Category Archives: Middle Ages Unit Studies

Gothic Revival in Western Kentucky

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We toured some local historical churches with our homeschool support group. The three we visited are over 100 years old. Not that old on the scale of old churches around the world, but old enough to have history. Each of these were designed in a Gothic Revival manner, meaning that they look like mini middle age cathedrals.

The windows we admired were beautiful stained glass, the Bible in art, just like those windows from long ago when the common man could not read the stories for himself, but instead saw them in the church windows.

As I stood amazed at the artisan skill, I was humbled at the thought that God chooses not these fine buildings for his home, but us. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

One of the tour guides reminded us of this lesson from Luke 21:5-6, ^“Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” I’m glad to have seen these and shared them with my kids and friends before that happens.

betty jo

Keeping The Code

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I usually learn as much as the kids do in our homeschool. The “all things middle ages” that we have been researching this school year has been quite educational for me. Recently, I realized that I want my sons (I have 4 of them) to be knights. Not the modern ones such as Paul McCartney or Elton John, but the kind of knights from the middle ages. Well, minus the jousting.

As a knight in training, a boy would start off as a page at 7 years old, (I have a 7 year old). He would be responsible for some chores, he received an education and learned to read Latin. He was taught manners, and learned and practiced skills that would serve him later. Not a bad start, huh?

At age 14, (I have a 14 year old, too), the page became a squire. This was his time of apprenticeship with a trusted knight. Real one on one tutoring and hands-on studies happened here. Practical life skills and life or death lessons were learned. Responsibilities were increased.

When the knight in training turned 21, (oh yeah, got one 21, too), he was ready to become a noble knight. But first, before he was dubbed, he had to vow to keep The Code of Chivalry. This is the real reason behind my wanting my boys to become knights. These young men swore to protect the weak, fight wrong, seek justice, be loyal to friends, and be fair to all people. They promised to be true, gentle, faithful, and brave. They pledged to honor and respect women, to be generous, and to dare to do right. I want my sons to develop the character needed to be able keep to this code.

I have daughters, too. One is my own, and one that we pretend is mine. I do not want them to ever be helpless damsels in need of being rescued. I want them to be well educated, trained, and practiced in their callings, too. I think this Code applies to them as well. And definitely should apply to their future husbands.

Here’s the link to the Code of Chivalry and everything else middle ages: http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/knights-code-of-chivalry.htm

And here’s the link to free lapbooks on knights which includes a simplified knight’s code: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/knights_lapbook.php and knight connections http://www.homeschoolshare.com/connections__middle_ages.php

And here’s a random pic that showed up on my Facebook newsfeed , seems to be appropriate.

betty jo

Art Day – Sistine Chapel Style

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As part of our “cathedral” section of our current middle ages unit studies, we researched Michelangelo and his masterpiece ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. To get a feel of what laying on your back and painting was like, we taped some paper to our dry erase board and and set it across a couple of chairs, then took turns laying under it to paint Bible story scenes. Even the homeschool graduate wanted in on this project. I love it when our assignments capture the interest of the older kids.

This is A21.

Tay art 1