Read "a western view of the Byzantine Empire" (textbook page 325)Was Lludprand of Cremona a skilled diplomat? How accurate does
his estimate of Constantine VII appear to be? Why? Does Lludprand exhibit any signs of western inferiority when he appears before the eastern emperor? What does his note
about the carzimasia reveal about his perception of the emperor?
2. Read "Opposing Viewpoints: Causes of the Black Death" (textbook page 331). How did Fourteenth Century Europeans explain the causes of the plague? How
might one explain the differences in the three accounts and what do they tell us about the level of scientific knowledge at that time? How did the plague affect
the social and economic system in Western Europe and why might this be seen as an important transition from the late Middle Ages to something we can
describe as "early modern"?
Peasants were now able to demand higher wages and better working conditions as landlords were not able to replace them with as much ease as previously. As a result peasants would be able to afford better living conditions'. After the plagues land and corn were plentiful, rents and restrictions reduced and standards of living improved.
