To complete our work in the Middle Ages, you will investigate ONE topic associated with life in the Middle Ages. After researching your chosen topic, you will then be asked to write an article for the front page of a newspaper.
Before writing this article, as a proper journalist who strives to report the truth with fairness and integrity, you will need to conduct some research on your chosen topic.
*Remember, you are not researching all of these topics, just ONE (I would think the ONE that interests you the most).
Topics:
- #1: "The Banquet"
- food - the menu (what was served)?
- table setting - how was the table set? / how were the guests seated?
- behaviour - the way in which the guests behaved during the meal?
- entertainment - the entertainment provided during dinner
Link:
- #2: "A Day in the Life"
- the pros and cons in the life of a monk
- the development of monasteries
- recruitment
- was there a hierarchy?
- the rules and regulations of monastic life
- clothing and possessions
- daily routines
Link:
- #3: Weapons and Armour
- your first weapon or (type of) armour
- your second weapon or (type of) armour
- your third weapon or (type of) armour
- your fourth weapon or (type of) armour
- your fifth weapon or (type of) armour
Link:
- #4: Knights
- how to become a knight (stages)
- weapons and armour
- the role of a knight - what does a knight do? (see "Jousting and Tournaments")
- clothes
- pursuits
- chivalry - the standards knights were required to maintain
Link:
- #5: The Castle
- the evolution of castles - the purpose of a castle; the ideal location of a castle
- the various features of a castle - the purpose of each feature
Link:
- #6: The Tournament
- origins and development
- how were they organized?
- the honour and pageantry of the tournament
- heraldry
- the various events - jousting
Link:
- #7: The Role of Women
- changing attitudes towards women
- women's rights
- legal and economic status
- role in society
Link:
- #8: Literature of the Middle Ages
- language and audience
- early development
- the different forms of literature
- famous works
Link:
Assignment:
This may seem like a lot but it isn't. After choosing the topic you are interested in, I would like you to take research notes (on the topic) much like a journalist who is investigating his/ her story would. For each of the topics, I have provided one link to an article that will provide you with the necessary information. Feel free to conduct further research only if you so choose.
*What I would like to see (and what will allow you to achieve a 6-7) are notes that are detailed but also well organized, using headings and sub-headings (much like you did with the Charlemagne notes).
**You are not writing the newspaper article this week. I provided you with a description for the article so that you may begin to think about how it will be written and hopefully it may/ should help direct you in the research.
***Your research notes are due: Saturday 16th May.
*As always, if there are any questions or concerns, please post them on this website by clicking on the "Comments" tab (as your question(s) may help others); otherwise, email me your assignment at: [email protected]