This week in our history classes, we studied the feudal system in medieval Europe. Feudalism was a fascinating development. In Europe during the time of the Viking invaders, Europeans did not have strong leadership in the form of kings so the system of feudalism developed. Wealthy lords and nobles built castles to protect themselves and their families, and free citizens voluntarily put themselves under the authority of the manor owners for their protection. In return, they would help protect the castle and work for the lord. Layer upon layer eventually developed, and eventually there was a pyramid-like class structure with the kings, nobles and knights at the top and serfs and peasants at the bottom. The Upper Grammar class focused on the invaders from the north, making a long boat like the Vikings would have used for exploration and conquest. Meanwhile, the Lower Grammar class made stained glass coats-of-arms like the knights would have worn to show which family or manor they had pledged their loyalty to. Downstairs, the little ones read "Dinosaur Roar". It's a rhyming story that teaches the kids opposites such as "roar/squeak" and "fierce/meek". The kids then made some ferocious looking dinosaur masks and decorated them with stickers and jewels.
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