The Court

A Medieval Weekend
in Constantinople

A WEBQUEST
Appropriate for Grades 7-12

Social Studies - Middle Ages
Europe & Japan

Introduction

Inside the master bedroom, a newborn child tries to sleep, but is kept awake by preparations for a birthday party. This party is not for the newborn but for her five year old brother. People are in all corners of the house talking about how beautiful the family looks. Smiles erase all hardships today.
When it comes time to open presents, the birthday boy is helped by his older siblings. Amongst the presents are a small noisemaker, a red ball and a pile of clothes. Something else is given to the birthday boy on this day and it didn't come in a wrapped box. On his fifth birthday he is given something from the whole town. This something is his future. On this warm summer eve, he has been given a job, a certain status in society, and expectations which were decided long before this day. He will accept this position in life and someday so will his youngest sibling. You see, this family lives in Medieval Times.

The purpose of this WebQuest is threefold. The first purpose is to help you usethe enormous resources on the internet. The second purpose of this WebQuest is to help you understand that events even in forgotten or "middle" ages led to how our world looks like today. The final purpose of this WebQuest is for you to compare Japanese and European feudalistic societies.

This quest challenges you to investigate the differences between the feudalistic societies of Japan and Europe. What is feudalism? What did it mean to live in a feudalistic society? Was it the same for each member of society? How should the Middle Ages be remembered? What would it be like to have a defined role in society?

Task

Imagine that you are about join a conversation that is taking place between two cultures. The leader of Constantinople has invited members of a feudalistic Japan and a feudalistic Europe to get together. This leader is trying to create a bridge between Europe and Japan. He believes that by bringing these two feudalistic societies together they will better understand each other and themselves. The participants in this meeting reflect a wide swath of society. Leaders from both areas and lower classes will be mixing in an unprecedented manner. Most participants in this meeting have not questioned their place in society. Their jobs, status and expectations have been handed to them like a present. This could be an eye opening experience for many of them. The weekend will be spent reflecting on their lives, comparing their place in the world and expectations for the future.

In this project we will be working in teams in order to complete our investigations and present our findings. We will present our findings by using multimedia software which may include HyperStudio, Power Point, or Front Page. In this project you will assume a variety of roles and research internet sites. You will begin to see the complexities of this time period.

Process

Define your project

1. Before you choose your roles, your group needs to define feudalism.
2. Next, decide: Will you investigate one decade or compare how the
1. Medieval Age changed over the decades?

Choose your TEAM ASSIGNMENT role.

1. Divide into groups of four.
2. As a group, choose which society group you will focus on.
3. Each group member will choose a role from Group Tasks.
1. For example the group may choose The Court then one member
1. chooses the role of Team Manager.
4.  Read your task and set up your group management system.
5.  Discuss the assessment questions and create your action plan.
6.  Search the websites and gather your evidence.
7.  Answer your eight questions.
8. Write a one page reflection.
9. Create your learning product.

Society Groups

The Court


Oh the lovely court and its prim and proper members. These 
are the leaders and we have them talking to their defenders.
 
Japan- Emperor or Empress, Samurai
Europe- King or Queen, Knight

Religion


With your eye on the big picture you will become embroiled  
in the debate that will encompass not only religious questions  
but also political ones.

Japan- Buddhist Priest, Christian Priest
Europe- Pope, Monk

Town Life


Your drive for political and economic power has intrigued and
frightened many people in society.

Japan- Doctor and Merchant
Europe- Doctor and Merchant

Country Life


Your lives have improved since the Viking raids but how 
tenuous is the feudalistic relationship.

Japan- Daimyo and Peasant
Europe- Lord and Serf

The Arts

You remind people that humans are both tragic and comedic and are a good reflection of medieval society.

Japan- Kabuki actor and poet
Europe- Troubadour and writer

Resources An annotated list of all sites used for this WebQuest can be found at: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listmedievalbr.html

Conclusion Congratulations are in order, for you have just presented your product, thus finishing your WebQuest. We hope that you have had time to think about an age that was, until most recently, dismissed as a subject not pursuing. You may even have have had a chance to see a part of yourself and your world in this age. Each morning people awake to discover that their static world is ever changing. Our past has led to our present. Those that came before had the ability and the desire to live in an age that will be remembered. We too have the very same ability and desire.

How do you think our age will be remembered?

Permission granted for nonprofit use only
Last updated: May 24, 2001