Medieval Europe Test Preview
Test Layout
Multiple Choice (11 items, 35 Total Points) Suggested Time: 14 minutes
“Medium Answer Questions” (3 graded items, 39 points) Suggested Time: 21 minutes
Mini-Essay (1 graded item, 40 points) Suggested Time: 25 minutes
Note: You will have One Hour to complete this test.
Multiple Choice Questions (11 items, 35 Total Points) Suggested Time: 14 minutes
 All items ask you to evaluate multiple statements, and you will select an answer for each
statement. There will be partial credit on these questions, in that you will receive credit for correct
statements even if you don’t get all of the statements correct.
 Every item will have multiple questions associated with it; each of these sub-questions will be
worth one point.
 0 of the statements may be correct, or all of the statements may be correct, or anywhere in
between. As such, the use of a plural or singular verb form in the question will have no impact on
the number of correct answers.
“Medium Answer Questions” (3 graded items, 39 total points) Suggested Time: 21 minutes
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There are 5 items below.
o ONE item is marked as mandatory. You MUST answer that question.
o You must also answer TWO of the four remaining items.
Some items start with a historical source—an excerpt from a poem or bit of prose, or an image—
followed by a question or series of questions.
Remember that many items have multiple questions associated with them. You must address all
of the questions to get full credit.
I recommend that you limit your responses to 7 sentences for any given item. You definitely
could write more than seven sentences on most of these questions (whole books have been
written!), so you have to control yourself! You will not be penalized for writing more than seven
sentences, but doing so may make it difficult to finish the test in the time allotted.
If you start to answer an item and then decide not to finish, make clear that you do not want that
response graded by clearly crossing out the item number and your entire response
Mini-Essay (1 Essay, 40 points). Suggested Time: 25 minutes
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Please write a 3-paragraph essay on the topic listed below. Unless you have very big handwriting,
this shouldn’t be more than 1-1.5 pages.
You do NOT need a separate paragraph for an introduction or conclusion. However, I encourage
you to include an introduction and/or conclusion sentence if it helps you drive home your ideas.
You will have two choices. Only write on ONE of the two choices.
Pay close attention to the instructions in the question.
To help guide your study, I’ve included a list of arguments that I’ve made in class as well as provided a
list of terms, people, and ideas.
Arguments:
You don’t need to memorize these arguments (that is, I won’t ask: “List 4 arguments that I’ve made
about the Middle Ages”). Rather, you should be familiar with the logic of these arguments, and know
how you’d support them with evidence.
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The ways in which Western Europe experienced political and economic decline in the Early
Middle Ages
Reasons for the Rise and Fall of the Franks
The Significance of a Land-Based Economy vs. a Money-Based Economy
Why is the term “Feudalism” hotly debated by historians?
Feudal Society was characterized by political and economic decentralization
Members of the Church sought to control the problem of noble violence by…
Europeans were able to increase agricultural productivity during the High Middle Ages by…
Towns revived in Medieval Europe because…
The Rise of Towns and other related changes in the High Middle Ages resulted in changes in the
social order
Popular Christianity was a product of syncretism between Pagan and Christian beliefs and
practices
The Franciscans represent a response to the urbanization of Medieval Europe because…
Causes of the Crusades
The centralization or decentralization of power in France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire.
(Note: on the test, you will only be asked to discuss ONE of these cases in depth; I imagine you’ll
choose the state that you focused on in class. However, you should still be able to broadly relate
the case you discuss to the other two cases)
After the Black Death, European culture exhibited an intensified interest in death, as seen in
various art forms (poetry, sculpture, paitnings)
The Black Death helped unleash important changes in European society.
Howell’s argument that the legitimation of commerce was related to gendered notions of
appropriate consumption and production
McLaughlin’s argument about the decline of the woman warrior in the Late Middle Ages.
Terms/People/Ideas
Re-familiarize yourself with the following terms. Think about how each might relate to the arguments
listed above. Realize that not every one of these ideas will show up on your test, as I am writing different
tests for different periods.
Clovis
Charlemagne
Typical Feudal Obligations of Lords, Vassals,
and Peasants
Feudalism and Manorialism
“Feudal Society”
Guilds and Leagues
The Medieval “Agricultural Revolution”
Syncretism
Monasteries
Investiture
Pope Urban II
The Crusades and their Effects
Cluniacs and Cistercians
Rebellions: Ciompi, Jacquerie, Wat Tyler
Important Dates and Timeframes
You should be familiar with the traditional periodization of the Middle Ages:
Early Middle Ages: 500-1000
High Middle Ages: 1000-1300
Late Middle Ages: 1300-1500
Most importantly, you should be able to place historical events and processes into these timeframes.
For example, you should know that the Frankish Kingdom was in the Early Middle Ages, while the Rise of
the French Monarchy was in the High Middle Ages.