The Effect of the Black Death on English Higher Education
The Effect of the Black Death on English Higher Education, an article written by William J. Courtenay, takes a look into the quantitative and qualitative effects the plague had on English higher education. Courtenay, a history professor at Wisconsin University, has written several books on education in the 14th century, and is also Associate Chairman of the Classics Department, giving him credibility on the subject. By using several primary sources, such as registers from several schools, including that of Oxford, and other newly available sources, he is able to delve into a subject that even two decades ago was still very gray. With these new sources, Courtenay attempts to change the previous assumption that the plague greatly affected English higher education, and that the mortality rate within the educational establishments equaled that of the general population. The two questions Courtenay attempts to answer, whether there was a qualitative and/or quantitative decline in English education as a result of the Black Plague, are both, even to this day, up to speculation. Courtenay begins by stating that up until a few decades ago, there had not been enough information to make an argument based on much fact. Work done, such
It did not matter whether or not the students were capable of comprehending the higher level of thinking at the universities, but all depended on the quality of education that they received early in their educational career. He also lets the reader know that much of the evidence still only allows for speculation, meaning, like previous writers on the subject, he could be wrong as well, an admittance many scholars do not make. He stated what he wanted to accomplish, provided the facts, and then gave his interpretation. It is a view that Courtenay does not necessarily agree with in that the increase in enrollment is a sign that men still believed that an education was beneficial, and could lead to a better life. Lytle writes that towards the end of the 14th century, more men were appointed to the title of bishop for political awards, instead of scholarly achievements. He also notes the studies of Guy Lytle, which offers another view of the period, in that many men did not attend college because even though attaining a degree could not hurt ones chances of obtaining a job, it did not guarantee the position. As far as constructing a hypothesis by analyzing data, Courtenay finds that the death rate for theologians during the decade of the plague was no higher than any other decade, and that the number of students actually increased following the plague. as that of Anna Campbell, was mainly based on the statements of contemporary scholars, that the Black Plague had a major effect not only on the population, but every other facet of life, including education. As a result of this realization, many men looked for jobs with the crown or wealthy families where advancement was possible. Unfortunately, the article does not necessarily deal with the role the Black Plague played on education in England as a whole, but more on education at Oxford. This leads to another argument, that there were several isolated rural homes that the students and faculty could have retreated to, staying away until the plague had passed. When it comes to answering the question of the change in the quality of the education due to the plague, Courtenay looks at whether or not the mortality caused by the plague lowered the quality of Oxford's staff, as well as the students that were admitted. Finally, Courtenay dissects the social and educational climate post 1349 as a result of the plagues effects. By analyzing documents such as the school registers, he was able to calculate some percentages that disproved earlier arguments that school enrollment was stifled by the plague.
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