illuminatedletter

Illuminated Letter History 7 / Carlton

Requirements -
* Final draft preferably in blue or black ink (neatly written without smudges or mark-outs) . If you have to you may type it - make sure it is 1 ½ spacing, one inch margins all around, font size 12
* Length at least 2 ½ pages (sides)
* You must have at least 3 colored decorated letters.
* You must have at least 3 paragraphs telling the information below using correct
spelling, grammar, sentence structure and punctuation

The assignment is to write a letter home detailing the process of going from a page, to a squire, to a knight in the service of a medieval leader, and decorating it with at least 1 “illumination” or decorative lettering. Here are the details:

      Using the textbook “Across the Centuries” on page 265 , read the information about the duties of a Page, a Squire, and a Knight. You can also click on each picture for more information.
Being a Page Being a Squire   Being a Knight
AND - check out this website for even MORE information !!
      Choose a leader we have studied or one you have researched from the Medieval Period. Pretend you have been serving under that leader for at least 11 years. Write a letter to someone in your family( Mom, Dad, brother, sister, etc.) telling them what your life has been like as a Page, then a Squire, and now as a Knight under the leader you have chosen.

Assume you have been away from home for about 11 years, and this is the first letter you have written since you left ! Assume you are about 19-20 years old and are now a knight.
*** If you are a female you may pretend you are a male or you may pretend that your boyfriend or husband has gone through this training and you have been there to witness it and support him through it.

Begin your letter with Dear ________,
Explain that you are sorry it took you so long to write and what this letter will be about.
Divide your paper into three sections.
           In the first part tell about your life as a Page
           In the second part tell about your life as a Squire.
           In the third part tell about your life as a Knight.
End your letter with Love, ___________________

Include these in each part :
* When you get (got) up in the morning and what you ate
* What your daily chores are (were)
* Mention how you served your leader (be sure to use the leader’s name)
* Dangers or hard work or injuries you go (went) through serving your leader in battles or preparations
* What things you are (were) good at
* What skills you need (needed) to work on

To “illuminate “ your letter: Use one colored decorated letter for the first letter in each paragraph . Since you must have at least 3 paragraphs, you will need at least 3 colored decorated letters. If you write more than 3 paragraphs, have more than 3 colored decorated letters. You do not need to decorate the Title, the greeting, or the goodbye portion of your letter. BE CREATIVE !! Some students have written their letters on tan colored stationary or fake parchment for that old-tyme look , some use a medieval calligraphy look in their handwriting or typing (just be sure it is clear enough to read by your old teacher’s tired eyes !)