Unit 4 - Medieval Western Europe
Another name for the Middle Ages is the Dark Ages, because so much history during this highly romanticized time has gone unwritten. Nevertheless, in this unit we look into what Europe was like after Rome and try to understand the barbarian lifestyle that influenced so much of the continent. Some of the primary sources we will be looking at include Beowulf (the first Anglo-Saxon epic), The Life of Charlemagne (a biography about the extravagant monarch who united Western Europe), and the Cantebury Tales (a great example of "middle English" and Christian influence). We will also be examining how the English language has changed over time, how the Black Death reshaped Europe, and how kings organized their societies. Of key importance is the influence of the Catholic Church in European history, so students will also be looking at how the Church was both a political and religious powerhouse.
Essential Questions
What were the major events of medieval Europe that significantly changed it?
What is feudalism and how did it organize European society and classes?
How and why did the Catholic Church influence European culture and power?
What is feudalism and how did it organize European society and classes?
How and why did the Catholic Church influence European culture and power?
Links and Videos
Textbook: The Middle Ages - Must be logged into the Bonner domain to use on Google Drive
Link: Latin Words We Use Today - When the French-speaking Normans invaded and conquered England in 1066 AD, they also forced the English to start speaking French. Since French is based in the language of the Romans (Latin), we can find many Latin roots in English today. Click on the link to explore some of the Latin words we use in English that have not changed much since spoken by the Romans.
The Tangled Roots of the English Language
Primary Source: Beowulf - Here the epic poem of the Anglo-Saxons appears in both Old English and Modern English. Click here to listen to a reading of the opening lines.
Video: TedEd - A Day in the Life of a Druid - under 5 minutes
Link: Muslim Spain in the Middle Ages
Video: The Real Excalibur? - Smithsonian Museum - A short clip on the Roman roots of this legendary sword.
Virtual Tour: St. Paul's Cathedral in London - To demonstrate the power and wealth of the Church in the Middle Ages, take a tour of this classic cathedral.
Video: TedEd - What's so special about a Viking ship?
Video: The Monastic Life - A short clip on the motivations of monks and nuns in the Middle Ages.
Video: Castle - The classic imaginary world of illustrator David Macauly and how lords would have built their castles.
Video: Holy Warriors - A PBS/BBC documentary on the rivalry between King Richard and Saladin over the city of Jerusalem in the 3rd Crusade - watch from 16:54 to 32:20
Video: Ugly History, the Medieval Origins of Witch Hunts by TedEd (5 minutes)
Video: The Black Death - This History Channel documentary is an overview of the plague that struck Europe in 1347, watch Part II as well!
Article: Medieval Graveyard Discovered Below Cambridge University
Article: A Viking Grave that Contains a Ring with the Arabic word "Allah" - An article on how connected the Vikings and Muslims were through trade.
Article: Was the Magna Carta a Big Deal?
Link: Latin Words We Use Today - When the French-speaking Normans invaded and conquered England in 1066 AD, they also forced the English to start speaking French. Since French is based in the language of the Romans (Latin), we can find many Latin roots in English today. Click on the link to explore some of the Latin words we use in English that have not changed much since spoken by the Romans.
The Tangled Roots of the English Language
Primary Source: Beowulf - Here the epic poem of the Anglo-Saxons appears in both Old English and Modern English. Click here to listen to a reading of the opening lines.
Video: TedEd - A Day in the Life of a Druid - under 5 minutes
Link: Muslim Spain in the Middle Ages
Video: The Real Excalibur? - Smithsonian Museum - A short clip on the Roman roots of this legendary sword.
Virtual Tour: St. Paul's Cathedral in London - To demonstrate the power and wealth of the Church in the Middle Ages, take a tour of this classic cathedral.
Video: TedEd - What's so special about a Viking ship?
Video: The Monastic Life - A short clip on the motivations of monks and nuns in the Middle Ages.
Video: Castle - The classic imaginary world of illustrator David Macauly and how lords would have built their castles.
Video: Holy Warriors - A PBS/BBC documentary on the rivalry between King Richard and Saladin over the city of Jerusalem in the 3rd Crusade - watch from 16:54 to 32:20
Video: Ugly History, the Medieval Origins of Witch Hunts by TedEd (5 minutes)
Video: The Black Death - This History Channel documentary is an overview of the plague that struck Europe in 1347, watch Part II as well!
Article: Medieval Graveyard Discovered Below Cambridge University
Article: A Viking Grave that Contains a Ring with the Arabic word "Allah" - An article on how connected the Vikings and Muslims were through trade.
Article: Was the Magna Carta a Big Deal?