Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources In this task, you will read four primary sources. The first source is about farming and agriculture in Europe during the late Middle Ages. You will write about agricultural innovations to an imaginary medieval farmer. Next, you will summarize your findings about a terrible pestilence that swept through Europe in the Middle Ages.

Question 1

Part A
You are a time-traveling trouble-shooter. While passing through the late Middle Ages, you happen to overhear the following conversation between a plowman and his master.

Master: What sayest thou plowman? How do you do your work?

Plowman: O, my lord, I work very hard: I go out at dawn, driving the cattle to the field, and I yoke them to the plow. Nor is the weather so bad in winter that I dare to stay at home, for fear of my lord: but when the oxen are yoked, and the plowshare and coulter attached to the plow, I must plow one whole field a day, or more.

Master: Have you any assistant?

Plowman: I have a boy to drive the oxen with a goad, and he too is hoarse with cold and shouting.

Master: What more do you do in a day?

Plowman: Certainly I do more. I must fill the manger of the oxen with hay, and water them and carry out the dung.

Master: Indeed, that is a great labor.

Plowman: Even so, it is a great labor for I am not free.

Source: The Dialogue Between Master & Disciple On Laborers

You decide to stop and help the poor plowman. How can he improve his job so he grows more crops and hopefully has more time to enjoy life? Remember, he can only use items that are available in his world. (Hint: There are three main actions he can take.)

Use the resource links to come up with a plan of action. Fill in the table to organize your ideas.

Resources:
Three-Field Crop Rotation
Agriculture in Medieval Europe

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Part B
Now that you have organized your information, write a short paragraph addressed to the plowman and his master detailing your plan of action. You can use bullet points if you wish. Make sure you tell them why your innovations are important and what the long-term results will be.