Resource Room

Resource Room

Online

Genealogy of Edward IV
This is a wonderfully illuminated scroll, accompanied by an excellent commentary. The interface is a bit odd and you have to move through the top and bottom frames manually. Click on the "The Roll Online" link.
The Treaty of Calais
Well, the box it came in, anyway. A brief explanation accompanies the picture.
Judicial Duels
Three of them. They're 11th century, but it might be a good exercise for the students to re-state the cases in their own words.
On the recovery of runaway serfs
A 13th century text that not only details the conditions for how to decide a case, but also shows that even under Frederick II the emperors were having trouble enforcing their will.
The Golden Bull of the German Empire
Some of the provisions here are quite interesting.
Statutes of the Commune of Bugelle (Biella)
This is a very long document in Latin with English translations. There is also a part two, equally long. Also includes scholarly editorial comments at the beginning.
Indenture of Lease
A Paston family document. Reading the Middle English could be tough, but it does show how land got parcelled out.
Tally Sticks
These are from the 13th century, but they were still quite commonly used in our period, as well.
The Exchequer
Counting tables like this one were used all over Europe.
Petition of John Loveyn of Normandy
An example of 15th century English. Can you read it? What's the petition about? Notice that this is 1438 and that such petitions are being written not in Latin or in French, but in English.
A Petition of Commons
Once again in 15th century English, so the language will be tough sledding. A good example, though, of the sort of petitions that were placed by Parliament before the King.
Summons to Arms, 1436
Again in Middle English. Note how vague are the specifications in terms of men and equipment.
Statute of Laborers, 1351
Ordinance of Laborers, 1349
An attempt at wage control.
Orders for the English fleet, 1326
Second Battle of St Albans
Queen Margaret invades via Scotland, 1463
Battle of Barnet
Battle of Tewkesbury
Licet Juris, 1338
An Imperial reply to the claims of Pope Boniface VIII
The Golden Bull, 1356
Calendar of Usages and Customs of Ipswich
The By-laws of Lynn
Rental of community property in 14th century Lynn
Philip van Artevelde
Account by Jean Froissart
Defensor Pacis
by Marsilius of Padua, 1324. A strong statement of the complete independence of secular authority.
Founding a University
Foundation document for the University of Heidelberg, 1386
List of craft guilds in Florence
Expulsion of the Jews from Spain, 1492
A Spanish Nobleman
The Jacquerie
Froissart
Wat Tyler and King Richard
The Treaty of Troyes, 1420
Exerpts
Louis XI of France
A famous description, by Philippe de Commynes
Unam Sanctam, 1302
The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges, 1438
Petrarch, criticizing the papacy at Avignon
Condemnation of Wycliffe, and his reply
Art History Links
Very long and maybe even overwhelming, but well laid out and easy to browse, this is the best link list for Renaissance art out there right now.

    Revolts and Rebellions

  1. Anonimalle Chronicle: English Peasants' Revolt 1381
  2. Government and Political Theory

  3. The Chronicles of Venice: How the Doges Were Chosen
  4. Regulations of the Commune of Biella
  5. Medieval Sourcebook: The Golden Bull of Charles IV 1356
  6. Medieval Sourcebook:
    Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527):
    Republics and Monarchies, Excerpt from Discourses I, 55
  7. The Prince, Machiavelli
  8. Medieval Sourcebook: Lorenzo De Medici: Paternal Advice To A Cardinal (c. 1491)
  9. Economy

  10. Medieval Prices
  11. The Value of Foreign Coin in England, 1266
  12. Explorations

  13. Modern History Sourcebook: Vasco da Gama: Round Africa to India, 1497-1498 CE
  14. Christopher Columbus: Extracts from Journal
  15. Humanism

  16. Petrarch: The Ascent of Mount Ventoux
  17. Medieval Sourcebook:
    Petrus Paulus Vergerius: The New Education (c. 1400)
  18. Society and Demographic Crisis

  19. Medieval Sourcebook: Famine of 1315
  20. An account of the Black Death, by Boccaccio
  21. War

  22. Levy of troops for the wars in Bohemia, 1422
  23. Orders for the English fleet, 1326
  24. Froissart on the battles of Crécy and Poitiers
  25. Medieval Sourcebook: Sir Jean Froissart: John of Gaunt in Portugal, 1385
  26. Sir Jean Froissart: How Philip van Artevelde was Made Governor of Ghent, 1386
  27. Towns and Defence in Later Medieval Germany, by David Eltis. Nottingham Medieval Studies v.33 (1989)
  28. The Myths of Medieval Warfare, by Sean McGlynn. from History Today v.44 (1994)
  29. Religion

  30. The Great Schism: Manifesto of the Revolting Cardinals, Aug 5, 1378
  31. Medieval Sourcebook: Council of Constance: Sacrosancta, 1415
  32. Medieval Sourcebook: Council of Constance: Frequens, 1417
  33. Commynes on King Louis XI
  34. Joan of Arc's letter to the King of England, 1429
  35. The Trial of Joan of Arc, 1431
  36. Johan Nider on Joan of Arc
  37. Catherine of Siena, Dialog of the Seraphic Virgin
  38. Society

  39. Christine of Pisa, The Book of the City of Ladies, "Was there ever a woman who discovered hitherto unknown knowledge?"
  40. Christine of Pisa, The Book of the City of Ladies, "How young women ought to conduct themselves towards their elders."
  41. Christine of Pisa, The Book of the City of Ladies, "How ladies and young women who live on their manors ought to manage their households and estates.
  42. Christine of Pisa, The Book of the City of Ladies, "Of the wives of artisans and how they ought to conduct themselves.