General comment: in case you hadn't noticed, there are lots of odd errors in these documents. That's because they were scanned, and scanning software is rarely 100% accurate. Try not to let that distract you.
The Seven Sacraments
Just read through these, noting particularly two things; namely, differences in wording of how each sacrament is described, and noting as well any words or phrases that you do not understand.
Monastic Rules
There are lots of odd phrases and words here. Make sure you either research them or bring them up in discussion.
Compare the three rules. What do you find is common to all? What differences do you see and what significance do you think those have? Do monks still follow these rules, or are they "medieval"?
Clairvaux
Clairvaux is a monastery in France and was the home to St. Bernard. It was founded in the twelfth century and was an exemplar of the monastic reform movement of the early 12th century. How does this description demonstrate the values of that reform movement? What are the particular virtues of the place, and how do they compare with the monastic rules of the previous reading?
Tales of the Devil
These are colorful enough that I will just let the discussion develop naturally!
Ordeals
Notice who is administering these ordeals--a priest, not a civil official. How does this fit in with what you are also learning about the development of trials by jury?
Oaths
You might want to supplement these documents with reading the lecture on Medieval Society.
That first Anglo-Saxon oath is awfully vague, isn't it? Why would anyone allow themselves to be bound by anything so open-ended; and, conversely, why would anyone imagine that something so vague would be effective? The Antrusian oath has a little bit more substance to it.
Few historians today would argue there was a "feudal system" in Europe, in the sense of a single, fairly clearly-defined set of rules. But the 816 capitulary shows that certain practices were in effect, or at least were decreed, for here three kings (the sons of Louis the Pious) state that every free man must have a lord. Why would they do that?
The documents on homage ceremony illustrate how very personal and individual were these relationships. Note the role played by witnesses and by sub-vassals. Note the public nature of the ceremony. And note how not only are obligations spelled out, but so are conditions for dissolving the relationship.
After having read all these, what would you say are the main points of a "feudal" relationship?
The Peace of God and the Truce of God
What's the difference between a Peace of God proclamation and a Truce of God proclamation. While you see only two here, we have many such documents. What do these documents suggest was the state of public order at the time?
Capitularies
This is just a random sample, to give you an idea of the range of legislation that Charlemagne undertook. They range from state policy down to very detailed, local instructions. You can readily see that the nature and scope of government was still not clear and was still very much a reflection of the interests and character of the monarch himself.
Statute in Favor of the Princes
Use this document to try to piece together at least some of the elements of kingly power. Since Frederick is giving up power to the princes here, you should be able to discern what kinds of power and authority were regarded as being public.
Fief and Coronation Ceremonies
Examine these, and the ceremony for Richard. What aspects of kingship did these ceremonies emphasize? Who participated? What were they key events? Who was the intended audience? Coronation ceremonies provide valuable insight into what contemporaries believed about kings and kingship.
Constitutions of Clarendon
Another good insight into the nature of public authority. Many of the provisions are aimed at the Church in England. What are the concerns? This document is an interesting precursor to the Magna Carta.
Political Advice: Louis IX, Lorenzo de' Medici, and Machiavelli
These three make for some interesting contrasts.
The Domesday Book
The is a major source for England in the 11th century. What conclusions can you draw from this document? What questions does it raise? I provide a link to the image just for general interest. Compare your observations on the Domesday Book with the next reading, an inventory from a Carolingian villa.
Doing Business
Consider the next several readings together: Bill of Sale, Bill of Lading, An Order to Purchase, A Purchase on Credit, and Purchase of Shares in a Ship.
Why would the Bill of Sale be needed at all? What's the difference between a bill of sale and a bill of lading? What's lading, anyway? What's the purpose of the order to purchase?
The purchase on credit is interesting. Wasn't it illegal to lend money on credit? Is this usury?
The purchase of shares is a good example of how people in the Middle Ages invested in a business enterprise. It also shows how an entrepreneur could gather capital in order to undertake an expensive proposition.
Towns Charters
Consider the two charters together. Both these town charters served as models for many other town charters. Who grants the charter? What are the principal concerns of the charter? Who receives the charter? Who benefits from its terms?
Gelasian Doctrine
This is provided just for reference. It's a succinct and clear statement of how the Church viewed the proper relation between Church and State.
Papal Bulls
The next three entries are all papal proclamations that carry the claims of the papacy further. See if you can identify the ways in which papal claims were extended, or were these merely clarifications?
Response and Compromise
Licet juris is a statement of the imperial position in the 14th century. In what ways is it a direct response to the papal position? What areas or considerations does it ignore? And, finally, the Pragmatic Sanction shows how compromise was reached between Church and State in France. Question: in what ways is this a return to the Gelasian Doctrine? In what ways does it represent a triumph of the State over the Church?
Society's Ills
The first two accounts are urban, the latter two are rural. What similarities can you find in their complaints? What differences? How about indications of the social classes involved?