S/H/129. Study of Prostitution in Medieval Society: Social Necessity or Evil Vice?

The paper looks at the role of sexuality in human societies addressing the problem of prostitution from the historical perspective. The structure and status of the prostitution 'business' in medieval Europe are evaluated considering legal and popular attitudes towards prostitution, its role in protecting marriages, the marginal position of prostitutes in society, the interrelationship between sex and economic value, the attitudes of the church towards prostitution, etc.

S/H/131. What can Historians Learn from Examining Medieval Changes in Castle Design and Building?

The paper examines the features of medieval castles tracing their history back to William the Conqueror, and looking at the rise and decline of castle building. The changes in castle designs are described arguing that they reflect the ways of control and defence used across centuries.

C/H/23. Historical accounts of the Mongol Empire

This essay looks at the Mongol empire and considers the great variety of sources upon it, of how these can lead to confusion but can also be used within a modern approach to history.

C/H/18. Roles available to women in early medieval Europe

This assignment discusses the various roles that were open to women during Early Medieval Europe. It discusses the roles that were available across the class systems, it discusses marriage and childbirth. It also discuses how women were generally perceived during this period and how things progressed into late medieval Europe.

S/H/50. To what extent was the use of forced labour (slavery, indentured labour, convict labour) necessary for the development of the capitalist world economy in the period 1600-1900?

This paper shall assess the significance of the role that forced labour played in the economic advance of the world. It shall examine the profits of slavery, indentured labour and convict labour and its role as a great market force of the early modern period. Indeed, it may be suggested that capitalism depended on all three forms of labour to gain profit. It shall also consider the fact that the economy as a whole did not benefit. Nonetheless, it supports the idea that labour was necessary for the development of capital.

S/H/49. Critical and Bibliography Exercise. Geoffrey Parker, ‘The “Military Revolution,” 1560-1660 – a Myth?’

A critical exercise that centres around the paper ‘The “Military Revolution,” 1560-1660- A Myth?’ by Geoffrey Parker. His paper debates the claims suggested by Michael Roberts on an apparent revolution. This incorporates the works of Jeremy Black who heavily criticised Parker and Roberts. Also provided is a bibliography and brief summary in order to assist the student in further study.

S/H/48. Why were Henry II and Thomas Becket at odds?

This paper offers a comprehensive study of the conflict that existed between Church and State. It deals with the dispute that ultimately led to Becket’s death and states the key characteristics of the issues that dominated the quarrel. Areas discussed include criminous clerks, prosecution of laymen and ancient customs. Its magnitude was so great that it involved the French King and Pope, and transformed the relationship between Church and State.

P/H/85. Medieval attitudes to death

The paper examines the attitudes to death reflected in the art of the late medieval period analyzing the picture of the Last Judgement in the book ÑFrom the Brink of the ApocalypseÒ. The brutality of war, the value of human life and the impacts of the Hundred Years War between England and France on peopleÒs mentality are described. Other works of the period are reviewed commenting on the theme of death and the Judgment day.

P/H/84. Medieval war: beginning of the apocalypse

The paper examines the theme of the apocalypse in late medieval period reviewing the account of the Battle of Crecy between France and Britain made by a French chronicler Jean Frosissart. The events of the Hundred Years War are described showing the changing character of war.

P/H/83. Attitude to the poor in medieval society

The paper examines the historical processes of the fifteenth century that led to an attitudinal shift towards the poor. Medieval ideas related to poverty, charity, piety, etc. are discussed. Actions supporting the needy in Florentine society are reviewed arguing whether they were aimed at the salvation in the eyes of God rather than at the actual help for the poor.

P/H/75. History of economic thought

The paper reviews the study of Louis Baeck on the history of economic thought from the Mediterranean tradition to the Iberian monetarism of the 16th and 17th centuries providing commentary on the topics under discussion.

P/H/71. Reasons behind medieval witch hunts

The paper examines the reasons behind medieval witch hunts discussing the issues of gender and power in feudal society and reviewing literature on the ideas of purity, misogyny and religion, feminist accounts of witch craze, economic and psychological implications of the collapse of feudal family relations, etc.

P/H/50. Byzantium in 11 the century

The paper analyses political and religious features of the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century discussing the reasons behind Byzantine supremacy, key political developments over the period, the policy of Basil II and Constantine VIII, the split of the Orthodox Church between East and West etc.

P/MD/65. Life and music of Fratini, Italian Baroque trumpeter

The paper reports on the life and performance of Italian Baroque trumpeter Girolamo Fantini and his influence on the seventeenth century music. The styles of trumpet playing are discussed including Ñclarino; the early Italian Baroque period is described covering fashions, music styles, etc.

S/H/20. Cossacks and Clerics. Religion, Rebellion and Kyivs Road to Muscovy. 1569-1654

This paper addresses the triangular relationship that existed between Catholicism, the socio-cultural antagonisms between Poles and non-Poles and the political struggles of the Polish and Ukrainian nobility in the Polish East (Ukraine). The papers central theme is that the Polish presence in the eastern borderlands that became Ukraine acted as the catalyst for the rise of Cossackdom and their eventual alienation from Polish culture, religion and rule; in time moving closer to Orthodox Moscow for protection of the Cossack Orthodox faith and their independence which was threatened by hostile Catholic Poles. The Orange Revolution witnessed in 2004 was the most recent victorious example of how Ukraine has spent the last 350 years trying to step out of the shadow of Russian influence. How Ukraine initially stepped into that shadow is what this paper explains. Major issues addressed in this work included the struggles between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, the dynamics of the gentry system that involved Poles and the Cossack culture, the politics between the Polish elites and the Russians, and the 1648 rebellion that led to Ukraine leaving the Polish orbit and drifting towards that of the Russians. The Jewish presence in Poland and Ukraine is also heavily addressed and presented as a significant variable in this equation. In its entirety this work is 25 pages double-spaced and is 7102 words long. There is a colored picture on the front and a bibliography of 19 sources. This work was done for a senior history seminar on Early-Modern Europe. The work is also marked with footnotes on each page, in total numbering 71. This is a detailed work that was thoroughly researched.

P/H/13. Assess how John Chrysostom exemplifies relations between the Orthodox Church and Byzantium

This essay outlines short biography of John Chysostom, explains the nature of his relationship with Byzantium and describes what parallels can be drawn between this and the larger relationship of the Orthodox church and the empire.