In this lesson plans, students will learn about the lives of the various social groups in Medieval Europe including Lords, Ladies of the Manor, Knights and Peasants. They will then draw and describe housing typical of the Medieval period of Europe. This lesson will take four class periods to complete.

Created by Claire Bray, December 2007

History. The student understands traditional historical points of reference in world history. The student is expected to identify the major eras in world history and describe their defining characteristics.
TEKS §113.33. World History Studies (c)(1)(A)

History. The student understands how, as a result of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, new political, economic, and social systems evolved, creating a new civilization in Western Europe. The student is expected to compare medieval Europe with previous civilizations.
TEKS §113.33. World History Studies (c)(3)(A)

Culture. The student understands the relationship between the arts and the times during which they were created. The student is expected to:

• identify significant examples of art and architecture that demonstrate an artistic ideal or visual principle from selected cultures;
• analyze examples of how art, architecture, literature, music, and drama reflect the history of cultures in which they are produced.
  TEKS §113.33. World History Studies (c)(20)(A,B)

Culture. The student understands the roles of women, children, and families in different historical cultures. The student is expected to:

• analyze the specific roles of women, children, and families in different historical cultures;
• describe the political, economic, and cultural influence of women in different historical cultures.
  TEKS §113.33. World History Studies (c)(21)(A,B)

Social studies skills. The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a variety of sources including electronic technology. The student is expected to:

• identify ways archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, and geographers analyze limited evidence;
• locate and use primary and secondary sources such as computer software, databases, media and news services, biographies, interviews, and artifacts to acquire information.
  TEKS §113.33. World History Studies (c)(25)(A,B)

Social studies skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms.The student is expected to:

• use social studies terminology correctly;
• use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation.
  TEKS §113.33. World History Studies (c)(26)(A,B)

• This lesson will begin with a discussion/lecture covering an introduction to the Middle Ages and Feudalism.



• Using a textbook or handouts, students will read information describing the roles played by various social groups in Medieval Europe including, but not limited to, Nobles (Lords and Ladies of the Manor), Knights, Vassals, Peasants, and Serfs.



• Next, the teacher will lead a discussion of the students’ findings and add information pertaining to the housing and hardships of medieval life.



• The teacher will distribute copies of the attached handouts of castles and Medieval life in addition to further supplemental material read by students. 



• The teacher will project pictures of various castles from the TIDES database, using "castles" as a search term in the Study Abroad collection. If possible, teachers may show a brief video clip from United Streaming or other source about life in Medieval Europe.



• Teachers will then assign the attached project, “Once Upon a Time.” Have students follow the instructions on the handout and tailor the project to fit your students’ needs. For example, my special education students had a reduced number of facts required for the project.



• Set aside 1/2 a class period for presentations.

The following is from www.unitedstreaming.com

Living History: Living in Medieval Europe

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT
LIFE IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE

1. In some large castles, the lord had as many as 300 servants. Servants were
often the children of serfs.

2. A lord had the right to demand work, rents, and taxes from his serfs, but it
was also his duty to defend them.

3. Lords, and sometimes ladies, administered justice on behalf of the king. This
was how our modern legal system was born.

4. A great lord often had to leave his castle for many months to do government
business or to fight in a war. When the lord was gone, he often left his wife, or
Lady, in charge of things to make sure the castle ran smoothly.

5. The kings and lords who built the great Medieval castles were the richest men
of their time. Their wealth came from the land both from the crops and from
rents paid by the serfs and other tenants.

6. In Medieval times, raw fruit and vegetables were believed to be unhealthy.
That was why ordinary people ate mostly stews and porridges of vegetables plus
about two pounds (one kilogram) of bread a day. Medieval lords and ladies ate a
great deal of meat. Their meals could last two or three hours.

7. Half the children born in Medieval Europe died before they were 15 years old.

8. Castle floors were covered with a layer of straw or reeds which could be swept
away when they got too dirty.

9. Large castles had fish ponds, gardens, places for pigs and chickens, windmills,
chapels, brewhouses, and even small orchards within their walls.

Learn more about life in a Medieval castle at www.castles.org.

Photographs of castles on TIDES "Once Upon a Time" project sheet www.unitedstreaming.com www.castles.org

Student project examples

Vea esta lección en Español aquí.