A World Inscribed

A World Inscribed- 20 minutes

Heraldry Assignment

What is your family crest?

Step 1:  go to one of these two sites
     -Heraldry Site
     -House of Names Site
  
Step 2:  research your last name on the chosen site.  If you can't find YOUR last name, try your mother's maiden name.

Step 3:  choose your favorite coat of arms, copy and paste it into a word document, and enlarge it to fill the page.  Enter down onto the next page and type your last name (or whatever name is on the crest your chose) in "Old English" font, size 72.

Step 4:  go to Family Crests Site.  Research the symbols, line designs, and colors of your crest.  On a lined piece of paper, list three features of your crest and the associated meaning.

Step 5:  on the same paper, answer this question:  How does the motto and symbolism connect to you and your family today?

Stained-Glass Windows (Scholastic)

Stained-Glass Windows

from The New Book of Knowledge®

• PRINT
• EMAIL

ART HISTORY ON DEMAND > Materials and Techniques >

Entering a Gothic cathedral on a sunny day is like stepping into a rainbow. Beams of sunlight passing through the stained-glass windows bathe the church in rich reds, blues, and greens.

"Stained glass" is the term used for pieces of colored glass joined together by strips of lead to form a picture or design. Stained glass is most often used for windows, because the beauty of the glass is best seen when light passes through it.

The process of coloring glass was probably invented in ancient Egypt. But it was during the Middle Ages that the making of stained-glass windows developed as a major art. Stained-glass windows were an important feature of churches built in the Gothic style, which first arose in the mid-1100's. The windows filled the church interiors with light and color, delighting worshipers with their beauty.

The windows were not only beautiful; they also served an educational purpose. During the Middle Ages, the church was the center of learning. There were few books, and only a handful of people could read. The designs in the first stained-glass windows usually depicted scenes from the Bible. Such scenes were important tools in teaching Christian beliefs to the people. In later years, workers' guilds and wealthy merchants paid for windows that glorified not only saints and kings but the donors themselves.

The artisans of the Middle Ages perfected techniques for making stained-glass windows, many of which are still used today. On a large white board, the artisan drew a picture the same size as the window. He numbered each section of the picture according to color. Over the drawing he placed pieces of glass that had already been colored—with metallic oxides--while the glass was being made. Then, following the outline of the drawing, he cut out the shapes with a hot iron. Finally the artisan cut strips of lead to fit between the pieces of glass. The lead did more than hold the pieces together; it became part of the design. The lead strips outlined sections of glass and kept the colors from appearing to overlap. Large windows were given a framework of iron bars for added strength.

Strangely, perfecting stained-glass techniques did not improve the windows. The bubbles in the first glasses and the unevenness of their surfaces made the sunlight seem to dance. The later glasses, with fewer imperfections, had less sparkle. Originally, paint was used only for small details, such as the features of a face. Beginning in the 1500's, more paint was used. Less light passed through the painted surfaces, and stained glass lost much of its power and majesty.

For about 200 years the use of stained glass declined, and it was not revived until the 1800's. Religious groups and wealthy people sought the excellent workmanship of the glassmakers Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933), John La Farge (1835-1910), and others to decorate their churches and mansions.

When war loomed in Europe in the 1930's, windows were taken apart piece by piece and stored in safe places. After the war the windows were carefully put back.

New methods of production and ideas of design have changed the appearance of stained glass. But one thing has never changed: the magic effect of sunlight pouring through colored glass.

Reviewed by Jane Hayward
The Cloisters, New York City

This is funny because a cow is eating baby Jesus's clothes and his dad, Joseph, is hitting the cow with a stick. :)

Crusades Movie

2. Roots of the Crusades
1. Information About Islam
3. Muslim Lifestyle and Influence

Reflect on the following questions and ideas:
1. If you have two people who can't get along, just give them a common enemy.  
2. If you were offered a ticket straight into heaven in exchange for doing something, what would you be willing to do?
3. Did the crusaders go to serve God?
4. Did Jerusalem need to be saved?

4. Watch VHS 938 called "The Medieval Crusades"

Manorialism Stick Figure Assignment

Lords:  This is the highest order on the manor.  If a lord was really wealthy, they might even have a castle!  All the work of maintaining the land and castle was basically given to the serfs, so the lord just had to be a manager.  He managed all the workers and made sure they were doing what they were supposed to. 

Bailiffs:  A bailiff was hired by the lord if the manor grew too large for the lord to manage all by himself.  The bailiff would help the lord manage the serfs.  Their life was pretty cush, too.

Serfs:  These guys had it rough, but they weren't servants.  This is the lowest order of class on a manor.  Serfs gave their land to the lord in exchange for protection.  They had to spend at least 3 days a week working for the lord, farming the land, repairing the castle, or digging moats.   They didn't know much of the world outside of the manor because they spent all their time working.

Assignment:

-Pick either lord, bailiff, or serf, and draw that person.

-Give them a name and (if appropriate) a title.

-On the right side of the head, write or draw what that person might be thinking.

-On the left side of the head write or draw what that person might be seeing.

-Near the hands write or draw what that person might be doing.

-Near the heart write or draw what that person might be feeling.

-At the bottom of the paper write one or two sentences about what this person's views are about manorialism, or in other words, the social cast system.  Is it fair?  Do they like it?  What would they change about it?

Coat of Arms

Grab a blank shield from the red desk and bring it to your seat.  You will need colored pencils today.

Divide your shield into six portions.

-Section one: something you are against

-Section two: something you support

-Section three: something you are afraid of

-Section four: something you would do/buy if you had an unlimited amount of money

-Section five: your name (what you go by)

-Section six: three words that describe you