The Middle Ages or Medieval times saw society change in a way that was revolutionary in itself. The Black Death changed the structure of society forever and saw the beginning of the rise of the peasant class. It also changed the geography, not just of Britain, but the whole world, as villages and towns were wiped off the map.
The Middle Ages also saw the Normans become the royal house of England. As a result, the Saxons were removed from places of prominence and the political face of the country changed. Castles were built to help the Normans retain control of the country. Communities formed around the castle for both safety and defence.
Many of the myths, legends and fairy tales we tell today originated in medieval times, and often, it’s very difficult to work out where fact and fiction collide. What is real history, and what is purely legend? The Middle Ages and all its mysteries, therefore, have great potential for investigation and development across the whole curriculum.
This downloadable cross curriculum project begins with a number of medieval myths, including Robin Hood and an array of mythical monsters, before moving on to factual aspects of life in the Middle Ages – from medieval castles to crime and punishment.
