Entry last updated: 26/05/22
Introduction
European history between about 500 and 1500 AD is known as the Middle Ages or Medieval period. People think of the Middle Ages as a time of knights and castles. Also great changes happened throughout Europe during the Middle Ages especially in weapons technology and political structures.
General websites
In the websites below you will find useful facts, images, and other information about the Middle Ages.
This education site is easy to read and interesting.
Select History from the home page and choose Middle Ages.
You'll find many articles about Culture, different Nations, Major Events like The Black Death, and more.
Or look down the page for an overview.
A free-to-use site filled with videos and articles on lots of topics, including the Middle Ages.
Search by keyword eg 'knights'.
Select from the results eg Feudal system during the Middle Ages (video).
Tips: Websites that have .org in the address can have good information, but you need to check how reliable it is. Check the About link on this website. That can tell you what the organisation's mission and values are.
Primary Sources
Primary sources are things like buildings, artworks, or documents created during the Middle Ages by people who were there.
The British library focuses on English history and literature from the Middle Ages till recent times with primary sources in a digitised format.
Go to Online resources.
Scroll down to the History section and choose The Middle Ages.
Select an article eg Women in medieval society.
Tips: Websites that have .uk in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the About us link on this website to find out what the company’s mission and values are.
Spartacus Educational has brief entries focusing on British history and society. It includes examples of primary source material in each entry.
Search for 'Middle Ages'.
Select from the results eg Life in the Middle Ages.
Choose a subsection eg Farming in the Middle Ages.
Tips: Websites that have .com or .co in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the Author link on this website to find out who has written the information.
EPIC resources
EPIC is a collection of reliable databases covering lots of different topics. It’s put together especially for New Zealand school students and helps to answer questions like this.
This online version of the Encyclopedia Britannica is a reliable website with great information on the Middle ages.
Login using your school password (or ask a librarian on AnyQuestions).
Choose a level like Middle (you can always change the level later, if you need to).
Type your keyword 'middle ages' into the search bar.
Choose Middle Ages (European history).
Another EPIC database with reliable information on lots of topics.Here you can find articles, primary sources, biographies or pictures.
Login using your school password (or ask a librarian on AnyQuestions).
Type your keyword 'middle ages' into the search bar.
Tips: To get to the EPIC resources you will need a password from your school librarian first. Or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians between 1 and 6pm Monday to Friday and they will help you online. Some EPIC databases may also be available through your public library.
Books
There have been many books written about the Middle Ages - check out your local public or school library to see what books they have.
Chronicles of the middle ages by Fiona Macdonald and others.
Illuminating women in the medieval world by Christine Sciacca.
Destination: Middle Ages (series).
SCIS no: 1886875
Topics covered
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