The+Canterbury+Tales


 * Materials:**
 * Pencil
 * Paper
 * Excerpt from //The Canterbury Tales//
 * Chart of Feudal System
 * Teacher Example

This writing activity builds off the lesson on the shift from the manorial to feudal system. We will use writing to closely look at the characteristics of the class systems within the feudal system.
 * Lesson Prompt:**


 * Pre-Writing Thoughts:**
 * What are some words used to describe the knight of this poem?
 * What can be inferred about this knight that he has travelled to so many places?
 * Does the knight have a prominent role in the middle ages? How do you know this?
 * Who else is mentioned in this excerpt other than the knight?


 * Writing Instructions:**
 * 1) Create groups of 6. Each student will select one of the following: Serf, Merchant, Farmer, Noble, Monarch, or Pope.
 * 2) Write down 4 words that describes a person from the feudal system class you have selected.
 * 3) Write down 4 objects that your person would use.
 * 4) Write down 4 people or things that your person influences (i.e. a monarch would influence money or people).
 * 5) Write down 4 words to describe how others would view this person (i.e. serf - poor, low-class)
 * 6) For each group of words, create a stanza with a word being used in each line. You will have 4 stanzas with 4 lines each.

By Ms. Moniz
 * Model Poem:**

The Pope

//The humble Pope// stands //before the people,// //As the Devine being that sees all.// //So many are loyal to him// //As he is their leader in this life to the next.//

//He clenches the beads of his rosary // //And drinks the wine from his chalice .// //He dips his hands in the baptismal fount ,// //As the incense burns, he purifies us all.//

//He makes his mark on the laws ,// //Influences the lords of the lands ,// //Raises our taxes when needed,// //But the people see only his good.//

//This holy man has guided us.// //He is our heeler .// //He is our forgiver .// //He is our father .//


 * The Canterbury Tales ** by Geoffrey Chaucer

THE KNIGHT A knight there was, and he a worthy man, Who, from the moment that he first began To ride about the world, loved chivalry, Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy. Full worthy was he in his liege-lord's war, And therein had he ridden (none more far) As well in Christendom as heathenesse, And honoured everywhere for worthiness. At Alexandria, he, when it was won; Full oft the table's roster he'd begun Above all nations' knights in Prussia. In Latvia raided he, and Russia, No christened man so oft of his degree. In far Granada at the siege was he Of Algeciras, and in Belmarie. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">At Ayas was he and at Satalye <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">When they were won; and on the Middle Sea <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">At many a noble meeting chanced to be. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">Of mortal battles he had fought fifteen, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">And he'd fought for our faith at Tramissene <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">Three times in lists, and each time slain his foe. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">This self-same worthy knight had been also <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">At one time with the lord of Palatye <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">Against another heathen in Turkey: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">And always won he sovereign fame for prize. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">Though so illustrious, he was very wise <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-left;">And bore himself as meekly as a maid.