The Dark Ages: Historical Creative Writing Assignment

Historical Question: Were the Dark Ages really dark?

Due Date: December 18th, 2018
Length: 250-500 words
Font: Times New Roman, size 12
Using information from the SHEG document on the Dark Ages, as well as your own research,
write a minimum of three paragraphs in the perspective of one of the citizens of the Dark Ages.
These paragraphs must talk about the daily life in the Middle Ages as well as the types of
activities that your assigned person would have completed during any given day. Keep in mind
that the final assignment should express how the character feels about the Dark Ages, and if
they feel that the Dark Ages are really as dark as people say that they are today.

It is encouraged that you be as creative with this assignment as possible. It is suggested that
you write your information in the form of a journal entry by your assigned characters, although
other suggestions can be brought to Ms. Kynock or Mr. Rutledge for approval. Before you write
your final response make sure you have researched thoroughly and are able to show evidence
that supports your character’s thoughts.
 The Roles

Bailiff: The role of a bailiff in the feudal system was to be responsible for the executing of court
decisions. They were also responsible for serving the legal orders to people in the kingdom.
Barons: The role of a baron in the feudal system was to do responsible for a section of the
kingdom’s land. They were also in charge of all of the peasants that worked on that section of
land.
Blacksmith: The role of a blacksmith in the feudal system was to make metal instruments and
tools used in various aspects of medieval life. This job was important because the
Farmer: The role of a farmer in the feudal system is to produce crops for the kingdom. These
crops are traded for other resources as well as used to feed members of nobility.
King: The role of the king in the feudal system is to uphold the law and keep peace in the
kingdom. They were also in charge of developing a centralized government.
Knights: The role of a knight in the feudal system was to serve as protection for his lord. They
were given land by their lord and in return owed their military services.
Lady in Waiting: The role of a lady in waiting in the feudal system was to be a personal
assistance to the nobility. They were of lower social ranking than those they attended to.
Priest: The role of a priest in the feudal system was to assist in establishing the rules of the
kingdom. They were also in charge of the church which was influential at the time.
Queen: The role of the queen in the feudal system was to assist the king in his duties. They
were also known for assisting to spy on other kingdoms.
Sheriff: The role of a sheriff in the feudal system was to collect fines and rents from the people
of the kingdom. It was the sheriff’s job to investigate crimes for the king.
 The Marking Rubric

3 2 1
Creativity This piece of writing This piece of writing This piece of writing
demonstrates demonstrates some lacks creativity. There
creativity. It is clear creativity. It is clear is a lack of overall
that effort was put that some effort was creative elements to
into the overall put into the creation this piece.
creation of the piece. of the piece.
Historical Accuracy All information in this Most of the Little of the
piece of writing is information in this information in this
historically accurate. piece of writing is piece of writing is
Attention to detail is historically accurate. historically accurate.
clear. There could have Attention to deal is
been more attention lacking.
to detail.
Answering the The historical The historical The historical
Historical Question question was clearly question was question was not
answered within the somewhat answered clearly answered in
writing piece. in the writing piece. the writing piece.

Evidence of Research It is clear that there It is somewhat clear It is unclear that

was research used in that research was research was used to
order to create this used to create this create this writing
writing piece. It writing piece. More piece. It lacks details
contains details details could have about life in the Dark
about life in the Dark been included about Ages.
Ages. life in the Dark Ages.
Conventions There is clear There is somewhat It is unclear that this
evidence that the clear evidence that piece was created
writing piece was the writing piece was with grammar rules
created with created with in mind. It is filled
grammar rules in grammar rules in with grammatical
mind. There are few mind. There are a fair errors.
grammatical errors. amount of
grammatical errors.