Medieval Times WebQuest
Part I: Background/Feudalism
1. At the end of the Anglo-Saxon time period, there was a fight for the throne because Edward the
_______________had no kids. The throne was taken by the Earl of Wessex or ___________.
2. This change of power provided a large conflict for England. So, who became the first king of the Medieval
Time Period? What country/region was he from? What did he bring to England (form of gov’t)?
3. The Middle Ages began the day of a famous battle. Please list the beginning and ending dates.
4. What is the name of the battle that ends the A-S Time Period?
5. The king from question 2, one of his “great administrative feats” was the Domesday Book? What was it?
6. This king brought his own culture and language to England as well as a new social system. Define this
social system (from #2) and list the castes (classes) of the system.
7. During this English society three different languages were spoken: Latin, French, and English. List the
types of people who spoke each language.
Part II: Knights and Chivalry
1.
The formality of the feudalistic society “came to life most fully in the institution of knighthood and in
the related practice, or code, of chivalry.” What is this code? What did the word chivalry mean?
2.
Name five (5) codes of chivalry.
3.
Who usually became a knight (what caste)? Why did he need to be wealthy?
4.
What are the three types of fighting men?
5.
Name 3 skills that a knight must have.
6.
At what age did a boy begin his training to become a knight?
7.
The first step to becoming a knight is to first become a squire to another knight. Give 5 duties that a
squire would perform.
8.
What is the name of the ceremony that a man goes through to become a knight?
Part III: Medieval Society/ Wars
9.
“Medieval society centered around the feudal castle, but as the population grew an increasing number
of people lived in towns and cities.” The majority of these people were called the __________class.
10.
Why did people turn to sheep herding instead of farming?
11.
What were the Crusades (1095-1270)? How did they affect England?
12.
The Magna Carter became the basis for English constitutional law. What was it?
13.
What countries fought against each other in the Hundred Years War why is it important to this time
period?
14.
What was the Black Death and what did it end?
15.
From what country did the Black Death originate? How was the plague spread to people?
16.
What two houses were warring in the War of the Roses?
17.
Who ended these wars by uniting the families through marriage?
Part IV: Thomas á Becket
18.
Who was Thomas á Becket?
19.
Why was he murdered?
20.
How did the murder of Becket lead to corruption within the clergy?
Part V: Geoffrey Chaucer
1.
What were the years of his birth and death?
2.
Where was he from?
3.
What were his links to royalty?
4.
What roles did he fulfill in life?
5.
What kind of writer was he?
6.
His masterpiece The Canterbury Tales is about what? Who does it involve? Where are they going?