The Middle Ages
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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.
Watch the video clip, “Feudalism: Life in a Castle” and answer the following questions.
Feudalism: Life in a Castle
What was it called when society was divided into social classes?
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A lord needed two things to defend his land and property. What were they?
What made good sites for castles?
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How many sides could you approach a castle from?
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What were the main considerations of a castle?
The Crusades were a long series of wars between Christians and Muslims in Southwest
Asia. Click 1st Crusade and then click Christians. Under Step 3 – Events of the Crusade –
what are two events that took place in 1099?
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Crusades
During the Second Crusade, knights and foot soldiers were already a part of the army.
What other group joined? Click 2nd Crusade and then click Christians.
The Second Crusade
Watch the video clip related to the Crusades and answer the following questions.
Popes exercised ultimate authority over the church. What did they claim was the king’s
religious duties?
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What did Pope Urban II declare against the Muslim Turks?
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Which holy site was captured?
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What happened that caused the crusades to finally come to an end?
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Video Clip – Christianity and the Crusades
Watch the video clip related to life after the crusades and answer the following
questions.
Crusades reopened what between Christian and Muslim worlds?
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What other ideas were brought back?
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In the 1300’s the long era of growth ended. What was the new invader that entered
Europe along the trade route?
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How many people died from this disease?
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What was the name of the cultural rebirth that took root?
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Video Clip – Life After Crusades
Not everyone who joined a religious order wanted to live apart from society. Some
wanted to live in cities and spread Christian teachings.
Medieval Monks
What was life like as a medieval monk?
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Portugal and Spain grew more powerful. Portugal decided to become independent, so
Castile and Aragon decided to join together. In 1469 Ferdinand, the prince of Aragon,
married Isabella, a Castilian princess. Together, they ruled all of Spain. Read the story
of Ferdinand and Isabella and list interesting facts that you find.
Isabella and Ferdinand
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