Abstract
During its two centuries of existence as the Byzantine capital of the Peloponnese, a number of churches and monasteries with domes and chapels were erected at Mistras. These structures played an important role in terms of promoting the religious function in the region, as well as providing a centralized focus for the ruling elite. This paper provides an examination of these monasteries and churches at Mistras, followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.

From the Paper
"In his essay, "The impact of Frankish architecture on Thirteenth-Century Byzantine Architecture", Charalambos Bouras writes: "In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture in both the capital and the provinces was mature and self-contained, meeting to the full the church building's liturgical needs and dogmatic symbolism, as well as realizing possibilities in the development of other art forms such as sculpture and monumental painting" (2002:247). In the Peloponnenos in particular, where the principality of the Morea had been established, there are not only the most important monuments of Gothic architecture, but also the most characteristic examples of Western influence on embellished Byzantine church buildings (2002:248). The Crusaders were also responsible, according to Bouras, for building a number of strong fortresses in the areas, perhaps even a part of the palace at Mistras, and certain other new settlements. The buildings of the 13th century at Peloponnesos are numerous and were usually smaller than their forerunners (such as the Hagia Sophia), and were frequently included in monastic complexes (Bouras 2002)."

Tags:byzantine, constantinople, peloponnese

Abstract
This paper is a review of the book "Women of the Renaissance" by Margaret L. King. The author summarizes the book on the lives of women and the roles they played during the Renaissance era and examines King's ideas on the differences between the classes of women and the roles they had in the family, the church and in the elite class. The paper explains how, in this way, King is able to cover society as a whole including all women - from preacher's wives to prostitutes. The author also praises King's engaging and interesting literary style and adds that "Women of the Renaissance" is essential reading for any student of history or anyone interested in women's studies.

From the Paper
"The best section is the shortest, which deals with the seeds of triumph for women. This book cannot replace a history book but it would stand to be an excellent counterpart to a history book on the Renaissance. By looking into the lives of women scattered throughout the Renaissance, King does well not to leave any areas left uncovered. We would live better is we could see into these lives as they were instead of how we romanticize them. Women need to understand that these women - be them witches or nuns - are the ancestors of all women and their voices should be heard."

Tags:gender roles, women society

Abstract
This paper discusses the relations between the sexes, both within and outside the Church in the 12th Century. It uses the example of Pierre Abelard's writings to Heloise, to qualify points made.

From the Paper
"Most students of medieval history or theology know the story of Pierre Peter Abelard, a famous theologian and philosopher whose views got him denounced as a heretic in the 12th century. However it is not as a philosopher that he is best remembered, but his popular fame resulted from his tragic love affair with Heloise exchanging famous letters of love and suffering ..."

Tags:Abelard, Heloise, morals, status of women, Church elite, forgeries

Abstract
This paper questions how revolutionary the US Revolutionary War really was. The paper points out that such a question is multi-faceted and deserves a multi-faceted answer. The paper then goes on to examine the ways in which the War was revolutionary and those ways in which is was not so revolutionary. The paper concludes that while the US Revolutionary War was revolutionary in terms of government and global politics and for non-elite white males, it was not very revolutionary for women or African Americans, as they were not granted suffrage, enough of an education to be independent, the right to run for public office, or viewed as equal to men socially.

From the Paper
"The evolution of government created by the Revolutionary War expanded beyond the realms of suffrage to religion for the common man. In Virginia, Methodists and Baptists petitioned for freedom of religion akin to that which the Puritans enjoyed. During the ratification of Virginia's constitution, liberals and secular-minded individuals managed to enact the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which was the first law to separate church and state in the colonies. Eight years later in Philadelphia, Jews sought civil rights as well."

Tags:church, state, women, african-american, suffrage

Abstract
This paper looks at the impact of the Black Death and subsequent epidemics on the conditions of laborers, craftsmen and other peasants in late 14th century England. It examines how the Black Death meant a great deal of change for the peasant and laborer populations of England. It discusses how as well as increasing existing trends such as the leasing off of lords' lands. The plague had many effects in which the laborers and peasantry challenged the existing elites through issues such as increased wage demands and a widespread questioning of the power held by the Church.

From the Paper
"Trends among the conditions of the peasantry that are often attributed to the plague include an increase in the cost of labor that resulted in many landlords renting out their land for others to cultivate it rather than employing peasants to work on the land. Although, after the Plague it is clear that the number of peasants renting land from their lords increased, Myers suggests that Lords had began leasing demesnes before the black death because of an economic depression. Before the Black Death the growth of the population put a strain on resources and there was a slump in the economy. The Landlords increased the labor obligations of peasants in an effort to increase production."

Tags:disease, medieval, plague, lords, church, land

Abstract
Perhaps the most fascinating feature of both the novel, "Nectar in a Sieve", and the oral history, "Don't Be Afraid Gringo", is how very similar the two stories are; although they are separated by decades in time, and thousands of miles in space. To a large degree, this may be attributed to the fact that both works concern cultures experiencing a similar crisis: the social impact of core-periphery economic exploitation upon traditional family existence in 1950s India and 1980s Honduras. This paper will argue that both text's representation of their economic situations - of mercantilist core/staple producing periphery exploitation, semiproletariate relations with the comprador elite, family/church socialization and factory/military oppression - are depicted through the lens of female-male relations and family life in traditional cultures.

Tags:gender, modernization

Abstract
The paper discusses how the cause of Salem's witchcraft hysteria was not the work of the Devil, but more likely the lust for power exhibited by church leaders. The paper examines how the Salem Witchcraft Trials conflict developed into social upheaval as a result of disorder in the legal system. The paper examines how this upheaval began with the loss of the original charter of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, then, a colonial power struggle in the aftermath of James II's deposition in the Glorious Revolution. The paper further examines how the lack of settled English rules of trial law and the question of reliable of evidence, particularly with respect to spectral evidence, further aggrandized the disorder.

Outline:
Abstract
Role of the Massachusetts State in the Witchcraft Craze of 1692
Salem's Elite During the Craze
Salem as a Theocracy
The Trials as Dramatic Performance
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The young girls who testified in open court about the effect of witchcraft on the people of Salem added to the drama by responding to invisible pinches and kicks from evil spirits, rolling about on the floor and screaming in agony . These reactions, perceived by the magistrates, many of whom were given that power because of their high rank in the church, used their religious training as a substitute for familiarity with the laws in place at the time and made rulings strictly on the basis of what they perceived to be God's will, and not the burden of law."

Tags:British, aristocracy, King, James, II, Satan, organized, legal, systems

Abstract
The paper analyzes the reign of Charlemagne, and shows how his enhancements to the existing Merovingian system of government laid down the foundations for feudalism. The paper explains the feudal relationship and its terms: fiefs, fealty, vassals, serfs etc. The paper also analyzes the position of the Church within the feudal system, and details how the system changed in the 11th centuries, and how a similar system spread to other areas like Byzantium, and the Near and Far East. The paper shows how scrutage led to the decline of feudalism. In conclusion, though, the writer asserts that modern democracy still contains a hidden feudalism within, and that it will continue to do so until the masses uncover the ruling elite within.

From the Paper
"Of major interest, Charlemagne allowed the conquered people to continue with their customs and laws and he had their custom and laws written so that the counts and dukes would be well aware of them. Charlemagne sent scholars to interview shamans and tribal leaders that understood their laws and recorded their answers. The laws being published were to be enforced by the counts and dukes governing the lands. This was an interesting move on Charlemagne's part that upholds one side of his character as being a fair-handed ruler and this decision facilitated the transfer of power."

Tags:fief, fealty, vassal, serf, scrutage

Abstract
This paper discusses the modern day Church of Satan founded by Anton Szandor LaVey in 1966. It examines the appeal of the religion to young people, and the many myths and fantasies surrounding their rituals. The paper describes contemporary Satanism as a brutal religion of elitism and social Darwinism that seeks to re-establish the reign of the able over the idiotic. The author compares Satanism to Christianity.

From the Paper
"Satanism has an ancient history and has appeared in a number of different forms through the ages. It persists to this day and has been reformed and reshaped in this century by certain believers who have given this ancient religion a somewhat new look. In recent years, there has been considerable concern expressed over the possible influence of Satanism on young people and others, though much of the concern has been hysterical in nature, assuming that satanic influences and satanic rituals are prevalent without any clear evident that it is. Satanism is now one of the many topics being discussed and disseminated utilizing the Internet. Sexuality is one aspect of this religion that is treated differently than it is in Christianity, as a comparison will show."

Tags:sexuality, christianity, satan, ritual, darwinism

Abstract
This paper describes the House of Tudor, established when Henry Tudor wrested the crown away from Richard III, by featuring the reigns of Henry VII, Henry III, Edward, Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I. The paper reviews Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell and Stephen Gardner, three main advisers to Henry VIII during his reign. The paper focuses on the Henrican Reformation and the conflict between the Catholics and the Protestant.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Those Who Shaped Henry VIII Court
The Henrican Reformation
Elizabeth I
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Cromwell had served as an aid to Wolsey, and had learned from Wolsey matters of state and church. Cromwell helped Henry VIII find a way to ignore the Collectanea. Cromwell proposed that the king seek a dissolution of marriage from an English court, through the Parliamentary authority. This was not the solution that Henry immediately accepted, because others among his inner circle, Norfolk and Suffolk among them, hoped to do it through the Church, and believed that they could exact pressure on the Church of England to make that happen."

Tags:authority, church, cromwell, elites, politician