Knights and Ladies Club
The academic objective of the Knights and Ladies Club is to teach the history and culture of Europe during the Middle Ages. The students (members of the club) assume historical roles such as serf, peasant, merchant, page, squire and knight to get a feel for the social system of feudalism.They learn about the 'tower of power' and how in feudalism one could not go up or down from their station in life. Born a serf, died a serf. Their club leader is Queen Eleanor of Aquitane.
The structure of the class involves learning through drama, stories, music and art.
The students in Knights and Ladies club literally experience important events, lifestyle and culture from the Middle Ages. Sophisticated material such as Beowulf, and the Magna Carta are introduced to the students. Observing how castles were built from the Dark ages through history to the late middle ages initiates an important appreciation for architecture.
They begin the year as serfs toiling in the garden, cleaning the castle, to becoming pages and learning the importance of games children played (chess, marbles) to squires where they learn about chivalry, how to polish armour, carve meat, sword fighting techniques, and finally, they become Knights and Dames during the knighting ceremony in the spring.