History of Early Universities and the Black Death

Questions and Answers

The first universities were developed by the 1000s.

True

The Black Death occurred in the 12th century.

False

The earliest excavated tide mill dates back to 787 AD.

True

Jan van Eyck invented oil paint around 1410.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Mirrors were first made by Alexander Neckham in 1180.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Development of Universities

By the 1000s, the foundation of the first universities marked the beginning of organized higher education.
The 1100s saw modern universities like Oxford and Cambridge established in England, influencing academic structures across Western Europe.

Crisis of the Late Middle Ages

The 14th century experienced significant disruption known as the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages, characterized by widespread hardship.
The Black Death, a devastating plague, led to substantial loss of life and socio-economic challenges.
Quarantine methods were implemented to combat the spread of diseases, starting with a 40-day isolation period introduced by the Republic of Ragusa.

Inventions and Innovations

The spinning wheel, likely invented in India, revolutionized textile production by replacing hand spinning methods; it traveled to Europe through the Middle Eastern trade routes during the Middle Ages.
The tide mill is a unique type of water mill that operates using tidal movements; the earliest known example dates back to 787 AD at the Nendrum Monastery in Northern Ireland.

Artistic Advancements

Oil painting technique was pioneered by Flemish painter Jan van Eyck around 1410, who created a stable oil mixture for paint, enhancing the detail in artworks compared to tempera.
Mirrors were crafted in 1180 by scholar Alexander Neckham, who observed that removing the lead backing from glass eliminates the reflection, highlighting early glass-making techniques.

Description

Explore the origins of the first universities in Western Europe and how they evolved through the centuries. Learn about the impact of the Black Death during the Late Middle Ages and its influence on society and healthcare practices such as quarantine. This quiz covers significant historical developments from the 1000s to the 1400s.