Middle Ages Assessment. Mini-Research and application of knowledge. Include the following information in your visual
presentation. Be sure to cite all researched material, including images.
1.
Chivalry.
a. Define and describe the Code of Chivalry for knights of the Middle Ages. What does it entail? What are the basic, moral
underlying principles that guide this code of behavior?
b. Locate and study at least two examples of medieval codes of chivalry; cite and add to your presentation. Explain
similarities and differences.
c. Create a modern-day Code of Chivalry. Make sure your code holds true to the spirit of truth, honor, loyalty, and other
ideals associated with chivalrous behavior. You must have a minimum of 10 new rules for the modern gentleman or
“knight.”
d. Locate three works of the following genres dealing with chivalry or chivalrous behavior: one poem/ballad, one selection
of prose, and one piece of artwork. Please be sure to include a brief description/summary of each and its author.
e. Locate one recent news article dealing with chivalry or chivalrous behavior. Hint: find something with a modern-day
hero. Explain what makes this selection chivalrous.
2.
Feudalism.
a. Define and describe feudalism. Where did it originate? Who introduced it into the English society? What are the classes
and the privileges associated with those classes? Create a visual representation to depict the number of people in each
class and the types of positions/careers they held. What attributed to the downfall of this system in England?
b. Locate and describe two modern feudalistic nations/societies. Add pictures and brief descriptions of what makes them
feudalistic. What type of government controls these societies? What rights/privileges do different members of society
hold, if any?
c. On a larger and more modern scale, the world itself is broken into classes, much like the feudal society of the Middle
Ages, thus leading to the phrase “third world countries.” What does this say about the macroscopic level of society
today? Why are those countries considered “third-world” nations? What does this really mean? What are the “secondworld” countries? Often, “modern” societies/nations (“first-world”) offer protection and benefits to the “lesser”
countries, just as the king offered to his feudal lords and they to those under them. Locate a modern example of this;
examples may range from humanitarian aid to military aid, and so forth.
3.
Text analysis.
a. As a class, each group must select one piece of medieval literature or informational text which we have not studied in
class. This may include artwork and music; be selective and creative. Each group must choose a different work. Work
quickly and efficiently to make the best available choice for your group; first come, first serve. Once selections are
approved, each group should begin the remaining tasks.
b. Title, author, background, genre, significance, and literary elements associated with your selection.
c. Brief synapsis of the work. What qualities of the middle ages are exemplified in this text selection? What other textual
analysis and insight can you offer regarding this work?
d. Why do you think this piece has been attributed canonical status? How can elements of this work be found in modern
society? Are there similar stories, histories, or artifacts? What modern stories (movies), poems (songs), histories
(news), and artifacts should be included to denote our current society in terms of medieval characteristics and/or
ideals?
4.
Bring it all together. Analyze the material found in your presentation thus far. If it is not already painfully clear how all of
your selections, artifacts, and evidence relate to one another, make sure you make the connection here. You may want to
include one proverbial summation of the middle ages and the impact it has had on future generations, including our own.
Include a works cited page for your presentation. You must present this to the class as a group. EOE.