Knights, Castles and Crusades

Chivalry  http://www.chronique.com
During the Middle Ages, a chivalrous act implied military action rather than gentlemanly behavior.  Chivalrous knights constituted the armed forces and heavy cavalry of the medieval periods. (The word "knight" derives from the French "chevalier" meaning one who rides a horse.)  Find out more about the history of chivalry, while discovering its significant social and religious obligations, by visiting this informative Web site.

The American College of Heraldry http://www.americancollegeofheraldry.org
The practice of identifying a knight in battle by the decorative symbols on his shields and banners became fully developed in the 14th century, when family insignia appeared on the covering worn over a knight's coat of mail.  Heraldry, once the responsibility of the herald of office at arms, quickly evolved into an elaborate status system of inherited identification.  Become an expert on the art of heraldic design, then create your own coat of arms by exploring this Web site.  See also:  Heraldry on the Internet http://www.digiserve.com/heraldry/

Journey Through the Middle Ages  http://library.thinkquest.org/4051/?tqskip1=1
This is a terrific interactive Web site designed by Salford Hills Elementary School students for the ThinkQuest Junior Program.  Visitors explore a typical medieval castle, complete with "Jingling Jester," by clicking castle locations on a picture map.

Castles on the Web http://www.castlesontheweb.com/
Everything you ever wanted to know about castles is yours for the point-and-click at this fascinating medieval studies hub.  There's even a link to "Castle Quest," where you can get answers to castle-related questions that you post. 

Build a Castle http://www.yourchildlearns.com/castle.htm
Free educational software.  Build your own medieval castle, complete with towers, gatehouse and keep. To understand how an army lay siege to a castle, how a castle was defended, or what it might be like to live in a castle (though this varied by who you were) -- build a model castle.

The Robin Hood Project http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/rh/rhhome.stm
Images, bibliographies, and in-depth information about the celebrated 13th-century British outlaw Robin Hood are available at this Web site, sponsored by the University of Rochester.  Additional information about Robin Hood and his band of merry men can also be found at Nottingham Tour http://homepage.ntlworld.com/lordthorpe/castle.htm    Both sites provide a fascinating perspective on the history of the Middle Ages through legend.

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