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Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics, and Society, Seventh Edition
Marvin Perry, Baruch College, City University of New York, Emeritus
et al.
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| | Using Primary Sources
Chapter 12: The Late Middle Ages
Pestilence and Rebellion- Striking first in 1347, the bubonic plague killed between one-quarter and one-third of Europe's population. Among the many consequences of this catastrophe was a dramatic shift in the supply of labor relative to demand. Land owners responded to the new reality by attempting to reinforce the bonds that tied peasants to the land. Peasants responded, in turn, by demanding better compensation for their labor and greater freedom from manorial obligations. Reread the two excerpts describing and justifying the medieval social order on page 222 (chapter 9) and the declaration of John Ball on pages 283 and 284. When you're done, write a short essay examining the connection between the spread of the plague and the social and economic turmoil of the Late Middle Ages. Be sure to consider the point of view of both peasants and lords as you write your essay. What did each side mean when they claimed they were acting in defense of "traditional rights"?
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