Medieval History Curriculum

The Medieval Period left an indelible mark on history in an era that spanned roughly from the 5th to the 15th century. In this tumultuous and transformative time, kingdoms rose and fell, religions clashed, and ideas were forged to shape modern societies.

See the fact file below for more information on putting together a Medieval History Curriculum, or you can download our FREE 23-page Medieval History Curriculum pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Short video explainer

• Before we start, watch a short video explainer about Medieval Europe found in the PDF download.

What to Consider

• Use of chronology – Start by establishing a clear chronological framework. The Medieval Period spans a thousand years, from the 5th to the 15th century. Guide learners to understand key events, developments, changes, and transitions during this period.
• Utilize themes to navigate complexities – Identify and highlight the broad themes that define the period. These may include feudalism, the role of the Church, chivalry, trade, plagues and diseases, and power struggles among the nobility. 
• See-through diverse perspectives – Encourage learners to consider the experiences and contributions of different social classes. Analyzing primary sources, such as historical documents and artwork, can provide valuable insights into the diverse viewpoints of the time.
• Engage in a multi-disciplinary approach – Explore the connections between history, art, literature, religion, philosophy, architecture, and science. Encourage learners to explore primary sources from these various disciplines to understand the medieval world better.
• Recognize nuances – The Medieval Period was not a homogeneous era; different regions experienced unique developments and cultural nuances. Discuss the kingdoms and empires of Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, Islamic Empire, and the Mongol Empire, among others.
• Connect to today – Highlight the period’s lasting impact on modern societies. Discuss the legacy of Medieval institutions, such as the Church, and monarchy. Explore how medieval literature, art, and architecture influence contemporary culture.
• Be more critical – Encourage learners to critically examine historical biases, stereotypes, and prejudices that may have influenced interpreting events and individuals from this era. 
• If you’re concerned about upsetting your students with dark aspects of history during a time of what is supposed to be informative and interactive learning, we have a useful blog that will help you navigate teaching and an objective yet sensitive recount of the facts.   

How to Deliver

• The Medieval Period was hundreds of years before us, yet its legacies in contemporary societies persist. Thus, learning about this chaotic and complicated period of history answers questions such as why living in the medieval times was difficult, filthy, and dangerous, as seen in films. 
• Like other historical periods, events, transitions, and changes defined the Medieval Period or the Middle Ages. While the period is mainly characterized by many today with feudalism, chivalry, Church power, wars, and plagues, it also saw the gradual transition of political, religious, intellectual, economic, and cultural developments. 
• Let’s start our lesson with what our learners know about the Medieval Period. Using a modified Venn diagram, encourage learners to share their prior knowledge about the historical period. Below is a sample of a modified Venn diagram with the learners’ prior knowledge, which may fall either on the misconception or fact-to-discover circles.   

• Instead of starting with a timeline like we usually use in teaching a historical period, let’s leverage our learners’ curious minds. From their answers in the prior knowledge section, dissect whether their answers are misconceptions or truths to discover. 
• Below are some of the prevalent misconceptions that tend to sum up the entire Medieval Period, from which we can pivot our discussions. 
  • It is often referred to as the Dark Ages, characterized as a time of stagnation, ignorance, and backwardness. In reality, the Medieval Period witnessed significant advancements in agriculture, architecture, science, and philosophy. The ideas of the Roman Catholic Church may have dominated parts of Europe. Yet, intellectuals also stood for preserving ancient knowledge and developing humanism, which began the Renaissance. 
  • Knights and chivalry are often romanticized in popular culture, leading to misconceptions about their roles and behaviors. While most knights were skilled warriors, their code of chivalry was not universally followed, and they often engaged in violence, plunder, and power struggles. 
  • Medieval Europe is often portrayed as a monolithic Christian society with a uniform religious experience. However, Christianity had significant diversity, including religious orders and heretical movements. Furthermore, other religions, such as Judaism, Islam, and Paganism, existed in various regions during the Medieval Period.
  • Women’s roles in medieval society are sometimes oversimplified. While women faced limitations in patriarchal structures, they had agency and influence in various aspects of medieval life. Women could be rulers, patrons of the arts, mystics, writers, and participants in economic activities, although their opportunities varied depending on social status and geographical location.
  • From the misconceptions, we can expand our use of diagrams to show the interconnectedness of their ideas or prior knowledge and why they are often misunderstood. See the simple diagram below.

The utilization of historical misconceptions of the period can be supported with primary sources such as tapestries, manuscripts, annals, illuminated texts, and other material culture in photographs. See samples.

• Throughout medieval Europe, numerous queens exercised political power and ruled in their own right. Women such as Eleanor of Aquitaine, Matilda of England, and Isabella of Castile wielded authority, made strategic alliances, and influenced policy decisions. Their actions shaped the course of history and challenged the notion of women’s lack of agency.
• Contrary to the generalization of the Catholic Church’s unified power during the Medieval Period, the Great Schism challenged the institution, which divided it between 1378 and 1417. With two popes and their own set of cardinals and bishops, the faithful were left uncertain about the legitimacy and authority of their religious leaders. It was a significant event in Medieval history and had far-reaching consequences for Europe’s religious and political landscape.
• Explore more historical sources and present them in galleries to encourage our learners to infer or draw insights from observations. They may begin by noticing the elements of the sources (pictures) and attempt to cross-check existing historical interpretations to their own. 
• Another traditional yet one of the more effective strategy in teaching history is using a timeline or chronology. Given the span of centuries that the Medieval Period existed, it is too complex to tackle all the events. Cleverly choose pivotal events that shaped the medieval times to contain and cover this complexity. Below is an example of a timeline.

• Even though the context of the Medieval Period was concentrated in Europe, the unfolding of events and unique developments in different regions made it complex and complicated.
• From the Scandinavian lands in the north to the Iberian Peninsula in the west, from the British Isles to the Byzantine Empire in the east, the Medieval Period witnessed a rich tapestry of experiences and influences. Our entire discussion can be supported by using traditional and interactive maps to establish the geographical context of the period. 
• Below is an example of a map highlighting some of the significant developments of the Medieval Period. Note that important terms/phrases are underlined. 

• The diverse regional experiences of the European Medieval Period demonstrate the complex interplay of politics, religion, culture, and socio-economic structures. While overarching themes like feudalism, religion, and power struggles connect the different regions, each area had its unique historical trajectory and left an indelible imprint on the broader medieval narrative.
• Themes again! Yes, you read it right. Using historical themes is an efficient strategy for organizing complex studies like the Medieval Period. Below is an example of how we can categorize and present concepts into themes. 

• These themes are not independent from one another but rather interconnected aspects of the Medieval Period. As mentioned, feudalism was the dominant socio-political system in medieval Europe, which dictates a societies hierarchical structure and people’s power and privileges. Notice that feudalism as a theme encompassed the political, economic, social, and religious medieval life. Below is an example of a medieval hierarchical structure under feudalism. 

• Religion permeated every aspect of medieval life, particularly the Catholic Church, which wielded immense power and influence over Europe. Monasticism, focusing on devotion and scholarship, shaped religious and intellectual life. Cathedrals and monasteries became centers of learning and artistic expression, while the papacy and clergy played significant roles in political affairs at a point that challenged the monarchy. Aside from faith and politics, religion had impacted the economy through taxes, indulgences and crusades, and ultimately a medieval person’s health and well-being manifested in their responses to plagues, notably the Black Death. 
• However, despite the brutality of the Crusades and the calamity of the Black Death, these events shaped medieval history with the twists and turns of the Church’s power. Motivated by religious fervor, economic interests, and political ambitions, the Crusades profoundly impacted European society, including trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of ideas. Meanwhile, the Black Death led to demographic shifts, labor shortages, social upheaval, and the questioning of prevailing religious beliefs. Below are sample images of the Crusade and the Black Death, which were influenced by religion differently. 
• Aside from holy wars, diseases, and plagues, conflicts greatly challenged medieval life. The Medieval Period was a time of tumultuous political conflicts and intense dynastic rivalries that shaped the destiny of kingdoms and empires. Wars, alliances, and territorial disputes were the norm as ambitious rulers vied for power, wealth, and dominance. We can gamify with the use of customized battle caps and game boards. Below are examples of wars during the Medieval Period we can dwell on. 

• Wars during the Medieval Period were not limited to dynasties and monarchies versus their subjects. Another point of attention was the conflict brought by religion and between the people of the Church. In addition to the Crusades that launched lasting alienation between Christians and Muslims, the Medieval period witnessed the Reconquista between the 8th and the 15th centuries and the Investiture Controversy in the 11th and 12th centuries. We can present the historical theme of war in the following light. 

• In addition to longbows, more accurate cannons, knightly warfare, and stone castles, the period had significant inventions which later led to the periods of Discovery and the Renaissance. While the printing press, the compass, and gunpowder existed in ancient civilizations, these inventions reaching Europe had been revolutionized, which aided the spread of ideas, uncharted explorations, and sieges. Other notable medieval innovations that advanced various fields included blast furnaces, eyeglasses, windmills, and masonry vaults. 

• Lastly, expose learners to diverse perspectives using primary sources. While the chronicles and annals by William of Malmesbury and Jean Froissart are widely used in studying medieval England and France, let us also explore travelogues and pilgrimage accounts of ordinary people. Despite the abundance of illuminated texts, manuscripts, and Church records, we may introduce our learners to cross-checking with charters and legal documents. Always remember, history is more intriguing if we spend more time digging and thinking. 

Learning outcomes

• At the end of the lesson, learners are expected to develop historical critical thinking skills through examining pieces of evidence. The development of a broader historical context allows us to be aware of and question biases. 
• Moreover, learning about the Medieval Period allows us to make comparisons between different regions and societies within Europe and beyond. Through the comparisons, we can examine the similarities and differences in political structures, economic systems, social hierarchies, religious practices, and societal norms, deepening our understanding of the complexities of the Medieval Period and its lasting impact on contemporary societies and institutions. 
• The Medieval Period was indeed an era of chaos, yet innovations became a product of people’s necessities at the time. Amidst the wars, population decline, struggles and shifts in powers, and devastating famines and plagues, lessons of medieval history guide us in understanding the present tensions between religions and their believers, the existence of anti-semitism amidst the social developments societies have experienced, and our progress in health and sanitation since the Black Death. 

Medieval History Resources

This is a fantastic curriculum bundle that includes everything you need to know about Medieval History across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use resources for planning and delivering a curriculum on about Medieval History.

Complete List of Included Resources

1. Teaching Medieval History
   1. Short video explainer
   2. What to consider
   3. How to deliver
   4. Learning outcomes
2. Lesson Plan Template
3. Suggested Worksheets

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the feudal system?

The feudal system was a social and economic structure during the Middle Ages, characterized by the exchange of land for military service. It involved a hierarchical relationship between lords (landowners) and vassals (those who received land in exchange for loyalty and service).

Who were the Vikings?

The Vikings were seafaring warriors and traders from Scandinavia who flourished from the late 8th to the early 11th century. They conducted raids and explored vast territories, leaving a significant impact on medieval Europe and beyond.

What was the significance of the Crusades?

The Crusades were a series of military campaigns initiated by European Christians in the 11th to the 13th centuries. Their primary goal was to capture the Holy Land (Jerusalem) from Muslim control. The Crusades had far-reaching impacts, including cultural exchanges, trade routes, and the transfer of knowledge between East and West.

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