Group Names:

DBQ FOCUS: The Dark Ages

Historical Context: When Western

Rome fell there were several
changes made throughout Europe.
Rome was an extremely powerful
empire that provided stabilization of
government, education, and culture.
Without Roman leadership Europe
was beginning to fall into the rule of
illiterate, German tribes whom the
Romans would have called barbarian.
The Germans were able to control
much of Europe through the power of
different tribes that included the
Alamanni, Anglo-Saxons, Franks,
Gepids, Goths, Lombards, and
Vandals. These tribes eroded the
Roman legacy by destroying Roman
buildings and ways of life through
constant war. Due to the increased violence the population decreased, as did the
economy. Trade and travel disappeared. Education was reserved for Church
workers and the very, very wealthy. Roads, sewers, and running water all broke
down. This led to many places in Europe taking steps back. Some historians have
claimed that life was said to be close to the Neolithic Revolution at this time; just
after the discovery of agriculture. This period, from roughly 500 - 1500 AD, is
commonly referred to as the “Dark Ages”, compared to the enlightened 800 years
of Roman dominance and the Renaissance that would come after it.

Directions: Answer the Essential Questions below in a full paragraph, using

complete sentences. Your answer should have 1) a topic sentence, 2) elaboration,
3) evidence to support your topic sentence. Use the DBQ documents provided, and
your own knowledge, to formulate your answer.

Question: Were the Dark Ages really “dark”, or was there more light than we are
led to believe?

Answer:
Document 1 - Source: “Becoming a Knight”, Western Civ, vol.1; 1992, Bedofrd What was the primary purpose of
Court Brace. training as a page? What was the
primary purpose of training as a
squire? What does this show about
the culture of feudalism?

Not everyone was able to become a knight. In fact, only a few people
were able to afford to become a knight. People who were interested in
becoming a knight had to buy their own weapons, armor, and warhorse.
Only the rich were able to pay for them.
Younger boys often wanted to become knights. When the boy turned 7
years he would serve another knight as a page. This was basically a servant
for a knight. They would perform tasks that included serving meals,
cleaning clothes, and even carrying messages. As a page the boy learned
how to behave and good manners, this was basically knight etiquette. The
page was also trained to how fight. They would use wooden shields and
swords to fight with other pages. When the boy turned 15, they became a
squire. As a squire, they had new tasks that included taking care of another
knight’s horse and cleaning their armor and weapons. Many times squires
often joined another knight on the battlefield. As a squire, they began to
train with real weapons. They also practiced their skills at jousting and
fighting on a horse. They had to prove themselves as a squire for five to six
years.
They would become a knight at the age of 21 during a “dubbing”
ceremony. This ceremony required them to kneel before another knight,
king, or a lord. The squire was then tapped on the shoulder with his sword.
The new knight was also required to take an oath that they would honor
and protect the king and the church. The knight would then be presented
with a pair of riding spurs and a sword.

Document 2 - Source: “The Black Death”, Western Civ, vol.1; 1992, Bedford Why was the Black Death so
Court Brace. deadly in European cities? Why
do you think Europeans were so
helpless against this disease?

In 1347 bubonic plague came to Europe through merchants in

southern Italy. The Plague was said to have begun in Asia
and was carried to Europe by rats. The disease killed over ⅓
of the population; nearly 45 million people in less than 5
years. It was estimated that 800 people died daily in Paris,
France from 1348-1350. There were so many people dying
from this disease that there was no place to bury them, their
bodies were placed in massive pits and burned or thrown into
rivers to dispose of them. This made larger cities and towns
dangerous to live in because they were dirty and crowded.
Many people tried to avoid the plague by locking themselves
in their houses, even entire towns and villages were burned
to the ground to stop disease from spreading. The Plague
would eventually die out in the early 1350s. The population of
Europe would recover to its previous numbers for 170 years.

Document 3 - Source: The official record of the Abbey of Dietz, in Germany, What are some of the day-to-day
recorded from 813 - 1087 AD. (An abbey is a church monastery that is home to threats that were facing people
living in medieval Europe?
nuns and monks.)

845 AD:
Twice in Worms [city in Germany] there was an earthquake. In the same
year the non-Christians invaded the Christian cities at many locations, and
more than twelve thousand of them died. Another party of invaders
devastated Gaul [region in France], and more than six hundred of them died.

846 AD:
According to their custom, the Vikings plundered Eastern and Western
Frisia [Netherlands, in Northern Europe] and burned down three towns
before the eyes of the Emperor. The Emperor was in the castle during the
attack, but could not punish the crime. The Vikings then returned to their
own country with many men and goods.

At this same time the Muslims killed all the Christians whom they found
outside the walls of Rome. They also carried men and women away
prisoners. Their crimes from day to day bring sorrow to Christians.

853 AD:
There was a great famine in Germany so that many were forced to live on
horsemeat.
Document 4 - Source: A list of the oldest Universities in Western Europe along What does this list tell you
with the year they began operations. about the access people in
medieval Europe had to
education?
Document 5 - Source: Our Lady of Paris Cathedral, 2004. What kind of technical knowledge
would such a complex structure
require? What would it take to build
such a structure?

The gothic style of architecture was common in the late Middle Ages.
Common features of gothic cathedrals included architectural innovations,
including large columns, high ceilings, and large stained glass windows.
Gothic cathedrals were usually the tallest and largest buildings in a city.
Construction on the cathedral began in 1163 and was completed in 1345.

Document 6 - Source: “Feudal life”, Western Civ, vol.1; 1992, Bedford Court Brace. What are some ways that your
social class and wealth
determined your life in
feudalism?

...In these parts lived a local lord who either lived in a large house, manor, or a
castle. The lords used peasants to work the land for the lord and were treated
like servants. The peasants were responsible for growing crops, providing labor,
and paying rent. The lord kept the peasants safe in return.
Not all people lived in the country, many lived in the city. Life was much
easier in the city but the cities were crowded and dirty. Here most people
worked as craftsmen, servants, merchants, bakers, doctors and lawyers.
Many people during the Middle Ages lived in small one to two bedroom
houses. These homes were crowded because most families were large. People
generally wore clothes made from heavy wool. The wealthier people wore nice
clothing that was made up of fine wool, velvet, and silk. There were laws that
restricted the types of clothing you could wear based on your class, called
“Sumptuary” laws.
Education began to grow once again during the Middle Ages. In fact, most
peasants learned how to do their job and survive from their parents. Children
who were not wealthy learned a trade and those wealthier had tutors to teach
them. There were schools that were run by the church where some children
would learn how to read and write. Local universities taught reading, writing,
math, music, astronomy, and even public speaking.

Document 7 - Source: Excerpt; “The Old Code”, French Chivalric Vows, as How would a code of behavior like
compiled by various sources. this impact daily culture? Why
was it necessary for knights to be
held to this code?

Justice: Seek always the path of 'right', uninterested in bias or personal gain.
Recognize that your power can be a terrible thing, so it must be tempered by
humanity and mercy. If the good you do agrees with others, and you seek it
out without temptation, then you will earn fame beyond measure.

Loyalty: Be known for unwavering commitment to the people and ideals you
choose to live by. There are many places where compromise is expected;
loyalty is not amongst them.

Defense: The ideal knight was sworn by oath to defend his liege lord and
those who depended upon him. Seek always to defend your nation, your
family, and those to whom you believe worthy of loyalty.