Overview

Let the Dark Ages Begin

INTRODUCTION

The Middle Ages began soon after the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD and finished approximately 1500 AD. Historians often have different ideas about the Middle Ages. It was both peaceful and violent. Knights clashed as Kings, Lords and nobles sought to control more of Europe. Ordinary people could become involved in war. It was a dangerous time. However, the Middle Ages was also a time of peace. Beautiful cathedrals were built and most people were able to live peacefully.

Learning objectives

* identify the meaning of historical sources

* sequence significant developments in a timeline

* describe different interpretations of the past

ACTIVITY 1:

You will find a document in your History Google Drive called Middle Ages - Source Overview. Complete the following in the document.

Part A: Compile a list of 6 primary images from the Middle Ages. Three images should reflect the peaceful nature of the period. Three images should reflect the violent features of the Middle Ages. Use the following websites to help locate the images:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/architecture_cathedral_01.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/art_war_gallery.shtml

Part B: List the different types of sources you have found eg. painting, armour, cathedral, weapon.
Part C: Write a paragraph:

Explain what the images you have chosen tell historians about life in the Middle Ages.

ACTIVITY 2

* Why do we use a timeline? Why not just list the dates?

* What is scale?

* What is range?

Create a timeline using the following link plotting the following events in chronological order:

476 AD - the Middle Ages began. This period is known as the Dark Ages.

1500 – 1600 – the Renaissance

1347 – the Black Plague devastated Europe. Approximately 30-40% of the population died.

812 - Charlemagne died. He had ruled most of Western Europe.

790's– early recorded Viking raids in Europe.

1066 – William the Conqueror becomes King of England after the Battle of Hastings.

1095 – Pope Urban II ordered the First Crusade

1215 - the Magna Carta was signed.

1369 – the Hundred Years War between Britain and France began.

1812 - Napoleon invaded Russia. He was eventually forced to retreat after the Mayor of Moscow burnt down the city.

1700 – the Enlightenment began in the early 18th century. It used reason and science to challenge tradition and faith.

1789 – French Revolution

1914 – 1918 – World War 1

1939 – 1945 – World War 2

1991 – the fall of communism in the Soviet Union.

Your constructed timeline should start to look something like this:

Make sure you save your timeline as an image to your chromebook once you've completed it. Drag the image to the google document you've been using for the lesson once you're done.

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