Happy Monday, Down Home readers! Have you enjoyed all the rain we’ve had so far? It looks like we’re in for more later this week! It’s been a refreshing reinvigoration for our environment and it is obvious with everything so green all around us. This week, as we talk about rejuvenation, our students will be diving into the culture development influences during this time of history.
“There was a renaissance that occurred during the 12th century (1050-1250). Not only were there notable achievements in philosophy and theology, there was also the flowering of courtly life, love, chivalry, and literature that created the iconic culture of the middle ages.”
We touched on Eleanor of Aquitaine last week and this week, discussions about the significance of her Court of Poitiers and how it is viewed as the “starting point for the large growth in the acts of courtly love and chivalry in Western European regions” will be reviewed. Also this week, we’ll be examining French vernacular poetry and literature, the rise of universities, cathedrals, and castles. It is another rich and engaging week in our classrooms and in our homes so we’ll get going on our resources.
We have a full line-up of supplemental links for you and your students so take a look below and have fun!
Resource Links:
Who is Eleanor of Aquitaine? | a quick review
More on Eleanor | site includes a detailed family tree and timeline
Who is Louis VII? | find out more about Eleanor’s first husband
More on Henry II | on Eleanor’s second marriage
Chanson de Geste | more about this old French epic
Troubadour Poetry | a few facts for kids
The Arthurian Cycle | more on the literary development of the Arthurian legend
On Vernacular Literature | definition, examples and function
Code of Chivalry | a thorough list
What is Courtly Love? | details about this middle age ideal and practice
Monastic and Cathedral Schools | medieval education and the role of the church
Who is Peter Abelard? | Find out more about this popular lecturer
Medieval Churches | sources and forms
Castle Types | pictorial definitions
Motte and Bailey Castle | explore this virtual, interactive site
Video Links:
*Parents, please preview for your students first.
Chivalry in the Middle Ages | by Khan Academy
BBC In Our Time: Chivalry
The Art of Courtly Love | from Medieval Tales in Performance derived from The Broadview Anthology of British Literature: The Medieval Period
Reims Cathedral in France | take a tour
Chartres Cathedral in France | discover some of the stories depicted in the stunning stained glass windows
Canterbury Cathedral | an example of Gothic style architecture
What is a Castle? | how is it different than a fortress and a palace?
Reconstructing a Medieval Castle | zoom through using CGI
Windsor Castle | view the official video of the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, and one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen
SLO Classical Academy is not affiliated with any of the above-mentioned websites, businesses or organizations.
