Finish Braveheart (12-19-14)

We finished the movie, Braveheart, today.  You picked up the Extra Credit opportunity (Braveheart Essay) if you were interested...

Exam 2.2 (12-18-14)

You simply completed Exam 2.2

Braveheart (12-16-14)

We started watching Braveheart (edited for content), starring and directed by Mel Gibson. He earned his early reputation as the star of action-oriented films.  Then he started making his own films after getting support from others who had cast him in more challenging roles (acting with range, emotion, etc.).  Problem is, Gibson was also revealed to be an ultra-conservative, anti-Semitic, misogynist.  It presents an interesting ethical dilemma as a historian, film-lover, and general citizen of the world.  Should an artist's personal views be considered when evaluating her/his work (which, in Gibson's case, is truly powerful film-making)?  Seriously, the films he has directed are beautiful, gripping, and well-regarded by popular masses, his peers, and critics.  We'll takea break for Exam 2.2 tomorrow, and conclude the film on Friday.

Exam 2.2 Prep (12-15-14)

I gave you time to complete your European Nations Map & Chart, the only thing you can use for Thursday's exam, which will cover the following:
Feudalism Basics
Lord-Vassal Relationship
Knights’ Code of Ethics
Magna Carta
Crusades – Plea & Call
Crusades – Muslim Leader
Fall of Rome – What was left?
Black Death & Castles
Catholic Church – Power & Wealth
Catholic Church in Europe – Pope’s Role
European Nations – Early Leaders
European Nations - Early Wars

Joan of Arc & European Knights (12-12-14)

Please remember WIL 2.5 is due this week.  Your next exam will be given on Thursday and cover the Middle Ages, including feudalism and nationhood in Europe.  Your castle is due January 8th, but I know you will have a better break if you get it done before then.  Enjoy your Winter Break by getting your castle done BEFORE!!!

We read about Joan of Arc from the handouts you picked earlier in the week, then I explained the five methods of capital punishment (execution) still allowed in our country today: Electrocution, Gas Chamber, Lethal Injection, Firing Squad, and Hanging.  Pleasant topic, right?

We then jumped back to Knighthood by looking at how European knights were equipped during the Middle Ages.  I concluded by talking about how disgusting the era really was.

Isabella, Spain, & WIL 2.5

We read through Eleanor of Aquitaine yesterday and Isabella of Spain today.  My notes are pasted below.  I then shared a story about Edward I, John, and a certain English lord.  Robin Hood.  You were then given time to work on your Nations Chart.  Oh, and I added an interesting WIL question.

WIL 2.5 Cannibalism
If faced with death by starvation or the consumption of (dead) human flesh (maybe even family or friends), which decision would you make?

Eleanor of Aquitaine Notes

1122-1204 - Lived during the Crusades

Queen of Both England & France at different times

Could Read & Write Latin, as well as Provencal, which would later become French.

Beautiful, Industrious, Intelligent

1137 - Married Louis VII and became Queen of France

She was 15, he was 16

Often "controlled" Henry, which threatened him

Divorced in 1152

The church granted an annulment, basically saying the marriage never happened.

Two months later...married Henry II of England

She was 29, he was 18

1154 - Became Queen when Henry II became King

Had 5 sons & 3 daughters

1168 - Separated from Henry II and moved back to France

1173 - Two sons, under her guidance, rose up against their father, Henry II

Henry put down rebellion, but forgave his sons

Her son, Richard I, became King of England

Richard I led Third Crusade, leaving his brother, John, in charge

John's rule was plagued by high taxation and corruption

Story of Robin Hood was born

1204 - Eleanor dies at the age of 82

Spain's Isabella & Reconquista
Queen of Castile
Devout Catholic
Married to Ferdinand of Aragon
Unified Spain
     Codified Laws
     Standardize currency
     Patrons of the arts
     Supported Columbus' journey
Completed Reconquista
     Reconquered Iberian Peninsula from Muslim Moors
     Forced Jews to Convert to Catholicism or leave
     MANY of Spain's experienced artisans, businesses, and banks left

Birth of Modern (European) Nations

You picked up some handouts:

• Europe Middle Ages 1160 Map (Outline)
• European Kingdoms Chart
• Vladimir I
• Eleanor of Aquitaine
• Isabella I
• Joan of Arc

We read through the Vladimir I brief bio - we annotated together (I have added my notes at the bottom of this entry) and then filled in some of the Russia row: Vladmimir I; Eastern Orthodox; Conquered Slavs; Killed Brother, Married Byzantine Princess.  

You then used the rest of class time to label and color the map using the one below as a reference.  If you had time, you were also asked to look up the nicknames on the Kingdoms chart and write in the ruler's actual name.  We'll read through Eleanor & Isabella tomorrow, when you'll also look through the relevant textbook chapter for the establishment of these four European kingdoms.  On Thursday, we'll look at Joan of Arc and close up knighthood.

Vladimir I

Duke of Kiev (early foundation for modern Russia)

Killed a brother to gain father's title

Expanded westward (into Europe)

Good warrior

Promoted trade to expand the economy

Built Schools & Libraries

988 - COnverted to Christianity (eastern Orthodox)

Married Byzantine Emperor's sister (convenient, right?)

Required ALL of his subjects to be baptized

People did not have individual freedoms and choices during this era, especially in this place.  The concept of freedom, equality, and Rights does not emerge for another 700 years!  Peasants were tied to the land they worked.  They had to do what their lord ordered.

Sick Week

Yeah, the flu knocked me out this past week.  I DID GET A FLUE SHOT...but this year's common flu strain was NOT INCLUDED.  SO, we fell back a bit in terms of pacing (after jumping ahead a bit), which is a bummer.  What we did this week is detailed below:

1. Monday - You received your "Design Your Own Castle" handout with relevant material.  Castles were built to Protect (Defend) & Impress.  They were expensive.  but they were effective, especially since they were fortresses built in hostile (foreign) territory that were in the process of being conquered.  
2. Tuesday - You watched "PBS - Castle Macaulay" via Youtube.  This is a little childish, but is an excellent narrative showing the design and construction of a castle.  While his was not real, it was based on Beaumaris Castle, never completed.
3. Wednesday - We went through everything again, since I was finally back.
4. Thursday - You watched "Black Death 1347" and answered questions with 2003's Mr. Irrelevant, Ryan Hoag.  He was also on The Bachelorette a few years ago.  He was also a former student of mine and a former player for Percy 7 I back when he was here.
5. Friday...We had an interesting discussion regarding labels and stereotypes.  I then brought it back to our Middle Ages unit by connecting labor specialization & education to current labels & stereotypes.  

2.4 Labels 

Are there truths to stereotypes?  Regardless, can awareness of stereotypes be used for beneficial purposes?  In other words, can labels be used positively?  How difficult is it to change perceptions?