HISTORY : medieval Britain

Test your knowledge on the Normans:

http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/History/The-Norman-Conquest-94537.html

The Middle Ages in Britain cover a huge period : from  the french flag Norman Conquest, which began in 1066, to the devasting Black Death of 1348, the Hundred Years' War with France and the War of the Roses, which finally ended in 1485.
The Normans built impressive
castles, imposed a feudal system and carried out a census of the country.
 castle

Who were the Normans?

The Normans were people who lived in Normandy in Northern France. They were originally Vikings from Scandinavia. (The name Normandy comes from the French normand, meaning Norsemen and Normans)

The Normans lived in wattle and daub huts with thatched straw roofs.
(After invading Britain they also built castles - to defend their new kingdom)


The Normans lived in wattle and daub huts with thatched straw roofs.
(After invading Britain they also built
castles - to defend their new kingdom)

Food

There were no supermarkets or shops to buy food so the celts ate what food they could grow or hunt.
Plants
Vegetables e.g. leeks, onions, turnips, parsnips and carrots.
Wild nuts e.g. hazelnuts and walnuts.
Berries e.g. gooseberries, blackberries and blueberries.
Grains to make bread and also porridge
Herbs e.g. fennel, common sorrel, wild garlic, parsley
Leaves e.g. nettles and spinach
Animal
Wild animals e.g. deer, wild boar, fox, beaver, and bear.
Fish e.g. trout, mackerel, and salmon.
Domesticated animals e.g. chicken, goat, sheep and pigs.
Eggs from hens and wild birds eggs.
Insects
Honey from bees

                  WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR 

William, Duke of Normandy was the leaderof the Normans.William was born in 1027. He became duke of Normandy when he was only seven years old.

Why did William the Conqueror invade England?
William laid claim to the English throne after Edward died. He was a distant cousin of Edward and said that Edward had promised him the throne when visiting France in 1051. He even said his claim had been accepted by Harold Godwinson in 1064, when Harold had been blown onto the Norman shore by a storm. William invaded England to become King and claim the throne from Harold.

When did William the Conqueror invade England?
The Norman Invasion started when William, Duke of Normandy's 7,000 soldiers landed at Pevensey on the morning of the 28th September 1066.

Where did William fight Harold for the English Throne?
Harold and William's armies met on Senlac Hill*, seven miles (10 km) from Hastings.(Today the village where the battle took place is simply called Battle.)


What is the name of the famous battle between William and Harold?
The Battle of Hastings.

What date did the Battle of Hastings take place on?
It began at about nine o'clock on the 14th October 1066 and lasted most of the day.
The battle lasted six hours.
Why did William won the Battle of Hastings?
  1. William's army had time to rest before the battle. Harold Godwinson's army was tired and they did not have time to prepare properly for the battle. The English army had already fought the Battle of Stamford Bridge that day and had to march quickly down to the battlefield outside Hastings. They marched 50 miles a day!
  2. William's army was stronger. He had better trained soldiers and had the use of a strong cavalry (men on horseback) and archers whereas Harold did not.
  3. William's army pretended to flee. Many of Harold's men broke their sheild wall to chase after them but as they did William and his army turned back and slaughtered them.
What is the Bayeux Tapestry about? 
Bayeaux tapestry

The Bayeux Tapestry tells the story, in pictures ,of the events leading up to and including the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. The story is told from the Norman point of view. There is no English equivalent so it is very difficult to confirm or dispute some of the details on the tapestry.


Why is it called the Bayeux Tapestry?
It is called the Bayeux Tapestry because it has been kept at Bayeux in France probably ever since it was made.


NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!



More than 10,000 dancers, acrobats, cheerleaders, musicians and performers assemble in the heart of the city for a "celebration of nations." Starting as Big Ben strikes 12 Noon, the Parade takes the following route:
Parliament Square, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and then up to the junction of Berkeley Street on Piccadilly
.

Watch the video:

British festivities : CHRISTMAS







 















Click on this following link and follow the instructions !

Enjoy!!
Mrs Morel

http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/bws8Shell_fps24.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/product/full/el/&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3166187/graphic1

Special thanks to Clara and Fanny for their oral presentation on Christmas and HOGMANA in Scotland !!
 Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year (Gregorian calendar) in the Scottish manner.



Real Scottish girls !!


                                                   
Special thanks to Kilian for his oral presentation on Christmas in England




Thanks to Jodie and Camille for their delicious cakes !!!


               How is Christmas Celebrated in Britain?

Christmas is a truly magical season, bringing families and friends together to share the much loved customs and traditions which have been around for centuries. 
Most people are on holiday in the UK and stay at home with their family on Christmas day, the main day for Christmas celebrations in Britain. 

Christmas is celebrated on the 25th December, with a Christmas dinner at midday for the whole family.
It is a  Bank Holiday / Public Holiday
                                                  


How do the British prepare for Christmas?

During the weeks before Christmas Day, the British send cards, watch nativity plays and go to carol services. They put up Christmas decorations in their homes and churches.

                          
                                                            Boxing Day :26th December (Bank Holiday)   

 Like Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a public holiday. This means it is typically a non working day in the whole of Britain. When Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday the following Monday is the public holiday.


Why is 26 December called Boxing Day?

Traditionally, 26 December was the day to open the Christmas Box to share the contents with the poor.                                               
                                                                    BRITISH  TRADITIONS
What is Carol Singing?
CarolersCarol singing, or Caroling, is singing carols in the street or public places. It is one of the oldest customs in Great Britain, going back to the Middle Ages when beggars, seeking food, money, or drink, would wander the streets singing holiday songs. © copyright of projectbritain.com
People today still go carol singing. People go from house to house singing carols and collecting money for charity.
The traditional period to sing carols is from St Thomas's Day (21 December) until the morning of Christmas Day.
lights

CHRISTMAS PUDDING







                           Mince Pies                           A traditional British Christmas treat!

Learn about Christmas in England from the children who live in Britain Christmas traditions why do what we do at chrsitmas time Mince pies are an essential part of Christmas. They are made from minced fruit not meat. In the US, the filling is known by the more accurate name "fruitmince".

What are Mince pies?
They are small pies, usually between 2 and 3 inches in diameter (5-7.5 centimetres), filled with mincemeat (fruitmince).
Ingredients of Mince Pies
The filling is a mixture of raisins, sultanas, apricots, glace cherries, candied citrus peel, apples, various types of nuts and mixed spices typically nutmeg and cinnamon.


Another popular English tradition is that of the Christmas cracker




 These brightly coloured paper tubes  are still widely distributed at Christmas parties and gatherings today. When two people come together to pull the cracker apart, it releases a loud snap and then drops a small trinket or gift.

 Taking the plunge

"It's difficult to understand how diving into a freezing body of water on Christmas Day ever caught on, but it has become an annual custom in Britain (brave Londoners leap into the Serpentine on Hyde Park or, pictured here, Brighton beach), Ireland (where many head for the chilly Irish Sea), and France (there's an  annual dip in Nice)."

(telegraph.co.uk)
 

Here is the Queen's Christmas message 2011 (lots of British people watched it on TV ) 
The Queen has used her annual Christmas Day broadcast to speak of courage and hope in adversity.


Enjoy these Christmas  pictures in the British Isles!

LONDON (England)




DUBLIN  (Republic of Ireland)


 
BELFAST (Northern Ireland)
 
CARDIFF (Wales)



EDINBURGH (Scotland):around the Princes Street Gardens.
 



Revise your vocabulary !


Christmas treeChristmas wreathHollyPonsettias
Sapin de NoëlCouronne de NoëlHouxPoinsettia
Christmas garland(Christmas)  baubleTinselsStar
Guirlande de NoëlBoule de NoëlGuirlandes décorativesÉtoile
CandlesBow BellsJingle bells /sleigh bells
BougiesNoeudClochesgrelots
LightsStockingOrnamentsChristmas market
Guirlandes lumineusesChaussette de NoëlDécorationsMarché de Noël



Christmas world 
Santa Claus/Father ChristmasBobsleigh/Bob sleighReindeerElves
Père NoëlTraîneauRenneElfs / Lutins
ListChimneyFireplaceGifts / Presents
ListeCheminéeCheminéeCadeaux / Présents
ToysCarol singersChristmas carolVow card
JouetsChanteursChant de NoëlCarte de voeux

Christmas Eve dinner
Christmas Eve dinnerTurkeyGingerbread cookiesChristmas cake/pudding
Réveillon de NoëlDindeCookies en pain d'épiceGâteau de Noël
Yule logEgg-nog/Eggnog/EggflipChocolateCandy cane
Bûche pâtissièreLait de pouleChocolatSucre candy en forme de canne


 



RECIPE :Christmas pudding

 
 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      cups          Pillsbury's Best All Purpose Flour* -- sifted
     1/3  cup           sugar
   1 1/4  teaspoons     soda
   1      teaspoon      salt
   1      teaspoon      French's Cinnamon
     1/4  teaspoon      French's Ginger
     1/4  teaspoon      French's Nutmeg
     1/4  teaspoon      French's Cloves
   1      cup           suet -- ground or grated
   1       cup          buttermilk or sour milk
   1      cup           raisins
     1/3  cup           molasses
                        Butterscotch, Nutmeg or Hard Sauce

STEAM for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.Sift together the flour, sugar, soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and
cloves. Stir in suet, buttermilk or sour milk, raisins, and molasses.  Mix
until dry ingredients are moistened.  Turn into well-greased 2-quart mold or
casserole.  Cover with tight cover or aluminum foil.  Place on rack in large
steamer or kettle.  Add boiling water to height of 2 inches in steamer,
cover.  Steam 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until pudding springs back when touched
lightly in center.**  Serve hot, cut into slices with Butterscotch, Nutmeg,
or Hard Sauce.  
*For use with Pillsbury's Best Self-Rising Flour, omit soda and salt.
**If desired, Christmas Pudding may be baked in a 300 degree oven.  Place  a
pan of water in oven.  Cover pudding and bake 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.

Butterscotch Sauce:  Combine 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons
flour and 1/8 teaspoons salt.  Stir in 1 cup cream and 1 cup milk. Cook over
medium heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.

Hard Sauce:  Cream 1/2 cup butter. Add gradually 2 cups sifted confectioners'
sugar, creaming until light and fluffy.  Blend in 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1
tablespoon boiling water, 1 teaspoon French's Vanilla and 2 teaspoons
French's Rum or Brandy Flavoring, if desired.  Chill until serving time.

Nutmeg Sauce:  Cream 1/4 cup butter. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, creaming
until light and fluffy.  Blend in 1 egg yolk, 1 1/2 tablespoons flour and 1
teaspoon French's Vanilla. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups boiling water. Cook in
top of double boiler over boiling water, stirring constantly until slightly
thickened. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon French's Nutmeg.

                   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
CHRISTMAS GAMES 
Have a good fun !!
1 - http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/christmas/games/hideandsock/ 
2 - http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/christmas/games/santasquiz/