Document-Based Question: The Middle
Ages:
Dark Ages, Age of Faith, Age of
Feudalism, or a Golden Age?
Historical Context
The Middle Ages in
Europe, a period of time from approximately A.D. 500 to 1400, have been
referred to by a variety of terms—the Age of Faith, the Dark Ages, the Age of
Feudalism, and even a Golden Age. The medieval era began with the destruction
of the
·
Directions: The following question is based
on the accompanying documents in Part A. As you analyze the documents, take
into account both the source of the document and the author’s point of view. Be
sure to:
- Carefully
read the document-based question. Consider what you already know about
this topic. How would you answer the question if you had no documents to
examine?
- Now,
read each document carefully, underlining key phrases and words that
address the document-based question. You may also wish to use the margin
to make brief notes. Answer the questions which follow each document.
- Based
on your own knowledge and on the information found in the documents,
formulate a thesis that directly answers the question.
- Organize
supportive and relevant information into a brief outline.
- Write
a well-organized essay proving your thesis. The essay should be logically
presented and should include information both from the documents and from
your own knowledge outside of the documents.
Question: Which labels
for the Middle Ages best describe the era between 500 and 1400 in
Part A: The following documents provide information about the
Middle Ages in
DBQ 3: The
Middle Ages (continued)
Document 1
In The Middle Ages,
historian Frantz Funck-Brentano made use of previously published texts to
describe
The
barbarians have broken through the ramparts. The Saracen (Moors) invasions have
spread in successive waves over the South. The Hungarians swarm over the
Eastern provinces . . . they sacked town and village, and laid waste the
fields. They burned down the churches and then departed with a crowd of
captives. . . . There is no longer any trade, only unceasing terror. . . . The
peasant has abandoned his ravaged fields to avoid the violence of anarchy. The
people have gone to cower in the depths of the forests or in inaccessible
regions, or have taken refuge in the high mountains. . . Society has no longer
any government.
According to the author, what were conditions in
Document 2
This excerpt is from the Homage Oath taken by John of Toul.
I, John of Toul, make known that I am the liege man of the (count and
countess of
What are the obligations John is promising to uphold? _________________________________
Document 3
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells of invasion of
842
In this
year there was a great slaughter in
846
According
to their custom the Northmen plundered . . . and burned the town of
According to this Chronicle, what is happening at this time
(842-846)? ____________________
__________________________________________
Document 4
Feudal Obligations
Vassal to lord: Lord
to vassal:
|
Obligation: |
|
Obligation: |
|
Loyalty Military service Ransom, if needed |
|
Protection Land (fief) |
Explain the mutual obligations as illustrated in the above diagram.
_______________________
Document 5
A Church council calls for the observance of the Truce of God, 1083.
. . . That from the first day of the Advent of our Lord through Epiphany
. . . and throughout the year on every Sunday, Friday, and Saturday, and on the
fast days of the four seasons . . . this decree of peace shall be observed . .
. so that no one may commit murder, arson, robbery, or assault, no one may
injure another with a sword, club, or any kind of weapon. . . . On . . . every
day set aside, or to be set aside, for fasts or feasts, arms may be carried,
but on this condition, that no injury shall be done in any way to any one . . .
If it shall happen that any castle is besieged during the days which are
included within the peace, the besiegers shall cease from attack unless they
are set upon by the besieged and compelled to beat the latter back. . . .
According to this document, what is the Church trying to
accomplish? _____________________
Document 6
This excerpt describes the Middle Ages. (From Gray C. Boyce, “The
Medieval Period” in The 34th Yearbook of the National Council for
the Social Studies, 1964, pp. 69-70.)
. . . we learn that an age once traditionally described as “dark” had
remarkable vitality and exuberance. Even at its worst it performed the function
of guarding, frequently by accident and chance, the knowledge and treasures of
what had come before, but even more it was creative and inventive, and transmitted
to later ages great riches of its own.
What functions were provided
during the Middle Ages according to this author? _____________
Document 7
This description of the positive aspects of the Middle Ages was taken
from Medieval Europe by H. C. Davis, Oxford University Press, 1946, p.
79.
. . . Medieval culture was imperfect, was restricted to a narrow circle
of superior minds. . . . Measure it, however, by the memories and the
achievements that it has bequeathed to the modern world, and it will be found
not unworthy to rank with those of earlier and later Golden Ages. It flourished
in the midst of rude surroundings, fierce passions, and material ambitions . .
. we must judge of them by their philosophy and law, by their poetry and architecture.
. . .
How does this author describe the
era? ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Document 8
This excerpt is from the monastic vows of Brother Gerald.
I hereby renounce my parents, my brothers and relatives, my friends, my
possessions . . . and the vain and empty glory and pleasure of this world. I
also renounce my own will, for the will of God. I accept all the hardships of
the monastic life, and take the vows of purity, chastity, and poverty, in the
hope of heaven; and I promise to remain a monk in this monastery all the days
of my life.
What is Gerald promising to do
when he becomes a monk? ____________________________
Document 9
In 1095, Pope Urban II issued a call for a holy crusade—a war to
recapture the
. . . Your brethren who live in the (Middle) East are in urgent need of
your help. . For, as most of you have heard, the Turks and the Arabs have
attacked them and have conquered the
How does this call for a crusade demonstrate the power of the Pope and the Catholic Church? ____________________________________________________________________________
Document 10
Examine the pictures below of Gothic cathedrals.
How do they illustrate the power of the Catholic Church?
If pictures do not show, look at Image 1 and Image 2.
Now consider the following question:
Ø
Which
labels for the Middle Ages best describe the era between 500 and 1400 in
After school begins, you will write an essay based on the information in these documents and their relationship to the answer of this question.