Chapter 9 Reading Guide:
The Late Middle Ages: Social and Political Breakdown (1300-1453)
The Black Death
What were the preconditions and causes of the Plague?
Why was it called the Black Death?
What countries did it affect the most? The least? How fast did it travel?
What were some popular remedies? Did any of them actually help?
What was the Decameron? Who wrote it? What was it about?
What did the religious do to protect themselves from the plague? Why?
What can you tell me about The Prince of the World sculpture?
Social and Economic Consequences:
The plague affected everyone in various ways. Please explain how the various areas were
affected:
Cities?
Farms?
Peasant life?
The Church?
The government?
The Hundred Years’ War and the Rise of National Sentiment:
Ultimately what was the cause of the War? Which two countries were involved?
Explain why France suffered great losses when it should have won.
What is/are the Estates General?
Describe and explain the three major phases of the war (include significant people, dates,
battles, victories/losses)
1. The Conflict during the Reign of Edward III
2. French Defeat and the Treaty of Troyes
3. Joan of Arc and the War’s Conclusion
Overall what was the impact of the Hundred Years’ War?
Ecclesiastical Breakdown and Revival: The Late Medieval Church
Explain “papal plentitude of power.” (who, what, when, where, why)
How was the church changing? In what ways? How did that affect the people?
Discuss the Politics of the Church as well as the Royal Challenge to Papal Authority…
(How did the Church and monarchs across Europe face off?)
What is Unam Sanctam? Who created/declared it? Why was it necessary? What effect did
it have?
Describe the Avignon Papacy. How was this different from past papacies?
What changes did the Avignon papacy bring?
Who was its most powerful supporter? (pope?)
What was Defender of Peace? Who wrote it? Why?
What is the Curia?
What opposition was there to the Avignon papacy? Why?
Explain the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges.
Who is John Wycliffe? What did he propose/support? What ultimately happened to him?
Who is John Huss? What did he propose/support? What ultimately happened to him?
The Great Schism and the Conciliar Movement
What was the Great Schism all about?
What is Conciliar theory?
Explain the three Councils: (5W)
Council of Pisa
Council of Constance
Council of Basel
Overall how did the schism and Conciliar movement shape Europe?
Medieval Russia: Russia is historically behind (politically, economical and socially) from
the rest of Europe.
Describe Russia…
Mongol Rule (1243-1480)
Who is ruling the Mongols? (significant leaders)
What is the Mongol interaction with Russia?
Answer the AP Test Prep Questions #1-20 in the space provided below.