Black Death

The Black Plague not only took peoples lives, it also destroyed villages, cities, economies, and had drastic affects on the population. It had an adverse affect on certain professions as well. It makes sense to me that those in the professions of caring for the inflicted would see a decline in numbers. This disease invaded whatever was in its path. The ability of this horrific disease to attack was intensified simply through trade routes. Sanitation during this time was not anywhere what we are able to experience now. I feel very fortunate that we live in an era that is able to better control the breakouts of disease such as this. We have access to clean water and proper sanitation. That added to the fact we have made medical breakthroughs to ensure better care keep us safer than those that endured this horrible tragedy. It does concern me that it still threatens us, especially here in the West. I am convinced that those recommendations by the CDC, such as environmental controls, and public education can keep us safe.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/info.htm

Wiki Article

Peter the Hermit
This article discusses the involvement of Peter in the First Crusade as a leader and a preacher of the crusade. It begins with his leadership of one of the five sections of the People’s Crusade as they began a pilgrimage toward the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It details various battles he was involved in as he led the people in this pilgrimage. The article traces his life as it is associated with the crusades until his death in 1131.

1. 1,363 words.
2. Search term- Peter the Hermit. Title- Peter the Hermit
3. No disambiguation.
4. The discussion page talks of the scopes of the Wiki project the article falls within, religion, military, biography, middle ages, etc.
5. History of the page shows it has been edited 20 times the first on 5-13-04 and the last on 6-21-08.
6. No external links.
7. One reference.
8. No further readings.


I would recommend this article, but maybe only as additional information. In the body of the article it acknowledges that there are a number of scholars that disagree with some of the information. It would seem important to me to obtain information elsewhere as well.

First Crusaders

It is interesting to read about the first crusades and to realize how important just having a market system for your troops (crusaders) was. This is not something I would have thought could make or break your town when religious crusaders were passing through. The ability for the crusaders following Walter the Penniless to get supplies while en-route to Asia Minor seemed to be a deciding factor in whether the pass through was peaceful or not. It seemed that the crusaders following Peter the Hermit were more likely to haggle over prices and battles were more prevalent than when Walters’ followers went through. I wonder if the people in the towns were more confident because they had held off or bartered with Walters’ followers more successfully? Obviously those that placed the armor of the sixteen men on the walls of the town, in Semlin, were not concerned about the next religious army that would appear.

Frankish Empire?

I am always at a loss when I read about historic leaders with enough foresight to keep their Empires running and growing, yet they do not see far enough into the future to ensure what will happen to it when they are no longer around. Although Louis the Pious was able to further Charlemagne’s, his father, accomplishments he did not see that dividing up the Frankish empire would lead to it’s demise. I feel grateful that even though the system we have in place for our leaders leaves room for improvement, we also have a way to get rid of the “Louis the Fats” and “Charles the Simples”. We are also very fortunate that we have separation of church and state. Can you imagine with the diversity of religions we now have, how much worse our battles might be. I wonder if the main focus was more on gaining land and power, more of an ownership, rather than building an empire to ensure its continuance for the people. Would the Frankish empire have persevered longer?

Islam

The reading I found most interesting this week was Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. I must admit I my knowledge of the Islamic religion is not very strong. It was interesting to read the way the religion started and how it spread. I now understand the basis of this religion. It was also enlightening to read about Benedictine rule and the Rule of St. Francis. I think within each of these belief systems there are some similarities. Most important I see that living an honorable life is a consistent theme. It is distressing to me to read how Islam started and then to realize those on the world stage claim "jihad" and receive such major attention for it, while those that practice Islamic faith and work towards living an honorable life tend to be persecuted for the work of a few corrupt groups. I guess maybe not everyone's idea of honorable is the same, but I would ask, how someone could hurt another in the name of "god"? I know from reading that this has happened in history more than we can probably keep track. I wonder as the world continues to globalize if we will ever see this go into extinction