When introducing students to Medieval Times, it is a good idea to show a timeline of events that happened in that time period to give students a bearing of what the times were like, and what years the middle ages encompass.
Timelines
Timeline of History
This is a great resource for all kinds of art and historical artifacts of Medieval Times.
Smithsonian
I have gathered a few sites that offer games on Medieval Times. Please view all of the sites before using them with your students.
Games 1
Games 2
Games 3
If you need a few resources on the history of Medieval Times you can view the following sites:
Journey Through The Middle Ages
Middle Age History
Resources on Middle Age History
Teachers here are some software that you can download into your computer:
Download Build A Medieval Castle
Download Shields, Knights, and Heraldry
More About Castles, and Knights....
Resource for Making a Box Castle
Castles and Knights Information
Knights
As part of your Science Activities you may want to introduce students to the mystery of ink making. Here are two links you can use as resources. Take it from me, it is not as messy as it seems.
Dyes 1
Dyes 2
The following links have multitude of resources that can be beneficial for your Language Arts and Reading classes.
Ballads
Fairy Tales
The Art of Making Books
Here is a site for all secondary teachers interested in doing a Medieval Times Unit.
Middle School Lesson Plans
Here are a few medieval dances used after the big feast.
Dances from The English Country
Half Hanniken
Lord on lady's left, all in circle.
As many as will.
1. Hands round. All take four steps into circle, four steps out.
2. Then again.
3. Side left with your partner. Side right.
4. Arm left with your partner. Arm right one & a half times so you end up in your partner's place. You now have a new partner.
Sellenger's Round
Lord on lady's left, all in circle. As many as will.
1. Hands round. 8 slips to the left, 8 slips to the right.
2. Ladies take 2 spetzattis into center, lords take 2 spetzattis out, all take 3 steps back to place.
3. Set and turn with partner.
4. Ladies take 2 spetzattis out of circle, lords take 2 into center, lords clap, all take 3 steps back to place.
5. Set and turn with partner.
6. Siding with partner (first left, then right).
7. Chorus (steps 2-5)
8. Arming with partner (first left, then right)
9. Chorus
Heart's Ease
Lord on lady's right, two couples facing eachother.
1. Partners take hands. Couples double in towards eachother, double into center. That again.
2. Turn toward partner, back away with 2 singles, come toward partner with a double, offering left hand, but at last moment, turn toward corner.
3. Take left hands with corner, go around in circle.
4. Back away from corner with 2 singles, come toward corner with a double, offering right hand, but at last moment turn toward partner.
5. Take right hands with partner, go around in circle.
6. Side left with partner. Side right with corner. (note- some do both sides with partner)
7. Chorus (steps 2-5)
8. Arm left with partner. Arm right with corner (note- some do both with partner).
9. Chorus
Rufty Tufty
Lord on lady's left, four couples facing eachother in square.
1. Couples take hands, double into center, set left. That again.
2. Set and turn with partner. That again.
3. Face away from center. Take hands with partner, double out. Turn to face into circle, take hands with partner, double.
4. Turn around, moving left so you face away from the center and are next to your corner.
5. Take corner's hand, double away from center. Turn to face into circle, double in.
6. Turn around ending up in original place (with partner).
7. Siding with partner (first left, then right)
8. Chorus (steps 2-6)
9. Arming with partner (first left, then right)
10. Chorus (steps 2-6)Contributed by Fiore Pescara
GREENSLEEVES (Court Dance)
Three couples per set
1st couple casts and goes to 2nd position;
2nd moves up and casts back to original. Repeat
1st man figure-eights around stationary 3rd couple;
1st woman figure-eights around stationary 2nd couple.
Cross right shoulders and 1st man does 2nd couple,
Cross right shoulders and 1st woman does 3rd couple.
Cross right shoulders 1st woman and 2nd couple join hands and
1st man with 3rd couple and all do 1 1/2 circles.
Cross right shoulders 1st man and 2nd couple join hands and
1st woman with 3rd couple and all do 1 1/2 circles.
This time after 1 1/2 circles, 1st couple do not cross right
shoulders but prepare for a hay,
Both sets of three couples hay once and 1st couple meets in
middle, casts off and moves to third position.
Dance repeats until all three couples have done the 1st position.
Performed at Scarborough Faire compiled by Mike Hathaway
GREENSLEEVES
Alas, my love, you do me wrong
To cast me out discourteously.
For I have loved thee oh so long,
Delighting in thy company.
CHORUS:
Greensleeves is my delight;
Greensleeves is my heart of gold;
Greensleeves is my lady love;
And who but my lady greensleeves?
I have been ready at your hand
To grant whatever you would crave.
I have both wagered life and land
Thy love and good will for to have.
CHORUS
I brought thee kerchiefs to thy head
That were wrought fine and gallantly.
I kept thee both to board and bed
Which cost my purse well-favoredly.
CHORUS
Thy shift of gold so crimson red,
With pearls bedecked sumptuously
The like no other lass has had
And yet thou wouldst not love me.
CHORUS
Thy gown was of the grassy green
With sleeves of satin hanging by
Which made thee be our harvest queen
And thou wouldst not love me.
CHORUS
So I will pray to God on high
That thou my constancy mayest see
And that just once before I die
Thou wouldst wouchesafe to love me.
CHORUS
Greensleeves, now farewell adieu,
God I pray to prosper thee
For I am still thy lover true
Come once again and love me.
CHORUS
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found.
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved,
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
Thro' many dangers, tolls and snares,
I have already come
Tis grace hat bro't me safe thus far.
And grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Then when we first begun.
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