Outschool
Search

$19

weekly
Class

Medieval History: Kings, Legends, & More! With a Harvard Instructor. Homeschool

Completed by 252 learners
Ages 10-15
Live Group Class
All aspects of Medieval history and culture are covered. Get to know the kings, queens, heroes, rogues, creatures, the stories & literature, the castles, & battles. Perfect for homeschool. Seasonal Medieval Holiday and Christmas Topics
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(659 reviews)
Popular

Live video meetings
1x per week
1-15 learners per class
55 min

What's included

1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
Medieval culture, history, legends, and literature is a fascinating subject. At this time, the western world is still transitioning from the epic decline of the Western Roman empire and is beginning to reform into a new Europe. Join us as we learn about the kings, queans, heroes, culture, literature and legends, and daily life of the Medieval period. 

Medieval history is fun! I am looking forward to seeing you in class.

IT IS NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE ANY PREVIOUS CLASS IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE. NEW STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

PLEASE NOTE: This hit class has been running for more than 2 years. Some favorite prior topics are listed below for reference. 

Upcoming topics (updated monthly; please note: class topics may be added pursuant to student requests and interests):


- Gawain and the Green Knight
- Notre Dame- the original building, fire, rebuilding, and re-opening
- Medieval Christmas and Winter Holidays. History and Celebrations
- Yuletide monsters and Medieval Holiday ghost stories
- Can you survive the winter as a Medieval peasant?
- Lessons in Power: King Philip IV of France


Students will meet once a week for a live lesson.


PAST TOPICS: (Please let me know if you would like to revisit any of these topics)

1.  Jousting and tournaments. What were the events? What were the rules? Let's examine the required skills, armor, horses, and men you need in order to join the tournaments! But don't forget, even kings get injured and killed in tournaments. Fun and dangerous- sounds medieval to me.

2. William the Conqueror. It's 1066 and William really wants Hastings. Why do the Normans feel they have claim to England? How does he win the battle? What kind of king does he become and how has his legacy lasted? 

3. So you want to live in a medieval village? Well, if you insist... We will learn about the life of the everyday peasant in Medieval Europe and some of the extremely unpleasant tasks that made up their everyday lives. Let's look inside the houses, the kitchens, food, and the different types of jobs available to a villager in Medieval Europe.

4. Edward I. Hammer of the Scots. Let's meet this strong and ambitious warrior king and follow him on his quest of Edward on his quest to conquer Scotland. How did he get such an impressive nickname? What was it like to serve in his army? What was his desired legacy and did he conquer Scotland?

5. Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt. This significant battle was won via creative strategy and it firmly established Henry V as a victorious warrior king. We will look at the arms and armor, the battlefield, and discuss Henry V's successful strategy. After having won this battle, the English King, Henry V was now next in line for the French throne as well. What were the lasting outcomes of this battle and how did it effect the future of both France and England?

6. Medieval Weapons and armor. So you want to invade France? Well you are going to need a lot of fun medieval weaponry. Let's examine the castles, armor, warriors, weapons, and tactics available during this time period.

7. King Arthur and the medieval hero tales. Let's learn the legend of King Arthur, His heroic journey and adventures and this story's role in Medieval literature and lore. 

8. Notre Dame and Westminster Abbey and the rise of the cathedral: Let's watch the considerable effort it takes to erect such impressive structures. We will learn about the construction of the cathedral from the stone cutter to the architect. How was it possible to built such beautiful building during a time period of economic and cultural recovery? Finally, we will get an inside look into the current reconstruction of Notre Dame.

9. Joan of Arc: She was one of the more intriguing and controversial figures within the Hundred Years War between England and France. What is her story? How did she go from simple peasant girl to leader of armies? Let's examine the significant events of Joan's life and how she was inspired to take up arms, fight for France, and rally armies to follow her. This is especially impressive feat for a medieval woman, who had more traditional homebound roles. How did she break the mold? Finally, we will look at the end of her story and her legacy as a heroine to this day. 

10. Dragons!

11. Feasting: Let's get ready for Thanksgiving by learning about how one would feast in the Medieval world. What would be served? How would it be cooked? What is the significance of feasting, aside from celebration and eating huge amounts? We will look at the interesting medieval etiquette rules and learn some very strange and spectacular medieval dishes. Let's join the table of Henry the VIII and celebrate the harvest!

12.  Medieval Medicine. We will look at the beliefs, treatments, diseases, and tools.  

13. Medieval art and its role in society. We will examine paintings, sculpture, and stained glass. Will be beautiful and fun!

14. Medieval legends

15. Medieval weaponry

16. Medieval Holidays! How is Christmas celebrated in the medieval period? From kings to peasants- let's learn the medieval story to this holiday.

17. Medieval Japan. The medieval world is not just limited to Europe- let's learn about the armor, culture, and history of medieval Japan.

18. Here comes the cavalry!! We will be looking at horses in the Middle Ages. War horses, strategy, horse armor, jousting horses and legendary horses. Let's become knights and have fun with this topic!

19. Knightology. Northern Teutonic Knights

20. Hundred Years War. England vs France

21. Shakespeare. Was he just a playwright or did he also write to please the politics of Elizabeth I and James I? We will also discuss the story of The Tempest and the theater in which it was performed- the Globe. 

22. The Vikings are coming!

23. Dante and The Infermo

24. Medieval Courtly love, politics, and Valentine's day

25. Tales of Legendary Knights.

26. Medieval espionage.  Spies and Spy catchers!

27. Medieval diseases, history, beliefs, and their treatments. Part 2

28. Long pointy shoes, tights, furs, jewels, make up.... and that's just men's fashion in the Middle Ages! Why did they wear such interesting or ridiculous looking styles? What is the most outlandish style we can find?

29. Witchcraft in the Medieval world. What is the history? Who was accused and why? And why did King James I write a book about this subject?

30. Medieval Pirates! Trade routes, beware! ARRR!

31. The Legend of Robin Hood! Is he real?

32. The Tower of London. Mysterious, terrifying, and filled with history. Let's learn about this iconic building that has played such a large role in history

33. Rocamadour. One of the most strange medieval town I have ever visited. Let me tell you why!

34. Medieval greats revisited

35. Catherine de' Medici 

36. May day! Spring celebrations, maypoles, and traditional beliefs. 

37. Let's finish the Medici story

38. Medieval Fight Night! Knights and the their tales of great conquests!

39. Medieval craft of memory. How do they do it?

40. Ferdinand and Isabella

41. Medieval legends of wizards and their deeds.

42. Monks and Monasteries

43. Eleanor of Aquitaine. If it's awesome. She did it.

44. More tales from King Arthur- Lady of the Lake, Morgan Le Fay, and the mystical island of Avalon

45.  Silly Shakespeare. Sometimes the Bard gets funny

46.  Beowulf- the myth of this great hero. Do you think Beowulf is similar to Ancient Greek mythological heroes?

47.  Norse Mythology and its influence on Medieval folklore

48. Chaucer- so funny!!!

48. Medieval Venice and the Adventures of Marco Polo

49. Charlemagne

50.  Cervantes - Don Quixote

51.  Manuscripts, their art, and how they are made

52. Why is Constantinople called Istanbul? 




Watch out for more new topics to be added! Please send any suggestions you may have. Your suggestion could become the next class. :)   

This is an ONGOING class and more topics will be added every 2 weeks. New topics will be chosen by the students and by the flow of our discussion in this fascinating subject.  I am greatly looking forward to the conversation. Please feel free to send me any requests for topics and I will add them.

IT IS NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE ANY PREVIOUS CLASS IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE. NEW STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

Learning Goals

Introduction to European History 800-1500s AD
Medieval mythology, literature, and entertainment (Chaucer, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Beowulf)

Other Details

Supply List
Occasionally a very short text will be sent a few days before class for students to review for discussion in class.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
    Sources
    Complete Works of Shakespeare Chaucer, Canterbury Tales Beowulf Don Quixote

    Meet the teacher

    Joined February, 2021
    4.8
    659reviews
    Popular
    Profile
    Teacher expertise and credentials
    Hello! I’m Sondra Rapoport, your friendly neighborhood Roman Historian. I taught with Harvard University's Dept. of Classics for 6 years as a Head Teaching Fellow. I taught classes on The Rome of Augustus, Roman Games, and Middle Ages and won awards for distinction in teaching each semester I taught with Harvard. Now, I homeschool my son and I greatly enjoy adapting my knowledge and classes designed for university level to each of his grade levels. 

    Reviews

    Sondra Rapoport suggests this class next...
    Ancient Greek World History, Mythology, & Art With a Harvard Teacher. Homeschool
    Sondra Rapoport
    4.8
    (659)
    $19 per class
    Group Class
    1/wk, 55 min
    9-14


    Parents also liked
    World History
    Nelson Vargas, JD; Law/Hist. Professor
    5.0
    (477)
    $25 per class
    Next session at 12 AM tomorrow
    Group Class
    1/wk, 55 min
    7-11
    World History Herald: A Journey Through World History -Middle & High - Part 1
    Courtney Murray, M. Ed, M. Hist. World US History
    5.0
    (594)
    $15 per class
    Next session at 2 PM on Tue 9/9
    Group Class
    14 wks, 1/wk, 45 min
    11-14
    World History to 1700; Part I
    Professor Zbysek Brezina, PhD
    5.0
    (140)
    $25 per class
    Group Class
    15 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
    12-17
    World History from 1700, Part 2
    Professor Zbysek Brezina, PhD
    5.0
    (140)
    $25 per class
    Group Class
    15 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
    12-17
    World History I (Full Year) - Part 1 of 4
    Nicole Trusky
    4.9
    (496)
    $18 per class
    Next session at 5 PM on Wed 9/3
    Group Class
    8 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
    13-18
    World History II (Full Year) - Part 4 of 4
    Nicole Trusky
    4.9
    (496)
    $18 per class
    Next session at 6 PM on Tue 4/15
    Group Class
    8 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
    13-18
    World History II (Full Year) - Part 1 of 4
    Nicole Trusky
    4.9
    (496)
    $18 per class
    Next session at 6 PM on Thu 9/11
    Group Class
    8 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
    13-18
    World History Course: Major Eras, Civilizations, Events (With Textbook)
    Savannah Gilmore
    4.8
    (2,295)
    $12 per class
    Group Class
    20 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
    12-17
    World History on Film - B
    Courtney Runchey
    4.9
    (55)
    $13 per class
    Next session at 5 PM on Wed 9/3
    Group Class
    14 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
    13-18
    World History Through a Thematic Lens: Part 2 Of 2
    Darby Kennedy, MA
    4.9
    (170)
    $18 per class
    Group Class
    14 wks, 2/wk, 55 min
    14-18
    World History I (Full Year) - Part 4 of 4
    Nicole Trusky
    4.9
    (496)
    $18 per class
    Next session at 4 PM on Mon 3/31
    Group Class
    8 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
    13-18
    World History I (Full Year) - Part 3 of 4
    Nicole Trusky
    4.9
    (496)
    $18 per class
    Group Class
    8 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
    13-18
    World History II (Full Year) - Part 3 of 4
    Nicole Trusky
    4.9
    (496)
    $18 per class
    Group Class
    8 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
    13-18
    World History Class - History Through The Ages
    Miss Shauna
    4.8
    (106)
    $10 per class
    Next session at 5 PM on Tuesday
    Group Class
    36 wks, 1/wk, 30 min
    10-15
    World History for 5-8 Year Olds: A Complete Academic Curriculum
    Learning With Love - Science, History, Geography
    4.9
    (73)
    $11 per class
    Next session at 10:15 PM on Wednesday
    Group Class
    1/wk, 30 min
    5-8
    World History Through a Thematic Lens: Part 1 Of 2
    Darby Kennedy, MA
    4.9
    (170)
    $19 per class
    Next session at 4 PM on Wed 8/27
    Group Class
    14 wks, 2/wk, 55 min
    14-18
    See More Classes
    Home
    Search
    Give a Gift Card
    Open currency, time zone, and language settings
    Language & Region
    Log In