The Manor System

The Ducking Stool

Doesn't this look fun?!?!?

Horrible Histories: The Black Death

Black Death Music Video

Experience the Black Death

In Ancient Quest chapter 9, Johnny Rawten comes face to face with the Black Death. This horrible, devastating plague just about wiped out the entire continent of Europe. Now, read a story that was uncovered by archaeologists in Europe. This story was written by a man living and working in Europe at the time of the Plague. Read, and as the story unfolds, image the horror of this plague......

Black Death Eye Witness Account

After reading, answer the following questions in a blog post:

1. Why does he often see rats? 

2. Describe the appearance of his boss when he finds him dead.

3. What emotions do you feel while reading this story? Why? 

4. The people living at the time of the Black Death were in a constant state of fear. Tell me about a time when you were scared. 

Ancient Quest: "I Stop the Black Death"

Johnny Rawten needs 8 coins to complete his Ancient Quest. He has 7, which means he is in his last ancient world. In the Medieval Times, Johnny will either earn his 8 and final coin or die. He has past through and conquered the Stone Age, Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, Greece, and Rome. He is so close to the end, he can taste it. The Medieval Times is a place he has been before, as a 6th grader. That time, Johnny came face to face with death, deep in the dungeon of a castle. Now, Johnny is back in the Medieval Times and will face death again, and lots of it. This brutal world has been made even more brutal with a disease so treacherous entire towns are disappearing. A question for Johnny continues to linger, "What does he do if he does in fact gain all 8 coins?" The unknown makes him shudder...

(Look for Audio on Tuesday)

Read: Chapter 9: "I Stop the Black Death"

Best Football Video Game Ever

Super Tecmo Bowl is the greatest football video game of all-time. Better than Madden. It is played on the original Nintendo. In the game, you can zig-zag and dodge defenders (like in the video) and can throw the ball the entire length of the field. Watch this awesome run by legendary Raider Bo Jackson. It's awesome.

Feudalism of the Medieval Times

Feudalism shaped society of the Medieval Times. It was based on the "pyramid" model of a societal framework. The reason Feudalism is a pyramid is that the group of people at the bottom have the most people, the next level up has few people, and so on until you reach the top. The higher you go, the fewer people in each level, just like a pyramid. The bottom level of Feudalism is the peasants. Peasants would farm. Along with the peasants, there were serfs. Serfs would farm too, but unlike the peasants, the serfs could not leave the farm/castle/manor. Serfs were not bought and sold like slaves, but they were bound to the farm. Next were the knights. They were trained warriors on horseback. They were skilled in fighting with the sword. They swore a oath of Chivalry which is honor, duty, loyalty. This oat was sworn for life. The next level was the lords. These people owned the land. The top of the Feudalism pyramid was the King. The overall ruler of the kingdom. As you can see in the picture, each level did something for the level below them and above them. Making it a truly unique system. 

Castles of the Medieval Times

Castles are amazing. The size and capability of the Medieval castle is a something to marvel at. The castle was more than just home to the King and Queen. In fact, many castles did not have a King or Queen living there. Castles were the homes of Lords. Each lord, depending on their wealth, would have a castle. The King and Queen would visit these castles throughout their Kingdom. The Castle was basically an individual, self-sustaining unit, almost like a little city. There are many, many different parts of the castle and with this project, we are going to learn about some of them. 

Project: Design your Castle

Resources:
Rooms of the Medieval Castle
Rooms of the Medieval Castle (2)
Defending a Medieval Castle

Minecraft Castle Timelapse

Check out this awesome YouTube video of a Minecraft castle being created in timelapse (fast forward). Have you made a castle this awesome of Minecraft?