Gothic Architecture began in France around the 12th Century, originally known as "The French Style". This beautiful website explores this wonderful period or style, including architecture terms and links to stunning examples:
Research - Medieval Churches and Cathedrals
Churches were often built as elaborately, or even more elaborately, than castles. Cathedrals were churches that contained a seat for (or held the office of) a bishop, a position of great power, often acting as a councelor (or chancellor) to the monarch. Although cathedrals held positions of importance, not all were massive works of art. Since churches collected taxes and tithes from local citizens, they often became very wealthy and powerful. They also found power through the use of relics (supposedly) belonging to saints which led to pilgrimmages.
A listing of medieval churches:
Review - Website - WordCounter
Need to know which words you use frequently or how many times you used words sorted by frequency? Then check out this free to use website:
Word Counter
Easy to use and quick.
Word Counter
Easy to use and quick.
Research - Medieval Churches - Relics
Beginning around the 2nd Century, churches began to display important relics from saints. Relics ranged from ordinary objects (like pieces of fabric) to parts of a human skeleton. Believers would take long pilgrimages (spiritual trips) to visit shrines or holy places where relics were displayed. In time, the use of relics became a means for trickery and abuse. Citizens would flock to a church that held a saint's relic hoping to be blessed or healed by that particular saint.
Cults of Relics: http://www.the-orb.net/encyclop/religion/hagiography/cult.htm
Catholic Church and Relics: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12734a.htm
Review - TV - Weird Weapons of the Middle Ages
History International hosts a wonderful video series called "Conquest", which often focuses on various weaponry used in history. This particular review focuses on the episode titled "Weird Weapons of the Middle Ages", which just touches a small portion of the interesting weapons and tools that were used during this period.
In this episode, the gang tries to combat a knight outfitted in plate armor with several odd weapons. The plate armor suit, weighing 60 lbs, is very solid and difficult to pierce except by sharp metal and within close range.
The Falchion was a single-blade sword that could slash against armor. It weighed between 5 and 8 pounds.
The mace was popular for close-range hits.
The flail, also known as the ball-and-chain, was an effective weapon if used carefully since the spike ball at the chain-end of the handle could hit the user.
Other weapons include hammer, ahlspiess (a spear), billhook, and a Godendag (club with spikes).
Want to see these in action? Check out the show on YouTube:
"Weird Weapons of the Middle Ages":
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
In this episode, the gang tries to combat a knight outfitted in plate armor with several odd weapons. The plate armor suit, weighing 60 lbs, is very solid and difficult to pierce except by sharp metal and within close range.
The Falchion was a single-blade sword that could slash against armor. It weighed between 5 and 8 pounds.
The mace was popular for close-range hits.
The flail, also known as the ball-and-chain, was an effective weapon if used carefully since the spike ball at the chain-end of the handle could hit the user.
Other weapons include hammer, ahlspiess (a spear), billhook, and a Godendag (club with spikes).
Want to see these in action? Check out the show on YouTube:
"Weird Weapons of the Middle Ages":
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Review - Book - The Age of Knights and Castles
Age of Knights & Castles (World Book Looks at)
Fabulous reference guide! Includes a wonderful timeline as well as details on fashion, knightly careers, how campaigns were fought, the construction and defense of castles, and more.
Review - Book - Archers, Alchemists and 98 Other Medieval Jobs...
Archers, Alchemists: and 98 Other Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed (Jobs in History) by Priscilla Galloway
An absolute must-have book for your medieval research! It is overflowing with information, including timelines. Jobs are organized by categories, such as "Castle Jobs", "Bread and Butter Jobs", "Life and Death Jobs", "Travel Jobs" and more. Each job is described in detail and includes synonymous terms.
Review - Book - The Healing Herbs
The Healing Herbs: The Ultimate Guide To The Curative Power Of Nature's Medicines
Although this book isn't necessarily based on Medieval medicines, it is a wonderful resource for herbal and all-natural medicines and procedures as well as some information about the role of women in medicine. Also includes some information on the herbs that Native American medicine.
Review - Book - Medieval Medicine in Illumined Manuscripts
Medieval Medicine in Illuminated Manuscripts
This book contains fabulous examples of different medical techniques and practices used throughout the Middle Ages taken from actual manuscripts (illumined or illustrated). It also illustrates, through these manuscripts, the evolution of medicine -- from practices based on superstitions to methods based on scientific research (such as autopsies).
Research - Motte and Bailey Castles
Most castles were built in a Motte (hill) and Bailey (keep) system. The earlier castles consisted of dirt hills (either natural or man-made) upon which a timber castle structure was built, then a large timber fenced-in keep was built around that. Within the keep were other buildings, such as a blacksmith shop, a bakery, the stables, etc. Most systems were built near freshwater sources. For those too far from streams or rivers, a cistern was created to contain water. However, during sieges, this could lead to the demise or surrender of the inhabitants once the water ran low.
This site contains a good definition of the motte and bailey system:
http://www.castles.me.uk/motte-and-bailey-castles.htm
Excellent photos of mottes: http://www.castlewales.com/motte.html
Lots of links to examples: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Motte-and-bailey
This site contains a good definition of the motte and bailey system:
http://www.castles.me.uk/motte-and-bailey-castles.htm
Excellent photos of mottes: http://www.castlewales.com/motte.html
Lots of links to examples: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Motte-and-bailey
Resource - Castles of Spain
This site lists several historic castles in Spain, including the well-known Alhambra which is mentioned in great detail in Philippa Gregory's book "The Constant Princess". It was built in the 9th Century in Arabic style.
http://www.europeupclose.com/castles-in-spain/
Visit this site for an interactive tour of the Alhambra:
http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/alhambra/flash/start.html
http://www.europeupclose.com/castles-in-spain/
Visit this site for an interactive tour of the Alhambra:
http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/alhambra/flash/start.html
Resource - Historic Scotland
This is a terrific website to explore some of Scotland's Historic Events. Learn about festivals, events and properties.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events
Want to learn more about St Andrew's Day, check this out:
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/events/st-andrews-day-2009.htm
Need more information or images, take a peek at their resource page:
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/learning.htm
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events
Want to learn more about St Andrew's Day, check this out:
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/events/st-andrews-day-2009.htm
Need more information or images, take a peek at their resource page:
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/learning.htm
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