Introduction
Process
Tasks/Quests
Assessment
Standards
Conclusion
Learning Advice
Return to Milton's WebQuest Page
Map Assessment
Glossary of Terms and Definitions
The Birth of the Early Middle Ages
(Early Medieval Period)
What does loyalty mean to you? To whom do you owe loyalty?
Your family and friends? Your School? A religious group?
The citizens of ancient Rome were expected to be loyal to the emperor.
When the Roman Empire collapsed, however, new loyalties arose.
During this WebQuest, you will discover how different groups during the Middle Ages were bound together by different sets of loyalties. You will be asked to create maps and answer eight questions that demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of this era.
The Situation
During the Middle Ages (500-1500), the development of the feudal system of government resulted in war, famine, serfdom, and the strengthening role of the Papacy or Church in the lives of everyday citizens. Many were called upon to serve their local nobles, the Pope, or protect their community from attacks by marauding Vikings or hostile lords seeking to expand their kingdoms. Some of the most important people in this era were knights, farmers, priests, and traveling merchants.
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Your Quest
You will discover how and why the Early Middle Ages were such a pivotal era in man's history. Your task is to demonstrate your knowledge of this era by a series of tasks (written essays, maps, and oral presentations) that will show your knowledge of this era and its historical importance.
Your mission is to become a "Knowledge Knight" and successfully learn how changes during the Early Medieval Ages became the foundation for our concepts of democracy, capitalism, and individual rights.
Quest Number One
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Why did the fall of Rome create disorder in Europe?
Fall of Rome
Rome Falls Gradually
Leading to the Middle Ages
Quest Number Two
How did Frankish rulers such as Charlemagne gain control of Western Europe?
Charlemagne
King of the Franks
Quest Number Three
How did Charlemagne create an empire that blended several different traditions?
How did the Germanic traditions differ from the Roman traditions?
The Franks
History of the Franks
The Frankish Tribes
Germanic Traditions
Quest Number Four
Why was medieval life organized around feudalism and the manorial system?
What were the roles of different members of society such as; knights, vassals, lords, serfs, and merchants?
Feudal Life
Feudalism
The Feudal System
The Manorial System
Quest Number Five
Why was the Magna Carta a very significant document?
How did it advance individual liberties?
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta Translated
Quest Number Six
What was the role of the Church and Papacy during the Early Middle Ages?
How has it changed over the years?
The Church during the Middle Ages
The Life of Monks
Quest Number Seven
Draw a map showing how Europe looked before Charlemagne, at the end of his reign, and at the time of William the Conqueror in 1066 AD.
Charlemagne's Europe
Maps of Europe
Barbarians on the Move
Quest Number Eight
What effect did the Viking raids have on Europe during the Middle Ages?
Viking Raids
Vikings in England
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Glossary of Terms and Definitions
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Battle of Hastings- The significant battle in 1066 AD where the Normans defeated the Saxons for control of England.
Chivalry- The code of honour among knights that required them to faithfully serve their lord, fight for Christianity, and treat people with respect.
Clergy- Members of the Church who performed official duties at different levels. Bishops, priests, friars, monks, are examples of clergy officials.
Common Law- Written laws and legal decisions that became the foundation for future cases or legal decisions.
Feudalism- Political and military system of government based on the granting of land in return for loyalty, military assistance, and services.
Fief- Land given in exchange for a military alliance or other services.
Germanic People- Refers to the barbarian tribes from Northern and Central Europe who had pagan religions, spoke Germanic languages, and shared common ethnic traits.
Jury System- A system where nobles or other members of the community would hear evidence and render a decision of guilt or innocence based on that evidence.
Knight- a mounted warrior who owed allegiance to a lord or king.
Magna Carta- A document which limited the powers of the king.
Manorial System- The basic self-sufficient economic system during the Middle Ages.
Medieval- Comes from the Latin words for "middle ages."
Middle Ages- Generally considered the period between AD 500-1500.
Papacy- The office of the Pope, head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Religious Orders- Communities of monks or nuns who chose to serve the Church.
Sacraments- Special religious ceremonies such as baptism, communion, and marriage.
Serfs- People legally tied to the land; farm workers who were almost slaves.
Vassal- A noble who pledged loyalty to a lord in exchange for land.
Process
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Your mission as a "Knowledge Knight" is to learn everything you can about the Early Middle Ages and how it lead to a transitional period between the Roman Empire and the Germanic kingdoms of the Late Middle Ages. You will be expected to navigate through a series of eight quests, each with a series of guiding questions that you must be able to answer in written mini-reports.
Start with Quest Number One and move your way through all eight quests looking carefully for information that answers the questions for each quest. Additionally, you will be asked to hand draw or trace maps showing Europe's changing political landscape during three different time frames. You may be asked to share what you have learned with your classmates. Do not stray from your quest for any reason.
Learning Advice
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Find a friend who knows how to navigate and log onto the computers.
It is okay to take notes together or read each web site together, just remember that you are responsible for your own written assignments and you own individual map.
Cut and paste judiciously. Limit your search to those bits of information that directly assist in answering the questions posed for each quest.
DO NOT attempt to visit sights outside of the web quest. All the information you need is included in the selected web sites.
Use the rubric for Research Reports on the Main Menu under Assessment.
Be ready to discuss what you learned in class and relate it to our assigned readings.
Map Assessment
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Each Map must be in colour with all relevant details
and clearly show the political realities of that time frame.
Honours
Exceeds the Standard
Meets the Standard
Nearly Meets the Standard
Not Meeting the Standard
Outstanding colour maps that clearly show all three selected time periods.
Labeled all major ethnic groups, cities, rivers, and other topographical features.
Shows accurate depiction of countries at the selected time periods.
Clearly titled time frames.
Very neat.
Colour maps that show all three selected time periods.
Labeled most major ethnic groups, cities, rivers, and other topographical features.
Shows mostly accurate depiction of countries at the selected time periods.
Titled time frames.
Neat.
Black and White maps that show all three time periods.
Labeled most features, but may have missed some minor features or ethnic groups.
Minor inaccuracies of countries borders or topographical features.
Titled time frames.
Mostly neat.
Black and White maps of only two time periods.
Missed many ethnic groups, countries, or topographical features.
Many inaccuracies.
Not titled with time frame.
Not very neat.
One black and white map.
Insufficient information for map to be useful.
Inaccurate.
Messy work.
Conclusion
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To whom do you owe loyalty?
During the Middle ages every man, women, and child owed loyalty to someone. Women and children owed loyalty to the head of the household-the father. Fathers owed loyalty to the local lords. Knights owed loyalty to their lords. Lords owed loyalty to their king. All of these people owed loyalty to their local church leaders who ultimately owed loyalty to the Pope.
It was this hierarchy of loyalty, coupled with the feudal political systems and the manorial economic systems, that characterized the Middle Ages.
It was this feudal system that maintained relative stability and safety during this period. This system of loyalty was needed during the "Dark Ages" because Viking marauders and constant warfare threatened the very fabric of society.
As kings and nobles abused their power, they were forced to recognize the rights of citizens. The Magna Carta was one prime example of how individual rights became more important than the rights of the king. Democracy was a new idea practiced only by "freemen" in councils of nobles or a few Nordic tribes. However, the idea of constitutional democracy began when people challenged the decisions of nobles and the Church. The seeds for capitalism were sown by guildsmen and merchants expanding trading routes and developing the trade centres that were later to become the basis for regional trade regimes as later seen in the Hanseatic League.
In short, the seeds for today's world were sown long ago during a time we call-
THE MIDDLE AGES.
Standards
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Writing:
Standard 1.8 Research Report
Write an accurate and supported report that addresses questions posed.
Information Technology:
Standard 1.18 Research
Using computers and technology to find and learn about the Middle Ages.
Reading:
Standard 1.3 Reading Comprehension
Are you able to read and remember?
History:
Standard 6.5 Traditional and Social Histories
Learn about the Middle Ages and how it affected the world we now live in.
