1. The Late Middle Ages Crisis and Reform

2. Black Death Famine of 1315-1317 – Weakened population Causes: Bacillus carried by fleas living on fur of rats Forms: bubonic, pneumonic, septicemic Mortality: at least 30% Aftermath: recurrence; challenge to economy, social order Questions: How did the mortality affect people’s beliefs? How did it affect social and economic life? What was its effect on the treatment of Jews?

3. Peasant Revolts and Urban Life Revolts in France, England, and Italy in the 14 th century In the cities: growth in money economy Relationship between Reformation and the cities? Moeller, Ozment, Brady Calculus of salvation What kinds of social conditions lay behind peasant revolts? – Hundred Years’ War in France What is purgatory, and how did belief in purgatory develop during this period?

4. Technological advances Printing press: variety of literature available – Hymns, broadsheets, pamphlets, books New organization of book production, publication Mining: coinage and military applications – Luther’s family money came from mining To what extent was the development of the Reformation dependent on the printing press? What did people at the time think about this innovation? – Compare to internet What were some of the social and political effects of the mining boom? – Changes in warfare

5. Social Tensions Conflicts between towns and princes, overlords Church’s exploitation of wealth: indulgences What were the effects of the profit economy on religious and social life? Claims of papacy in Unam Sanctam

6. Marsilius of Padua On what does Marsilius base the power to make law? What role does Aristotle play in his theory? In what terms does he refer to the pope? What limitations does he place on this individual's authority from the start? What biblical support does he present for his understanding of the authority of the clergy? Who has the power to forgive sins? What is the role of the clergy and the sacraments they administer in this process? What role did Peter play in the primitive church? Who or what is the legislator, and what is this authority's role? What role do councils play in the life of the Christian community?