century A.D.

  • Medieval London

    • Reaches about 80,000 inhabitants by c. 1350.

Population Statistics Over Time

  • Population (thousands) in London:

    • Roman: c. 3rd century A.D. = 60

    • Anglo-Saxon: c. 5th century A.D. = 30

    • c. 1100 = 20

    • c. 1350 = 80

    • c. 1500 = 70

  • Population of England (millions):

    • c. 1086 = 1 million

    • 1348 (before the Black Death) = 5 million

    • 1348 (after the Black Death) = 2 million

    • 1400 = 3 million

Historical Context

  • Population statistics have evolved into a modern phenomenon due to systematic national census.

  • Historians utilize early records and documents like the Domesday Book for estimating historical populations.

Key Inferences

  • The drop in population after the Romans left Britain suggests a decline in infrastructure and societal organization.

  • The Black Death had a catastrophic effect on population leading to significant societal changes.

  • By the end of the Middle Ages, patterns and structure of society were transforming in both London and England.

Essential Question: How Do People Come to Have Different Views of Society?

Key Historical Events

  • 1170: Murder of Thomas Becket

    • Became a power struggle between the Church and monarchy, leading to Henry II's knights assassinating Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.

  • 1189-1192: Third Crusade led by Richard the Lionheart

    • Attempt to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim forces, showcasing the era's religious fervor and militaristic culture.

  • 1215: Magna Carta is signed by King John

    • Establishes key principles of legal rights against monarchy, influencing future governance.

  • 1258: Introduction of commoners to Parliament

    • Marks the beginning of greater representation in English political structure.

Other Historical Events

  • 1214: Genghis Khan captures Peking, highlighting global power dynamics.

  • 1275: Marco Polo’s visit to Kubla Khan’s court in China, representing cross-cultural interactions during the Middle Ages.

Wars and Conflicts

  • The ongoing conflicts during the Crusades impacted perceptions of society, especially regarding religious and economic motivations for territorial expansion.

  • The tension between church and state is exemplified in the conflict leading to Becket’s murder and the subsequent need for penance, reflecting the intertwining of societal views and actions.