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Lesson 3: Vikings & Medieval Castles

•  à  A(er  the  death  of  Charlemagne  the  empires  were  weak,  leaving  Europe  vulnerable  to  invasion  

A. WHO •  From Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, known as

Norseman or “North men” •  Climate and geography was poor for farming so they

had to rely on the Sea for food and trade •  Viking means to raid

–  They robbed villages, churches, and farms –  They wanted ANYTHING of value

•  Traveled all over the Europe to raid, trade and explore •  Raided Europe for over 300 years: AD 700-900 which

led to the destruction of the Frankish Kingdoms

B. WHERE

C. WHAT •  1. Viking raids – The disorder of Europe made it easy for

Vikings to attack – They raided for riches, land, slaves – Very cruel and intimidating – Their entire culture centered around war – Worshipped pagan gods – Caused terror throughout Europe, causing

people to look to Lords/Knights for protection

D.  HOW  

•  Viking Long Ships – Ships were their main weapon – VERY intimidating to see approaching – Moved by oars and sails

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à FACT vs. FICTION •  à What kind of helmet did Vikings wear?

à They looked more like this…

E. Castles - Castles were built for protection - located in the center of a manor -needed due to a lack of a strong central gov. and Viking raids -Lords and Kings had castles -the inside was often designed like a maze - also used to demonstrate status - built on hills or surrounded by water

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2. Defenses: -moat: man-made body of water around the castle -draw bridge: were built across the moat; could be pulled up to block access to castle -turrets: towers to shoot arrows out of and keep watch; circular so you could see all around -arrow slits: ability to shoot and be protected

- Outer wall, inner wall then the keep- center of the castle

-  Smaller rooms located in towers -  Included: chapels and bedrooms

- The keep could have multiple levels - Basement: storage (tools and food) or

Dungeon: prison - Ground floor: kitchen or stable - Great Hall: above the ground floor, where

they ate, held ceremonies, greeted visitors àWhat are the defenses of your home? à  Why don’t we all have to live in castles?

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3. Common Castle Weapons - Bow and Arrow -catapults; long distance weapon - boiling water; poured over castle walls on invaders

4. Materials - Originally castles were built with wood, later they used stone - Early Medieval Castles were very basic - Later castles became much more elaborate as the economy improved after the Crusades

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à Review •  What was the #1 purpose of a castle? •  Why would the inside of a castle be

designed like a maze? •  What is a turret? •  What is a moat? •  Where would you find a keep? •  What was the purpose of a dungeon? •  What is the knights code of honor called?

Extra Credit Assignment Build a Castle!

1.  Guidelines: -no bigger than a 1.5’ x 1.5’ base -no bigger than 1.5’ tall -should be 3-dimensional and sturdy -use your imagination -write 1 paragraph telling me about your defenses (Castle’s Name, is it on a hill, do you have a moat, drawbridge?...) -it should be neatly done and demonstrate knowledge of castle design

2. Suggested supplies -boxes of various sizes (tissue, shoe, gift…) -cardboard, poster board, paper cups, t.p. rolls, paper towel rolls -paper, toothpicks, popsicle sticks -paint, markers, scissors, glue, details -you may need a parent to help you cut cardboard!

à I may ask you to present your castle

à Earn from zero to 10 points à You may NOT buy a “Castle Kit”

à Castles are due: ____________