Charlemagne.

Source: http://www.medievalwall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Charlemagne-D%C3%BCrer.jpg

Charlemagne became king of the Germanic Franks in 768, he united Frankish landowners and developed a fierce army.

1. What was one of the greatest assets of the Frankish army?
2. Which peoples were defeated by Charlemagne's armies? 
3. Charlemagne was regarded as the champion of Christianity, who gave him the title of Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas day in 800? Why?

Identify the trends in Medieval political success as they concern the Medieval Catholic Church.

Crime and Punishment

They did WHAT?

Comment on the fairness of the following trial methods and how they are the same or different to today's trial methods.

• trial by fire 

• trial by water 

• trial by combat

What changes to the process of crime and punishment did King Henry II introduce. Do you think this is more or less fair?
What changes to the process of crime and punishment did King Henry II introduce. Do you think this is more or less fair? 

Research the following types of medieval Trial by ordeal
A useful site- Swirk
How were these trials conducted?
For whom were they conducted (peasants, nobility, men, women, children, everyone)?
Can you find a more bizarre medieval trial method?




Onto crimes now.
List various medieval crimes and their punishments. Post the links to really interesting sites that you find. 
Can you find the Australian equivalent to the crimes?

Castles

So, Now that you have learnt about the Feudal system let's move onto Castles

This is the mind-map we completed in class.

1. What are the three main types of Medieval European castles?
2. In what order were they built?
3. Why do you think castle design was changed over time?
4. Compare and contrast the features of the three castle types.
5. Create a real-estate advertisement for ONE type. You can choose a real-life castle or a made-up castle. Make sure you include the features of your chosen type of castle- Try to convince me to "purchase" your castle but beware that you will be marked on accuracy.

Cathedrals

This is the mind-map we completed in class.

Religion was extremely important to people during the middle ages. Why do you think that was?

Research medieval European Cathedrals.

1. why were they so magnificent?
2. who built them?
3. what did they have inside and outside?
4. what do they tell you about power?
5. what materials were they built with?
6. what else important can you find?

Consider what you have learned about castles and cathedrals then comment about the wealth and power of the medieval church, make sure you can defend your comments when I challenge you on them.

Safe, Legal and Ethical Practices.

Okay Class, after seeing Jodi's Facebook page I think you could offer her some advice on what you have learnt about behaving safely, ethically and legally. I messaged her to ask if she would like to see your advice and this is her reply:

Hi guys. Miss told me that ya have sm advice 4 me? She says you might b able 2 help me b safer or somethn? Luv ya!   

Jodi Bella Smith xoxo

 Jodi agreed to read this blog tomorrow morning (DATE). You each have until then to leave a comment with one suggestion to improve her safe, legal or ethical practices.

Greetings Grade 8 History Class!

http://blogs.independent.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/041v.jpg

We will be getting into the nitty gritty of medieval life in this unit.
Together we will embark on a journey back in time, right back to c.590. We will delve into the structure of feudal society and you will become familiar with the everyday life of medieval European citizens. We will explore castles and cathedrals to discover who held control of medieval wealth and labour. Islamic inventions might surprise you, crime and punishment of the middle ages could leave you squirming and together we will take a look at the power of Charlemagne and the nature of the Christian Church.

With all this new knowledge and understanding we will see how societies have changed from the end of the ancient period to the modern age and which people, groups and ideas have influenced the world today.

Throughout this unit you will be conducting a lot of independent and group research. You might find the following sites helpful.
History learning site
History on the net
British museum 

Feudalism

"In European history, the Middle Ages, or Medieval period, lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance."  
Passage taken from Middle Ages- Wikipedia on 21/01/14.

Create a list of all the medieval terms you know. Describe each term then create a crossword using your descriptions as clues. Record your crossword title and password somewhere safe because you will be adding terms each lesson. Email the crossword link to yourself so that you can find it again.

Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/2834/gather/darkage/feudalism.htm

Many societies have been divided, but the Normans were the first to enforce the feudal system rigidly. 

Without the Romans' protection that had lasted for 400 years, medieval Europe was violent and dangerous. Why do you think this gave rise to feudalism?

Research feudalism so that you have an understanding of the mutual obligation, (who provided what to whom). Draw a picture if it will help you remember the feudal structure.
Ensure that you put all the feudal terms into your crossword. 

Adapted from  Susie Hodge, 2010, Resources for teaching history, Continuum. 

Islamic Achievements from c.600 to c. 1700

Read the following questions and write your responses in an email. You have 5 minutes only. Email to me as quickly as you can.

What is Islam?
Where did Islam originate?
Who was Muhammad?
Where was the Islamic Empire?
What do you know of the building of Baghdad?
What was the Abbasid Empire?
Do you know any Islamic words connected with science or mathematics?
Do you know of any other achievements from the Islamic world (e.g. Islamic architecture or design)?

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGMpDMGX5ASa9KGtu0UkY9humwTTeTj2EzyE0JvgrjiVJXwEgpqswnkc8dQj8i3hJGH6LiIKyfs_702oNhVDLgFEq-jBJz6UnuJyi6lnnoiToPuUDIvVGogXZNgGlcQ2Dx1HHsxfUGyb7/s400/challenge2.jpg

Now reread and research the answers to the above questions, post your answers in the comments section. Be very careful to use appropriate language and present facts, not opinions.

Feudal Court

You should each have your allocated characters. 

1. Research the roles and responsibilities of your character. You might find the iscacamp site helpful.
2. Ensure that you understand the way in which your character would have interacted with others. 
3. Go forth and create a profile for your character.  Include pictures and your roles & responsibilities.
4. Write two blog posts. The first is to be set in December 1066 and the second in July 1381. You might consider medieval food and what your likely diet would have been- do you know the difference between the diet of nobles and that of peasants? What was the likely weather? What significant events were occurring? 

Now comes the real fun!

You have your characters, now have at it folks.

The scene: King (NAME) sits on his throne, waiting to hear the first matter before his King's court. He is surrounded by his vassals. Somebody brings forth a matter for the King's judgement. 

source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Siamese_envoys_at_Versailles.jpg

Interact with each other in character, comment on each other's posts and act in a medieval manner. Comment as much or as little as you feel your character should. Each of you need to contribute. 
See you on Monday.

I wonder if there will be any beheadings or decrees passed?!