English IV H.
Journal
10/20/03
The Creation of Romance
The Crusades and devotion to the Virgin Mary influenced the development of a unique literature known as romance. Romance portrayed the standards of knightly conduct known as chivalry. This type of medieval literature tells imaginative stories of the adventures and loves of knights. Many medieval romances involve the legend of King Arthur and his knights. Good romances contain highly imaginative images of knights, ladies, battles, and celebrations with vivid descriptions of characters, locations, and objects.
The Importance of Caxton’s Print Shop
William Caxton introduced the new technology of printing from moveable type to England in 1476. He printed much of the literature of his day, including The Canterbury Tales and Le Morte d’Arthur. For the first time books were easily made in large quantities, and the spread of learning would change England forever. Caxton’s print shop influenced many to people to learn to read. With this spread of the want for learning, the decline of the powerful aristocracy became inevitable.
The Anglo-Saxon Culture Close
Duke William of Normandy invaded England because he claimed the English throne was promised to him. The church gave their support and the Duke of Normandy defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings. In the four years that followed the Battle of Hastings, the Normans killed most of the native English nobility, subjugated the rest of the populace, and divided the country into estates, ruled by French-speaking barons loyal to William the Conqueror. The Norman Conquest brought about the end to the era of the Anglo-Saxons and ushered in the Medieval Period.
Margie Potts
English IV H.
Journal
10/21/03
The Benefits of the Crusades
Western Europe greatly benefited from the Crusades. Europe gained many new food products such as rice, coffee, sherbert, dates, apricots and many more items. Mirrors, carpets, cotton cloth for clothings, compasses, writing paper, and matresses and shawls were added during this time to the household goods. Some of the new ideas added include: chess, pain killing drugs, algebra, irrigation and chemistry. It is even probable that the Crusades had a large impact on the building of castles. It is thought that Edward I may have learned about castle imporvments as a result of his experiences through the crusades. This is just one example of the positive outcome wars battles can have on society.
Margie
English IV H
Journal
10/21/03
The Black Plague
The black plague started in China. It mainly affects rodents, but fleas can trasmit the disease to people. Once people are infected, they infect others very rapidly. This plague, the Bubonic Plague, also called the "Black Death" causes fever and a painful swelling of the lymph glands. It also causes spots on the skin that are red at first to turn black. The plague spread from China to England quickly in August. By winter the disease seemed to have disappeared, but only because fleas, which were now helping to carry if from person to person are dormant then. Each spring the plague attacked again, killing new victims. After five years, twenty-five million people were dead, which was one-third of Europe's people. After the worst was over the plauge would still return in small breakouts. It wasn't until the 1600's that the disease disappeared.