Year 7A & Year 7B

Follow the order in which I give you instructions:

1.

So, this is your last History lesson of this academic year!

To conclude the tasks based on the film about William Thatcher (or Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein), read the information below:

Eight Things you did not know about this film:

1. The entire film was shot in Prague, Czech Republic.

2. The film includes a great deal of jousting footage. The initial scene of the two knights jousting is actually footage of William’s stunt double in an accident. During filming of a later scene in the film, the lance of the stunt double’s opponent moved off target and hit him in the head. The double fell to the ground unconscious. In another incident, William knocked out one of the director’s front teeth with a broomstick when the two were demonstrating a jousting move. It took several months for the director’s mouth to heal enough to repair the damage.

3. Plenty of effort was expended creating lances that would convincingly explode upon impact without injuring the stunt riders. The body of each lance was scored so it would break easily, and the tips were made of balsa wood. Each was also hollowed out, with the holes filled with balsa splinters and uncooked linguine. Jousting armour was made by using a unique sprayed polyurethane system that was first invented for the film Gladiator. Onscreen, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the polyurethane stunt armour and steel armour. William’s armour was originally made in steel along with three polyurethane stunt replicas.

4. According to the director the film was intended to have occurred sometime in the 1370s during a six-month period in which Chaucer had apparently gone missing. The film shows what he might have done during this time, which then later on “inspired Chaucer to write his Canterbury Tales”. (The first Canterbury tale is called “The Knight’s Tale”.)

5. The scene in which the lady Jocelyn asks William to lose a joust to prove his love and then reverses her proposal for him to suddenly win, is also a direct reference to the classic tale of Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart, in which Queen Guinevere asks Lancelot to do the same during a tournament.

6. The film, which notionally took place during the Middle Ages, is notable for its deliberate use of classic rock songs in its soundtrack!

7. Despite the mixed critical reception, the film won four cinematic awards!

8. Heath Ledger played the part of William. Sadly, Heath Ledger died 7 years after the film was made.

2.

Have you completed your mini project? If not, finish it now.

(Click on the booklet to access the online flipbook.)

3.

Read these Memorable quotes from the film and decide which one you like the most: (You do not have to answer this – it is just something to think about…)

“Love should end with hope”

(Kate)

“If he believes enough, a man can do anything!”

(William’s father)

“Your men love you. If I knew nothing else about you, that would be enough”

(Prince Edward)

“Better a silly girl with a flower than a silly boy with a horse and a stick”

(Jocelyn)

“I was naked for a day; you will be naked for eternity”

(Chaucer)

4.

If available, complete the survey / quiz called “End of Year Review” on Schoology… Do this to the best of your ability – I value your input! (Please take note: the first question, a “vocabulary” test, is “timed”…!)

5.

Finally, I have chosen a short film by one of the best silent movie makers ever. His name is Buster Keaton and he was an American actor, comedian, film director, producer, screenwriter, and stunt performer. Keaton is best known for his silent films (of the 1920’s), in which his trademark was physical comedy. So, let’s end off the Year 7 History course by seeing what films were like exactly 100 years ago!

MOVIE TIME!

This is what movies were like in the 1920’s!

Buster Keaton – Neighbors, 1920. (17:44 minutes long)

6.

Finally, in case you have not realized, you can access your marks if you click on “Grades” (on the menu on the left in the Schoology History course).

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Year 7A & Year 7B

Today we will finish watching the film about William Thatcher, alias Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein. However, before we start with the fourth and last “episode” of the film, there are a few tasks that you need to do in preparation.

Follow the order in which I give you instructions:

1.

Read the following article which gives you a bit of background information about knights. It is important that you read this carefully as you may be tested on some of the information in this article…

2.

Now read the text below which gives you a bit of an overview of the events in the fourth and final “episode” of the film:

In the previous “episode” William took part in a number of tournaments and achieved several victories. Eventually he returned to Cheapside, London to visit his father, but his true identity is then discovered by Adhemar…

Now, in this last “episode” William is placed in the pillory, but is defended from the hostile crowd by his friends. Then, the Black Prince emerges from the crowd… In acknowledgement of William’s honour, Edward (or the Black Prince) announces that, William is in fact, “beyond contestation” descended from a noble lineage, and knights him “Sir William”. Then William returns to the tournament to face Adhemar in the final match, but Adhemar cheats with an illegal sharpened lance… Let’s see what happens….

3.

Again, there are words that you may need to know the meanings of: pillory, contestation, lineage, lance and “to knight“.

• pillory – a wooden framework in which offenders were formerly exposed to public abuse
• contestation – the action or process of disputing or arguing, or to “contest” something
• lineage – direct descent from an ancestor; ancestry or pedigree
• lance – a pole weapon designed to be used by a mounted warrior           
• knights – means “to knight”: a king reward a man with the title of “knight” in recognition of service (this person then became ‘Sir’)

4.

Now, watch “Episode 4” by accessing it in Schoology Materials. (This final “episode” is 26:48 minutes long.)

If, for some reason, it does not work, click on the square (at the top right) in the schoology page for “Episode 4” – then the video should work. (Make sure that you are logged into your school gmail account!) It looks like this:

5.

Finally, complete the task as well as the film review (on the handout provided).

SOLUTION…

6.

Continue working through your mini project booklet…

(Click on the booklet to access the online flipbook.)

7.

If there is still time, go on to the next lesson, or do the extension task…

8.

If available on Schoology, complete the Quiz about “Knights keeping fit” – it is “timed” and will take you no more than 10 minutes…! (You only get one attempt at this. Also, please note that quiz will expire… So, make sure that you do it in time!)

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Year 7A & Year 7B

Today we will continue with the film that tells the story of peasant, William Thatcher who pretends to be a knight called Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein. However, before you start with the third “episode” of the film, we will first go over your exam…

Follow the order in which I give you instructions:

1.

Look at your exam result and see where you have perhaps lost marks:

2.

Now, read the following text which gives you an overview of the events in the third “episode” of the film:

In the previous “episode” William learnt that Sir Thomas Colville was actually Edward, the Black Prince. In this “episode”. Adhemar is called away to war (to the Battle of Poitiers). William takes part in more tournaments and achieved several victories in Adhemar’s absence. William proves his love for Jocelyn by complying when she first asks him to deliberately lose (in contrast to the countless knights who promise to win in her name), and then, just before he would be eliminated, to win the tournament in her name after all!

After this, the group travels to London for the World Championship. William remembers how he left his father as a little boy to become a squire for Sir Ector, to learn to become a knight, in the hope that he would “change his stars”. (That means to change his fortune, or to make his life better.) Adhemar has also arrived in London and announces that he is in negotiations with Jocelyn’s father for her hand in marriage. William dominates at the tournament. William also visits his father, now blind and living alone in Cheapside, London. However, Adhemar then realises who William (or “Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein”) really is…

3.

Now, watch “Episode 3” by accessing it in Schoology Materials. (This “episode” is 34:51 minutes long.)

If, for some reason, it does not work, click on the square (at the top right) in the schoology page for “Episode 3” – then the video should work. (Make sure that you are logged into your school gmail account!) It looks like this:

4.

Continue working through your mini project booklet…

(Click on the booklet to access the online flipbook.)

5.

If available on Schoology, complete the Quiz on “Squires and Knights” in Schoology – it is “timed” and will take you no more than 5 minutes…! (You only get one attempt at this. Also, please note that quiz will expire… So, make sure that you do it in time!)

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Year 7A & Year 7B

Today we will continue with the film that tells the story of the peasant, William Thatcher, who pretends to be a knight called Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein.

Follow the order in which I give you instructions:

1.

In case you have not realized yet… you can access your exam marks if you click on “Grades” (on the menu on the left in the Schoology History course).

2.

Before you start with the second “episode” of the film, read the following text which gives you a bit of an overview of the events in the second “episode” of the film:

In the previous “episode” William and his two friends met Geoffrey Chaucer. Chaucer forged a document (the patent of nobility) that allowed William to enter jousting tournaments under the false name of “Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein” from Gelderland.

In this episode the four of them are at the tournament in France. William is brought before two men Simon the Summoner and Peter the Pardoner, because Chaucer has a gambling problem and is in their debt. William demands Chaucer be released and promises to make the payment. Then, in the course of competition, William’s armour is damaged. He asks Kate, a female blacksmith, to repair it without payment and goes on to win the sword event at the tournament. In this joust, he faces a Sir Thomas Colville, who withdraws from the tournament after being injured by William, though they exchange a ceremonial pass so that Colville can retain the honour of never having failed to complete a match. The proceedings are observed by Jocelyn, a noblewoman with whom William has become infatuated, and Count Adhemar. Count Adhemar is a rival both in the joust and for Jocelyn’s heart… This is bound to cause problems… Eventually, Count Adhemar and William fought in the final joust of that tournament…

Also in this episode, a female blacksmith called Kate joins William’s group and makes new lightweight armour that allows William greater mobility. Then, in the next tournament, Adhemar and William are both assigned to compete against Sir Thomas Colville, but they learn that he is actually Edward, the Black Prince! Adhemar withdraws, but William continues the match and then addresses the prince by name, further earning Edward’s respect. Adhemar is called away to war (to the Battle of Poitiers), and William achieves several victories in his absence.

3.

Again, there are words that you need to know the meanings of: gambling, debt, blacksmith and infatuated.

• gambling – play games of chance, in the hope that you will win / betting
• debt – a sum of money that is owed to someone
• blacksmith – a person who makes (and repairs) objects in iron
• infatuated – be inspired with an intense love, passion or admiration

4.

Now, watch “Episode 2” by accessing it in Schoology Materials. (This “episode” is 41:51 minutes long.)

If, for some reason, it does not work, click on the square (at the top right) in the schoology page for “Episode 2” – then the video should work. (Make sure that you are logged into your school gmail account!) It looks like this:

5.

Continue working through your mini project booklet…

(Click on the booklet to access the online flipbook.)

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Year 7A & Year 7B

Follow the order in which I give you instructions:

1.

Over the next few lessons you will watch a film that is set in Medieval times, when Feudalism was the norm in Europe and in England. There are a few things that you need to know before we start watching the film…

The film is an adventure-comedy about a peasant (called William Thatcher) who discovers that his master (Sir Ector) is dead. So, William then puts on his master’s armour to impersonate him at a jousting tournament. (If you do not know what jousting is, watch the short video below. It shows you that some people still do jousting today!)

2.

Knights of Valour: Full Contact Jousting. (2:39 minutes long)

3.

In the film, William wins the tournament and then decides to participate in more tournaments. However, only knights and nobles were allowed to take part in the tournaments, and not peasants. Therefore, William creates a new identity for himself, as a knight called Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein.

There is a lot of jousting in the film, but there is also a bit of a love story: William meets a noble lady… which creates a slight problem, because she is a noble and he is a peasant, pretending to be a knight!

4.

You will all enjoy the film – even if you do not particularly like jousting! However, before you start with the first “episode” of the film, there are a bit more reading to do, in preparation…

You will understand the film better if you also know a bit about the Black Prince, Geoffrey Chaucer and the Canterbury Tales. So, read the following information with great attention:

So, what is The Canterbury Tales?

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387 and 1400.

Who was Geoffrey Chaucer?

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343 – 1400), known as the Father of English literature, is widely considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages.  While he achieved fame during his lifetime as an author and philosopher, Chaucer also had an active career as a courtier. He is best known today for The Canterbury Tales.

Who was the Black Prince?

The Black Prince (1330-1376) was the eldest son of King Edward III of England, and the father of King Richard II of England. He had many other titles: He was also known as the first Duke of Cornwall, the Prince of Wales and the Prince of Aquitaine! And he was known as Edward of Woodstock! (He was called “Edward of Woodstock” in his early life, after his birthplace, but since the 16th century has been popularly known as “the Black Prince”.)

The origins of the name “Black Prince” are uncertain, though many believe it may come from Edward’s black shield, and/or his black armour. Or, maybe it comes from Edward’s brutal reputation, particularly towards the French in Aquitaine. (Edward was an exceptional military leader, and his victories over the French made him very popular in England during his lifetime.) Sadly, Edward died one year before his father, and so became the first English Prince of Wales that did not become King of England. The throne passed instead to his son Richard II, who was only a young boy when King Edward III died.

5.

Today we will watch the first “epidose” of the film. Make sure that you pay attention to all the information and that you concentrate when watching the film, as you may be tested on this at some point…

So, the film is set in Medieval times. Peasant, William Thatcher, creates a new identity for himself, as a knight called Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein. (He did this, because he wanted to participate in more tournaments, but only knights and nobles were allowed to take part in the tournaments.)

6.

The following text gives more relevant background information:

The film that you are about to watch is a medieval adventure action film. It is told in an anachronistic style with many modern references. The film follows a peasant who pretends to be a knight, along with his companions, in the world of medieval jousting. William poses as a knight and competes in tournaments, winning accolades and acquiring friendships with such historical figures as Edward, the Black Prince of Wales and Geoffrey Chaucer. (The film takes its title from Chaucer’s “The Knight’s Tale” in his Canterbury Tales, though the plot is not similar.)

7.

It is very important to understand what you read. So, quickly look at the meanings of the following words: anachronistic, jousting and accolades.

• anachronistic – belonging to a period other than that being portrayed
• jousting – a medieval sporting contest in which two opponents on horseback fought
• accolades – an award given as a special honour or as an acknowledgement

8.

Read the following text which gives you a bit of an overview of the events in the first “episode” of the film:

At a jousting tournament in 14th-century Europe, young squires William Thatcher, Roland, and Wat discover that their master, Sir Ector, has died. If he had completed one final pass he would have won the tournament. Destitute, William wears Ector’s armour to impersonate him, winning the tournament and taking the prize.

Although only nobles are allowed in tournaments, William is now inspired to compete and win more prizes. Roland and Wat would rather take their share of coins and leave, but William convinces them to stay and train him to joust. Along the way to his first tournament in Rouen (in France), the three bumped into Geoffrey Chaucer, who is also destitute and agrees to forge the patent of nobility, a document to prove that the contestant is indeed a noble. This document was needed to allow William to enter, using the false name “Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein” from Gelderland!

9.

Again, there are more words that you need to know the meanings of: squire, destitute, joust and forge.

• squire – a young nobleman acting as an attendant to a knight before becoming a knight himself
• destitute – extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for oneself
• joust / jousting – a medieval sporting contest in which two opponents on horseback fought 
• forge – to falsify something in order to deceive

10.

Now, watch “Episode 1” by accessing it in Schoology Materials. (This “episode” is 23:34 minutes long.)

If, for some reason, it does not work, click on the square (at the top right) in the schoology page for “Episode 1” – then the video should work. (Make sure that you are logged into your school gmail account!) It looks like this:

11.

Now start working through your mini project booklet…

(Click on the booklet to access the online flipbook.)

12.

If available on Schoology, complete the “Quiz/Test” on “Feudalism”. It is “timed” and will take you no more than 7 minutes…! (You only get one attempt at this. Also, please note that quiz will expire… So, make sure that you do it in time!)

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