HANDS M C PILGRIMS AND THE CANTERBURY T - Weeblylauralwolfe.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/6/6/31665013/medievalcareers... · Medieval Careers - Pilgrims Page 2 Medieval Pilgrims and the

By Sarah Peterson

HANDS

ON

HISTORY

MEDIEVAL CAREERS:

PILGRIMS AND THE CANTERBURY TALES

Medieval Careers - Pilgrims Page 2

Medieval Pilgrims and the Canterbury Tales

Discussion #1: What is a Pilgrim? Pilgrims were – and are – people who traveled to a location because it was significant to their religion. This type of journey, called a “Pilgrimage,” did not originate during the Middle Ages. Pilgrimages had been around for centuries as people of all religions traveled long distances to important sacred sites.

Beginning in the 4th century, Christians journeyed from Europe to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth and other destinations having to do with the life of Jesus. This 3,000-mile pilgrimage could literally take a lifetime and was impossible for most people. During the Middle Ages, the destinations moved to religious sites that were closer to home. This made pilgrimages more accessible. Even so, a pilgrimage could take weeks or even months.

What makes a site religiously significant? A location could be considered holy if it was the site of the birth or death of a saint or martyr; if some miracle occurred there; or, if the location possessed a holy relic - an object with religious significance.

Each person had his or her own reason for going on a pilgrimage. Some people were seeking atonement for a sin or some offense: they reasoned that if they went to a holy site and showed their devotion, their sins would be forgiven. Other people sought a cure for a disease or disability. Reports of miracles at holy sites prompted many people to travel great distances in hopes of being healed. Of course, there were also people who traveled to holy places simply because they were religious and devout.

Traveling during the Middle Ages could be very dangerous; roads were filled with thieves who would readily attack single individuals or small parties of people. This is one of the reasons why pilgrims tended to travel in larger groups. In addition to the dangers of outlaws, the road conditions and weather could be treacherous. People in larger groups were able to look out for and help each other along the way.

For many people a pilgrimage was the one and only time they would leave their community. Most people lived their entire life in the same village or town – with no real reason to ever leave.

Depending on their finances, pilgrims either walked or traveled on horseback.


MEDIEVAL TIMES WANT ADS JOB OPENING: PILGRIM

Small Group Departing on a Pilgrimage to Canterbury!

Now Accepting Applications for Persons Seeking Atonement or Miracles

Applicant Must Be Able to Travel a Long Distance This Position Requires a ONE-MONTH COMMITMENT!

Activity #1: Complete the Job Application Students complete the job application found on page 9. Students can share answers if they are in a classroom or co-op setting.

Discussion #2: Geoffrey Chaucer and the Canterbury Cathedral

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London in 1340. He lived in England but traveled to France, Spain, Flanders and other areas as part of his job as a public servant. However, Chaucer is not remembered as a public servant, he is remembered as a poet. One of his most well-known works is a poem entitled, “The Canterbury Tales,” a collection of stories written in the last years of his life.

The Canterbury Cathedral The Canterbury Tales is a story about Medieval Pilgrims, on their journey from London to Canterbury. Their destination is a Cathedral in Canterbury, England, where a shrine is dedicated to a Saint named Thomas Becket. Thomas Becket was an Archbishop who was murdered in his own Cathedral by men devoted to the king at that time – King Henry II.

Thomas Becket had been a friend of King Henry II, counseling him in times of war and acting as ambassador in Henry’s associations with King Louis VII of France. Henry appointed Becket to an important position – the Archbishop of Canterbury. The King thought that this would give him control over the church, but he was wrong. Upon his appointment, Thomas instantly became loyal to the church. This infuriated Henry.

Over time, conflict and tension developed between Becket and King Henry II. At one point, Henry made a comment asking, “Who will rid me of this interfering priest?” Canterbury Cathedral


Several of Henry’s knights took these words to heart and immediately set out to find the Archbishop. Finding him at the altar of his Cathedral, the knights slashed him to death. The King had never actually ordered the murder and was repulsed by the act. The Pope declared Becket a Saint in 1173, three years after his death.

It was said that following Becket’s death, many people witnessed miracles at Canterbury Cathedral. After many reports of healings, people began making pilgrimages to a Shrine dedicated to Becket.

Discussion #3: The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem is the story of a group of pilgrims who are travelling from Tabard Inn (near London) to the Canterbury Cathedral. The group consists of men and women from different classes and occupations. There is one host (named Harry Bailey) and 30 pilgrims including Chaucer, who is actually a character – the narrator - in his poem. The pilgrims include a knight, a merchant, a miller, a pardoner, and a monk, among others. Harry Bailey proposes a contest: each pilgrim is to tell two tales on the way to the shrine and two tales on the return. Bailey will judge the stories and choose the one that is the most entertaining.

According to the rules conveyed by the host, there would have been 120 tales (30 pilgrims each telling four stories). Knowing this, it is clear that the Canterbury Tales is not a complete work; Chaucer died before he could finish the poem. Only 24 tales have survived – and two of those are only partial stories. Through the process of hand-copying (the printing press had not yet been invented), the intended order of the tales was lost. In an effort to organize the poem, scholars have grouped the tales into ten “fragments.” Within each of the fragments are tales that are closely related or that reference each other. In this way, scholars have attempted to determine the correct order. Unfortunately, there is no consensus among the experts. It is, however, agreed that the first story is the Knight’s Tale.

Some of the tales are sermons, some are fables; many have morals, many are vulgar and improper. Most of the stories give insight to human nature: how humans act; how they treat each other; how they respond to suffering; and what they do to endure and find happiness.

Chaucer wrote his poem in Middle English which was unusual at the time. Since the time of William the Conqueror (1066), most literature in England had been written in Latin or French. Additionally, although it is called a poem, it is actually written in both prose (text) and verse (poetry). The poem is recognized for revealing details about how ordinary people lived during the Middle Ages.


Activity #2: Translate English to English! One characteristic of language is that it is always changing. Words come and go; meanings are altered; spelling is modified and even sentence structure – the order of words in a sentence – changes. Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the Canterbury Tales in the 14th Century. How much has the English language changed in the past six hundred years?

Examine the original passage from the General Prologue of the Canterbury Tales (written in Middle English) and try to determine the meaning of the passage. “Guess” the meaning of the words on the chart below and then compare to the “Actual” meaning on the Teacher’s Key on page 5.

And specially from every shires ende

Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende,

The hooly blisful martir for to seke,

That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke.

Make an educated guess about what the following words mean:

WordWordWordWord GuessGuessGuessGuess ActualActualActualActual Engelond

Wende

Hooly

Seke

Hem Holpen

Seeke


Translate English to English! Teacher’s Key

And specially from every shires ende

Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende,

The hooly blisful martir for to seke,

That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke.

Make an educated guess about what the following words mean:

WordWordWordWord GuessGuessGuessGuess ActualActualActualActual

Engelond England

Wende Went

Hooly Holy Seke Seek

Hem Them

Holpen Helped

Seeke Sick The Following is a Translation of the Passage:

And specially from every shire's end Of England to Canterbury they went, To seek the holy blessed martyr,

Who helped them when they were sick.


Activity #3: Read a Canterbury Tale Adaptation It would be difficult to read all of the original Canterbury Tales in one class period! The entire work is quite extensive and not all passages are appropriate. Additionally, in order to understand Middle English most people would need a translator!

Reading a kid-friendly adaptation of “The Pardoner’s Tale” will provide the students an opportunity to get a feel for the story. Many of the tales, including the “Pardoner’s Tale,” begin with a prologue which introduces the storyteller to the reader.

The Pardoner’s Tale Prologue: The Pardoner begins his introduction by telling his fellow pilgrims about his job. He explains that he is a pardoner who preaches that greed is the root of all evil. During his sermons he offers to sell holy relics to the members of the congregation. He explains that these holy relics have miraculous powers that will pardon the person’s sins. He confesses to the pilgrims that the holy relics have no power whatsoever. The Pardoner explains very honestly that he only sells relics for the money and that he truly does not have a care about what happens to the person’s soul upon death. He professes to be holy while pocketing the money dishonestly. After revealing these details about his occupation, the Pardoner begins his tale.

The Pardoner’s Tale: There once lived in Flanders three wicked, sinful men who spent their time in illegal, immoral activities.

One night while the three men were in a tavern, they looked outside and saw a group of men carrying a corpse to the grave. One of the three asked about the corpse and was told that he was an old man whose heart had been attacked by a thief named “Death.” The three wicked men had heard of this “Death” and how he had killed so many people: young, old, rich and poor. The three men vowed to find Death and murder him.

The three men headed out in search of the elusive thief. They came upon an elderly man sitting on the side of the road. They approached him and rudely asked, “How is it, that you are still alive?”

The elderly man politely responded, “I have asked to die, but so far I have been denied.”


One of the wicked men asked, “Have you seen the mysterious thief, Death?”

The elderly man replied, “Yes, he is up the road a bit, under an old oak tree.”

The three men rushed up the road in search of the oak tree. There, instead of Death, they found eight bushels of gold coins. Finding this treasure, the three forgot all about hunting Death.

They decide that the safest way to move the gold is under the cover of night. Two of the men would stay with the gold while the third goes back to town to get some bread and wine for dinner. They draw lots and it is determined that the youngest of the three would fetch the food, while the others stand guard.

When the youngest had left, the other two decide that when the third returns, they will stab him and divide the gold between themselves. While in town, the youngest man decides to poison two of the three bottles of wine so that he can have all of the gold for himself. Upon his return, the two men who had guarded the gold did indeed stab the youngest. In celebration of their victory, they drank the wine – coincidentally, the two bottles that had been poisoned.

The three evil men did in fact find Death – exactly where the elderly man had said he would be – by the old oak tree.

Of course, the moral of this story is, “Greed is the Root of All Evil!”


Activity #4: Write a Tale for Your Pilgrimage! Students will write a tale to be used on the pilgrimage in Activity #5.

The host in the Canterbury Tales had no rules for storytelling. In our activity there is really only one rule: the story should take one or two minutes to tell. The story can have a moral, but one is not required.

The following prompt may help students recall an interesting event that can be used as a basis for a story:

Even though you might not remember what you wore last week or what you had for dinner yesterday, there are some things that have happened in your life that you will never forget. Think of an event that you are sure you will always remember even when you are a grandma or grandpa!

Do you remember… • a time when you laughed really hard?

• a time when you were really surprised?

• a vacation where you did something different?

• the first time you met a new friend?

• the first day you got a new pet?

• a time when you won an award or an important game?

• a time when you accomplished something significant?

• an event that seemed very scary?

One page will take 1-2 minutes to tell.

Activity #5: Go On a Pilgrimage; Share Your Story! This activity is great because it allows the students to move around, to be creative, to share stories and to feel like a Canterbury Pilgrim!

Your pilgrimage can be a hike in the neighborhood; a walk around the campus; or a walk through your school or church.

Set aside enough time for each student to “tell a tale” on your journey. The pilgrims begin by traveling for just a few minutes. At the first resting spot, the “Host” introduces the first pilgrim who will then tell his or her story (from Activity #4). At each resting spot, two or three pilgrims share their stories. Activity #6: Complete “Pilgrims and the Canterbury Tales” Worksheet Complete the worksheet entitled “Pilgrims and the Canterbury Tales” found on page 10.


Job Application: Pilgrim

Name of Applicant: Age of Applicant: Do you own a horse? Do you have good walking shoes? What is the longest period of time that you have ever been away from home? How many days are you available to be on a pilgrimage? Pilgrims are not able to carry many personal belongings. Which of the following items WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO LIVE WITHOUT while on your pilgrimage? Circle all that apply. A Bed A Pillow A Toothbrush Soap Clean Water Any Pets A Best Friend Pajamas Your Home Please describe any miracle you are seeking:


Pilgrims and the Canterbury Tales – Review Worksheet

1. Who wrote the Canterbury Tales? a. William Shakespeare b. William Chaucer c. Geoffrey Chaucer d. Thomas Becket

2. What is the destination of the pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales? a. Canterbury Cathedral b. Plymouth Rock c. London d. The Pope

3. How many pilgrims are in the Canterbury Tales?

4. What is the name of the host of the Tabard Inn? a. George Bailey b. Bailey Harrison c. Geoffrey Bailey d. Harry Bailey

5. In what language were the Canterbury Tales written? a. Latin b. French c. Middle English d. Modern English

6. Why did Medieval Pilgrims travel in groups? a. So that they could share stories b. Traveling alone was dangerous c. To look for the old oak tree d. To write a poem


Pilgrims and the Canterbury Tales – Review Worksheet

Teacher’s Key

1. Who wrote the Canterbury Tales? a. William Shakespeare b. William Chaucer c. Geoffrey Chaucer d. Thomas Becket

2. What is the destination of the pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales? a. Canterbury Cathedral b. Plymouth Rock c. London d. The Pope

3. How many pilgrims are in the Canterbury Tales? 30 including Chaucer (plus the host)

4. What is the name of the host of the Tabard Inn? a. George Bailey b. Bailey Harrison c. Geoffrey Bailey d. Harry Bailey

5. In what language were the Canterbury Tales written? a. Latin b. French c. Middle English d. Modern English

6. Why did Medieval Pilgrims travel in groups? a. So that they could share stories b. Traveling alone was dangerous c. To look for the old oak tree d. To write a poem


Additional Activities: Individual or Classroom

Coloring Page – Medieval Pilgrimage Complete the coloring page of a Medieval Pilgrimage found on page 13.

Seek and Find Activity Sheet Examine the image of people preparing to depart on a pilgrimage on page 14. Complete the “seek and find” questions on the bottom of the sheet.

Review Game: Bingo Type the Bingo words into the Bingo Maker (free bingo cards!) http://print-bingo.com/g.php?gp Words are on page 16. To make “Bingo” a review game, instead of saying the bingo word, give students the clue that appears on the table. There are 24 words – with the middle space being free.

Create a Poem This activity works best in a group or class. Although it is a bit of an effort, the final product is really fun to read and share.

Following the pilgrimage in Activity #5, the students each take their own stories and turn them into a poem with one or two stanzas: 4 or 8 lines. Rhyming dictionaries are great for this activity. Compile all the poems into one collection and title them after your school or group; for example, The Lincoln Elementary Tales or the Westport Homeschoolers Tales.

The following is an example from one of my classes. Use the first four lines as an introduction to the poem:

On Our Recent “Pilgrimage” Hiking through the Trails

Each Student Shared a Narrative Like Canterbury Tales

THE TALE OF ISAIAH

A Secret Had Been Kept From Him – Although His Brother Knew,

Isaiah Soon Would Learn the Truth What Would his Family Do?

His Mom Said “We Need to Talk” A Change Would Come Their Way A Move to Spokane, Washington

The Thirty-First of May


MEDIEVAL PILGRIMAGE


Medieval Pilgrims – Seek and Find

Examine the picture of these medieval pilgrims on their way to a holy site.

1. What time of day would you guess this picture is? 2. How many people do you see in this picture? 3. How many horses are there? 4. Circle the man wearing the wreath on his head. 5. How many beards do you see? 6. How many bells do you see? (Hint: these are small!) 7. How many dogs are there? 8. What other animals do you see? 9. How many children do you see? 10. Circle the bald – or partially bald – men.


Medieval Pilgrims - Seek and Find - Teacher’s Key 1. What time of day would you guess this picture is?

Morning (the sky is light, one pilgrim is rolling up the blanket from a night of sleep)

2. How many people do you see in this picture? Twelve

3. How many horses are there? Three

4. Circle the man wearing the wreath on his head. He is kneeling front and center

5. How many beards do you see? Two

6. How many bells do you see? (Hint: these are small!) Three (on the horse)

7. How many dogs are there? Two (one on the ground, one held by the woman)

8. What other animals do you see? Chickens

9. How many children do you see? One

10. Circle the bald – or partially bald – men There appear to be three – the man on the far right, the man next to him, and the man behind the woman holding the small dog.


Pilgrims and the Canterbury Tales

Word on Bingo Card Clue or Hint to Give to Students King Henry II The King Who Caused the Death of Thomas Becket

Holy Relic An Object With Religious Significance

Canterbury Cathedral Destination of Pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales

Canterbury Tales The Poem About Pilgrims Written by Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer The Author of the Canterbury Tales

Thomas Becket He Was Killed in Canterbury Cathedral

Pilgrim A Person Who Travels to a Religious Site

Tabard Inn The Starting Point of the Canterbury Tales

600 Years Ago When the Canterbury Tales Were Written

Death Three Wicked Men Sought Him in the Pardoner’s Tale

Harry Bailey The Name of the Host in the Canterbury Tales

Walking or Horseback How Pilgrims Traveled During the Middle Ages

Knight, Merchant, Miller Examples of Pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales

Atonement Reason for Pilgrimage Involving Forgiveness of Sins

Healing Reason for Pilgrimage Involving Curing Disease

Greed This is the Root of All Evil in the Pardoner’s Tale

Middle English The Language of the Canterbury Tales

Two There, Two Back How Many Tales Each Pilgrim Was to Tell

Fragments The Canterbury Tales Are Grouped Into 10 of These

Archbishop Title Held by Thomas Becket

Traveling Was Dangerous Why Pilgrims Traveled in Groups

Poet and Public Servant Two Jobs of Geoffrey Chaucer

England The Country of Chaucer and Canterbury

Pilgrimage A Journey to a Religiously Significant Location


Suggested Books

Chaucer Coloring Book by Geoffrey Chaucer (Author), Bellerophon Books Ages 9+ Bellerophon coloring books are geared toward older kids or even adults. This “coloring book” includes small pictures and extensive text – including the prologue written in its original Middle English. The coloring images are similar to wood-block prints. 48 pages

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales Retold And Illustrated by Marcia Williams Ages 10+ Step back into the Middle Ages for a boisterous, bawdy storytelling session led by the one and only Chaucer. Marcia Williams uses her signature comic-strip format to animate nine Canterbury classics, including "The Clerk's Tale," "The Miller's Tale," and "The Wife of Bath's Tale." Interspersed with her lively narrative and running side-commentary are bits of dialogue from the original Medieval English text, bringing the essence of Chaucer's colorful humor to modern readers in an engaging way. 48 pages

The Canterbury Tales by Geraldine McCaughrean (Adapter), Geoffrey Chaucer (Author), Victor Ambrus (Illustrator) Ages 10+ Geraldine McCaughrean retells The Canterbury Tales for children in a lively and humorous style which captures the original flair of Chaucer himself. She introduces us to the characters who told these tales: the shy, battle-hardened Knight, the Summoner whose breath smells of onions, the angry Miller with his red beard, and the Widow of Bath who likes a happy ending. The stories and the characters are brought to life by Victor Ambrus, with pictures of wild chases, exciting battles, and the April countryside through which the pilgrims travel. 128 pages

Chanticleer and the Fox by Geoffrey Chaucer (Author), Barbara Cooney (Illustrator) Ages 8+ King of the Barnyard, Chanticleer struts about all day. When a fox bursts into his domain, dupes him into crowing, and then grabs him in a viselike grip, Chanticleer must do some quick thinking to save himself and his barnyard kingdom. This is the kid’s version of the Canterbury Tale “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale.” 44 pages

Suggested Movies

Journey to Mecca starring Ben Kingsley Not Rated. Journey to Mecca tells the incredible true story of the pilgrimage of Ibn Battuta, one of the greatest travelers in history. In 1325, as a 21-year-old law student, he set out from Morocco on an epic journey to the sacred city of Mecca. Along the way, he is besieged by bandits, disease and sandstorms, but when he finally arrives after having traveled thousands of miles, he is a man transformed. With stunning imagery and released to critical acclaim around the world, Journey to Mecca includes extraordinary and moving footage of the Hajj, one of the longest running annual events in human history. 45 minutes

Documents

HANDS M C PILGRIMS AND THE CANTERBURY T - Weeblylauralwolfe.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/6/6/31665013/medievalcareers... · Medieval Careers - Pilgrims Page 2 Medieval Pilgrims and the