UNIVERSITY of WARWICK: Department of History

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK: Department of History

First Year Progress Test: Spring 2005

THE MEDIEVAL WORLD

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Time allowed: 2 hours

Candidates should answer both questions

Read carefully the instructions on the answer book and make sure that the particulars required are entered on each book

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1. Identify or locate any SIX of the following, and comment in about 100 words on

the significance of each for the period

Feudal aidsFuggers

Scutage Waldensians

Liege homageBernard of Clairvaux

SharecroppingInnocent III

Manorial courtUtraquism

CottarCouncil of Pisa

LübeckRealism

PeruzziCognate kinship

Fairs of ChampagneCourtly love

Pneumonic plaguePrimogeniture

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2.. Comment on any FIVE of the following passages, with particular reference

to the attitudes expressed or the information presented and to the historical context

(a)At this same time, as no one can mention or hear without great sadness, the

Mother of all the churches, the basilica of the apostle Peter, was taken and

plundered by the Moors, of Saracens......

(The Annnals of Xanten, 845-853

(b) If, however, the heir of any of the aforesaid has been under age and in wardship,

let him have his inheritance without relief and without fine when he comes of age.

(Magna Carta, 1215)

CONTINUED

William, the son of Richard of Wythington whom previously we have held as our

born bondman, with his whole progeny and all his chattels.....

(Manumission of a villein, 1278)

(d) Beyond this, there was no citizen, Popolano or Grande, who had not built or was

not building a large and rich estate in the countryside, with an expensive mansion

and other buildings even better than those in the city.

(Giovanni Villani’s Florence)

(e) The dearth began in the month of May and lasted until the feast of the nativity of

the Virgin [September 8]. The summer rains were so heavy that grain could not

ripen.

(The famine of 1315)

(f) First it is to be known that the heretics held that there are two Creators; viz. one of

invisible things, whom they called the benevolent God, and another of visible things, whom they named the malevolent God.

(Raynaldus: on the accusations against the Albigensians)

(g) Nor have they the prudence to consider that all jurisdiction is denied to them over

the clergy- over both the persons and goods of ecclesiastics.

(BonifaceVIII, Clericis laicos 1296)

(h) It first declares that this same council, legitimately assembled in the Holy Ghost,

forming a general council and representing the Catholic Church militant, has its

power immediately from Christ......

(Council of Constance: Sacrosancta, 1415)

(i) A woman who is not under the headship of the husband violates the condition

of nature, the mandate of the Apostle, and the law of Scripture....

(Peter of Blois: letter 154 to Queen Eleanor 1173)

(j) Wherefore I say to you, lady, take not for your husband the man who would fain

take your money and not yourself......

(St Bernardino of Siena: excerpts from a sermon on wives and widows)

END