Series: English Heritage Series.
Subject Areas: History.
Ages: 8 9 10 11 12 13 14.
Type: Internet-Linked

Knights and Armor is Usborne's glorious new title about the Middle Ages, and it is spectacular. Five sections of this book neatly piece together all the details of the age of knights - these include Knight's Battle Gear, Knights at War, Knights at Peace, Knights and Chivalry, and a Knight's "Fact File." Photos of real horsemen and armor are abundant, as well as detailed drawings, maps, and famous legends connected with this fascinating period.

The vocabulary is rich with terms that the student can learn in context -- words like lethal, manor, fief, peasant, destrier, regard, flail, hauberk, coif, and more. These would make a challenging spelling word list, too. Many of the words weren't familiar to me but I learned them as I went.

Short writing assignment ideas leap out of this book too -- What was the attitude of the Englishmen toward archery? How did armor change over the years of the Middle Ages? How was chain mail made, and how did it protect the knights? What various uses did shields have? What characterized the "perfect knight"? How important were horses to the knights? Describe the battle tactics knights used.

Then there is the potential to add a vast array of experiences thru the internet links: Pretend to be a squire and prepare a knight for battle. Build a trebuchet and destroy a castle, Design your own coat-of-arms, try medieval recipes, examine illuminated manuscripts, learn about hunting with birds, famous battles and many other activities.

This book is the perfect follow-up to Knights and Castles from the Time Traveler Series. It would be great fun to pair it up with the Knight's Handbook and See Inside Castles. For hands-on learning, have your student build a medieval castle from the Cutout Series. Medieval World from the World History Series (which I will begin blogging on next week) adds even more detail to this important historic era.

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Of Interest To: Librarians and Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers, Homeschoolers