Step into the age of knights and chivalry with this fascinating Charlotte Mason-inspired dive into Medieval History!
Explore the Lessons of the Past with “Medieval History” – A Charlotte Mason Curriculum for Homeschoolers
Ah, the Middle Ages- the time of knights, chivalry, and romance. Or so it is portrayed in the many, MANY books, movies, and shows that depict medieval history. But how much of that is real, and how much of that is fake? Studying the Middle Ages with your family is a fascinating way to explore the real era that inspires much of our media today, and to unpack history in a way that is engaging and meaningful. This Charlotte Mason curriculum is a perfect way to do just that!
Make the medieval period come alive for your kids and teens through historical recipes from the Middle Ages enjoyed over tea, powerful living books teaching valuable life lessons, and poetry, art, and music studies exploring the real lives and work of historical figures whose art has stood the test of time. Dive into the landscapes of this era through geography and map studies, explore the uses of common plants and herbs from this period through nature studies, and get creative with an art lesson and handicraft!
You will find all this and more in our lovingly-compiled Medieval History curriculum, designed for busy homeschool moms that want to provide their children with a rich, meaningful, and FUN educational experience. Everything has been put together in advance so you don’t have to stress about finding resources, leaving you and your family free to enjoy learning together. Want to discover more? Below, you will find a small sampling of the many activities and lessons we have included in this curriculum!
A Medieval Tea Time Spread
One of our absolute favorite activities included in this curriculum is our historical recipes section. Each recipe has been researched and adapted from real recipes from the Middle Ages, so you and your family can have a taste of history! Try your hand at making a plum tart, or prepare applemoys, fine cakes, or custard with your children! No matter the recipe you make, it is certain to be an amazing, fun way to explore history with your family, and create memories along the way that will last a lifetime!
- Plum Tart
- Angel’s Food
- Medieval Gingerbread
- Applemoys
- Fine Cakes
- Custard
Here is a sneak peek at the exciting recipes we have in store for you! Explore the cuisine of the medieval period over tea each week, and read the Tea Time reading selections we have prepared to go along with each recipe for a flavorful and immersive educational experience!
Add a Poem to Your Tea Time:
Why not include a Medieval-era poem to go with your tea? Geoffrey Chaucer was a renowned poet and author that lived during the Middle Ages, his most well-known work being The Canterbury Tales. We have included several poetry selections from his work, along with links to listen to them in their original Middle English dialect. Here is a sample of one of our favorite pieces:
The Love Unfeigned
by Geoffrey Chaucer
O YONGE fresshe folkes, he or she,
In which that love up groweth with your age,
Repeyreth hoom from worldly vanitee,
And of your herte up-casteth the visage
To thilke god that after his image
Yow made, and thinketh al nis but a fayre
This world, that passeth sone as floures fayre.
And loveth him, the which that right for love
Upon a cros, our soules for to beye,
First starf, and roos, and sit in hevene a-bove;
For he nil falsen no wight, dar I seye,
That wol his herte al hoolly on him leye.
And sin he best to love is, and most meke,
What nedeth feyned loves for to seke?
Unpack the Fascinating Middle Ages with the 200+ page “Medieval History Morning Time Session”!
Get ready for a historical adventure with our beautifully crafted “Medieval History Morning Time Session!” This 200+ page guide has everything you need to immerse your family in the wonders of the Middle Ages through creative, hands-on learning activities.
Inside, you’ll find:
- 6-week Calendar with each subject scheduled on it
- Prayer and scripture memorization
- Copywork selections from Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace, Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, John 16:33, Romans 15:13, Philippians 4:6-7, & Colossians 3:15, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (& Veni, Veni Emmanuel), Knights’ Code of Chivalry, & The Lady of Shalott in primary, elementary, cursive, and a notebook sheet for high school students (and moms)
- Memory Work: Prayer and scripture memorization
- Living Books recommended reading list
- Artist & Picture Study: Simone Martini, with six printable art pieces
- Composer Study: Gregorian Chants and songs and instrumentals from Medieval England, with six music pieces + listening links)
- Hymn Study: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, with sheet music and listening links
- Folk Song Study: Sumer is Icumen In, with sheet music and listening links
- 6 Teatime Recipes: Plum Tart, Angel’s Food, Medieval Gingerbread, Applemoys, Fine Cakes, & Custard
- Three Storytime teas and a Poetry Tea: Legends That Every Child Should Know, “Beowulf,” by Hamilton Wright Mabie, The Tale of King Arthur and the Round Table, ”The Quest for the Holy Graal,” by Andrew Lang, “The Lady of Shalott,” by Alfred Tennyson, and The Chaucer Story Book, “The Knight’s Tale,” by Eva March Tappan
- Plutarch: The Children’s Plutarch: Tales of the Greeks, “The Admiral of the Fleet,” by F.J. Gould
- History & Geography: Book of Marvels: The Occident, by Richard Halliburton, The Story of Mankind, by Hendrik Willem Van Loon, & map studies
- Handicraft: Medieval Heraldry Bunting
- Art Lesson: Medieval Diptych in acrylics
- Nature study: Medieval Herbs
- And more!
Ready to explore the medieval period? Get your guide today and let the adventure begin!
Have a Paint Party that Will Go Down in History!
During the Middle Ages, artists created beautiful and meaningful works of art on wooden panels called diptychs (DIP-tiks). A diptych is a two-panel artwork that is hinged or connected, allowing it to fold like a book. These pieces were often made as altarpieces, devotional paintings, or even personal prayer objects that people could carry with them. Many featured religious themes, gold leaf accents, and intricate details in the style of illuminated manuscripts.
In this session, we have included an art lesson showing how to create our own version of a medieval diptych using folded watercolor paper instead of wooden panels. We will also incorporate medieval architecture by painting in the style of a Gothic cathedral window. Enjoy creating your own art piece inspired by the beauty and artistry of the medieval era!
Medieval Diptych, by Alisha Gratehouse.
Enjoying painting too much to stop? Grab these lessons from the Masterpiece Society to keep the fun going!
Living Books to Explore Medieval History In Your Homeschool
Discover more about this fascinating period of history by checking these books out from the library, or make them a permanent part of your collection by grabbing them below!
Elementary & Middle Grades
Saint George and the Dragon (Caldecott Medal Winner)
The Making of a KnightMarguerite Makes a Book (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum)A Medieval Feast (Reading Rainbow Books)The Hawk of the Castle: A Story of Medieval FalconryChanticleer and the Fox: A Caldecott Award WinnerCastle Diary: The Journal of Tobias BurgessCrispin: The Cross of LeadRedwallThe Arabian NightsCanterbury TalesChaucer for Children: With 10 Original IllustrationsThe Chaucer Story BookThe Door in the Wall: (Newbery Medal Winner)Medieval TalesWeird But True! Know-It-All Middle AgesThe Story of Beowulf (Dover Children’s Classics)Beowulf: A New TellingThe Magna ChartaThe White Company (100th Anniversary Edition): Illustrated by N. C. WyethEnglish Literature for Boys and Girls: With 20 Original Illustrations
High School
The Canterbury TalesBeowulf: A New Verse Translation (Bilingual Edition)Beowulf (Signet Classics)The Divine Comedy (The Inferno, The Purgatorio, and The Paradiso)The Middle Ages (History of Britain)The Usborne Internet Linked Medieval World (World History)Chivalry: An Ancient Code for Our TimeThe Story of King Arthur and His Knights (Barnes & Noble Children’s Leatherbound Classics) (Barnes & Noble Leatherbound Children’s Classics)The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (First Edition): Illustrated ClassicsIvanhoeA History of the English-Speaking Peoples Volume I: The Birth of Britain (Bloomsbury Revelations)Ecclesiastical History of the English People (Penguin Classics)Gesta Regum Anglorum: Arthurian ClassicsPocket Magna Carta: 1217 Text and TranslationIn Freedom’s Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce (Dover Children’s Classics)The Life of King AlfredPersonal Recollections of Joan of Arc (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)The Story of Joan of Arc, the Maid of OrleansThe Once and Future KingThe Age of Chivalry
We hope you have enjoyed this journey through history.
Ready to continue your journey to discover the Middle Ages? Our homeschool curriculum is the perfect fit for your busy family, with everything you need painstakingly curated and at your fingertips. Bring history to life with your family- one morning, one project, one lesson at a time! Get your Medieval History curriculum today to explore the lessons of the past and immerse your family in a fascinating historical adventure! And remember:
“It may be that the souls of all children are waiting for the call of knowledge to awaken them to delightful living.”
-Charlotte Mason
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