Primary Source Toolbox
Primary Source Archives
- http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/modsbookfull.asp
Fordham University has an archive of Medieval European primary source documents that are organized into full texts of books. In this site, students can find many religious and political writings regarding Europe, ranging from the Reformation up through the 21st century. This archive is especially useful for finding documents about Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. - http://avalon.law.yale.edu/
The Yale Law School, Lillian Goldman Law Library contains an archive of primary source documents ranging from Europe's Ancient Times through the 21st century. The documents are organized chronologically and into time periods. Because the site is clean and well-organized, students can easily maneuver through the site and find Medieval Documents from 400-1399 C.E. Documents are in alphabetical order and include documents such as the Magna Carta, the Laws of William the Conqueror, and an Ordinance of William I, Separating the Spiritual and Temporal Courts. - http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/mefrm.htm
EyeWitness to History is a website dedicated to encapsulate "History through the eyes of those who lived it." The website provides evidence from various past dates such as, "Life in a Christian Monastery, 585", Columbus Discovers America, 1493" and "The Death of Magellan, 1521." I have enjoyed exploring this site because of the accurate history presented, pictures shown and how the articles are actually written through the eyes of those who lived it. - http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Feudal1.html
Sam Houston State University (SHSU), provides a detailed website about "Primary Sources: Documents Illustrative of Feudalism." This website is filled with information about the origins of feudalism and detailed background information of the several documents involved. For example, the site has the entire translations and reprints from the original sources of European history, which includes 10 main categories of rules and laws. - http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hi/hi_medieuper.htm
On the Metropolitan Museum of Art website, students will find an archive of Medieval painting, sculpture, and architecture. By analyzing the art of Medieval Europe, students will gain a deeper understanding of the culture of the time, as well as the political, religious, economic, and social influences that inspired such art.
Analysis Tools
Lesson Plans for Primary Sources
- http://sheg.stanford.edu/dark-ages In this lesson, students will use primary source documents to answer the guiding historical question: Were the "Dark Ages" really dark? Students will compare and contrast primary source documents with textbook accounts of the Middle Ages. Students will evaluate: Was the time period between 400 AD and 1400 AD a “Dark Age” for Europe? Was this a time of cultural decay and decline?
- http://sheg.stanford.edu/battle-little-bighorn Students investigate the historical question: Who was responsible for the Battle of Little Bighorn? Students will read and analyze a textbook account, a letter from the U.S. Secretary of War, and a Native American woman's recollections of the event and engage in a discussion about this historical question.