LIFE IN THE MIDDLE AGES

A Medieval WebQuest

The Middle Ages was a time of knights in shining armour, kings and queens, lords and ladies, glorious feasts and tournaments, wandering minstrels and court jesters, and vassals and serfs. Life in the Middle Ages was centered around the castle where the noble lord ruled through a system known as feudalism. The feudal lords exerted economic control over their lands and territories. In return for goods and services, the feudal lord gave the peasants and villagers rights to use the land and protection from armed attacks by barbarians, Vikings, and other powerful lords and their armies.

THE TASK

Individually, you will research one aspect of Medieval culture and times utilizing the resources in your school, public library and on the Internet. You will either write a 500 word report on your findings or from the list of project types and examples, select one you would like to do (like build a medieval castle). Next you will present your project to the class and tell them all about medieval castles covering why they were built, the layout of rooms, and life within the castle walls.

RESOURCES

You will be using print and electronic resources located in your library media center, public library, and on the Internet to collect information and images for your project. Your resources should include at least one encyclopedia, two books, and two Internet sites. A bibliography will be required.

THE PROCESS

Steps To Follow:

1. Chose your topic.
2. Select your project type.
3. Locate print, electronic and Internet resources.
4. Begin doing your research and taking notes.
5. Write an outline of what you plan to cover.
6. Hand in to your teacher your names, your topic, your project type, and an outline of what you will cover.
7. Begin to create, write, or construct your project.
8. Plan out and practice your presentation.
9. Arrange for any equipment you will need for your presentation.
10. Bring all your props, materials, or costumes in on the day of your presentation.

LEARNING ADVICE

• Brainstorm your ideas for this project with your partner or parent.
• Be creative and imaginative.
• Select a project type you would enjoy doing.
• Decide who is responsible for what.
• Your visuals should be clear and easy to see and read.
• Leave time to practice your presentation and make changes.
• Be sure your presentation is no longer than 10 minutes.

CONCLUSION

Upon completing this WebQuest you should:

• Be an expert on your specific Medieval topic.
• Be knowledgeable about all aspects of Medieval life from the other presentations you listened to.
• Know how to do research using your library and the Internet.
• Have used your creative and artistic talents.

PROJECT TYPES AND EXAMPLES

Construction/Art Projects

• Build Replica of a Castle
• Build a catapult or battering ram.
• Make a coat of arms.
• Make the armour and weapons of knight.
• Create a painting in the Medieval style.
• Make a stain glass window.

Dramatic Presentation

• Dramatize the day in the life of a serf.
• Through a skit or video, explain to a student of today all about Medieval dress.

Writing Assignments

• Write a 500 word report on some aspect of Medieval culture and times, or
• the history of the Middle Ages, or

- How to become knight

- The Crusades

- Medieval sports and games

- Castle warfare tactics, weapons and armor

- The clothes and dress of different Medieval classes

- Medieval food

- Medieval medicine

- The Feudal system

- The Holy Roman Empire

- Gothic architecture

- Monks and Monasteries

- Medieval music and provide a sampling of the music

King Arthur Legend

• The Knights of the Round Table
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• The Search for the Holy Grail (not the Monty Python version)
• Morgan LeFey
• Camelot
• The “real” King Arthur

Resources

• Labyrinth - http://www.georgetown.edu/labyrinth/labyrinth-home.html
  A world wide web server for Medieval studies that is searchable.
• Byzantine and Medieval Studies - http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/medweb.html#med_west
  Links to Medieval web sites.
• On-Line Reference Book for Medieval Studies - http://orb.rhodes.edu/
  This site contains an encyclopedia of original essays arranged by topic, a medieval sourcebook and syllabi for teachers as well as bibliographies. It is a searchable index.
• Life in the Middle Ages

http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/Brisas/sunda/ma/mahome.htm

Castles

• Castles - http://www.castles.org/
  Castle images and questions and answers about castles.
• Life Inside the Castle Walls - http://www.castlewales.com/life.html
  A comprehensive description of life within the castle walls. Covers accomodations, use of water, the kitchen, and the chapel.
• Castles - http://www.castlesontheweb.com/

Knights and Armour

• Knighthood, Chivalry, Tournament - http://www.chronique.com/Library/Glossaries/glossary-KCT/gloss_j.htm
  Knighthood oaths, roundtable chats, a ballad, and a glossary are just a few of the items you will find in this Medieval resource library.

Heraldry

• Heraldry in Scotland - http://www.kwtelecom.com/heraldry/scother1.html#TOP
  Articles on Scottish arms and heraldry.

Medieval History

• Byzantine and Medieval Study Sites - http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/medweb.html
  Links to world wide web sites for Medieval studies.
• The Online Medieval & Classical Library

http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/

• The Online Reference Book for Medieval Studies - http://orb.rhodes.edu/
• Clothing and life in the Middle Ages - http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/clothing.html

Women in the Middle Ages

• Sybils - http://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/~mmedia/outline.htm
  An interactive exploration of women in the Middle Ages and Renaissance
• Women In Middle Ages - http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/Brisas/sunda/ma/1kimberly.htm
  The true story of a peasant girl, noble lady and princess of the Middle AGES.