Each New Day

As we are beginning to wrap up our study of the middle ages, we learned today about the influences that worked to bring about the end of the middle ages. One of the biggest influences was the Hundred Years War and it’s final days (to everyone’s great relief.) The Bubonic Plague-The Black Death-killed over 1/3 of Europe’s population within one year. The invention of guns, travelers spreading news of other lands and peoples, and the weakening and splitting of the Catholic church all also played a part in ending the Middle Ages. Lastly, the invention of the printing press and the distribution of books to the common people helped to bring on the “rebirth” of the Renaissance.

In reading about the lives and times of folks in the Middle Ages, we came across the idea of a Book of Days. In this time period, books were not a common item found on people’s shelves or night stands. Books were hand written and were a precious thing. When writing books, letters were “illuminated” meaning that they were written with gold or silver. This was usually for the letter beginning the passage or page as well as “holy” and “important” words. The pages were decorated with designs such as vines and flowers. The Book of Days was used like a calendar to help pass the days. Each page was a different scripture or uplifting thought. That is how we designed our Book of Days. My youngest nephew has one letter on each page, with his thought for the day beginning with that letter.

This week we have learned about “gargoyles”. These are the funny little statues on the sides of medieval catherdrals. They are usually shaped grotesquely and fantastically.  These statues were used as drain spouts to keep the high spots on the top of the cathedrals free from moisture. They were shaped with such outrageous features to help keep the evil spirits away. The word “gargoyle” comes from a French word. It means “throat”. The sound of the water rushing through the downspout could sound like the gurgling sound made when saying this word.

As we have been reading over the past weeks about the Middle Ages, we decided it was time to host our own tournament and feast. Yesterday we had my two nephews-in full knight’s regalia-and my daughter participate in games that would have taken place during a medieval tournament. The boys showed the sword skills they had learned at sword school at the Renaissance Festival. Then they faced off in a joust. Then each of the kids took turns hooking rings with their lances. Next they showed off their archery skills. After that was acrobatics and juggling. Finally, we ended with a wonderfully cooling game-bobbing for apples!

Then we headed to the table for a feast! We had “spit roasted” chicken (bought from the Rotisserie deli section of the local grocer), fruits, carrots, cheese, bread, butter, honey. We finished off with pastries-funnel cakes. My daughter even remembered that we needed to put the salt on the table-below everyone in attendance!

What a wonderful way to study the past!

I love a bargain. But I had never heard about the origin of this word until today. In the Middle Ages, it was unfair and even thought evil to make a profit. The Christian ideal was for everyone to share what they had with others. Even working after dark was considered improper, even a crime, as it allowed folks to make a bigger profit. During these times, a “bargain” was a law put into place to “bar” the seller from making any “gain”!

In learning about the Middle Ages this week, we learned about the “Four Alls” that were a part of their world. It was more than just a saying I believe, I think it really must have been a way of life for them. There were four parts to their world. Here is how the saying goes: “The peasants who work for all, the priests who pray for all, the knights who fight for all, and the king who rules over all”. Take a look at the model built by my 6 and 7 year old nephews representing each of the Four Alls.