The MAGIC of MERLIN
(The Making of a Knight)

 

A Web quest for 3rd & 4th Graders

Designed by Debbie Fletcher & Patty Smith
 
 

Hear Ye!!  Hear Ye!!

  You are a young peasant child, living in the Middle Ages.  You live in the land of Camelot, ruled by King Arthur who is served by the Knights of the Round Table.  Along with the help of Merlin the Magician, you are training to become one of the king's knights.  King Arthur insists his knights be guided by a code of behavior called chivalry.  The code includes being brave, strong, loyal, noble, humble, courteous, and devoted to the church.  Do you have what it takes to become a true knight?

Task

  You will be working with a fellow knight-in-training to learn more about medieval life.  As part of your preparation for knighthood, you will complete a project that helps future knights-in-training.  You will also demonstrate your knowledge of medieval life by designing and building a castle with a group of knights.  This is your opportunity to persuade King Arthur (your teacher) that you have successfully completed all duties and are worthy of knighthood.

Process

    In order to complete the stages of knighthood more quickly, the tasks for each step have been divided between you and your partner-in-training.  Look for information using a variety of resources, including (but not limited to) websites, books, and people.  As you gather information, record your findings in your "Knighthood Training Manual".  You must share the information you have learned with your partner to ensure the successful completion of knighthood for both of you.

To keep track of how you are doing with your training,
refer to the scoring guide by clicking on the knight.

Visiting the Castle

    Everyone in the land has been invited to the castle for a grand feast, celebrating the heroism of Sir Galahad, one of the most famous of King Arthur's knights.  He is believed to have found the Holy Grail.  Follow Merlin as he takes you on a tour of the castle.  Remember to click the back button after visiting each web site to return to your quest for knighthood.

Task for Knight-in-Training #1
Find out when and where the first castles were built and the purpose of these castles.  Record your findings in your training manual.  Explain and illustrate the parts of the castle which help make it a fortress for protection.

Task for Knight-in-Training #2
Find out parts of the castle and what they were used for.  Make an illustration and label the parts, explaining the function of each one.

Use your classroom resources to find your information and/or click on Merlin to visit these sites.
Remember to click the back button after visiting each link to return here.

 All About Castles Gatehouses Portcullis
Castle Defenses Halls Privy
Drawbridges Keeps Walls
Dungeons Kitchens Wells
    Medieval Castles

Click the Knight below to check the scoring guide
and see how you are doing on your quest for knighthood.

    Once you share your information with your partner, you will begin your training for knighthood as a page.

Training as a Page
    Up until this time, you have been living with your family, learning to ride a pony and care for horses.  As a page, beginning at the age of seven, you are part of a nobleman's household where you learn to hunt, play chess, and practice chivalry.  You will serve meals to those living in the castle.  Who are these people you serve and who are the people you work with each day?  Remember to click the back button after visiting each web site to return to your quest for knighthood.

Task for Knight-in-Training #1
Explain what the "Feudal System" is and how it works.

Task for Knight-in-Training #2
Tell who else works in the castle and what kinds of jobs they do.  Explain the importance of their roles in the running of the castle.
 
 

Feudalism Life in a Castle
Jobs and Trades People of Medieval Castles

Click the Knight below to check the scoring guide
and see how you are doing on your quest for knighthood.

    Congratulations on completion of your training as a page!!  After you and your partner have both shared and recorded your information, you are ready to begin your training as a squire.

Training as a Squire

    At the age of 14, you will be given a sword to use in training for battle and the joust. Along with this training, you will perform important tasks, such as pouring the wine and carving the meat.  You will also act as a personal servant to a knight, cleaning and assisting the knight with his armor.  Remember to click the back button after visiting each web site to return to your quest for knighthood.

Task for Knight-in-Training #1
Find out what you will wear as a knight.  You should illustrate and label what you will wear.  Explain why it is important.

Task for Knight-in-Training #2
Find out the weapons you will use.  How do you train with them?
 
 

Defend Yourself, Good Knight Medieval Knights
Defend Yourself, Good Knight - A.D. 1420 Medieval Weapons

 

Click the Knight below to check the scoring guide
and see how you are doing on your quest for knighthood.

    Congratulations!  Having completed your training as a squire by sharing the information you learned with your partner, you only have a few more training tasks to complete.

Becoming a Knight

    You are now ready for the ultimate challenge of proving your worthiness in becoming a knight.

Task for Knight-in-Training #1 and #2
It is time to share with future knights one of the areas of training that you have just gone through - the castle, the people in and around the castle (including the feudal system,) or the world of the knight (including armor, weapons, or activities.)  You may present this information in one of the following ways:  poster with flow chart or diagram, book, slide-show/Powerpoint, replica (excluding castle), newspaper article, oral presentation (song, poem, skit) or mural.   (Presentations of these projects will be on the day of the grand feast.)

Click the Knight below to check the scoring guide
and see how you are doing on your quest for knighthood.

Conclusion

  When you feel you have successfully completed your manual, turn it in to King Arthur.  The king will determine at this point if you will be granted the privilege of beginning work on your castle.  Once this is completed, you will be given your order of knighthood at King Arthur's grand feast in honor of new knights.

Click the Knight below to check the scoring guide one last time
to see what remains for you to do on your quest for knighthood.

Congratulations and let the feast begin!

P.S.  When you have reached knighthood, you may take a "Journey Through the Middle Ages" by visiting a thinkquest created by elementary students like yourselves.  Click Merlin to enter.