Not all the women in the late Middle Ages (1400-1510) lived lives of quiet desperation. Young historians study images and read primary source documents to gain an understanding of what life was like for the elite class of medieval women.

Concepts

women's history, women's history month, primary source analysis, primary source images, primary sources, the dark ages

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Instructional Ideas

• Project the portraits rather than making printed color copies for each group
  

Classroom Considerations

• Instructors must locate their own video clips that depict well-to-do medieval women

Pros

• The lesson examines an aspect of the Middle Ages that is often overlooked

Cons

• No information is provided about what percentage of women at the time were part of the elite class

Common Core

RI.9-10.1 RI.11-12.1