Contextualization

The "High Middle Ages", which spanned from the 11th to the 14th centuries, were a time of significant political, economic, and social change in Europe. This period is often overlooked in favor of the more familiar events of the Ancient and Modern worlds. However, the High Middle Ages were not a stagnant period of history but rather a time of progress and innovation, setting the stage for the Renaissance and the world we live in today.

During the High Middle Ages, Europe experienced a population boom and a corresponding increase in urbanization. This was due in part to technological advancements such as the invention of the heavy plow and the widespread use of the three-field system in agriculture, which increased food production. The expansion of trade and the growth of towns and cities led to the rise of a new social class, the bourgeoisie, and a middle class society.

Feudalism, a system of social and economic organization, dominated Europe during this period. Under this system, a lord granted land to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and military service. This system created a complex web of obligations and relationships that defined the social, political, and economic order of the time.

The High Middle Ages were also a time of religious fervor and intellectual inquiry. The Crusades, a series of holy wars fought between Christians and Muslims, captured the imagination of Europe and had a profound impact on European society and culture. The rise of universities and the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman texts led to a flowering of intellectual and artistic activity known as the "Renaissance of the Twelfth Century".

Resources

To deepen your understanding of the High Middle Ages, here are some reliable resources:

1. Book: "The High Middle Ages" by William Chester Jordan. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the period and is an excellent starting point for your research.

2. Website: Internet Medieval Sourcebook. This website offers a wide range of primary and secondary sources on various aspects of the High Middle Ages, allowing you to explore the period in more detail.

3. Documentary: "The High Middle Ages" from the series "The Story of Europe" by BBC. This documentary provides a visual and engaging overview of the period.

4. Podcast: "The British History Podcast". This podcast covers British history from the Ice Age to the present day, with several episodes dedicated to the High Middle Ages.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Lords, Vassals, and Castles: A Journey into the High Middle Ages"

Objective of the Project

The aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the High Middle Ages, focusing on the key themes of feudalism, the Crusades, and the growth of towns and cities. Students will work in groups of 3 to 5, conducting research, engaging in creative activities, and producing a final presentation.

Detailed Description of the Project

In this project, each group will be divided into three sub-groups, and each sub-group will focus on one of the key themes: feudalism, the Crusades, and the growth of towns and cities. Each sub-group will conduct detailed research on their assigned theme, creating a presentation that highlights their findings. Additionally, each group will collectively build a scale model of a medieval castle, incorporating details learned about the High Middle Ages.

Necessary Materials

• Research materials (books, internet access, library access)
• Art supplies for castle model (cardboard, paint, glue, scissors, etc.)
• Tools for presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint, markers, large paper)

Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying Out the Activity

1. Formation of Groups and Allocation of Themes: Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5. Each group will then be divided into three sub-groups, with each sub-group assigned one of the key themes: feudalism, the Crusades, and the growth of towns and cities.

2. Research: Each sub-group will conduct detailed research on their assigned theme using the resources provided. They should aim to answer the following questions: What was the key event or concept? Why was it significant? How did it impact European society during the High Middle Ages?

3. Presentation Creation: Each sub-group will use their research to create a presentation (approximately 15 minutes) that clearly communicates their findings. The presentation should include visuals, key facts, and examples. The format of the presentation is up to the students (PowerPoint, poster, etc.), but it should be engaging and easy to understand.

4. Castle Model Creation: As a group, students will work together to create a scale model of a medieval castle. The castle should reflect the architectural style and defensive features of castles during the High Middle Ages. The model should also incorporate details learned about life in a castle, such as the roles of different people and the types of activities that would take place.

5. Integration of Activities: As the castle model is being built, each sub-group will periodically present their findings to the rest of the group, discussing how their theme relates to the construction and daily life in a castle.

6. Final Presentation: At the end of the project, each group will give a final presentation that includes their individual theme presentations and a discussion of how their findings informed the construction of their castle model.

Project Deliveries

At the end of the project, each group will submit:

1. A detailed document that includes the following sections:

   • Introduction: The student should contextualize the High Middle Ages, explain the relevance of the assigned themes, and outline the objective of the project.

   • Development: The student should detail the theories and concepts related to their assigned theme, explain the activity in detail, indicate the methodology used and finally present and discuss the obtained results.

   • Conclusion: The student should revisit the main points of the project, explicitly stating the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn about the High Middle Ages.

   • Bibliography: The student should list the sources of information they relied on to work on the project, using the appropriate citation format.

2. A scale model of a medieval castle.

3. A final presentation that includes their individual theme presentations and a discussion of how their findings informed the construction of their castle model.

This project requires research, teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity. It will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the High Middle Ages, as well as important skills for their future academic and professional endeavors.