The Black Death
For many people, The Black Death is one of the most tragic events in World history. Yet, it was a natural occurrence with subtle benefits. The Black Death was caused mainly by the Bubonic plague, which swept through Europe and killed half the population.
The plague evolved from a harmless bacterium found in the soil of East Asia. Although the bacteria was from Asia, the plague did not break out there. The people of Asia had been living around the bacteria for so long that they were immune to the plague, unlike Europeans. Rats from Asia carried the plague on large ships into European territory. The rats were infested with fleas who transferred the plague to humans, and it spread like wildfire.
The Black Death began about 1345, while the English and French were fighting the Hundred Years’ War. It lasted about seven years and killed nearly twenty-five million Europeans. Victims of the deadly bubonic plague became covered in large swellings known as buboes.
People dropped like flies during the Black Death and entire villages were abandoned because of peoples fear of dying. Although the Black Death may seem like the darkest event of medieval time, the famine of the plague led to many new discoveries. Most of the inventions and advancements in society following the Black Death led Europe out of the Dark Ages and into a Golden Age.
The plague evolved from a harmless bacterium found in the soil of East Asia. Although the bacteria was from Asia, the plague did not break out there. The people of Asia had been living around the bacteria for so long that they were immune to the plague, unlike Europeans. Rats from Asia carried the plague on large ships into European territory. The rats were infested with fleas who transferred the plague to humans, and it spread like wildfire.
The Black Death began about 1345, while the English and French were fighting the Hundred Years’ War. It lasted about seven years and killed nearly twenty-five million Europeans. Victims of the deadly bubonic plague became covered in large swellings known as buboes.
People dropped like flies during the Black Death and entire villages were abandoned because of peoples fear of dying. Although the Black Death may seem like the darkest event of medieval time, the famine of the plague led to many new discoveries. Most of the inventions and advancements in society following the Black Death led Europe out of the Dark Ages and into a Golden Age.
The Crusades
The Crusades were a long series of wars in Medieval times between Christians and Muslims. Both religions worshiped the city of Jerusalem, and it was a holy place for Christians and Muslims. However, Muslims had been living in Jerusalem many years before Christians visited the Holy City from England. In the late 1000’s, Turkish Muslims captured the Holy City of Jerusalem and banned Christians from entering. Pope Urban II spread the word and called for Christians to help reclaim Jerusalem.
The First Crusade began when 150,000 members of the Catholic Church left Europe in 1096. They marched three thousand miles of dangerous desert and mountains to defend the Christians’ Holy Land. For many, the journey was a pilgrimage and an opportunity to fight for their religion. These brave European Christians became known as Crusaders, who fought for their faith.
The battle between Christians and Muslims continued for months, until the Crusaders reclaimed the Holy city of Jerusalem, but that did not stop the Muslims. The Christians and Muslims fought back and forth over the religious conflict of who owned Jerusalem. When the Muslims recaptured Jerusalem, more Crusades began. The Crusades were full of many devastating wars, but at the end of the long tunnel, there was a glimmer of light. After nine battles in the Crusades, Jerusalem is still been fought over till present day.
The First Crusade began when 150,000 members of the Catholic Church left Europe in 1096. They marched three thousand miles of dangerous desert and mountains to defend the Christians’ Holy Land. For many, the journey was a pilgrimage and an opportunity to fight for their religion. These brave European Christians became known as Crusaders, who fought for their faith.
The battle between Christians and Muslims continued for months, until the Crusaders reclaimed the Holy city of Jerusalem, but that did not stop the Muslims. The Christians and Muslims fought back and forth over the religious conflict of who owned Jerusalem. When the Muslims recaptured Jerusalem, more Crusades began. The Crusades were full of many devastating wars, but at the end of the long tunnel, there was a glimmer of light. After nine battles in the Crusades, Jerusalem is still been fought over till present day.
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a famous document created in Medieval times when King John ruled Europe. The people thought of King John as a self-centered, overpowering man who had too much control over the land and the people. King John’s loyal, most trusted lords went against him in an effort to change the way he ruled. Several noblemen wrote a legal document of laws, surrounded the King with swords, and forced him to sign.
The Magna Carta consisted of many laws which declared that no government cial can arrest, search, or take from a person without reasonable evidence and witness. The document stated that all free men have rights that cannot be taken from them, such as their freedom of choice, their land, and their own belongings. These are only some of the laws which King John was forced to agree to. Yet the even the Magna Carta could not King John from his old ways. The King continued to arrest free men without reason and take away the freedom of his people. So after a week, the lords who wrote the Magna Carta had no choice but to kill their king for disobeying the laws that he had signed.
Although the Magna Carta did not change the ways of a selfish king, they have helped to form America. Many laws of the Magna Carta can be found within the Constitution of America. The people of America are free, they have rights to defend themselves against the law, and they are treated as equals. These laws of our modern day country came from King John’s brave lords who stood up for the people when their king could not. These lords made a great effort to bring their time out of darkness, and they helped to make the future a better place.
The Magna Carta consisted of many laws which declared that no government cial can arrest, search, or take from a person without reasonable evidence and witness. The document stated that all free men have rights that cannot be taken from them, such as their freedom of choice, their land, and their own belongings. These are only some of the laws which King John was forced to agree to. Yet the even the Magna Carta could not King John from his old ways. The King continued to arrest free men without reason and take away the freedom of his people. So after a week, the lords who wrote the Magna Carta had no choice but to kill their king for disobeying the laws that he had signed.
Although the Magna Carta did not change the ways of a selfish king, they have helped to form America. Many laws of the Magna Carta can be found within the Constitution of America. The people of America are free, they have rights to defend themselves against the law, and they are treated as equals. These laws of our modern day country came from King John’s brave lords who stood up for the people when their king could not. These lords made a great effort to bring their time out of darkness, and they helped to make the future a better place.
The Hundred Years' War
The Hundred Years’ War was fought between England and France in the years 1337-1453. The many battles were fought because King Edward III of England claimed rights to the throne. He said that he was the grandson of France’s King Philip the Fair. Victories went back and forth between England and France, while conflict continued to arise for 116 years.
During the Hundred Years’ War, a young teenage girl became a hero. At the age of thirteen, Joan of Arc heard the voices of Saints telling her to lead the Franks in fighting against the English to run them out of France. As God had commanded her to do, Joan of Arc led the Franks into battle against England. During her brave mission Joan of Arc was captured by English soldiers who accused her of witchcraft. When Joan of Arc was found guilty, she was burnt at the stake and became a martyr.
In the end of the Hundred Years’ War, France was victorious and King Edward III was denied the right to the Throne of France. Although a conflict was resolved in The Hundred Years' War, violence is never the right answer. Because of one King's desire for the throne, many knights lost their lives, which contributed to the "darkness" of the Dark Ages.
-Linnea S.
During the Hundred Years’ War, a young teenage girl became a hero. At the age of thirteen, Joan of Arc heard the voices of Saints telling her to lead the Franks in fighting against the English to run them out of France. As God had commanded her to do, Joan of Arc led the Franks into battle against England. During her brave mission Joan of Arc was captured by English soldiers who accused her of witchcraft. When Joan of Arc was found guilty, she was burnt at the stake and became a martyr.
In the end of the Hundred Years’ War, France was victorious and King Edward III was denied the right to the Throne of France. Although a conflict was resolved in The Hundred Years' War, violence is never the right answer. Because of one King's desire for the throne, many knights lost their lives, which contributed to the "darkness" of the Dark Ages.
-Linnea S.