001 - What was it

like?

Factual Question

What were the middle ages in Europe like?

Debatable Question

Were the middle ages really 'dark'?

Key Terminology

            • Chivalry

            • Middle Ages

Define the key terms above using the useful links below and write the definitions on lined paper. Remember to use full sentences.


Useful Links

Activity One - Watch

For this first activity we are going to find out what the middle ages were actually like. To do this we are going to watch two clips.


      • For the first youtube clip we will watch it together and I would like you to write down everything it tells you about the Middle Ages on the padlet. We will be using the padlet as I am sure you know Crash Course History goes a bit quick! This can also be done using an A3 piece of paper and mind mapping the notes.

      • Then watch the second clip and add to your notes.

Activity Two - Describe

For this activity we are going to be looking at a series of images to find out what was good about the Middle Ages and what was not. Complete the bullet points below and the second set of bullet points after the first set of images.


          1. Describe what is happening in each of the first four pictures.

          2. What do those pictures tell us about Medieval Europe?

          3. Now describe the second set of four pictures.

          4. What does the second set tell us about the Middle Ages.


First Set of Images

Second Set of Images

Activity Three - Misconceptions

There are many misconceptions about the middle ages; everything from everyone was dirty to the women held no power, but is that true? In teams of approximately two choose one of the misconceptions in the article in the link below to explore. Create a five-slide Google Slide presentation. Be prepared to present your findings to the class.


  1. Slide One - Title

  2. Slide Two -describe the misconception and include images.

  3. Slide Three - evidence for the misconception.

  4. Slide Four - evidence against the misconception.

  5. Slide Five - bibliography.


Useful Resource

History Extra - 12 Misconceptions - thank you Miss. Coller for this resource.

Activity Four - Thoughts

You have now watched two youtube clips and viewed eight images to find out what the Middle Ages were like. Now write an opinion piece to answer the question below. Write no more than 300 words.


      1. Using your descriptions of the images above do you think the Middle Ages were a violent and uneducated era? Explain your answer.