Dark Ages Analyzed
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This 6 page research paper examines the historical period which has become known as the Dark Ages. Specifically explored is the prevalent society, including the standard of living, culture, religion and writing and language of the people. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: Darkages.wps
Paper Title: Dark Ages Analyzed

David Herlihy's, "Medieval Households":
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This 5 page paper examines the research of David Herlihy and provides a basic summary of his work. Furthermore, this paper asserts that the work of Herlihy is important because it contributes a new perspective to the understanding of the family. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: GSMedhos.rtf
Paper Title: David Herlihy's, "Medieval Households":

David Nirenberg/Communities of Violence
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A 5 page book review. In his text, Communities of Violence: Persecution of Minorities in the Middle Ages, historian David Nirenberg addresses the persecution of Jews, Muslims and lepers that occurred during the Shepherd's Crusade of 1320 and 1321 in the south of France and in the crown of Aragon (Spain). Nirenberg relates that the traditional perspective on the violence perpetrated against minorities during this period is that this violence was irrational. His principal thesis is that an alternative perspective--one endeavors to discern how the participants of this Crusade viewed their actions as rational--is more enlightening and offers insight. No additional sources cited.
Filename: khdnsc.rtf
Paper Title: David Nirenberg/Communities of Violence

De Troyes/Knight of the Lion & Individualism
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A 3 page essay that discusses individualism in De Troyes' The Knight of the Lion and in the twelfth century in general. The process of cultural evolution that eventually resulted in a societal emphasis on the rights, concerns and needs of the individual did not occur spontaneously, but rather began to emerge during the Middle Ages. In the twelfth century, Western society evolved a "new level of self-awareness," which manifested itself as greater "concern for the inner life" than was expressed in previous medieval eras (Kramer 18). At this time, a new sense of individualism can be seen in the literature of the period, such as the romances of Chretien de Troyes and his tale of The Knight of the Lion. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: khdtind.rtf
Paper Title: De Troyes/Knight of the Lion & Individualism

Decameron/Pampinea's View on Gender & Sex
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A 6 page essay that presents two tales from Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron. The writer focuses on two stories told by Pampinea, one of the women sojourners, and argues that these tales represent views of sex and gender that differed radically from the conventions of that time. No other sources cited.
Filename: khpamdec.rtf
Paper Title: Decameron/Pampinea's View on Gender & Sex

Decameron/Pampinea's View on Gender & Sex
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A 6 page essay that presents two tales from Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron. The writer focuses on two stories told by Pampinea, one of the women sojourners, and argues that these tales represent views of sex and gender that differed radically from the conventions of that time. No other sources cited.
Filename: khdecgen.rtf
Paper Title: Decameron/Pampinea's View on Gender & Sex

Deliberate and Enlightened Revolution? The Barons’ Rebellion
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A paper which looks in detail at the Barons Rebellion in thirteenth-century Britain, and considers whether the actions of the Barons, and in particular Simon de Montfort, could accurately be described as a "deliberate and enlightened revolution". Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Filename: JL2barons.rtf
Paper Title: Deliberate and Enlightened Revolution? The Barons’ Rebellion

El Cid, Koran, Yvain, Joinville
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This 28 page paper responds to nine disparate questions incorporating each of these four works into each response: El Cid; Koran; Yvain or the Knight with the Lion by Chretien de Troyes; and The Memoirs of the Lord of Joinville. In the last case, some responses are in the perspective of King Louis IX (St. Louis) and others are from Joinville's perspective. Examples of topics: What significance does each place on earthly rewards? How does each respond to conflict? How do each view women and/or women's accomplishments and what accomplishments die medieval France admire in women? What do each expect of followers? How does accountability fit into each? Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: PGcidyv.rtf
Paper Title: El Cid, Koran, Yvain, Joinville

Encounter with a Cat
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A 5 page essay that, first of all, discusses an encounter between the writer and a cat. This leads into a discussion of the history of the domesticated cat and its relationship to humanity, focusing on ancient Egypt and the Middle Ages. The writer concludes by contemplating the meaning of the cat encounter and how humanity should learn to value the environment based on the lessons of history. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: khcatenc.rtf
Paper Title: Encounter with a Cat

Eyrbyggia Saga and the Lais of Marie de France
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A 5 page research paper that examines these two examples of medieval literature in order to ascertain the place of women in that society. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: 99lais.wps
Paper Title: Eyrbyggia Saga and the Lais of Marie de France