The Middle Ages
Research Assignment
Your task is to choose one of the allocated research topics related to the
Middle Ages and answer the questions related to your topic. Choose one that
interests you!
Answer all questions in full sentences and include as much detail/description
as you can. For the questions that ask you to draw something, take your time
to present them as neatly and accurately as you can. Do not rush them.
Work must be completed neatly and include pictures and diagrams in your
assignment to make it look interesting.
Topic 1: Castles
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What is a concentric castle? (You can explain this in a diagram)
What is its purpose?
What are murder holes?
What is a portcullis?
What is a Motte and Bailey castle? (You can explain this in a diagram)
What is bratticing? Draw a diagram.
What was the Gong farmer’s job?
What was the Great Hall used for?
Draw pictures of the people that would inhabit a castle. E.g. Noble, Knight, Priest,
etc. Base your illustrations on pictures from books or websites relating to the Middle
Ages.
10. Draw a diagram (and label it)of a castle showing one of the following:
 A castle’s defence features
 How a castle was constructed
 The trades and skilled people residing in a castle
 Everyday life in a castle for a Lord
 Parts of a castle devoted to feasting
11. On a map show the sites of five significant castles that still remain. Provide some
information about these castles.
Topic 2: The Monastery
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Why did the monasteries store books?
Why were books so expensive?
Why were there so many cathedrals and monasteries built during the Middle Ages?
Explain the jobs of the following people in a Monastic Cathedral:
 Bishop
 Prior
 Chancellor
 Cellarer
 Refectorian
 Granator
 Almoner
5. What is a pilgrimage?
6. Who would go on a pilgrimage?
7. Where were the two most important pilgrimage destinations?
8. Who was Thomas Becket?
9. Why did Henry II have him murdered?
10. How did monasteries make money to build expensive cathedrals?
11. Map the most important monasteries and cathedrals established by 1300. Make sure
you use colour and codes to show the different types of orders.
Topic 3: Crime and Punishment
1. What did medieval punishments usually involve?
2. What was a pillory used for?
3. What were the stocks?
4. What were very dangerous prisoners kept in?
5. What is an oubliette?
6. What was trial by ordeal? Describe 3 different ordeals that could be used as a test.
7. What punishment was given to murderers and burglars?
8. What was the worst crime that you could commit in medieval times?
9. What was the punishment for this crime?
10. What would happen to wives who nagged their husbands too much?
11. List 5 different crimes and the punishment the perpetrator would receive.
Topic 4: War and Weaponry
1. Name 2 famous battles that occurred during medieval times and summarise the
main events of each one.
2. What were the deadliest weapons of the battlefield during medieval times?
3. Draw a picture of a mace and a war flail.
4. Which soldiers were well paid and respected?
5. How far could a good longbowman shoot?
6. What devices did they use to try and break down castle boundaries?
7. What were miners employed to do?
8. Where did most medieval battles take place?
9. Name and describe 3 ways that people protected themselves in times of battle and
war.
Topic 5: Medicine
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Why was it difficult for doctors to learn about the human body in medieval times?
Who usually looked after the sick?
What did they treat most illnesses with?
What did priests believe to be the cause of all sickness?
How would they treat epilepsy?
Write down the common cures for the following ailment and medical problems in
medieval times:
 Tonsillitis
 Avoid having a baby (contraception)
 Toothache
 Warts
 Fever
7. What was cauterisation?
8. What was the plague? Describe both types and how many people died from it.
9. When did it arrive in England?
10. How did the Black Death arrive in England?
11. How were the dead disposed of?
12. Draw a bar graph showing the percentage of priests who died from the Black Death.
Topic 6: Viking Mythology
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How was the Viking world said to have begun according to legend?
Name and describe 5 Viking gods or goddesses.
Where did they live? Describe it.
Which days of the week are named after mythological Viking gods?
Summarise a mythological story about the Viking gods.
Why did the Vikings tell stories of mythological characters and magic?
What was Thor’s hammer called and what was special about it?
Other than the gods, name 3 other characters from Viking tales and what role they
played.
9. Draw one of the characters from a Viking myth.
10. What was Odin’s horse called and what was special about it?